Author: Michael O

Dopamine detoxing is a period of abstinence from activities that boost dopamine levels through minimal or no effort. Although long-term detoxing (for a week or longer) has been recognized and supported most, there can also be some notable benefits from detoxing over shorter timeframes, depending on the relationship you have with your reward system. Here are my favourite ways to dopamine detox:

Wake Up Without Touching My Phone

As soon as you wake up, the choices you make influence your physical, mental and brain health for the day ahead. It can be argued that rising from your first alarm is considered your first big task, after which you are bound to notice improvements in the areas mentioned above if the action becomes habitual. But let us not forget the elephant in the room: the omnipresent smart phones of society that are tempting to use after overcoming that first task.

Even if you unlock your phone for an important reason, there is still a chance that, afterwards, you will be tempted to veer toward distractions such as social media. That is why I do not bother to check my phone at all immediately after waking up. Not only does it subtract time from your morning routine, but it can highjack your dopamine circuitry and disrupt your emotions.

Since the choices made at the beginning of your day can influence your reward system, choosing to go about it without your phone is one of the most effective ways to dopamine detox.

Say No to Processed Foods

To preface, it is okay to have a couple of cheat meals or snacks during your week, as long as you are mostly eating whole-foods. This system works because you are still able to reap the benefits of a healthy diet without having to sacrifice the occasional reward for yourself; and rewards are important, but only satisfying when you believe you deserve them.

Throughout my week, I am met with temptations to eat processed snacks or meals. Whether it is at work when vendors that my company work with offer sweets at our weekly lunch-and-learns, or at home when my girlfriend orders fast food and offers me some, it can take everything in me to say no. That is, if I am saving my cheat meals for later in the week or have already eaten them earlier.

Choosing whole-foods over processed foods is another one of the most effective ways to dopamine detox. Processed sugar and high-fructose corn syrup not only create adverse consequences for your mental health and body, but dampen the reward circuits in your brain given how hyperpalatable they are. See here for a study confirming that dopamine function can be impaired by HFCS in particular.

Practice Nofap

Every day men are met with sexual urges, challenging discipline and focus. It would be so easy to satisfy those urges on your own, especially considering the availability of stimulating content on the internet.

By saying no to this type of stimulation on a daily basis, you are saving your reward system from becoming depleted, thus, restoring and preserving your brain’s dopamine levels. Of the activities that amplify dopamine production, sex is among the most powerful. But even though self-pleasure is not even sex, your brain does not know that.

The inference from this is that it is possible to bypass effort (approaching a woman, taking her out, et cetera.) while still feeling maximally stimulated. In other words, cheating the reward system. Nofap is one of the most reliable practices to ensure it is not being cheated so that your physical energy remains at a healthy level, and you are able to enjoy more of life’s everyday moments – whether mundane or exciting.

See my article here on nofap’s other benefits.

Limit Nicotine Consumption

For the better part of 4-5 years, I have been vaping as a way to feel the benefits of nicotine as well as the associated headrush. The addiction that grew was justified by research that supported nicotine as a cognitive performance enhancer, but I did not realize how much the pleasure from it was interfering with my life.

The dopamine release that the nicotine provides does not allow me to be as present in everyday moments as I would like to be, or enjoy the simple aspects of my life. This was first realized when I stopped for a month and a half almost 2 years ago, and more recently I was reminded of it when I stopped for just 2 days.

I am now still using it, but fewer times per day than what I used to. I am not buying them, but using my girlfriend’s in moments that require my full attention or when I have a craving. Otherwise, I purposely abstain from it for the majority of the day in order to restore my dopamine levels.

