Can tracking your body’s reactions help you be the best version of yourself?
In terms of personal health, biohacking involves researching your personal biology and optimising your health using diet, fitness, and lifestyle choices. It’s all about tracking your health safely and quantifying the results. Whether you call it biohacking or simply being knowledgeable about your unique constitution, taking the time to understand what makes you feel your best is a worthwhile investment in your health and happiness.
EASY WAYS YOU CAN TRY BIOHACKING YOUR HEALTH
Sleep
The amount and quality of sleep you get each night plays a large part in the functioning of your brain and body. Waking up in the middle of your REM stage means you’ll wake up groggy and confused. Use apps like Sleep Cycle or Sleep Better to track your sleep cycles and then set your alarm to wake you up at the optimal time for your body clock
Nutrition
Everyone has different tastes and tolerances when it comes to food. Maybe you’re lactose intolerant or vegan or low in iron. Try tracking your diet for a month – note what you eat each day and follow your mood and energy levels. You might find a pattern in terms of the foods that bring you energy, and the meals you enjoy but which have an adverse effect on your mood.
Physical fitness
Just like your diet, your physical fitness is a deeply personal thing. One person’s relaxing 60 minute run is another person’s hour of pain. To build an exercise routine that challenges you while bringing you joy, consider what your goals are and what kinds of fitness you’ve enjoyed in the past. If you enjoy working with others maybe a team sport is what you need, and if you’re searching for a way to de-stress your body and mind, quieter activities like yoga or Pilates might be more appropriate. What you may notice is that just one kind of exercise isn’t enough – depending on your mood and life routine, what works on a Tuesday evening isn’t idea for your Saturday morning.
Music
Music has a noted effect on brain activity, depending on what you’re listening to and why. Weightless by Marconi Union, thought to be the most relaxing song in the world slowly decreases the listener’s heart rate as it matches the rhythm changing from 60 BPM (beats per minute) to 50 BPM.
Moderation
As always, moderation is key. After all, your emotional wellbeing is every bit as intrinsically linked to your physical health as what you eat and drink. That might mean blowing off your healthy diet every now and then for an evening out for pizza and cocktails with friends. Good for your diet and sleep? Maybe not. Wonderful for your social energy? Definitely! So don’t forget to feed your emotional heart as well as your physical body.
