I think everyone secretly loves a good ‘hack,’ aka a clever way to do things better, faster or easier than what you’ve been doing before.
Many hacks focus on automating or simplifying life’s more mundane tasks – like better ways of doing the laundry, working out, cooking, mowing the lawn, cleaning the pool, etc., but have you ever thought about how to bio-hack your way to better health?
Hacking your health, or bio-hacking, focuses on working with your own physiology to optimise its functioning, your performance, and your overall well being.
There are many health enhancing bio-hacks to choose from however, sometimes we forget the simple ones, some of them even cost you nothing!
With any luck, you may already be doing a few, but the more the merrier!
Try adding a few new ones to your daily mix.
Keep reading to discover some simple mental health and self care bio-hacks
In my next Blog I'll focus on physical bio-hacks
MENTAL HEALTH & SELF CARE BIO-HACKS
1. Music – Ever notice how the right music can completely alter your mood? That’s bio-hacking in its most basic form, and many of us use music in this way without a second thought. But, to bio-hack into the incredible power of music in a more strategic way, tune into ‘brain entrainment’ music, which is actually designed to create desirable changes in brainwave activity. Depending on the music selected, you can plug into music with imbedded tones (or ‘binaural beats’) that will help boost alertness, awaken or energise, or if preferred, encourage relaxation, meditation, concentration, improved mental state and even sleep.
The Mindset Meditation Podcast is one that I love, and is dedicated to sleep, stress relief, healing and re-balancing the mind
2. Social connection – Healthy and supportive relationships are an essential bio-hack. Research has found that strong social connection reduces the likelihood of premature death by 50%. This research concluded that individuals who have healthy and strong relationships live longer. What’s more, genetic research suggests that social connectedness supports immune function, whereas isolation likely reduces immune function.
3. Time in Nature – Step into green surroundings or onto a beach to access a bio-hack that immediately calms the body, shifts the brain into a state of restful awareness It also heightens the senses, especially the olfactory system, which takes in the aromatic chemicals released by nature, powering up production of the body’s disease-fighting “killer T-cells.” Time in nature also initiates a cascade of beneficial effects, dropping cortisol levels, switching on your parasympathetic nervous system, and giving the brain’s prefrontal cortex—your hard-driving command centre time to relax and refresh - this is why your imagination and creativity may go wild when you're at the beach or walking in a forrest!
4. Optimism – is a powerful bio-hack for both your mind and your body. In fact, numerous studies indicate that optimists generally enjoy healthier hearts, brains, immunity and tend to live longer than their less upbeat counterparts. If perhaps you weren’t born with an innate abundance of optimism, or perhaps life’s challenges have tamped down some of your enthusiasm, remember that this health-supportive turn of mind is learnable. Just like eating well or staying fit, you can grow your skills and the impact of this powerful bio-hack with practice.
HINT: Instead of thinking negative thoughts, for example, about an upcoming event or sporting challenge, try thinking, "What if this goes well for me?"
5. Gratitude – Though it’s a bio-hack that can take practice, it’s benefits are proven and fast acting. Research indicates it can help lower blood pressure and blood sugar, boost heart health and immune function. Gratitude has a positive effect on your brain, stimulating the release of mood-lifting neurochemicals like dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin while curbing the release of cortisol, aka, the stress hormone. Gratitude is associated with lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, while also boosting feelings of happiness, contentment, generosity, emotional resilience and improved mood.
HINT: At the end of the day, write down three things that went well for you. Try this continuously for 21 days and see how you feel!
6. Meditation – Find 5 -10 minutes in the morning or at the end of the day to calm and soothe your brain and body with meditation. If you can go longer, even better. The more time you can find to meditate , the more you will bio-hack your head, improving memory, processing speed, focus and creativity. You’ll also lower blood pressure, stress and anxiety in a simple and natural way, no prescription required.
"Insight Timer" is a free App that includes many guided and non-guided meditations and visualisations
Happy Healthy Wishes Always
Lou 🌸🤗🌸
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