Sources

• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/high-fructose-corn-syrup-vs-sugar#regular-sugar
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5747444/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6018192/#:~:text=conducted%20a%20meta%2Danalysis%20of,memory%2C%20and%20working%20memory%20performance

To echo my previous article on this topic, awareness of your mind’s ability to deceive you in order to preserve the ego, confirm biases or beliefs, or avoid difficulty can lead to a deeper understanding of yourself and others in life. Human nature is universal and has been a recurring force for hundreds of thousands of years, so there is and has always been a massive social benefit to knowing how to handle it. Here are more lessons about human nature that I learned:

It Can Be Very Easy to Be Deceived by People’s Masks

A notable point Robert Greene makes in his book The Laws of Human Nature is that people, including you, put on a mask that shows the best side of them in social settings. This means that we all intentionally put forth our most positive emotions through speech and body language so that we are not judged harshly; however sometimes that mask gets cracked in the company of certain people. Unfortunately, though, the signs of dislike or deception from others can be hard to spot if your personal biases come to the forefront of your mind.

Virtually no one wants to be betrayed or surprised in some other way, which is why seeing through people’s masks is one of the most important lessons about human nature I learned; it is a preventive measure. But as individuals, everyone has preferences for certain types of people over others, which can make it difficult to notice and interpret white lies or non-verbal micro expressions from those we like more. Furthermore, you can easily delude yourself into believing that people are generally on your side or are neutral in matters of personal conflict, because it is uncomfortable to realize that some people are simply not.

Unfortunately I have the tendency to believe the latter, and have suffered in ways such as job loss because of it. To avoid deception, betrayal or public shame, be sure to view people’s behaviour objectively, leaving biases out of it. As an unbiased observer, you can more effectively train your brain to notice behavioural patterns and then respond accordingly.

Kindness Can Help Your Reputation

Almost everyone has done something they are not proud of in the public eye or in the company of one other person that had the potential to taint their reputation, or had actually tainted it. The wise person would believe that forgiveness of this (depending on the severity of the mistake) comes naturally because humans are imperfect. However, what if a mistake is made that seriously alters the image of your character in some way?

This obviously does not include unforgivable acts that cross legal boundaries. Rather, for instance, a drinking habit you might have picked up while going through a bad time, which interferes with your ability to properly connect with those in your life. Assuming you are not harming others while in this state, a general alcoholic is perceived as an irresponsible, disorderly person. And if your name comes up in conversation between those who know you, chances are that this habit would be mentioned, which, by extension, would negatively alter your character in their eyes.

But humans can be incredibly simple thinkers, especially when factoring in the treatment received by the person in question when they are being discussed. If you are rude and disrespectful to people, plus an alcoholic, it becomes that much harder to redeem your reputation. If you are kind and generous to people, the alcoholism can damage your reputation but likely not beyond repair. Simply being a good person can go a long way toward receiving forgiveness for your inadequacies or mistakes because people value kindness and decency.

This speaks to the inherently emotional nature we all possess in that we place importance on being acknowledged, but acknowledged in a way that lacks disrespect or any other rude expression. 

People Tend to Follow Your Lead if You Dismiss Petty Arguments

The human ego is so powerful that it can lead you down the most ridiculous paths if you let it. Depending on your upbringing (because that matters), your ego will be in either a healthy or unhealthy state. If it is in an unhealthy state and you are not actively aware that you are lacking control over your desires and truly believe you are superior to others, there is no telling how far you will go to satisfy your urges. If in a healthy state, you are in a better position than the former, but can still fall victim to the ego’s temptations.

Physical fights happen very frequently as a result of such temptations, but it is more common to experience verbal exchanges. Some might be warranted; for example, clapping back if someone insults you. However, you can very easily find yourself in an argument or disagreement over trivial topics just to prove your intelligence and understanding of the world. 

In such cases, the best decision you can make is to dismiss the argument, adding the pointlessness of what was discussed. Doing so tends to signal to the other person that time is being wasted on both sides, so he or she can also benefit from stepping away. Furthermore, a mature approach such as this has an influencing effect on others, serving as a practical lesson that can be learned for future exchanges with others.

This can be considered one of the most common lessons about human nature, as nearly everyone finds themselves in pointless quarrels on a semi-regular basis. Whether at work, at home, or in a popular public space, many are attempting to make themselves look good.

Sources

• https://www.simplypsychology.org/psyche.html

Among the many qualities that life requires from you in order to prosper, mental toughness is among the most important of them. Encompassing constituent qualities such as grit, fortitude and discipline, it serves as a tool to help you cope with loss, heartbreak, temptation and other difficult everyday scenarios. Here is how to be mentally strong in life:

Accept Negative Emotions for What They Are

It is common for us to want to avoid the feelings of fear, sadness or anger simply because they are not pleasant feelings. By avoiding them, we are essentially denying that they are there, or pretending that we are above them. 

