I remember the night well. We had just come home from my niece-in-law's chiropractor school graduation party. I walked into the house, settled in to my desk chair, turned on the computer, and as one had to do in 1997, I clicked the icon to start my dial-up Internet connection. After a couple of minutes of noise and bonks and beeps, I was logged on at a lightning fast 32Kb per second. As usual, I went to USA Today's website, and there it was in big bold letters: Diana, Princess of Wales, 36. The moment is in indelibly imprinted in my memory. Arguably, the most famous woman in the world, Princess Di was dead - and at such a young age. Unbelievable.
Ok. Do this: at this very moment, take note of where you are and your surroundings. Take note of any odors or anything unusual or striking. Take note of your emotional state. Take note of your hunger or fullness. I want this moment, right now, indelibly printed in your memory. Because if you remember this moment - this NEWS I am about to give you - you will be forever changed, forever affected, and forever improved.
Here is the news: Whenever you see, think, or hear of the word "NEWS" think of these four words: Nutrition, Exercise, Water, and Sleep. Say it: Nutrition, Exercise, Water, Sleep. NEWS. This is the most important news you will ever get. These are the four things you must have to optimize the functioning of your brain (and every other organ in your body, for that matter). These are the four things that contribute the very most to your happiness right now and in the future. Yet, ironically, these are the four things we tend to ignore the most. It's no wonder we have mood swings, laziness, and bad judgment (or at least non-optimal judgment).
Nutrition: I went to http://caloriecount.about.com and I started logging all of the food I eat. I was astounded at my poor nutrition. I was missing many essential vitamins and eating way too much sodium and fat. To think that I guy like me that places so much emphasis on brain function was literally poisoning his brain and other organs was both disgusting and disheartening. Do what I did - log your food for one week using the site above. You will see what nutrients you are missing, how many calories you are eating, and your ratio of fat to proteins to carbs. Your life will be forever changed if you have any sense at all, unless you are already very conscious of nutrition. Let me put it to you straight - what many American many companies and grocery stores are trying to sell you is poison. It affects your energy, it affects your mood - it affects your BRAIN. Wise up right now and take a good look at your nutrition. Study it. I can't emphasize this enough.
Exercise. We all already know the value of exercise, or at least we should, so I am not going to say too much about it. Just keep in mind that exercise is PROVEN to be the best natural stimulant of neurotransmitters in your brain that control your mood and energy. In fact, exercise is the number one natural cure for patients with Attention Deficit Disorder. Don't believe me? Ask Olympic Gold medalist Michael Phelps. Get off your butt and get a regular exercise program in gear. Your brain needs it (and so does your body).
Water. The brain is 70% water! If you aren't watering it, it will shrivel up.Water dissolves the substances we eat and allows our cells to soak up the nutrients, minerals, and other necessary chemicals used in our biological process. Get rid of the diet coke now. You wanna be stupid? - dehydrate yourself. You'll get stupid real quickly.
Sleep. We've all been there - for whatever reason, we are one or two hours short on sleep from the night before. It makes the day long and lazy. It makes the day irritable. It makes the day stupid and no fun. We can't think, we can't exercise, we can't learn, and we certainly can't make sound decisions. If you get enough nutrition, exercise, and water, your brain is not going to work very hard for you. It needs its rest! Don't deprive yourself of it. Get your butt to bed. If you have sleep problems, try optimizing your nutrition, exercise, and water intake. You will be astounded at the difference in the quality of sleep you get. Also, if you snore, strongly consider getting an anti-snoring device from http://www.puresleep.com (changed my sleeping life - and my wife's!).
Ok, that's the NEWS. Seriously.
By now you might be thinking, "Come on, El Entrenador, what kinda news is that?" Yet, I can't emphasize enough how much your life will improve if you follow this NEWS. Log your food, log your exercise, log your water intake - you will be totally and inescapably enlightened - it will be some of the most amazing news you ever received.
Follow the NEWS, will you?
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