Have you heard of this notion of "biohacking?" (Don't just Google it, that brings up a less than stellar definition). In simple terms, I'm talking about using methods or devices to "hack" your body for better health. One of my favorite fitness gurus, Ben Greenfield, might be one of the craziest biohackers out there. The man tries everything, from pointing an infrared light at his nether regions to boost testosterone to using special earbuds that transmit bright light directly to the photosensitive receptors on the surface of his brain for energy and recovery from jet lag. I have to admit, all of the strange things he does totally intrigue me. These devices aren't exactly cheap though, so my budget holds me back. Regardless, I have picked up a couple habits during my fitness journey that don't cost me very much, and I look forward to trying out more as I discover them. Here's five weird things that I do in the name of health, and the reasons I do them. Check it out and tell me what you think! If you've got any "weird" habits that you believe are good for you, share them.
Intermittent Fasting.
I've talked about this on another post. I don't do this deliberately every day, and I'm always cognizant of the fact that I need to be careful about my hormonal health - if my body is telling me to eat, I eat. Fasting is not for weight loss, despite some people in the "fitness" community touting it as a way for you to forego breakfast so you can eat cake and donuts later. In my opinion, that just causes an unhealthy relationship with food. However, studies have shown that when done properly, fasting can have a host of health benefits, from improving insulin sensitivity to reducing free radical damage and preventing cancer cell formation.
Ten Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Intermittent Fasting
Use Blue Light blockers.
You've probably seen articles that talk about the negative effects that "blue light" emitted from your electronic devices have on your sleep. The problem can be even worse than that though. Blue light can cause a shift in the body's circadian rhythm, which in turn can change how our bodies dictate function to our organs. In the short term, blue light suppresses melatonin production and fools our brains into thinking it's still daylight. The best way to combat this would be to avoid all electronics about two hours before bed (or any light, for that matter). However, if you can't imagine doing that (I'm personally addicted to browsing on my iPad in bed), try installing blue light blocking apps on your devices that turn on according to your schedule. There are plenty of free ones out there. Just note that they tint your screen yellow. Since I'm not opposed to looking like a complete dork in the name of health, you can also get these super-cool blue light blocking glasses, which also have that great yellow tint. You can get a pair for less than $10 on Amazon.
Benefits of Blue Light-Blocking Glasses
Take contrast showers.
I love hot showers. The hotter the better. However, once I read about the numerous benefits of taking COLD showers, I reluctantly decided to incorporate cold water into my routine. My buddy Ben Greenfield takes a five minute straight cold shower every day, in part because he's a believer in cold thermogenesis and its supposed ability to boost fat loss and athletic performance. If you want to see the king of cold therapy, check out the famous "Iceman" Wim Hof. The man holds the Guinness world record for longest ice bath (1 hour and 52 minutes!) and climbs tall mountains in nothing but shorts.
Meanwhile, I'm a wimp about cold, so I compromise with contrast showers. The idea is to switch from hot to cold water every few minutes, at around a 3-to-1 ratio. Always end on cold. This method is used by athletes and bodybuilders to help improve circulation and boost muscle recovery by hastening blood lactate removal. This is the theory, anyway. Studies are still pretty inconclusive on this particular method, some even citing a possible placebo effect. My own experience with it has me convinced that it does help with recovery. Also, it feels very therapeutic, and I honestly wouldn't discount that as a great benefit itself to your overall health.
Eat fermented foods.
Gut health is immensely important. Your digestive system is connected to every other function in your body, including the health of your brain and immune systems. A couple of years ago, I had a lot of digestive issues that led to me doing drastic things like cutting out all gluten. I chalk it up to former bad habits, frequent traveling, and bouts of strong antibiotics which did a number on my gut microbiome. I slowly got better using probiotic supplements and healthier eating habits, and this includes making a concerted effort to incorporate fermented foods into my diet. Recently, I tried my hand at making my own sauerkraut. This is ridiculously easy and only requires cabbage, salt and an airtight jar. I also mix kimchi into my eggs or stirfrys and drink a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with warm water in the mornings. My gut deserves all the good bacteria it can get!
8 Greatest Probiotic Foods You Should be Eating
Stand up.
Years ago, a coworker passed around an article that basically said "You will die if you sit too much." You may have seen similar articles pop up, warning that sitting for hours a day translates to earlier death and health complications, even if you got regular exercise. Message received for me. After I read that first article, I took a bunch of cardboard boxes and reams of paper from the copy room and jerry-rigged my own standing desk at work. People made a lot of jokes along the lines of "Who stole your chair?" and "Hey do you know where all the printer paper went?"...but what was my pride compared to my health? Nowadays, my office provides adjustable standing desks to anyone that wants them, and I happily took them up on the offer. Once in a while, I even use a balance board for added challenge while typing. You don't need to stand all day - just try to stand more than you sit.