Doing so is problematic because it only increases the likelihood of the emotion growing, or introducing other negative emotions to the equation. This can lead to self-identification with an emotion, which can dampen your self-esteem if taken too far.

By accepting how you feel, you are accepting reality, making it that much easier for positive changes to be made to your state. When you accept and no longer associate your identity with negative emotions, you will notice, over time, that they do not have to dictate your thoughts, actions and words. This is the first step when learning how to be mentally strong in life.

Subject Yourself to Difficulty

Difficulty is subjective as what one person finds difficult might not be so for another. Bearing in mind that there are some universally difficult activities like exercise, also consider what you personally find difficult in life. It could be socializing in large groups, for instance.

When you put yourself through such situations willingly, you might not achieve exactly what you had hoped for, but you still did something you once thought could not be done. That stimulates self-belief, which stimulates self-confidence and self-esteem. When these areas are in healthy states, the many limitations you once placed on yourself diminish. 

If this is done routinely and consistently, which I recommend, you are much more willing to confront whatever life throws at you. Both trivial and serious problems can be dealt with more easily, as you have met this requirement when learning how to be mentally strong in life. 

Build Discipline

It is very easy to say yes to things that give you pleasure: eating processed foods, watching Netflix all night, watching dirty videos. If this becomes habitual, you are accepting that short-term gratification matters more than long-term results with regards to mental health and physical health. 

Failing to acknowledge the problems that will inevitably arise from this puts you in a weak position, mentally speaking. 

Rather than going down such a path, learn to start small by saying no to a small pleasure once a day, then work your way up from there. By no means is this easy in the beginning, but discipline never is. The mental and physical payoffs will accumulate over time and you will eventually master the skill of discipline, which bleeds into other areas of life. 

For more of an in-depth breakdown of mastering discipline, check out my article here.

Learn From Your Mistakes

There are no personal lessons to be learned in life without full accountability of your mistakes and a willingness to avoid them in the future. Often, if the mistake is serious enough, you will be more inclined to take note of it as the memory persists as a painful one, bringing the possibility of a repeated experience if you do not do something differently. But some mistakes are more trivial in nature, or so you believe, which allows you to brush them off more easily.

However, if you are trying to become mentally strong, all mistakes are worth learning from; especially since seemingly trivial mistakes can lead to large negative consequences if you take a careless approach. By taking an active approach, you are reducing the chances of any kind of consequence of your doing arising, allowing you to be less distracted in your day-to-day. In doing so you not only acquire more wisdom, but position yourself as someone who is better able to deal with life’s demands because unnecessary problems are not requiring your attention simultaneously.

Sources

• https://nathanielbranden.com/what-selfesteem-is-and-is-not/

In any event, having your bases covered with regard to finances is a smart decision. The economy and life at large are unpredictable, so you never know when you may need more support than usual. Here are 5 tips to improve your finances:

Have at Least $10,000 Saved 

Before going into detail, I would like to preface with a suggestion: get into the habit of allocating a portion of your monthly income to your savings account. This might sound like an obvious way to improve your personal finances, but there are people out there who still struggle to find the discipline to do it. I have a friend who falls into that category, and his financial situation could be better if he had just consistently saved money and refrained from overspending.

Once the concept of a budget is kept top of mind and put into practice (for those who need the advice), try to think of $10,000 as your safety number. Once you have this amount saved, you are in a much better position to deal with unexpected car repairs, job loss and many other financially demanding life changes. You also have more freedom to treat yourself to something that a paycheque or cash on hand is not able to fully cover. 

Knowing that you are safe in this sense will bring peace of mind.

Look for Other Streams of Income

Growing up, I was taught to always have options. This includes but is definitely not limited to income. 

Ideally your purpose will eventually produce income for you, however many have not actualized their purpose yet and are instead relying on their day job as their sole income source. One income source is better than nothing at all, but two or more is better than one. More income means more possibilities in terms of lifestyle, security and support for those in your life that may need it. This makes income stream creation so important when trying to improve your finances.

Though there are downsides to it, a major upside to living in the digital era is having abundant access to information for learning purposes. You can use YouTube to learn just about anything, take up online courses to learn skills, or, as mentioned previously, find a way to actualize your purpose in some way to create more income. It is also important to not disregard the value of books as a reference guide here. 

If you decide to take the skill education route, try Skillshare. It is a platform dedicated to teaching hard and soft skills that are in demand. With thousands of options available, there will be something for everyone. Get started here.

Grow Your Money

Rather than letting all your money sit in a savings account, accumulating minimal interest, also consider avenues that allow it to compound over time. Investing in assets ensures that your money will grow and serves as a reliable foundation for long-term wealth. 

Assets can range from properties to ETFs, but the bottom line is that your net worth will increase over time. I have been consistently putting money into an equity-heavy index fund every month for over two years and have accumulated over $1,500.00 in compound interest as a result. Not only am I pleased with the gains I have made (that would not have been accomplished had I put that money into my savings account), but I feel secure in knowing that I will have an extra set of income to do as I please with when I am older.

For more information on index funds, read my article here.

Build Good Credit Habits

Credit is something that, if understood and taken seriously early on, can have lasting positive effects on the quality of your life. 

Firstly, ensuring your debts are paid accordingly on a consistent basis will help you avoid having to pay extra interest, or more money than necessary. It also signals to credit unions that you are financially responsible, which influences your credit score. If your score is within a healthy range, you are more likely to be able to borrow large sums of money from banks for a house or business loan, for instance.

Of course, we all want as much freedom as possible to live well and comfortably. Building good credit habits can make a huge impact on your desired lifestyle quality, which can bring yourself and those in your life more satisfaction. 

Sources

• https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/etf.asp

Outside of standardized education, there are a plethora of subjects you can delve into that can practically improve your life. With so many options to choose from, sometimes it feels overwhelming. It is important to learn more about whatever it is that interests you in particular, but there are some standout topics that apply to everyone. Here are the most important subjects in life:

Human Nature

Living in a highly populated world means there is no escape from interacting with people. You have no choice but to live amongst others, and this is crucial to our development as humans. With that said, as complex creatures, interactions do not always go smoothly. 

You have two choices: walk into the world naively and suffer the consequences, or learn about human nature so you are better prepared for what may come. It is in your best interest to go with option two, which would also entail gaining a deeper understanding of yourself. Lao Tzu said, “Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom.” Once you are aware of your own tendencies – both positive and negative – you can begin to develop strategies and even empathy when others show similar tendencies. 

I highly recommend reading Robert Greene’s The Laws of Human Nature as a starting point because he gives a comprehensive view of one of the most important subjects in life. You can also ask elders in your life for advice as they are likely to have undergone many more chaotic experiences than you. Utilizing the above two resources will give you more confidence when at work, with friends, with family, or in any public space where you are bound to see familiar faces. 

See here for an article on my favourite points from The Laws of Human Nature.

Personal Finance 

Rather than subjecting yourself to debt, a lack of emergency savings, or a lack of spending capabilities, another one of the most important life subjects you can learn is personal finance. 

Institutions like banks and credit card companies thrive on naive consumers, as more interest and fees can be taken from them. This is just one of the reasons why understanding how financial institutions operate and the options you have as a consumer is so important. It is equally important to understand budgeting strategies, savings discipline, investment strategies, credit-building habits and how to create multiple income streams. Doing so, and implementing what you learn, will bring confidence and peace of mind that you are prepared for bad times while also in a position to improve your financial state. 

YouTube has both beginner and advanced videos on the concepts mentioned above, so I recommend doing your own research through that platform. Khan Academy is another completely free video learning platform. 

Self-Discipline 

No matter what endeavour you take up in life, self-discipline will always be required in order to make progress. This is why it makes the list of the most important subjects in life that can be learned and practiced.

