Live Uncomfortably

Still aren't following me on Twitter? What are you waiting for?

I’ve spent the last 2 weeks traveling through Colombia like a proper backpacker. And as a result of travel, dietary practices, and lack of sleep, I haven’t felt a 100%.

But on an average day I feel great. I’ve compiled a list of things, that when done everyday, have made me feel at my absolute peak.

1. Eat blueberries

Blueberries have been shown to increase motor skills. They also pack an antioxidant punch greater than any other known fruit or vegetable. I can tell a difference instantly in the way I feel when I eat blueberries.

2. Take fish oil caps

I introduced fish oil to several of my friends and the results were hilarious. On two separate occasions, they came home from work and were like, “Dude, after I ate the fish oil caps I felt…happy!”

Read this article on the almost limitless benefits of fish oil.

3. Take a nap

Short 15-20 naps increase overall alertness and increase productivity. Also, In a six-year study of Greek adults, researchers found that that men who took naps at least three times a week had a 37 percent lower risk of heart-related death.

I find them to be extremely useful when under any sort of pressure. Napoleon is famous for doing this as well.

4. If you drink coffee, only drink about 16 OZ. throughout the day.

More than a cup or two a day makes me feel really good, then really awful. Try drinking tea in place of coffee if you need something hot.

I wrote about boosting energy levels with caffeine naps if you’re interested.

5. Don’t eat starches and sugar

They’ll just make you crash. i know how hard it is to eliminate these things from your diet but I have found a simple solution. I can control cravings by literally eating as much as I want besides starches and sugar. If you have to snack on beef jerky all day to keep your cravings at bay do it. Also, eating healthy fats, like raw mixed nuts, will help satiate your hunger.

Fat does not make you fat. Sugar makes you fat.

6. Get at least 30 minutes of exercise

The benefits of exercise can’t be overstated. Get your heart beating for 30 minutes everyday. You may not feel that great while doing it, but you’ll feel amazing after the fact. Exercise is stimulating for your mind. I often have my best ideas while working out.

7. Do some soft tissue work

Get 5 minutes of soft tissue work using a tennis ball or foam roller. Doing this helped me cure some lower back problems that had been ailing me.

Read a great article on the subject here.

8. Listen to music you like

Your mental state can be altered by listening to music that either soothes or energizes you. Athletes listen to pump-up music before playing. Closing your eyes and listening to soft music can be very relaxing.

I’ve found listening to appropriate music before and during work tasks to be extremely helpful.

Schedule doing all of these things otherwise you wont. Then, when you complete them, check it off a list. There’s something very satisfying about crossing off an accomplishment.

Warning: doing these things feels so good that it becomes an addiction. So when you go without doing them for awhile you might feel a bit crap - like I do now. Of course, overtime, I’d get used to living without and that would become my new reality. But, I feel like superman when I do this so it’s hard to stop.

Try it for yourself and let me know what you think.

+++++

In a future article I’ll write some tips and tricks for feeling great while traveling.