Are you tired of the same old suggestions to improve your well-being and resilience? By now, we have all been to seminars and read articles telling us how mindfulness, gratitude practices, physical exercise, good sleep, a healthy diet, and relational connection will improve our mental health and make us more resilient to the stress of practicing law. These are all great tools, but some of you might want to try something a little less traditional. If you are one of those people, consider one of the following practices:

1. Go on a social media or news fast. We are all familiar with the feeling of overwhelm that can come from watching too much news or doomscrolling on social media. Try a fast or cut back to reduce anxiety. Studies show that watching the news has an adverse effect on our mental health.
2. Declutter to reduce anxiety. Studies show that decluttering can reduce anxiety, improve creativity, and increase focus and self-esteem.
3. Try meditating in a sensory deprivation tank. We all know the benefits of meditation. But meditation can be difficult when there are sensory distractions. A sensory deprivation tank removes those distractions. 
4. Use light therapy to improve mood and sleep quality. Many therapists use light therapy to improve mood and sleep quality for their patients. 
5. Explore breathwork practices to improve mental health. Numerous studies have shown that various forms of breathwork can reduce stress and improve mental health. If you want to do a deeper dive on the power of breathwork, check our James Nestor’s book Breath. 
6. Take a sound bath to calm your nerves. While there is not a lot of scientific evidence of the benefits of sound baths, those who engage in this practice claim that it calms their nervous system and creates a feeling of deep relaxation.
7. Take an ice bath or immerse yourself in cold water.  Some small studies have suggested that there are mental health benefits to ice baths and cold water immersions. However, Mayo Clinic points out that the science is not strong and much research is still needed. If you are thinking trying this practice, you may want to first consult your physician.
8. Go on a silent meditation retreat. Have you ever wondered what it would be like not to talk at all for four days? I did this several years ago at a silent mediation retreat. I experienced a calmer mind and greater focus by the end of the retreat. 

These are just a few suggestions to make your well-being journey more interesting. If you are bored with your current routine, try one or more of these practices. You might find that it provides the kind of relief that more traditional practices have not brought.