Show Notes 1:40 — The inspiration for this episode. * 4:38 — What “doing nothing” every once in a while is important. * 7:42 — Darren ponders why we seem to be busier than ever even as we introduce new technology that is supposed to save us time * 8:21 — March shares an interesting finding from a recent survey that showed that only 17% of Americans spent any time just being with their thoughts in the past month. * 10:40 — The definition of “burnout” and the research into the risk factors for burnout. * 13:37 — The connection between loneliness, technology and burnout. * 15:01 — Ian shares his personal experience of studying stoicism as a remedy for personal burnout. * 17:53 — The importance of recognizing the importance of stillness in life. * 19:14 — March’s experiment with creating a time for stillness and the similarity he found with a meditation practice. * 20:58 — Paying attention to the “default mode network” of the brain and the tendency toward negative thoughts. * 22:51 — Darren shares how he has prioritized his “IRL” interactions and his yoga practice as ways of guarding against personal burnout. * 25:35 — Tactics Ian and March use to create space in their lives for stillness. * 29:54 — The benefit that being bored helps foster your creativity. * 30:47 — March shares the findings from “the phone book study” about boredom and creativity. * 34:59 — The benefits of quiet time and “boredom” on short-term memory and social interactions. * 36:49 — Cognitive behavioral therapy. * 38:28 — The Happiness Trap by Russ Harriss * 41:15 — Using the tactic of setting boundaries as a way to prevent personal burnout. * 42:39 — Make Time by Jake Knapp * 43:40 — The Bored & Brilliant Challenge from the Note to Self podcast. * 46:40 — Taking a “stay-cation” to reduce stress and burnout. * 48:52* — March, Ian and Darren share the things they are going to adopt from this episode.

Mentions* 🎙️ Podcast: Bored and brilliant challenge from the Note to Self podcast * 📰 Article: Why the Internet Has Made Us Lonelier Than Ever (Psychology Today) * 🎵 Music: Kind of Blue album by Miles Davis * 🎵 Music: Disintegration album by The Cure * 📖 Book: Stillness is the Key” by Ryan Holiday * 📖 Book: The Obstacle is The Way * 📖 Book: Ego is the Enemy * 📖 Book: Inner Engineering: A Yogi’s Guide to Joy * 📖 Book: The Happiness Trap by Russ Harriss * 🎙️ Related episode: Episode 5: Meditation for focus & happiness * 🎙️ Related episode: Episode 56: How Morning Routines Make the day * 🎙️ Related episode: Episode 61: Better Health Through Yoga * 🎙️ Related episode: Episode 20: Controlling Screen Time, So It Doesn’t Control You