3 Ancient Habits for a Modern Routine
It turns out the ancients were productivity and mental wellness gurus.
Not all progress is helpful. Not all change is productive. While our world has become increasingly faster, busier, more efficient, and more knowledgeable as a whole, has the individual person evolved for the better?
Scientific, technological, and societal advances have come a long way. With simply a tap on a screen or a voice command, anyone is capable of asking and receiving answers to virtually any question. Resources, how-to guides, instructions, opportunities, and platforms await us at any moment. There are many positives to such an interconnected and information-rich world. For example, without needing to recruit a team of people, you can start a business. Heck, you can start and run a successful business without ever leaving your house.
You can work, communicate, learn, invent, teach, and grow all on your own.
However, there are a few valuable assets we have lost along the way. These are the core ancient practices used by the original individualists and the great minds of humanity. These practices worked to cultivate unparalleled intelligence. Implementing them into a modern routine will help you to channel ancient wisdom into your contemporary life.
1. Memorization
According to neurologist Dr. Dan Kaufer, smartphones impair cognitive skills such as retention. Dr. Kaufer says that due to the nature of smartphones allowing us to have unlimited access to information at any time, our brains are not putting in much work. Due to the declining amount of work our brain contributes to the search for information, retention decreases. Our brain is not working to build and create connections and thus, does not remember the information as competently.
In comparison, oral tradition was heavily relied upon throughout much of ancient history. For example, Socrates did not believe in writing anything down, as he thought writing perpetuated forgetfulness. Instead, Socrates memorized all of his ideas and teachings and passionately believed in the power of dialogue triumphing over the written word.
There is some truth to Socrates' belief. Memorization greatly increases neuroplasticity, strengthening the brain to concentrate better, be more creative, and prevent cognitive decline. So, instead of googling questions on your smartphone, work on learning through books, asking questions, memorizing facts and quotes, and in turn, strengthen your brainpower.
2. Focus on Community and Interdependence
In the ancient world, the community was of the utmost importance. Rather than relying on individual power alone, interdependence was the key to harmony, success, and happiness.
Hospitality and loyalty were two of the most important values to the ancient Greeks. Ancient Greeks felt a familial obligation to their community members. If one community member needed shelter, clothes, or provisions, it was provided without question. This created a societal climate in which people were not in isolated individual bubbles but rather looked out for and supported each other.
So often, in our busy routines, we forget to prioritize family and friends. We forget to invest time and energy into developing strong relationships with neighbors, family members, and friends. However, increased time with family and friends, and added focus on cultivating those vital relationships, have been shown to increase productivity, happiness, efficiency, and reduce stress. Rather than viewing it as something you couldn’t possibly have time for, view community relationships as a worthwhile investment into increasing your health, happiness, and productivity.
3. Time in Nature
Everyone has heard before that time in nature is healthy and beneficial. But just how crucial is it? As it turns out, time in nature actually increases productivity. Not only does it increase productivity, lower cortisol levels, and improve your overall wellness in a myriad of other ways, time in nature allows you a chance to connect with the world in an increasingly undervalued way.
Nature was highly esteemed in ancient society. Not only were ancient cultures more exposed to the elements in physical ways, but many societies even worshipped and prayed to gods that were believed to rule over nature and weather. Compared to the concrete jungles that a majority of the modern world resides in, the ancient world was one of unique environments and landscapes in which many individual cultures thrived.
A study called, The Nature of Americans National Report showed how little time American adults spend outside each week, a number that is ever decreasing. Considering the massive health and productivity benefits, implementing more time in nature is a worthwhile addition to a modern routine and one that transports us back to our roots.
There are many ways that the modern world has progressed to support increased efficiency, innovation, and comfort. Many of us have no desire to revert to ancient times and suffer from a lack of modern amenities. However, happiness, intelligence, and productivity have actually decreased in many ways in the modern world. Stealing some wisdom from ancient culture and adding these three habits to your day can level up your life and boost both joy and efficiency in your routine.
