If headlines are to be believed, stress reduction is one of the most important tools for living happier and healthier lives. For most people, chronic stress is a massive problem, but acute stress might be exactly what the doctor ordered.
One of the downfalls of biohacking is the constant neat ordering of different habits and practices. An interest and consciousness of our body can create a path where adaptation is limited and growth stagnant. For example, a couch potato who does no exercise will physically deteriorate not because of stress, but due to lack of stress. [click to continue…]
Meditation conjures many images for people inexperienced with the practice. Hippy culture has co-opted meditative practices; meditating gurus are used as a cheap marketing ploy. The modern (western) view seems to think meditation is woo-woo (an “endorsement of quackery”)
While there is nothing wrong with today’s perception of meditation, that is not the practice I adhere to. Most recent scientific studies research Zen, Vipassana, or similar styles of meditation that have existed for thousands of years with little change.
The most recent scientific studies show tangible immune function, cortical thickness (associated with attention, introspection, and sensory processing), and even mood benefits. Yet, unlike intermittent fasting, habit timing, and cold showers, there is an intangible and almost unexplainable philosophical advantage to meditation.
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Eating the right types of food, maintaining physical activity, and getting enough sleep are all well-known ways of optimizing your physical and cognitive performance. While the “best fit” for each individual varies and can change over time, there are some general rules specific to human genetics.
Even when implementing good habits, the timing can make a huge difference in their efficacy. In fact, understanding the body clock and human traits can help you optimize even further. [click to continue…]