In some ways schooling introduced us to this concept; lacking the focus, memorization techniques and grit when studying meant a failing grade. But as life carries on, we become more exposed to the real world and its increased amount of distractions – substances, sexual temptations, nightlife, and so on. This creates a more difficult environment when trying to excel as an employee, employer, entrepreneur, avid fitness enthusiast, or any serious position. 

It is not healthy to completely shell yourself from the world and never indulge, but ensuring you have the self-discipline to not let those things get in the way of your goals is vital. Moderation is key, but if you know yourself to be someone that cannot handle moderation, then abstaining from life’s distractions altogether might be the best course for you. Remember that self-discipline is not supposed to be easy, but that is what is so rewarding about it once you make it to the other side.

In-Demand Skills

As we progress into an increasingly digital era, it presents a new landscape for people to capitalize on new skills. Examples of some hard skills include coding or video editing. However, some skills are timeless because they have always been valued as uniquely human, like communication.

Learning which skills are in-demand and relevant to today’s society is among the most important subjects in life. Understanding one and then using it to take action toward a project or business can elevate your financial status and value as an individual.

What I would like to add is that some skills can indeed be replaced by AI, but adding a human touch can separate you from the machines. If something comes naturally to you, aligning with your personality, do not give up on it just because of what is happening to the world. Find ways to still make it work.

Health

Health absolutely had to make this list because without it, you are not able to properly understand any of the above. This encompasses mental, physical and brain health, although the three are all linked to one in another in some way.

Keep in mind that the following health pillars should be kept top of mind and practiced as often as possible in order to reap the benefits of good health: sleep, a whole-foods diet, exercise, sunlight exposure and productive information consumption habits (such as reading).

Sources

•  https://www.khanacademy.org
• https://www.investopedia.com/terms/h/hard-skills.asp
• https://www.linkedin.com/business/talent/blog/talent-strategy/linkedin-most-in-demand-hard-and-soft-skills

With the current access to mind numbing activities and substances, it is no wonder why the younger generation is experiencing mental health problems. Fortunately there are some overlooked activities that, if implemented as habit, can reduce the chances of experiencing such problems. Here are 4 simple activities that improve mental health:

Converse with People

It is no surprise that we are social creatures and have adapted along those lines. Going against the grain in this respect can have dire consequences, leading to feelings of isolation which welcomes depressed and anxious behaviour. 

I remember being at my lowest point after dropping out of university, feeling ashamed of my past lack of responsibility and direction in life. Isolating myself from everyone, including family, made my mental and emotional health that much worse. It was only until I began venting to those close to me that I slowly started to build my confidence back; and realized that things were not as bad as I made them out to be. That was also when I realized that conversing with people is among the most important activities that improve mental health.

Understand that being alone is not a problem, especially when you can take comfort in your own company. It becomes a problem when you are consciously isolating yourself for extended periods of time. That is when you will realize that funny stories, life advice and venting are signs of good health. 

Do Difficult Things

Since we are wired to choose the path of least resistance, it is no wonder why so many people are lazy. Factoring in the progression of technology can only make it easier for your brain to choose this route.

Unsurprisingly, choosing to live life habitually on easy mode has negative effects on your mental health. You typically regret and feel shame for doing something you know you should not have done – especially when there is something you know you should have done instead. Like eating a bag of chips when you could have opted for a whole-foods snack. 

By exercising discipline at least once a day, you are training your brain to basically enjoy difficulty. Since discipline is often associated with doing something beneficial to you, you will eventually notice positive differences being made in your life. That, plus the reminder that you have done something hard even when you did not feel like doing it, can give you self-belief, self-confidence and improve your self-image. All of these are markers of good mental health. 

Use Idle Time Wisely 

We all find ourselves bored sometimes, doing things to make that time less boring. More often than not, people engage in pleasurable activities that activate their dopamine circuits in such moments. 

I do believe that we should all reward ourselves after some sort of work has been done. However, if your default response to boredom is to watch Netflix or scroll on Instagram, you are more prone to damaging your dopamine circuitry. This means that over time, ordinary experiences and activities may no longer be enjoyable, lowering the interest in life itself. A lack of interest and meaning in life is a breeding ground for depressed thinking to emerge. 

