Hack Your Functional Health For Under $100
March 08, 2020
March 08, 2020
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Essential takeaways:_________________________________________________________________
Creating health doesn’t have to be expensive.
There are a number of solutions currently available that require very little investment, but yield major returns. These often get passed by because they are seen as less valuable, but each can play a distinct role in fueling your full day and creating optimized function in your life. We love these “quick hits” because they are often the easiest to stick with and consistency breeds results.
Here are a few of our favorites:
1.) Grounding mat and grounding patches:
Grounding is an excellent tool for improving sleep and decreasing inflammation. All individuals with an active life should make grounding a central component of their recovery to optimize functional health. Read all about it the science behind grounding here.
However, grounding yourself naturally is not always possible or convenient. If you live in an area with winter 6 months out of the year or the weather is not cooperating for any period of time, it can be challenging to get grounded. In addition, if you live in a city, it can sometimes be difficult to find grass or open areas and if you do, you may not want to take your shoes off.
The Grounding Pad and Grounding Patches are an excellent solution to this problem. Simply plug the mat into any electrical outlet with a ground (the kit comes with a tester) and make direct contact - you can sit, stand, or do handstands, but just need be touching the mat. The same goes for the patches - plug them in to a grounded outlet and then stick them either on your feet or an area with inflammation. Everybody has a different reaction to grounding, but many describe feelings of warmth, tingling in the feet, and a more flush appearance. Using this inexpensive, practical hack is a no-brainer and allows you to access the earth’s abundant source of free electrons from anywhere.
2.) Blue Light Blocking Glasses
Light is extremely complex and plays a major role in us as functional beings. Unfortunately, in a world full of artificial stimulus, we are constantly being exposed to harmful blue light and our health is suffering. Blue light is found naturally, primarily in the sun - this the type that can be good for us and helps regulate our circadian rhythm. What we are trying to avoid is artificial blue light from sources like fluorescent and LED lighting, screens and other digital devices. Like artificial food, consuming blue light from these sources has a number of negative health consequences including poor quality sleep, deterioration of the eye and headaches.
For any person spending a significant amount of time exposed to artificial blue light, investing in a pair of blue-light blocking lenses is a must. There are a number of companies making these glasses, but for under a $100, your best bet is Felix Gray. Their lenses have been tested and shown to block out blue light in its entirety. Where others are simply tinted with a color that counteracts the blue light, Felix Grays actually filter it out and give you the greatest protection. If you are worried about style, don’t be! These glasses look great while being functional and Felix Gray offers a number of styles to fit all tastes.
3.) Coffee
Many are already harnessing the power of coffee everyday - but you could be getting more from each cup. Coffee has a number of incredible health qualities including enhanced cognitive and metabolic function, improvement to energy levels and it can even help you avoid a number of chronic diseases - read more about the science behind coffee and what to avoid here.
Hacking your morning Joe starts by finding a consciously crafted bean - this means one free of harmful mold, mycotoxins and pesticides. If you’re wondering where to even begin, don’t worry we’ve got you covered. Both Purity and Bulletproof offer great tasting, reasonably priced beans that you can trust. Testing is done at every point in the sourcing process and these companies are roasting for health qualities, not taste or profit. Starting your day with a cup from either Purity or Bulletproof is an excellent way to set yourself up for success and hack your functional health before 8am (if you get up that early).
It doesn’t end there, however. If you want to make your coffee the ultimate brain booster, make it bulletproof. A bulletproof coffee is simply the combination of high quality coffee (low quality could negate the health effects), MCT Oil and grass-fed butter or ghee. Each ingredient is purposeful and offers its own distinct health benefit, coming together to create an energy boosting, satiating alternative to your normal coffee routine. If you’re somebody who embraces the ketogenic lifestyle, this is a must as it has a powerful effect on ketone levels and the healthy fats offer a great alternative to other protein rich sources.
4.) Electrolytes
Giving your cells the nourishment to do their job isn’t always easy. As active people, we are constantly breaking our body down and depleting critical resources, one being electrolytes. Electrolytes are critical to cell function and when we don’t have enough we know it - we become tired, feel weaker and cognitive function suffers.
Adding electrons to your day is easy and delicious. Several brands offer clean, purposeful products that travel well and make a great addition to your hydration practice. Our favorites are Ultima Replenisher, LMNT, and Quintessential. Each has its own unique benefits and is right for different people. For a more in-depth discussion of each brand electrolytes in general, check out our post titled, “Hack Your Hydration: Simple Tips for Optimization”
5.) Air tubes
In a world full of constant exposure to harmful EMF radiation, mitigating or eliminating it anywhere we can makes a huge difference. This is particularly true as it relates to brain health and the products we use closest to our brain, which is extra sensitive to EMF stimulation.
Air tubes are a great way to eliminate EMF exposure to the brain caused by placing a phone directly to your ear or the use of wireless headphones like Airpods that are passing a frequency directly through your brain. Air tubes work by replacing a portion of the traditionally wired headphones with a hollow tube - the sound then travels directly through the tube and into your ears with minimal exposure to EMF radiation. There are a number of different products available with unique features - researching the solution that fits your needs is the best approach. Whatever you choose, be sure they are durable and will withstand your active life.
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