Feeling ‘blah’? What to do about it

Plus, how to make tough decisions

View this email online Today’s newsletter is brought to you by Life Kit producer Clare Marie Schneider It's easy to stop noticing what we love about our lives. Even the most passionate relationships, stimulating jobs and exciting cities can lose their sparkle. There’s a word for this behavior: habituation. It's "our tendency to respond less and less to things that are repeated or constant,” says Tali Sharot, co-author of the new book Look Again: The Power of Noticing What Was Always There. Basically, the idea is that anything new and interesting will eventually become routine and unremarkable.  If you’re feeling bored or uninspired lately, here are some tips on how to get out of your rut and revitalize your routine.  I'm ready to change it up Malte Mueller/fStop/Getty Images If you are feeling stuck, take a break from your daily routine. That could be a vacation, a weekend trip, a walk around the block or a few minutes of internal reflection on what you do have, says Sharot. “Close your eyes and really imagine not having your house, not having your family, not having your job, and really try to imagine it with vividness and detail,” she adds. Thinking about life without the people and activities that bring meaning and stability to your world can help you feel grateful for what you do have.  Introduce more variety into your life. Maybe that means moving to a new city or getting a new job. But it could also just be getting a new haircut, adopting a new hobby or taking a different route to work. One study from 2018 found that participants experienced a boost in creativity when they changed their environment. Going for a walk or working from a coffee shop counts, says Sharot.  Now, the creativity boost that you get from simply changing your environment only lasts for about six minutes. But, Sharot says, “those six minutes could be quite important — that could be the big eureka moment.”  Opt for experiences over material objects. Material objects can be a tempting way to mix it up — getting a new car, a pair of shoes or a phone can all be exciting new purchases. But the happiness they bring to your life doesn’t tend to last, says Sharot. “You do tend to habituate to material things quite fast.” Experiences like concerts, lectures or a night out with friends will often stick with you longer, says Sharot. Even though they may only last a few hours, you tend to think back on the experience often. And if the experience was enjoyable, it will still have “quite a high amount of joy associated with it.”  Err on the side of more change rather than less change. It can be scary, but Sharot says change helps you dishabituate, have more variety in your life and often leaves you happier. “If you're thinking of a change, there's probably something you need to change. If everything's perfect in a certain domain of your life, you would not be thinking of changing.    More excitement, please Newsletter continues after sponsor message Listen Sponsor-Free Support public media while getting expert advice on health, finance, relationships and more with Life Kit+. You'll get sponsor-free listening AND that warm fuzzy feeling that comes with making a difference. You can also check out loads of other NPR+ podcasts with benefits at plus.npr.org. Explore Life Kit+ Life-changing episodes from Life Kit Lily Padula for NPR Faced with a tough decision? The key to choosing may be your mindset. Making a hard decision can be agonizing. What if you pick the wrong thing? In this episode, an Oxford professor walks us through a different approach: What if there isn't a best alternative? Read the story here.  Having a hobby is good for you. Here's how to find one. When was the last time you did something just for fun — not to make money, be productive or because someone else wanted you to? These five tips can help you start a hobby. Read the story here.  That subject you've been avoiding? Anna Sale says it's time to talk about it. Having difficult conversations can be uncomfortable. But we can feel less alone and isolated in our pain when we talk about hard things, says author and podcast host of Death, Sex & Money, Anna Sale. Read the story here. Paying attention can help you appreciate what's right in front of you. When you're in a familiar place, it's easy to go on autopilot and fail to notice the small joys that surround you. Jenny Odell, author of How To Do Nothing, shares tips on how to pay attention to and appreciate what's right in front of you. Read the story here. Recovering from an affair: We want to hear from you Photo illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR Have you ever been cheated on and unsure if your relationship could recover? Have you ever been the one who did the cheating, and were unsure how to handle the fallout with your partner?  Life Kit has an upcoming episode about dealing with infidelity in relationships, and we want to answer your questions! Send an email or voice memo to lifekit@npr.org with the subject line "cheating question." This week on Life Kit Ippei Naoi/Getty Images/Moment RF To capture a parent’s hidden story, practice patience -- and let the tears flow. Writers share advice on how to sensitively interview family members about painful or traumatic memories. These conversations may get loved ones to open up -- and deepen our connections with them. Read the story here.  Want to be a better ally to disabled people? Here's how. July is Disability Pride Month. Do you find yourself avoiding conversations on disabilities? A disability rights activist shares ways to be a better ally and to destigmatize disability in America. Read the story here.  How to change your kid's behavior, according to the host of a hit parenting podcast. It all starts with the assumption that your kids have good intentions and want to do the right thing, says Becky Kennedy, a psychologist and host of the Good Inside parenting podcast. Read the story here.  Avoid these 6 sunscreen mistakes. Making sure you're protected from the summer sun starts with a good sunscreen. But how do you know which sunscreen is best, how much to use or when to reapply? In this episode from Short Wave, NPR health correspondent Allison Aubrey shares the six common mistakes people make with sunscreen — and how to level up your sunscreen game. Listen to the episode here.  Hiking tips for beginners. You don't need much to go for a hike. You can enjoy nature whether you're at a national park or on a neighborhood stroll. But before you head out, you'll want to consider your route, a couple of safety precautions and your gear. Listen to the episode here. 👍 Upcoming Life Kit topics 🏠DIY rental hacks  💔Cheating  👶New parenthood survival guide Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: LifeKit@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Code Switch, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Life Kit emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy