So when I first heard the term Biohacking, I turned to the good old Webster dictionary. Biohacking: biological experimentation (as in gene editing or the use of drugs or implants) done to improve the qualities or capabilities of living organisms especially by individuals and groups working outside a traditional medical or scientific research environment. Well that sounds a bit extreme!
But then I came to realize the newly-popular way to use the term is a little less Sci-Fi and lot more helpful. Biohacking: the process of making changes to your lifestyle and habits in order to “hack” your body’s biology and feel your best. Now that I can get on board with! There is so much more we know now about simple “old-fashioned” habits and really advanced technologies that can help us feel better than any pill can.
I would love to start a conversation about what things you are working on to improve your health lately and what you are interested in learning more about. Get in touch and let me know.
Just a few examples of some Bio-hacks for you…
1. Sleep - I will never stop talking about this. Getting to bed about the same time, waking up about the same time, having a restful environment, allowing 7-8 hours/night. There is no better bang for the buck than good sleep.
2. Meditate - It does not have to be fancy, but you do have to send the “relaxation signal” to your nervous system consistently and frequently. Prayer, mediation, yoga, deep breathing, freestyle journaling. We are bombarded with the “Go go go” (sympathetic nervous system) and need more of the “Rest. Everything’s okay” (parasympathetic nervous system).
3. Get up already - We sit too much. Get up every hour, walk, stretch, bounce up and down. Do something to get the blood pumping. Even if you don’t want to. Even if you feel weird. I recently started wearing this little dude and he reminds me to move.
4. Get outside and play - This is hard for me. I am what you might refer to as an “indoor girl.” I am learning to appreciate being outside, bugs and all. Being outside in nature has meditation-like benefits. Bonus points if you don’t take your phone with you.
5. Walk barefoot - Okay stick with me here. Building off of #4, when you are outside, you get more bonus points if you walk barefoot. Have you heard the term grounding or earthing? Ends up the natural electromagnetic pull of the Earth is very good for us as is coming in contact with naturally occurring bacteria. Isn’t it interesting how SO much modern research comes back to old-fashioned life?
Okay those are a quick five biohacks for you. I know it’s not rocket science (thought that electromagnetic field stuff is pretty fancy). That is the point quite frankly. As much as our world is centered around technology and scientific advances, the balance most of us could improve upon is extremely slow and simple.
What are you going to do to be a Biohacker?
