Hello and welcome to 4-Minute Friday where I share, in four minutes or less, the latest things I’m doing to enhance my health, save money, and make day-to-day life easier and more enjoyable.
All comments and follow-up questions can be posted directly below, on my Facebook page or emailed to me at zach.griffith1@gmail.com!
Startling Statistic:
In the last installment of 4-Minute Friday (4MF), we had a brief discussion on screen use, social media, and the positive impact high-quality relationships have on our health.
Coupled with this, you should have a very good grasp that sleep has a profound impact on your physical and mental performance.
Just after writing that 4MF, my personal favorite podcaster Chris Williamson shared a startling statistic that further elucidated the mind-boggling trend we’re seeing nowadays.
According to a data reporting release…
The average person is spending roughly 7 hours every day using the internet.
If we’re generous and say the average person also sleeps somewhere around 7 hours a night (which we know it’s likely less), this statistic reveals that people are spending nearly half of their waking hours on the internet and most individuals are using the internet MORE than rejuvenating themselves with a quality night of rest.
Long story short…
NOT good.
Rethink your internet use.
Consider adding a screen time limit on your devices.
The algorithm is designed to be addicting, overcome it.
Caffeine Reset:
Well well well.
I’m writing this more as a way to hold myself accountable than anything.
For the caffeine lovers out there (I count as two of them), I get it.
It’s hard to beat that morning cup of coffee and an afternoon pick-me-up when necessary.
However, there comes a time – say after consuming caffeine every single day for months on end – when a detox just might serve some benefit.
It’s well-known that caffeine is one of the substances in which we build up a tolerance to and need more and more to give us that jolt.
And if you’re at a similar point I am, there comes a time when you aren’t feeling much of an effect at all.
Although not ideal, the best thing you can do is put the mug down, admit you have a problem, call a crisis hotline, and get help.
Kidding aside, even a 3-day cold turkey cleanse or strategized taper can move your caffeine tolerance back toward the other end of the spectrum.
Two things I’m considering to make this easier:
Drink decaffeinated coffee for three consecutive days.
Or…
Taper the amount of caffeine by half on day 1, cut to a ¼ on day 2, and then completely eliminate it on day 3 before reversing this order on subsequent days.
I’ll report back later with outcomes but consider joining me on this quest.
Immediate Action:
Whenever you feel yourself trying to talk yourself into/out of something, the best thing you can do is take immediate action.
Don’t spend the mental bandwidth wrestling with yourself to make the decision.
This can be a real challenge but gets easier over time.
One thing I’ve noticed after a long day of work is if I immediately put my running shoes on and get outside, not only do I get a better workout, but I also feel more fulfilled afterwards.
Overcoming the friction of actually doing the thing without a full-blown argument with yourself serves you both mentally and physically.
What else?
If you have a hard time getting yourself to eat healthy because of time constraints or just the challenge of what to make, consider a meal service such as Factor. They do the hard part for you and come at a reasonable price when you consider the time and cost of not doing such.
A long-form post will be released in two weeks… keep an eye out!
Less debating about whether or not to do… more doing.
Buy some Barbell Apparel fitness clothing through my link here!
If you enjoy this weekly bite of information, please share it with a coworker, friend, and/or family member!
DISCLAIMER
- This is NOT Medical advice. Consult your medical professional before starting any supplement, diet regimen, or workout program.