To avoid constant temptations, remind yourself that one, life is too short to waste on meaningless activities; and two, you are doing yourself a favour by replacing bad dopamine with good dopamine. Good dopamine means pursuing things that require effort but benefit you as a result. Examples include exercising, taking the time to read a book and understand it, or working on a project. 

I personally view exercising as one of the best activities that improve mental health. See here more information on how it works.

Eat Whole-Foods

There is no dispute that processed and ultra processed foods are linked to many diseases people suffer from today. They also have a major part to play in poor mental health. The Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study found that adults who had higher ultra-processed food intake were more likely to experience psychological distress than those who had a lower intake. 

With that said, an effective way to improve your mental health is to largely consume whole-foods instead of the opposite. Bearing in mind that a balanced diet can deliver the most optimal results, be sure to include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes and meats as often as possible. 

Sources

• https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-gen-y-guide/201703/were-wired-take-the-path-least-resistance
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37149054/

It is interesting that the mind can go to great lengths to deceive us in order to protect the ego, confirm personal beliefs or avoid difficulty. Becoming aware of these subtle tricks and impulses can lead to a deeper understanding of yourself, others and life at large. Here 4 lessons about human nature that I learned:

People Do Not Care About What You are Doing

Everyone is doing something in life, whether good or bad. There is a craving for recognition of your situation since there is a tendency to feel self-importance, even when it is undeserved. 

Even surface-level questions that people ask, such as “how’s it going with…” do not necessarily mean they are genuinely curious; sometimes people just want to pry. 

One of the lessons about human nature I learned, through analyzing myself and others, is that people are too busy with their own lives to pay attention to mine. With that in mind, if you are making progress in life (through personal or professional endeavours), seeking external validation for it can quickly disappoint you. Ensure there is enough internal fulfilment from what you do that self-satisfaction matters more than social praise. 

Self-Confidence Can Breed Envy and Assumptions

Many people have a yearning for feeling self-confident, and rightly so; it is a positive trait that can change many aspects of your life for the better. See here for more information on how to create self-confidence.

But even though there are many upsides, there are also downsides that you should be made aware of once you have embodied this trait. They come from the responses in others, when people notice the aura that you are exuding. Some do not have any self-confidence, and naturally may feel envy toward you for having what they lack; especially from those who are close to you. Others may assume that you are conceited, mistaking the belief you have in yourself for a sense of superiority. 

Once you understand and notice these reactions in others (such as microexpressions or tonality), it is important to not dwell on them. Yes, you might be curious about where someone may stand with how you present yourself, but do not take it too far by questioning yourself constantly. Self-confidence is a necessity, so be grateful you have found it. 

You Can Foster Better Connections by Showing Interest in Others

Naturally people like to talk about themselves, since we are at the centre of our own individual universe. Some however, take it too far. These people justify making every conversation about themselves by mistakenly believing that their opinions are more important than anyone else’s on the basis of having experiences that they deem are more unique or more extreme. 

Of course, this is not a good recipe for making friends. No one is interested in someone who has nothing but themselves to talk about. And believe it or not, there are many people who are like this, so it is also expected at times.

To separate yourself from these types and genuinely create good connections, ask someone about their life and their experiences. The prerequisite to this strategy is to actually care about other people, so ensure you are at least curious as a way to work your way to that point if this is not you. In response, others may be more inclined to get to know about you as a form of reciprocation. As a result, your character will be shown in a positive light, and the people you talk to may be more interested in friendship. 

Thinking and Acting Calmly Gives You an Advantage

In times of stress, sometimes our default reaction is to panic and show emotion. When that happens, we become even more stressed as panic leads us to think of the worst-case scenario, heightening anxiety. Ultimately we lose our ability to rationalize in a situation, creating difficulty when trying to find logical solutions. 

Let us say you are with 3 friends and are driving on a road trip in a remote area, when suddenly both of your front tires get torn. Upon realizing there is only one spare tire in the trunk and no cell service to call for assistance, all of your friends start panicking. You however, assess what happened, what the current situation is, and think of ways to solve the problem. If everyone in the car were to collectively panic, it would take much longer for someone to do something about it. 

