FOMO Recovery

Here are a few strategies to consider.

1.   Be honest about the extent to which fomo is impacting your life and decide if that’s the journey you want to continue living.

2.   Learn to be mindfully aware of the moment and enjoy what is happening right now or consciously and creatively deal with it if it’s not what you want to be doing.

3.   Decide whether you want to follow the pack or lead the pack; get soaked at the back of the canoe or ride the prow—you may still get wet but the view is spectacular up front.

4.   Set clear guidelines about how you choose to spend your time. Are you saying ‘yes’ because you actually want to do that activity or simply because you were asked or are afraid of missing out? Make choices based on their congruence with your Longevity Lifestyle.

5.   Implement clear boundaries about the use of social media sites and the time you spend on technologies—then stick to those boundaries unless a life-and-death situation arises (and that is not what restaurant your best friend went to last night!)

6.   Learn to evaluate what is really important and what may be real but relatively unimportant in the big scheme of life. Then make choices with one eye on the moment and the other on how this choice will impact your life down the line.

7.   Realize that this is the age of technologies and the genre will only get more and more complex and evolved—so carefully select those that align with your desired goals and lifestyle and then use them in balance.

FOMO Recovery

Here are a few strategies to consider.

1.   Be honest about the extent to which fomo is impacting your life and decide if that’s the journey you want to continue living.

2.   Learn to be mindfully aware of the moment and enjoy what is happening right now or consciously and creatively deal with it if it’s not what you want to be doing.

3.   Decide whether you want to follow the pack or lead the pack; get soaked at the back of the canoe or ride the prow—you may still get wet but the view is spectacular up front.

4.   Set clear guidelines about how you choose to spend your time. Are you saying ‘yes’ because you actually want to do that activity or simply because you were asked or are afraid of missing out? Make choices based on their congruence with your Longevity Lifestyle.

5.   Implement clear boundaries about the use of social media sites and the time you spend on technologies—then stick to those boundaries unless a life-and-death situation arises (and that is not what restaurant your best friend went to last night!)

6.   Learn to evaluate what is really important and what may be real but relatively unimportant in the big scheme of life. Then make choices with one eye on the moment and the other on how this choice will impact your life down the line.

7.   Realize that this is the age of technologies and the genre will only get more and more complex and evolved—so carefully select those that align with your desired goals and lifestyle and then use them in balance.

Brain-Computer Similarities, 4

Both brains and computers are susceptible to viruses. A computer virus or worm can slow down computer programs, corrupt files, and even kill the computer, if you will. That’s the purpose of virus-protection programs such as Norton and MacAfee that can be purchased and downloaded onto your computer. The program scans your computer regularly and isolates viruses and/or notifies you that something needs to be handled. A virus in the brain can negatively impact your ability to think, to accomplish many brain functions, and can even kill neurons or thinking cells and/or glial or supporting cells. When a virus invades and directly affects the brain or spiral cord you may have heard it referred to as Viral or Aseptic Meningitis (because no bacteria appear to be involved) of or Viral Encephalitis. Viruses that may infect the brain include: cytomegalovirus, Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV; Human Herpes Virus-6 or HHV-6; Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and Herpes Simplex Virus 2; Zika infection; Varicella-zoster virus (VZV); Rabies virus; Poliomyelitis virus; papovaviruses, measles, and so on. More tomorrow.

Brain-Booting Breakfasts and Chronic Disease

Breakfast is more than just an energy-producing strategy. It has been linked with chronic diseases. Senior author of a study related to breakfast and coronary heart disease and associate professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health, Eric Rimm, said, “It’s a really simple message. Breakfast is an important meal.” And Leah Cahill, postdoctoral research fellow in HSPH’s Department of Nutrition, was quoted as saying: “Skipping breakfast may lead to one or more risk factors, including obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, which may in turn lead to a heart attack over time.” This study corroborated other studies that have pointed to a link between breakfast and obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other health problems seen as precursors to heart problems. As my favorite aunt would likely have put it: “So what’s your problem? Eat a good breakfast already! I do.” And she lived to be nearly ninety! 

Brain-Booting Breakfasts, 2

Some people seem to have difficulty wrapping their brains around the importance of booting up your brain function with breakfast, that’s another area of research that some people have difficulty believing—that breakfast has that much to do with energy production. Prevailing wisdom has been that a failure to eat breakfast can result in a 40 percent loss of energy by noon. That’s not all. In a study from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH), researchers found that men who regularly skipped breakfast had a 27 percent higher risk of heart attack or death from coronary heart disease than those who did eat a morning meal. Non-breakfast-eaters were generally hungrier later in the day and ate more food at night, perhaps contributing to metabolic changes and heart disease. The scientists analyzed food questionnaire data and health outcomes from 1992-2008 on 26,902 male health professionals, ages 45-82. During the study, 1,572 of the men had cardiac events. Even after accounting for diet, physical activity, smoking, and other lifestyle factors, the association between skipping breakfast and heart disease persisted. More tomorrow.

Brain-Booting Breakfasts

Studies have shown that eating a healthier breakfast boots up the brain much like you would boot up a computer with an energy source. The brain prefers glucose as its source of energy. Although other parts of the body can use fat, protein, or carbohydrate for energy, the brain functions best with carbohydrate fuel. Due to its rapid metabolism, the brain requires minute-to-minute glucose. Some even say that carbohydrate (glucose source) is the only source of fuel that the brain can use (it cannot burn fat). Glucose levels decline more during a period of intense cognitive processing. Studies in all types of people have shown improved mental ability following a carbohydrate meal. But what type of carbs? Healthier ones, of course, Carbs that are eaten in as natural state as possible and that are relatively low on the Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load lists are better for a Longevity Lifestyle.

(Nedley, Neil, M.D. Proof Positive; Brand-Miller, Jennie, PhD, Thomas M. S. Wolever, MD, PhD, et al. The New Glucose Revolution)

Brain-Computer Similarities, 3

Brains and computers both need to be ‘booted up.’ Naturally you boot up your computer by connecting it to a power source and turning it on. Most computers have some battery storage that allows you to use them even when not connected to a power source—at least for some period of time. Your brain needs to be booted up, as well. There are a several ways to boot up your brain: one is by eating breakfast that includes some healthier carbs (as you break-the-fast that has occurred during sleep). You can boot up the brain by engaging in some type of physical exercise. As the old saying goes Use it and move it or lose it. You can also boot up your brain through brain breathing that increases the amount of oxygen to your brain. Here’s the formula:

• Breathe in deeply to a count of four
• Hold your breath to a count of twelve
• Breathe out through pursed lips to a count of eight.

Take three or four brain breaths first thing in the morning and throughout the day as needed. More tomorrow.