To obtain the state of deep focus known as “flow,” distractions must be removed.
Steven Kotler, The Rise of Superman
Kotler makes a seemingly obvious statement, but the real question is how do we remove the distractions?
Relaxed Focus: The flow state, where you can get in the zone and become one with the task ahead of you. This could be reading a book, penning a blog post, playing an instrument, running a marathon or any other activity. This is about enjoying a sense of calm while getting on with achieving great things!
This is a guide to creating the right environment and habits conducive to the flow state.
Done correctly, you will unlock creativity and get high-quality work done in less time. I start by offering some simple common sense tips and progress through to some cutting edge opportunities. We will also address pain in its various manifestations and how it is a roadblock to your flow. My goal here is to give you tools you may not have considered before.
Set a short term goal to focus and complete in order to stop thinking about the future and all the unfounded possibilities that your imagination creates.
Pain & Inflammation will obstruct your flow.
Near and Far vision. One of the many disadvantages of an office cubicle is your restricted field of vision. Simply working in front of a window means you can relax your eyes as often as you like. This relaxes your eyes to help avoid getting headaches, delay eyestrain and save you fromMyopia and joining the ranks of prescription eyewear users. So you have both an acute and long-term reason to take care of your eyes better.
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Researchers have identified a biological age of 40 as when eyesight starts to weaken and people typically have to pursue things like reading glasses for near-vision, followed by cataract surgery etc because macular degeneration continues as we age. Notice I used the term “biological”age, because your lifestyle determines the speed of progression of the disease. |
Deal with excessive artificial blue light exposure
The F.lux app gives you control over the colour temperatures of your computer screen. You can synch it with sunset so you don’t have to continue being blasted with blue light from a bright screen at night. Modern smartphones now all offer a blue light filtering option.
Blue light blocking glasses are a great addition or alternative since they block blue light and also UV light. These UVEX glasses block out all blue light, but as you can see, they are not safe-for-work since you risk social disenfranchisement :-)
Light
Blue light is actually exactly what you need to wake you up and get going in the morning. There’s nothing to replicate a healthy dose of sunshine for both light and vitamin D synthesis. Though when you’re looking for an energy boost during dark winters, or when it’s late at night or early in the morning, using anenergy light can inhibit melatonin production and give you more energy.
Sounds
As well as blocking out distracting sounds (and people are less likely to interrupt you) you can input the right sounds.
Don’t do this to yourself.
You’ve probably experienced the health problems that come with a sedentary lifestyle. Maybe back pain, carpel tunnel syndrome or even diabetes. Humans just weren’t meant to sit around all day. Fortunately, there are many ways we can biohack our workstation to keep our bodies moving and our muscles engaged. Most corporate office workstations don’t cater to freely moving your body, but thankfully, some are changing since employers understand that healthier employees are more productive and take less sick days!
Take a break every 30 minutes to do some form of movement. Make use of a foam roller and lacrosse balls to roll and release all over your body, paying special attention to the neck and shoulder area. You’ve been rolling your shoulders forward and craning your neck towards your monitor for the past hour. Now take just a few minutes to take care of yourself. You are more important than the deadline or making it look like you’re busy.
Simple Movement Idea: Foundation Training. This may just change your life:
Try intermittent fasting: A fasting state can help increase focus and learning, not to mention a whole host of other benefits. The quotes below are from an article I encourage everyone to read:http://bit.ly/1QyywO1
“Fasting is a challenge to your brain, and your brain responds to that challenge by adapting stress response pathways which help your brain cope with stress and risk for disease. The same changes that occur in the brain during fasting mimic the changes that occur with regular exercise. They both increase the production of protein in the brain (neurotrophic factors), which in turn promotes the growth of neurons, the connection between neurons, and the strength of synapses.”
No discussion on intermittent fasting can go without mentioningketosis.
Borderline high cholesterol improves cognitive function:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15673620
(This makes it sound like a bulletproof coffee is a great idea!)
So now we’re looking at how we can introduce nutrients into our system and manipulate our neurotransmitters for personal gain. Is there a trade-off? Will there be equal downtime to compensate for the period of accentuated productivity?
Anti-inflammatories. As above, if you’re body is dealing with something, then you’re not going to be able to focus. Acutely, this could be something as simple as a histamine reaction to an insect bite. However, we also need to address chronic low-grade inflammation which has been linked to a ton of lifestyle malaise:
Which came first? Nootropics or the Limitless movie? Whichever, the idea of a genius pill has captivated the world and the demand for it continues to grow as we continue to improve upon the quality of our stacks. So does NZT48 exist? We believe it is possible to tailor a stack to every individual's needs which will vary based on goals and also tolerance. A stack that provides a temporary high, followed by just as long a crash may be ok in some limited circumstances, but most of us have 24-7, multifaceted lives. We want to perform exceptionally in all area.
Read more in the post: Biohacker's intro to Nootropics Supplement Stacks
Supplements are designed to lend a helping hand and eventually build the lifestyle habits that are conducive to the flow state. It’s not a magic pill, but it is a learning aid that will help show you what your potential is. It’s a lot easier to aim high once you get a first-hand sense of how high you can go. Always remember that the placebo effect may contribute up to 30% of the benefit.
So does all this theory work in practice? Well, I just learned about Gravitational Waves - hardcore physics that I normally wouldn’t have the time of day for. It was only possible because I created an environment within my body, mind and living space where I could focus, get in flow and absorb the knowledge. I am in a lot less pain.
Vitamin D and cholesterol are metabolically linked because cholesterol is a key precursor for the skin's synthesis of vitamin D3 when exposed to sunlight.
Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in all cells, essential for producing hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids that aid digestion. While high LDL (bad) cholesterol contributes to plaque buildup in arteries, cholesterol is necessary for many vital functions.
Magnesium may also be the key to unlocking deep, restorative sleep.
Insomnia, restlessness or night craps getting in the way of your sleep? These are signs of a magnesium deficiency.
Chronic stress, busy schedules, and excessive screen time before bed, millions of Australians struggle to get quality shut-eye. However, research continues to support the idea of a simple solution: getting enough of the essential mineral magnesium.
