One of the most challenging aspects of human nature is navigating the inevitable ups and downs that occur in life. No matter your race, age, sexuality, gender, we all experience times that are more difficult than others. As a result, our mental health often fluctuates as we seek to find balance and continuously drive closer towards a more positive state of well-being.
I’ve had the opportunity to explore this concept on my podcast, Everyday Endorphins, which is a show that discusses the importance of finding joy in daily living. Across the 100+ episodes released, my recent interview with Steven Izen, Forbes 30 Under 30, Founder and CEO of Lokai and Elements of Balance, particularly resonates with this message of learning to lean into uncertainty and find meaning in the lowest points of our lives.
When Steven lost his grandfather due to Alzheimer’s at the age of 19, he was faced with the ultimate low point in his life, which inspired him to launch Lokai Bracelets. Each bracelet holds water from Mount Everest and mud from the Dead Sea, the highest and lowest points on earth. These elements serve as a reminder to stay humble and hopeful through life’s inevitable challenges.
In this episode, Steven shares some of his biggest lessons learned on navigating the uncertainties of life, managing stress, and finding balance:
- Cultivate a growth mindset. If you look at life as a journey, rather than each experience being static, you can recognize that each moment is fleeting and release yourself from feeling stuck in a negative emotion.
- Be intentional with your energy. Surround yourself with people who bring out the best version of yourself, and push you to where you want to go in life.
- Stay organized. Keeping a list of your commitments in a calendar allows you to allocate your time to different priorities, and helps you to stay on track of your responsibilities.
- Prioritize sleep. Sleep is incredibly important to your overall health and well-being, and is a restorative process that can help manage stress.
Check out the episode for more advice from Steven on mental health, and follow along Everyday Endorphins to stay up-to-date with future podcast episodes, wellness events, and more.