Compared to how our ancestors used to interact with their bodies and the natural world, how we interact with them has changed significantly. Most of us live in cities that are noisy and full of pollution like smog and electromagnetic pollution. We have made a place where comfort is the most important thing. We are not nomadic, or hunter-gatherers like our Paleolithic ancestors were. Instead, we are hooked on comfort. That’s why we have cars, grocery stores, and services that bring us food. We also don’t let the temperature of our bodies change. Heat, air conditioning, and clothes are all remarkable technologies that keep our bodies “happy.” But could this be what is making us sick? The human body is made of things from nature, so it makes sense to be in nature.
These new things have taken us from who we are. We have lost sync with our natural ability to wake up and sleep based on our circadian rhythms. Artificial light makes it hard for our bodies to tell what time it is or even what season it is. Should I sleep? Not with this flatscreen TV shining right in my eyes! Science is now finding overwhelming evidence that all of the above create modern illnesses; Alzheimer’s, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and diabetes all come to mind.
When it comes to getting and staying healthy, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. But biohacking can help you find the best health solutions for your specific needs and lifestyle. Here are 10 biohacks that can help you achieve optimal health!
Cold thermogenesis
Cold thermogenesis is a process in which the body produces heat by burning fat. This biohack can be induced by exposure to cold temperatures, such as through ice baths or cold showers. While it may sound counterintuitive, cold thermogenesis can actually be an effective way to lose weight and speed up metabolism. When the body is exposed to cold temperatures, it has to work harder to maintain its core temperature. As a result, the body burn more calories, leading to weight loss over time. In addition, cold thermogenesis can help to improve metabolism by stimulating the production of brown adipose tissue. Brown adipose tissue is a type of fat that is specialized for generating heat, and it has been shown to be more metabolically active than other types of fat. As a result, exposure to cold temperatures can help to boost metabolism and promote weight loss.
Sun exposure
Most people are aware of the importance of vitamin D for bone health, but vitamin D has many other benefits as well. As a biohack, Vitamin D helps to regulate the immune system and plays a role in cell growth. It has also been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. While vitamin D can be obtained through dietary sources such as fish and fortified milk, the most efficient way to get vitamin D is through sun exposure. The body produces vitamin D when it is exposed to sunlight, making it an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Just a few minutes of sun exposure each day can provide the body with the vitamin D it needs. In addition to its other benefits, vitamin D from sun exposure can help improve mood and energy levels, making it an important part of well-being.
Intermittent Fasting
IF or Intermittent Fasting is one of my favorite biohacks – Intermittent fasting is a dietary approach that involves alternating between periods of fasting and eating. Although it may sound extreme, there are actually many health benefits associated with intermittent fasting. One of the main benefits is that it can help to improve mitochondrial function. mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, and they play a critical role in energy production. When mitochondria are functioning properly, they can help to reduce inflammation and promote cell repair. Intermittent fasting has also been shown to boost brain function, increase weight loss, and lower blood pressure. In addition, it has been linked with a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. As you can see, there are many good reasons to consider incorporating intermittent fasting into your diet.
Breathwork
I think that we don’t give breathing the attention it deserves. Have you ever thought about how you breathe? Do you breathe quickly and deeply? Is it long, and does it fill up your lungs? Stop and look around.
I often forget to breathe when I’m upset or stressed, and you probably know what I mean. When I started doing Breathwork, especially the 4-7-8 method – Close your lips and inhale through your nose for a count of four. Hold your breath for a count of seven. Exhale completely through your mouth making a whoosh sound for a count of eight. This completes one cycle. I began to pay more attention to how I breathe. I also started pranayama, which is a set of breathing exercises that help me get more air into my lungs. Pranayama is an ancient breath technique that originates from yogic practices in India. If you take deeper, longer breaths, your whole body, especially your brain, will benefit—more oxygen = more intelligence. So take a deep biohack breath!
Meditation
Meditation has been done for hundreds of years because it has many benefits, like reducing anxiety, stress, and depression. It also makes you more aware and gives you a more positive view of life. Take as little as one minute a day to quiet your mind and get centered; it will make your day better. Start by closing your eyes and sitting still for one minute every day. Pay attention to how you breathe in and out. Add more minutes to your meditation sessions, little by little. If you meditate for one minute every day, you will have done so for about 30 minutes by the end of the month!! Just let the thoughts come and go.
BrainTap is another wonderful biohack or what we call Brain Fitness. The brain not only plays an important role in a strong immune system, but in your overall health and well-being. BrainTap features uniquely-encoded sessions that send direct signals to the brain, guiding you into deep relaxation. This innovative form of brainwave training is called “frequency following response”. This allows you to achieve real, noticeable results without requiring any effort on your part. You simply slip on the BrainTap headset, start the audio and lower the visor, close your eyes and relax. You’ll enjoy an empowering BrainTap session encoded to help you experience the most productive power nap imaginable.⠀⠀⠀
Visualization
Train your brain to be successful. Make a vision board, or what Cameran Herald calls a Vivid Vision, of how you want your goals and life to turn out in 1, 3, 5, and 10 years. Don’t limit yourself! Give yourself Big Hairy Audacious goals. Picture yourself doing well at whatever you want to do. Put it somewhere you can see it so you can look at it as much as possible. Imagine that you are happy, sure of yourself, winning at work, and working out. Your mind gives you power, and the sky is the limit!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Staying Grounded
As civilization grew, people began to wear shoes. Don’t get me wrong, I like cute shoes, but the less you wear them, the better. Why? About 60% of our bodies are made up of water or gel, a good conductor of electricity.
The charge on the earth is negative. When we go barefoot, our bodies are grounded to that charge. Negative ions have been shown to help you get rid of toxins, relax, reduce inflammation, and get your internal clock, hormone cycles, and body’s rhythms to work together. The water is the best place to get some negative ions through your feet. Everyone knows that going barefoot on the beach feels good, and now we know why.
Mantras and positive affirmations
What you think is what you are. If you tell yourself every day that you’re not good enough, you’ll feel like you’re not good enough and turn down a great job offer.
Try it out! Write down all the good things you can think of, like “I’m great!” I’ve got this! Put it on your mirror or fridge so that you train your brain to think positively every time you see it.
Inversion Therapy
Inversion therapy helps lengthen the spine and brings more blood to the discs and brain. It reduces swelling, boosts the immune system, and calms the nervous system.
Headstands and hands stands are well-known in the yoga world because they are so good for you. If you don’t do yoga and want an easier and safer way to hang upside down, you could try the inversion tables and boots. You should avoid doing some things, so you don’t hurt yourself or make an injury or illness worse. Please keep in mind that problems like high blood pressure that isn’t being treated with medicine, some heart conditions, neck injuries, a recent stroke, a detached retina, glaucoma, and epilepsy are common and should be taken care of before inverting.
Superfoods diet
These days, it seems like there’s a new superfood being touted every week. But what exactly is a superfood? In general, superfoods are nutrient-rich foods that offer a variety of health benefits. While there is no strict definition, superfoods are often packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients that can boost immunity, improve cognitive function, and promote heart health. Some common superfoods include blueberries, salmon, broccoli, and cacao/dark chocolate. Other Superfoods like coconuts, matcha tea, quinoa, kale, maca, turmeric, avocado, mushrooms, and nuts can help heal the body. While there is no magic bullet for good health, incorporating superfoods into your diet significantly boosts your overall well-being.
Biohacking doesn’t have to be difficult, and there are plenty of small changes you can make to your daily routine to start seeing benefits. If you want more personalized advice or if you have any questions about biohacking, feel free to book a call with Rocco. He would be happy to help guide you on your journey to optimum health.