Not only are you able to be more productive when thinking this way, but you can also reassure those around you that a problem is solvable. This quells people’s anxiety and creates a less chaotic environment for everyone. Try and remember this as one of the lessons about human nature that is within your control.

Sources

• https://dailyrobertgreene.substack.com/p/the-laws-of-human-nature-chapter

Water makes up 60% of our body weight on average, and regular intake of it can provide a range of health benefits. If it is not prioritized, noticeable negative consequences can arise. Here are 5 benefits of increasing water intake:

Can Reduce Brain Fog 

Water intake activates a part of the autonomic nervous system that stimulates alertness. This is especially helpful on the days when you are either slightly or majorly sleep deprived, as your default response is to feel brain fog through confusion, forgetfulness and a loss of focus.

When you are working or trying to focus on another important task, keep a 1-2 litre stainless steel water bottle with you. Not only will it satisfy the urge if you get thirsty, but it can also keep you mentally engaged in what you are trying to do. 

Increases Physical Capacity 

When we exercise, our bodies lose between 1-5 pounds of water per hour. This creates a reduction in physical capacity, whether it be through aerobic or anaerobic output. In other words, you will not be able to lift weights or run with ease as time goes on.

One of the benefits of increasing water intake is that it can increase your physical capacity.

Staying hydrated before a gym session, for instance, will put you in a better position to at least initially utilize your muscles at their best. While working out, ensuring you are hydrated every 15 minutes or so can help you push through another set or increase your weight. 

Can Benefit the Gut Microbiome

Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome is essential to your wellbeing as it influences critical areas such as mood and immune function. See here for information on its importance and for more methods to improve its state.

Staying hydrated, among other things, can ensure your gut microbiome is functioning at its best. Hydration is linked to processes such as bodily waste removal, gut motility and intestinal secretions. More, some research indicates that it contributes to the diversity of good bacteria in your gut, which strengthens this area.

Can Improve Skin Physiology 

Years ago there was a lot of buzz around drinking at least two litres of water a day as a means of reducing facial acne, and to some degree I can personally attest to that. 

It turns out that increasing your water intake can indeed improve your skin’s elasticity, moisture levels (if suffering from dry skin), and clearness. A study conducted on 49 healthy women, divided into two groups (one that consumed less than 3.2 litres a day and one that consumed more), found that at least two litres a day improved superficial and deep skin hydration.

It is inferred from this research that one of the benefits of increasing water intake is that your skin physiology can be positively impacted.

Helps the Liver and Kidneys

Another one of the benefits of increasing water intake is that it reduces the workload of your liver and kidneys to flush out waste. Water does so on its own, thus freeing up energy for those organs to perform other bodily duties, such as control blood pressure (kidneys) and control immune responses (liver).

Sources

• https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/how-to-optimize-your-water-quality-and-intake-for-health?timestamp=4755
• https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/how-to-build-endurance-in-your-brain-and-body?timestamp=5870
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34642755/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4529263/
• https://www.clinikally.com/blogs/news/the-science-of-deep-hydration-and-its-impact-on-skin-health#:~:text=Enhanced%20Moisture%20Retention%3A%20Deep%20hydration,and%20protecting%20against%20environmental%20stressors

In the places you frequent like your office workplace or the gym, there may be a woman you have your eye on and are interested in. You might find that your efforts to get her attention go unnoticed, leaving a question mark on where she stands. For better insight and next steps, here is why some women will ignore you:

She May Not be Interested

Sometimes, no matter how far down the rabbit hole you go by trying to determine a woman’s interest, she is simply not interested.

There can be a variety of reasons for this. She might be in a happy, committed relationship; or you are not her physical type; or she is not looking for intimacy from anyone. 

The reality is you will never truly know unless she tells you, and if she does, do not bother pursuing further. 

She May be Intimidated

Whether it is based on your physical appearance, personality, reputation or masculine energy, some women will ignore you because they are intimidated by you.

This is completely normal if you view it from the lens of male and female dynamics in general. On either side there is hesitation to interact if the man or woman presents traits or features that catch the eye or separates them from the majority. We can start to doubt whether we are enough for them, assuming their standards and access to options are on the higher end. 

