I curate articles from around the web that present an interesting perspective or helpful information using technology to improve our wellbeing. Each of these articles were featured in my May 2019 newsletter. I send out an update twice a month along with some notes on my latest work. Sign up for my newsletter here.
A Moment on the Thinking Bench
A Moment on the Thinking Bench is a story I wrote about the value I learned from my Grandfather of finding those quiet moments. Take a moment to breathe and then click here.
No, A Shamrock Won't Bring You Luck
Creating the habits for a mindset of luck is definitely within our own power. Catherine Franssen, Ph.D. outlines a few of those habits in her Scientific American article. She talks about the power of the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine that helps makes us feel lucky. Create your own feel good dopamine each time you do one of these habits with a mini celebration. It's like compounding dopamine interest for feeling lucky!
How to Sleep Better
After exercise, eating patterns, sleep rounds out the top 3 habits for brain health and mental high performance. Are you getting enough sleep? "If you naturally wake up at the same time on weekends that you have to during the week, you probably are." - Dr Tara Swart. For sleep help, the authors of the new Biohackers Handbook are offering this great free sleep improvement resource.
My Recommendation List
I’ve tried out many apps, wearables, tools, books and resources to help with experiments to improve wellbeing and strive for a long healthspan. I’ve spent years compiling this list and have organized my recommendations based on a framework to enhance daily performance and wellbeing of Mindset - Nutrition - Movement - Recovery. I hope this recommendation list helps with your research to optimize your life. Anything missing I should try?
3 simple habits that can protect your brain from cognitive decline
Habits to prevent cognitive decline are also good for your sustainable daily performance today. "The key to resilient aging is improving neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons ... The more we can experience new things, activities, people, places, and emotions, the more likely we are to encourage neurogenesis." At any age, learning a new language or a musical instrument, taking part in aerobic exercise, traveling and developing meaningful social relationships can help the brain perform at its best.
Can't sleep? Tell yourself it's not a big deal
Having gone through periods of sleepless nights for too long, I searched out solutions to master sleep. This one piece of advice is so powerful and has helped me fall asleep so frequently. When you wake up at 2 am, remind yourself "that when I have a terrible night, the next day usually isn’t so bad. Once I’m OK with not getting back to sleep, it’s surprisingly hard to stay awake."
Happy Reading!
[Photo: sbtlneet /Pixabay; Jason Leung /Unsplash]