The OffBeat #18: What's in Your Brain Pantry?

Something to chew on

There’s this trend around exercise "snacks," or micro-workouts, that a) has been really working for me (shout out to Melissa Wood Health) and b) has made me think about how the concept — brief workouts spread throughout the day, like 1 minute of stair-climbing or 6 minutes of no-equipment arm exercises — can apply elsewhere.

Each day I try to do something physically active, the max of which is usually a 10-minute MWH video, and what I consider mentally active — something nourishing for my brain outside of my job. So, reading a book, playing the new electronic drum set (!) we got over the holidays, listening to a Calm meditation, doing some self-reflection.

With a 20-month-old in the house it’s difficult to do one, let alone both. But the snackable approach makes it feel more manageable. It doesn’t have to be a whole thing, I can just squeeze in a few chapters of a book before I sit down at my desk or a quick Duolingo lesson when I grab lunch.

The danger, of course, is that while research shows “snacking” on exercise throughout the day can be just as effective as a single longer, intense workout, our minds crave more sustained periods of focus in order to reach flow state.

But the thing is, our attention spans are like Dug’s in Up (“Squirrel!”), thanks to overstimulation and the frenzy of digital algorithms. And the shape of my day, with a full-time job and childcare, just metabolizes brain snacking more easily right now. I’d rather make my way through Open Yale Courses’ Modern Poetry class via 20-minute chunks every few days over time than not at all.

Let me know what you think; and if you’re into the idea — what’s in your brain pantry?

Have a great week,

Allison