Actively build and maintain strong social relationships, as they are the single biggest predictor of long-term mental and physical health.
Seek out and regularly engage with a ’third place’ (a community space outside of home and work) to form diverse relationships and build a serious community in your life.
Participate in community-based activities to create strong support networks that can assist members during tough times and foster a deep sense of belonging.
Prioritize integrating play, hobbies, and social activities into your life to combat stress, avoid obsession with external factors (like body image), and find soulful fulfillment.
Believe in your ability to improve over time, especially when supported by a community that encourages learning and acknowledges small, immediate changes.
Practice not assigning excessive negative meaning to mistakes or minor setbacks, as this prevents spiraling into self-criticism and improves performance and overall well-being.
Recognize and challenge irrational thoughts like jumping to conclusions, catastrophizing, or all-or-nothing thinking, understanding that your brain might be creating unfounded worries.
Find a dedicated, contained outlet for competitive drive (like a hobby or sport) to channel intense ambition in a healthy way, preventing it from becoming toxic and consuming other areas of life.
Participate in ‘side-by-side’ activities or shared hobbies with family and partners to foster conversation, connection, and quality time.
Cultivate presence and body awareness to achieve peak performance in accuracy-based activities, as physiological changes due to a lack of presence can negatively impact results.
Select fun activities that are social, physical, and slightly thrilling to effectively reduce stress and get out of your head, rather than relying on passive screen time.
Participate in structured social activities (e.g., those with rotating partners) to overcome social anxiety, as the built-in interaction in a low-stakes environment makes connecting easier.
If a desired community or activity doesn’t exist in your area, take the initiative to create it yourself to meet your social needs and those of others.
Employ interactive activities like cornhole to break the ice and facilitate natural conversation when meeting new people or bonding with friends.
In an emergency, quickly grab essential documents, valuables from a safe, and irreplaceable sentimental items, leaving non-critical possessions behind.
Choose activities that are inclusive and welcome people of all ages, physical abilities, and backgrounds, fostering a more diverse and accepting community.
Opt for hobbies or sports with low barriers to entry (inexpensive equipment, easy to learn) to encourage participation and make them accessible to a wider range of people.
Apply psychological principles like mindfulness, breathing, and addressing limiting beliefs to improve performance in slow-paced, accuracy-based activities.
Pay attention to small adjustments or tips when learning a new skill, as even minor tweaks can lead to rapid improvement and boost motivation.
Differentiate between playing for pure relaxation (e.g., with alcohol) and playing to compete, understanding that competitive play demands presence and a flow state.
To get started with cornhole, use ACL.com to find local events, check the ‘Addicted to Cornhole’ forum for clubs, or build your own boards and bags on a budget.