Brain Food, Power of Rest (NSDR), and Appreciating Music

Jan 21

Hi Folks! Connor and Nick here from Healthy Living With Nick and Connor. Thanks again for being on our email list, it means a lot, and we are excited to share our weekly email with you. We hope you enjoy it! Here is what we hope you take away from this one:

Become deliberate with what you expose your brain to and watch it flourish.
Unleash the benefits and restorative powers of non-sleep deep rest.
Don’t overlook the magic of music. Appreciate the inspiration from something beautiful today. A song, a story, a painting, a sunrise, a person.

Starter Mindset Tip: Shape your Brain

Experiences matter not just in the moment but in the rippling effects they have on you afterwards. Everything you experience impacts your brain and its structure. What you do, the people you spend time with, the shows you watch, the books you read, the things you think, feel and say, all influence that fascinating organ and impact who you are and who you will become. These influences are often subtle and beyond our perception. Being aware of our brain’s susceptibility allows us to become more deliberate about the way we shape it. This requires a knowledge of who you are, and what you hold valuable about yourself. Think on what characteristics you want to maintain and strengthen, and ensure these are compatible with the experiences you are getting. What you focus your time on will determine what parts of your brain are utilized and strengthened and the parts that shrink. Consider eliminating some of the so–called brain junk food and keep giving it the good stuff baby.

Health Recipe: Non Sleep Deep Rest: The Many Wonders of Having a Rest, It Doesn’t Have to be a Nap

Timing: 5-20 Minutes

Level of Difficulty: Easy, just find the time and listen

Serving Size: Try to fit these in a few times a week to train your mind to calm down

Spice Level: Melt in your mouth mild

INGREDIENTS

Just yourself, listening to a video, while hanging out with your breath

REASONING AND BENEFITS

Do you suck at napping? Do you skip them entirely because you don’t see the point of a short nap when you just lay there getting frustrated trying to fall asleep? If this is you, or if you only have 5-10 minutes for a rest during your day, we are here to tell you that you don’t have to actually fall asleep. Having a quick rest can do absolute wonders for your energy, focus, and state of mind. This rest doesn’t require you to meditate, or focus your thoughts and energy on what you are doing, all you have to do is throw on a video on youtube and listen to a relaxing script. There are two types of videos we recommend that you search and try here: “Non Sleep Deep Rest” and “Yoga Nidra.” These are amazing for your short term and long term health. In the short term, these forms of rest will reset your energy levels and focus for the remainder of the day. In the long term, the more you do these, the faster you will be able to shift your mental state from stress or focus to calmness and relaxation. Think of these videos as a work out for your brain to calm down. The more you run, the better you get at running, the more you teach your brain to calm down and relax, the better it will be at it. If you have never been able to stick to meditation, or if you have always been a bad napper, or if you never rest at all during the day, this is the recipe for you. Throw on a video, listen to what they say, and become a pro at calming your mind and body down.

INSTRUCTIONS

Find a time during the day when you can fit in a short rest while listening to one of these videos on Non Sleep Deep Rest or Yoga Nidra. Try them both to see which you like best.
Some helpful times to try these out: in the middle of a busy day, after a stressful event, before an important task, before you go to sleep to quiet your mind, while your kids are napping, or absolutely any time that you can fit it in.
Sit down, lay down, do whatever you have access to. Throw on a video and just relax, listen, and feel yourself calming down.
Find times that work best for you, and try fitting these in a few times per week.

PRO TIP: This recipe is an absolute must in our minds. We rarely slow down in today’s world, we rarely give our mind a break, this is the easiest way to make that happen and get better at calming down.

* Non sleep deep rest was coined by Dr. Andrew Huberman. Listen to him talk about all of the benefits online. There are 10 minute and 20 minute videos, find your favourite and stick with it.

** There are a ton of different yoga nidra videos online. Try out a few different ones to find your favourite, and the length that works best for you.

*** If you find that stress is taking over your mind, fitting these short rests into your day will allow you to take control back and relax.

Dessert Quote:

"If a song can’t save us then nothing can.” The Tragically Hip

Now we want to hear from YOU! Please let us know what you think of today’s newsletter, and send us an example of how you applied the health recipe to your life! We would love to share how you introduced this week’s recipe into your life’s unique menu. Thanks and have a great Sunday!