ADHD, Flexible Thinking, and Living Constitutionally with AJ Jacobs
Jul 29, 2024
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AJ Jacobs, a New York Times Best-Selling author and editor at large for Esquire, dives into his latest book, exploring what it means to live like a colonial American. He shares how this lifestyle experiment positively influenced his mental health. The conversation highlights the importance of flexible thinking and the historical lessons from figures like Benjamin Franklin. Plus, AJ introduces a fun community initiative centered around election cakes to uplift the voting experience and combat negativity.
Establishing structured routines, like those inspired by historical guidelines, can significantly enhance focus and productivity for individuals with ADHD.
Integrating reflective practices into daily life, such as Benjamin Franklin's daily purpose question, can foster a sense of fulfillment and mental well-being.
Deep dives
The Value of Structure in Daily Life
Establishing structures and rules can significantly benefit individuals, especially those with ADHD. The host discusses how experiments like living according to historical guidelines provided a framework that helped maintain focus and productivity. For example, A.J. Jacobs carried a pocket watch to manage his time, emphasizing the mixed blessing of alarms that interrupt concentration while also keeping schedules. This structure simplifies decision-making, illustrating that having fewer choices can lead to greater happiness and efficiency.
Impact of Reduced Information Consumption
Adopting a limited information intake model can lead to enhanced cognitive clarity and concentration. The author reflected on how living without constant online distractions, such as social media, allowed for more substantial and thoughtful engagement with his work. This approach mirrored the news cycles of earlier centuries, fostering a mindset less affected by the overwhelming negativity of modern news. Overall, this reduction of information encourages deeper thinking and mitigates the anxiety caused by instant notifications and updates.
The Importance of Reflective Practices
Integrating reflective practices into daily routines can significantly influence mental health and overall well-being. A.J. Jacobs shares how Benjamin Franklin's ritual of asking himself, 'What good shall I do today?' helped establish a perspective anchored in purpose and accountability. By focusing on what contributions can be made each day, individuals can foster a sense of fulfillment and avoid the spiral of negative emotions linked to social media validation. This practice reinforces the connection between individual responsibilities and collective well-being.
Reviving Tradition Through Community Engagement
Rediscovering and reviving traditions can offer unique opportunities for community engagement and positive mental health. A.J. Jacobs initiated the 'Election Cake Project,' which encourages baking and sharing cakes on Election Day to celebrate democracy and foster a sense of community. This initiative illustrates how playful and festive activities can counteract the pervasive negativity in contemporary political discourse. Engaging in such community-focused efforts not only lifts one's own spirits but also creates a collective sense of joy and purpose.
In today’s episode, we talk to friend-of-the-pod, and New York Times Best-Selling author AJ Jacobs. AJ is an editor at large for Esquire, as well as a journalist, author, and lecturer best known for writing about his lifestyle experiments. He’s also a fellow ADHDer.
AJ talks to us about his latest book, The Year of Living Constitutionally. We discuss:
How his year of living like a colonial American affected AJ’s mental health (mostly in good ways)
Why flexible thinking matters and how to support it