You can determine if a woman is intimidated by scanning her body language if you try to talk to her or walk in her direction. Inconsistent eye contact and shifty body language are typical signs. If this happens, there is a good chance that breaking the ice in a polite or playful way can ease her nervousness.

She May be Introverted 

Sometimes the simple truth to why some women ignore you is because they are introverted. This means they will not make advances or show interest in overt ways, instead preferring to keep a distance and scan the area when they believe they are not noticed.

If you are waiting for a woman like this to show any sign of interest whatsoever, you will likely be waiting for a while. You will definitely have to be the one to approach, which she may either be open to or against (depending on how you are perceived by her). 

She May be Hurt

At some point the majority of people go through a bad breakup, leading to heart break. This can create distance between that person and the men or women who try to show interest immediately after.

The other reasons for that distance can vary, depending on the context of the breakup. For instance, perhaps a woman was dumped for no apparent reason. You may remind her of her ex in terms of physical appearance, and that reminder may stir up some upsetting memories. As a result, she may ignore you because she does not want to put herself through any potential emotional agony. 

So is She Interested or Not?

Getting ignored by a woman has nuanced implications, which obviously does not make it easy to determine her interest. Luckily there are more obvious signs through body language that you can rely on. See here for more information.

Sources

• https://helpfulprofessor.com/female-introvert-characteristics/

There is no way around the fact that developing and honing social skills are necessary for better relationships, friendships, work environments and other personal endeavours. Whether you are an introvert, extrovert, or a mix of both, there is always room for improvement. Here are 4 social skills that will improve your life:

Talk to Strangers

One of the majorly overlooked social skills that will improve your life is talking to strangers. 

If you are not yet socially adept, engaging in friendly conversation with someone you don’t know is a great way to get the ball rolling. You will come to realize that people are more open to it than you think, which may help you dispense with any pessimistic beliefs you hold about society as a whole. 

At the same time, you are becoming more and more comfortable with simply speaking to others. If this is something you habitually do, you will be surprised at how easily that comfortability spills into other everyday interactions. 

Address Problems Directly 

There are two main types of problems that we can come to realize between ourselves and other people. One is intuited as it is not made obvious, such as off-putting body language from another person or a change in his or her communication style (through cadence, tone, and so on) for no apparent reason. The other is consciously understood as the reason is made blatantly obvious, such as something you said that you knew was wrong to say to someone. 

In either case, addressing the problem with the other person directly signals that you care enough to at least reduce the tension (if there is any to begin with). It might also help to convey what you believe their point of view may be or how they may feel (and be sure to be open to correction in the event that you are wrong). This could lead to an understanding from the other person, thus potentially creating a more positive environment. 

It also signals your level of maturity and intelligence, making the other person more receptive to what you say. If your justification for approach is sound enough, he or she could realize why they would also benefit from coming to a resolution. It is a win-win situation. 

Add Humour

Life is already serious enough that you do not need every interaction with someone to be that way. Bearing in mind that there is a time and place for everything, you can still change the energy between yourself and others by adding a bit of humour.

This can come in many forms, but the most important takeaway is to shift the attention away from everyday seriousness using creativity. Sarcasm, observational humour and situational humour are good examples of this. 

Not only will you elevate your own character by integrating humour into your personality, but people will also enjoy your company more because of it. This can be considered another one of the overlooked social skills that will improve your life. 

Be Honest

You might be able to get away with lying to people for a while, but that time almost always runs out. For example, in social settings like an office workplace where people are constantly talking to each other, the story you tell one person may conflict with what you tell someone else. If they discover they have been lied to, your credibility and reputation may get damaged beyond repair.

Telling the truth not only feels good to you and builds self-confidence, but assures the person you are talking to that you can be trusted (if they have proof of your honesty). Even if the other person does not have proof, there may eventually come a time when your story is tested, and if what you told them aligns with what they observe, they will be more inclined to trust and speak to you. 

Sources

• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/humour/there-are-eleven-different-humour-types-which-one-are-you/articleshow/61818845.cms