Spring Cardio for the Mind

Spring is here! And we have all eagerly awaited it. 2020 was a tough year, and now, finally, we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, with mass COVID vaccinations and the country cautiously relaxing the lockdown rules.

But what have we lost in the past year mentally? Or, better say, what kind of dead weight have we gained psychologically, as we spent the better part of last year stuck indoors, slowly filling our brains with Netflix shows, new and old?

Some cultural stuff, sure, like the digital versions of our favourite theatre and musicals, but let’s be honest, for most of us it’s been junk TV. And even if all a person’s done was watch documentaries about nature and the Zoom calls with their friends, digital connection is still a separate reality to our own.

Studies have shown that by watching or reading something online, we are able to connect, sympathise with the subjects of the story, yet inevitably, as we switch the screen off, we leave that connection there – behind the dark screen.

Nothing beats actually physically being there.

That is why I don’t believe in the Matrix theories.

So, as the world is slowly widening beyond our front doors, we should prepare to re-enter it.

Step 1. Take in the nature

Of course, we’ve all flooded the parks as much as we could during the lockdown, that being the only public place we could make use of, however, have we been as mindful about it as we could have? Besides, during winter, as temperatures dropped, it became increasingly harder to really take in the nature.

Still, nature is what grounds us in this reality. Especially for those of us living in cities, it is useful to sometimes turn our eyes away from the giant stone, metal and glass constructions surrounding us, and look at the grass. Think about what connects us to the earth, the fauna, the air, the stars. That connection sustained us long before we learned to sharpen steel.

And it makes us appreciate the industrial side of our culture more as well. After all, if we think about it, all the buildings, the cars, the roads, the art around us – they contain the souls of people who lived before us, who live now and those whose lives these creations touched. There might be something after death, or there might not, but the memory of those who are no longer with us remains in the very bricks laid into the houses we live in. People we don’t even know are still connected to us.

Step 2. Go places

I know it sounds silly, but the simple act of going to any kind of appointment brightens your day more than an intense bodyweight workout inside your flat. As nail salons and barber shops begin to reopen, take yourself out of the flat and just interact with people. Your brain will thrive on new information, you will feel like you’re more active than you’ve been all year, and suddenly, your head will feel clearer. You will feel like you’ve accomplished something, and the brain will release endorphins.

After all, humans are not made for isolation. We need the connection, the physical kind, the encounter with reality even as trivial as grocery shopping.

Step 3. Go to theatres

Now, of course, it’s another two and a half months before theatres reopen, but it’s definitely something to look forward to. You can plan for it now though, and use the time left waiting for that show you’re really excited about to deepen your connection with theatre.

Of course, those of you reading this blog are already passionate about theatre, but not everyone engages with it consciously. When I watch a theatre performance, I like to notice not only the story itself, or the actor’s skill, but the context of this particular play being performed in this day and age.

Doesn’t have to be Shakespeare. Take a comedy, such as “The Play That Goes Wrong”. These guys constantly perform now, and will surely have something new prepared for May. But how does their comedic style relate to the long-standing tradition of comedy in Britain? How does it differ from it? Surely, their success is due to them doing something unique. Or is it?

Why not study the genre of comedy a bit deeper while you wait for that fated date, 17 May? That way, when you come see their show, you can unpack it on a deeper level, enjoy it in an even more fulfilling way. And, an added bonus, you learn something new! Perhaps, you can then go on to create a unique show of your own? Or simply be able to brag to your friends about how smart you are.

Still, it’s a good brain workout, don’t you think?

In conclusion, I want to say, that sure, there’s nothing new about what I’ve written about in this post. But I think it’s important to be mindful of the fact that our minds have not been stimulated as much as they normally are, when life is busy with appointments, travelling to and from work, constant social situations. And whether you take my suggestions, or create your own, it’s important to begin preparing for the hopefully stimulating summer, the festival of freedom from this rather taxing year that we’ve endured.

Stay safe and keep healthy in body and mind, everyone!