{"id":136574,"date":"2024-11-25T12:48:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-25T16:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=136574"},"modified":"2026-04-28T14:29:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T18:29:42","slug":"how-to-feel-more-alive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-feel-more-alive\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Feel More Alive: 4 Ways to Go From Mundane to Vibrant"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Do want to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-feel-alive\/\">feel more alive<\/a>? Why do some days feel more vibrant and meaningful than others?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Feeling alive isn&#8217;t about seeking thrills or making dramatic life changes; it&#8217;s about understanding what drains your energy and discovering simple ways to reconnect with life&#8217;s natural vibrancy. In <em>You Only Die Once<\/em>, Jodi Wellman shares practical steps anyone can take to revitalize their daily experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Read on to discover proven strategies that can help you transform mundane moments into opportunities for genuine aliveness and joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-feel-more-alive\">How to Feel More Alive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Wellman defines vitality as a positive sense of aliveness and energy that fuels your zest for life, enabling you to fully engage with the world and live a life filled with joy, excitement, and novelty.&nbsp;She shares advice on how to feel more alive every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-break-habits-that-dull-vitality\">Break Habits That Dull Vitality<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Wellman argues that habits can undermine vitality by keeping us on autopilot. While they provide structure and comfort, habits can dull life\u2019s vibrancy, leading to boredom and a lack of fulfillment. To combat this, Wellman advises reassessing and adjusting habits that don\u2019t benefit you, highlighting excessive social media and screen time as major culprits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(Shortform note: While Wellman raises valid concerns about habits potentially dulling life\u2019s vibrancy, James Clear, author of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/app\/book\/atomic-habits\/1-page-summary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Atomic Habits<\/em><\/a>, presents a counterargument for the essential role of habits in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-grow-as-a-person\/\">personal growth<\/a> and achievement. Clear contends that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/app\/book\/atomic-habits\/1-page-summary#small-adjustments-lead-to-massive-transformations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">by automating routine decisions and basic tasks, habits free up mental energy for more meaningful pursuits<\/a> and creative thinking. So instead of being potential barriers to vitality, strategic habits can <em>enhance<\/em> vitality by reducing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/john-tierney-decision-fatigue\/\">decision fatigue<\/a> and creating a foundation for more enriching experiences. The key lies not in avoiding habits altogether, but in intentionally designing them to support rather than hinder our desired way of living.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wellman also warns that prioritizing work and financial gain at the expense of personal time and leisure can lead to burnout and a diminished quality of life. Skimping on vacation, for instance, not only robs you of rejuvenation but statistically, as Wellman points out, shortens your lifespan.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(Shortform note: Research supports Wellman\u2019s assertion that not taking time off is linked to a shorter life expectancy. The Helsinki Businessmen Study, which followed executives for 40 years, found that those who took fewer than three weeks of vacation annually had a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedaily.com\/releases\/2018\/08\/180828085917.htm#google_vignette\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">37% higher chance of dying<\/a> compared to those who took more time off.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-strategies-to-increase-vitality\">Strategies to Increase Vitality<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Wellman offers several strategies to inject novelty into your life in order to help revive your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/awe-and-wonder\/\">sense of wonder<\/a> and engagement with the world.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1) Break away from your routine and add a little spontaneity to your life. <\/strong>Leaning into your curiosity is one way to keep life new and exciting. When you\u2019re always on the lookout for new information or things to learn, the world can\u2019t help but feel fresh. Wellman emphasizes that adding a touch of novelty doesn\u2019t require grand changes; even minor shifts, like reading a book in an unfamiliar genre or trying a new recipe, can refresh your perspective.