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John McAvoy: How to Thrive in Lockdown #107

Apr 10, 2020 1h 23m 18 insights
Many of us are struggling to adjust to this new way of life. Having spent 24 hours a day in a 12ft by 8ft prison cell for a whole year, my guest on this week’s podcast knows more about isolation than most of us. You may remember John McAvoy from episode 91 of the podcast, where he shared his inspirational story of going from serving two life sentences to breaking British and World sporting records whilst in prison. Now a free man, he is Nike sponsored athlete and gives talks to schoolchildren and has spoken at 10 Downing Street. On this podcast, John shares what he learnt from his time in isolation – lessons which we can all apply in our lives, especially now. He explains how he maintained a sense of control over his life by keeping himself mentally and physically fit and why keeping a routine, staying active and keeping ourselves present in the moment are more important now, than ever. John invites us to think of our current situation as an amazing opportunity to re-evaluate our lives and explore new things with the new found extra time. If we look at what John achieved whilst in a small isolated prison, imagine what we can all achieve in our own lives right now. As John says, this could be your moment of growth. Finally, John shares his invaluable top tips that I know will help many of you bring a sense of calm and control into your lives. Whenever I speak to John, I come out of the conversation a better and more enlightened person than I was when we started, after listening to this, I hope you do too.  Show notes available at https://drchatterjee.com/107 Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk
Actionable Insights

1. Reframe Isolation as Growth Opportunity

View periods of pause or isolation as an amazing opportunity for personal growth, reevaluation of life priorities, and a chance to invest in yourself by learning new skills, taking up hobbies, exercising, and reading.

2. Accept New Reality Quickly

Move past initial resistance and disbelief to quickly accept your new reality, as acceptance is crucial for managing the situation effectively and becoming productive.

3. Maintain Daily Routine & Presence

Establish and adhere to a consistent daily routine, including regular sleep and wake times, and maintain personal grooming habits like showering and changing clothes, to preserve structure and stay present in the moment.

4. Prioritize Physical Activity for Mental Health

Engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily, even if it’s just walking or on-the-spot jogging, as it profoundly impacts mental health, improves mood, and builds resilience.

5. Focus on Controllable Elements

Concentrate your efforts on what you can control, such as your physical and mental well-being, rather than dwelling on external circumstances, to maintain a positive outlook and strengthen yourself.

6. Embrace Positive Mindset & Attraction

Cultivate a positive attitude and believe that projecting positivity attracts positive experiences and people into your life, leading to significant personal transformation.

7. Filter Negative Media & Influences

Consciously limit your consumption of negative news, tabloid newspapers, and soap operas, and choose to surround yourself with positive people and influences that support your personal growth.

8. Practice Acts of Kindness

Actively seek opportunities to help others in your community, even through small gestures like offering assistance to neighbors or showing appreciation to essential workers, as it benefits both the recipient and your own well-being.

9. Maintain Hope and Belief

Continuously foster hope and believe that your situation will improve, as this mindset prevents overwhelm and empowers you to emerge as a better person.

10. Prioritize Holistic Health

Recognize that prioritizing your overall health (mind, body, heart) is crucial for both immediate well-being and building long-term resilience against future challenges.

11. Prioritize Family Connection

Embrace the opportunity during isolation to spend more quality time with family, such as being present for meals, and reflect on how these new connections might reshape your desired future lifestyle.

12. Remember Isolation is Temporary

Continuously remind yourself that the current period of isolation is temporary and will not last forever, helping to maintain perspective and hope.

13. Foster Community & Unity

Recognize that everyone’s freedoms are restricted, and this shared experience is an opportunity to come together, help each other, and foster positive change.

14. Practice Mind, Body, Heart Daily

Dedicate at least five minutes each day to activities for your mind (e.g., reading), body (e.g., movement), and heart (e.g., connecting with others via technology), as this builds self-esteem and a sense of control.

15. Utilize Audiobooks for Learning

Access books and educational content through audiobooks, especially when physical books are difficult to obtain, to continue learning and personal growth.

16. Supplement Daily Nutrition

Consider taking a nutrient-dense whole food supplement each morning as an ‘insurance policy’ to ensure you meet your nutritional needs, especially if obtaining all nutrition from food is challenging.

17. Leverage Virtual Meeting Benefits

Recognize and utilize the efficiency of virtual meeting platforms like Zoom for team meetings, as they can be conducted quickly without requiring physical co-location.

18. Support Charitable Causes

Consider supporting charitable initiatives, such as John’s cycling challenge for the Trestle Trust, to help those in need, like food banks.