Biohacking combines biology, technology and self-improvement experiments in order to promote human health. It may include anything from taking daily bulletproof coffee and increasing healthy fat consumption to editing your DNA with CRISPR kits.
One of the best biohacks for weight loss is getting enough quality sleep. Sleep plays an integral part in balancing hormones that regulate appetite and stress.
1. Sleep Hacks
Sleep is one of the cornerstones of biohacking. Studies have demonstrated its benefits for concentration and mental health as well as productivity – according to one research project conducted by The Washington Post, people suffering from inadequate rest may lose up to 11 days each year due to falling asleep at work!
As such, rest is of vital importance. Thankfully, there are various strategies you can try in order to get better rest: such as cutting out caffeine after 2:00pm or writing down your to-do list prior to bedtime – these could all contribute to helping improve your sleeping habits and lead to greater restfulness in the mornings.
No matter if it is insomnia that’s keeping you up or you just need an earlier start time, the internet offers numerous hacks for better sleep – from self-hypnosis to CBD usage, there’s no lack of advice about how to achieve the highest level of restful slumber.
Although some of these hacks rely on anecdotal evidence alone, others have been scientifically researched and proven. CBD (the non-psychoactive component found in cannabis) has often been linked with better sleep. Furthermore, many sleep apps leverage science for optimizing your restful slumber.
But more recent trends such as mouth taping have been met with considerable skepticism from experts. To help separate fact from fiction, we contacted sleep expert Carlos Nunez to see whether viral sleep hacks should be given a try or should be ignored completely.
2. Cold Showers
Showering at different temperatures has a profound effect on both physiology and mood. Many may be shocked to learn that cold water showering can improve energy levels, focus, and sleep quality; but its advantages are real. To take full advantage of their benefits it’s best to start slowly before gradually submerging yourself fully in colder waters.
When bathing in cool waters, your brain sends numerous electrical impulses to your body which release mood-boosting endorphins as well as dilate blood vessels to redistribute blood and make you warmer – leading to higher energy levels and better rest than those who don’t take cold showers regularly. Regular cold shower takers experience greater levels of energy and more restful nights than those who don’t make this commitment.
Before bed, taking a cold shower will speed up your body’s cooling process and promote the production of melatonin. However, individuals differ when it comes to their reaction to cold showers; so experimentation will likely be necessary in order to find what works for you and your timing needs.
Cold Showers of Highland Park, California combine the hypnotic guitar riffs associated with shoegaze music with piston-precision drumming and atmospheric post-punk hooks to produce an unmistakable sound that stands out among their peers. Their debut LP Love and Regret garnered critical acclaim while their second record Matter of Choice marked an expansion beyond nostalgic sounds found on early releases towards more refined material.
5. Apps for Sleep
Though it’s best to avoid your phone before sleeping, the right sleep app can help you unwind quickly and find restful slumber. Many apps offer libraries of instrumental music, white noise, ambient and nature sounds, binaural beats and soothing storyteller voices with tranquil themes designed to induce sleep-inducing stories narrated through binaural beats; others even offer guided meditation, sleep lullabies or track sleeping patterns!
Apps offering sleep tracking capabilities allow users to detect patterns in their sleeping, while others specifically address issues like snoring or insomnia. SleepScore even provides feedback on the quality of your rest!
Pillow, another sleep app designed for Apple Watch or standalone use, allows you to track your progress over time with smart alarms set to wake you in the lightest sleep stage, sleep diary storage capabilities, trend analysis features and graphing functions – making this app an easy nighttime use! Plus its sleek and simple design make it intuitive!
Sleep Sounds app provides soothing sounds to relax both mind and body. Customizable soundscapes can be created, while you can set an automatic timer so the app shuts off automatically after a set amount of time has elapsed. Furthermore, its shuffle function lets you listen to various sounds during the night.
People interested in automatic sensory response (ASMR), also known as automatic sensory massage response (ASMR), may enjoy the free ASMR app, which offers a library of soothing videos designed to promote relaxation and decrease anxiety and stress levels. Based on research conducted in positive psychology and cognitive behavioral therapy, Noom can assist users in getting enough rest by tracking their sleep habits and encouraging changes that promote improved rest – this app also acts as a reminder to avoid phones and bright screens prior to bedtime, since they can stimulate brain activity.