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(Shortform note: Why do spontaneous activities feel more exhilarating and add more vitality to life? Compared to expected pleasures, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/dopamine-effects\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">unexpected positive experiences trigger the release of higher levels of dopamine<\/a>, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure. Additionally, breaking from routine stimulates <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/hub\/science\/what-is-neuroplasticity-and-how-does-it-work\/\">neuroplasticity<\/a>, leading to the formation of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/creating-new-neural-pathways\/\">new neural pathways<\/a> in the brain. Moreover, the hippocampus\u2014that part of your brain responsible for memory\u2014focuses more on experiences that diverge from expected patterns, <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC6352318\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">making spontaneous moments more likely to become long-term memories<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2) Get moving. <\/strong>Wellman says that incorporating more movement into your daily life\u2014whether through walking, dancing, or spontaneous physical activity\u2014can significantly enhance your sense of aliveness.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(Shortform note: Exercise is sometimes viewed as a chore, but research indicates that movement is essential for our emotional and physical well-being. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.helpguide.org\/wellness\/fitness\/the-mental-health-benefits-of-exercise\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Regular physical activity boosts both mood and energy levels<\/a> by releasing endorphins, improving circulation, and enhancing brain function. Even small amounts of movement can disrupt the cycle of lethargy. Studies show that brief walks can instantly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-become-more-creative\/\">boost creativity<\/a>, reduce stress, and increase vitality. The key is to find enjoyable forms of movement that feel less like an obligation.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3) Prioritize leisure and play <\/strong>by joining a club, pursuing hobbies, or simply setting aside time to relax and enjoy life. This invites relaxation and joy into your daily routine. One of Wellman\u2019s favorite strategies for incorporating playfulness is to take time off to celebrate random days, such as half-birthdays, the summer and winter solstices, or even National Talk Like a Pirate Day. These occasions offer a fun excuse to unwind and embrace a bit of silliness.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(Shortform note: Tricia Hersey, author of <a href=\"https:\/\/shortform.com\/app\/book\/rest-is-resistance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Rest Is Resistance<\/em><\/a>, emphasizes that rest is not only a physical and emotional necessity but also <a href=\"https:\/\/shortform.com\/app\/book\/rest-is-resistance#rest-fights-back-against-toxic-systems\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a powerful form of resistance against oppressive systems<\/a>. According to Hersey, resting is an act of defiance against the relentless demands of \u201cgrind culture\u201d and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/capitalism-theory\/\">capitalism<\/a>, which prioritize constant productivity over well-being. She argues that rest can be a pathway to reclaiming our humanity and inherent self-worth, regardless of how \u201cproductive\u201d we are.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4) Surround yourself with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/hiring-the-right-people\/\">right people<\/a>.<\/strong> Wellman recommends finding a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/your-role-models\/\">role model<\/a> who inspires you to try new things. Spend more time with people who ask good questions or make you laugh, and less time with the people who leave you drained.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(Shortform note: Jim Rohn, author of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Strategies-Wealth-Happiness-Americas-Philosopher\/dp\/0761506160\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>7 Strategies for Wealth &amp; Happiness<\/em><\/a>, argues that we become the average of the five people we spend the most time with. He believes that our social circle significantly influences our attitudes, behaviors, and life outcomes. According to Rohn, successful people intentionally curate their relationships by seeking mentors and peers who align with their aspirations while distancing themselves from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/negative-influences\/\">negative influences<\/a>. He emphasizes that this selective approach to relationships is not about elitism but about fostering an environment that nurtures growth and supports personal development.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Do want to feel more alive? Why do some days feel more vibrant and meaningful than others? Feeling alive isn&#8217;t about seeking thrills or making dramatic life changes; it&#8217;s about understanding what drains your energy and discovering simple ways to reconnect with life&#8217;s natural vibrancy. In You Only Die Once, Jodi Wellman shares practical steps anyone can take to revitalize their daily experience. Read on to discover proven strategies that can help you transform mundane moments into opportunities for genuine aliveness and joy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":136581,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,43],"tags":[1678],"class_list":["post-136574","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","category-self-improvement","tag-you-only-die-once","","tg-column-two"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.3 (Yoast SEO v24.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Feel More Alive: 4 Ways to Go From Mundane to Vibrant - Shortform Books<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Vitality is about knowing what drains you and finding simple ways to reconnect with life&#039;s natural vibrancy. 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