Neuroscience Says This Is the Easiest Way to Boost Your Mood and Cut Your Risk of Depression This low-effort, completely free intervention to improve your mental health is backed by new Harvard research.
Scientists Picked Apart the Human Brain’s Trash Disposal—and Found Something Incredible This secret mechanism could lead to major neurological advancements.
Crying during the Olympics? You’re not alone. What mental health experts say about fans getting emotional. Turns out, being a fan is actually good for you.
This week: Gems from the Olympics with the Mind-blowing Athletes and Coaches that make the Impossible Possible!
“I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy.” — Og Mandino
Mastering Our Mindset-
How Olympians master their minds to perform under pressure: The ability to recover from setbacks, such as disappointing performances or injury, is crucial.
An Olympic sprinter fell during a race. The first person to help was her opponent: Laotian athlete Silina Pha Aphay had just placed sixth, ending her journey at the Paris Olympics. But her first reaction was to go to her competitor, Lucia Moris of South Sudan, who had fallen.
Tuariki Delamere’s Somersault Could Have Launched a New Era in the Olympic Long Jump: The New Zealander came up with a better way to jump, using a front flip in midair. But the sport’s stodgy authorities shut him down before the 1975 Games.
In, Out: How Breathwork Helps Olympians and Taylor Swift: Breathing: It’s necessary to literally stay alive—and some of the world’s most successful also credit it with their physical and mental stability.
How the Paris Olympics is addressing athletes’ mental health About half of the country’s athletes at the past two Olympiads were flagged for at least one of the following: anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, eating disorders, substance use or abuse
What the New Grand Theory of Brain Science Can Teach Athletes “Predictive processing” offers novel ways to think about sports psychology, the limits of endurance, and the urge to explore.
The 49 Laws of Monumental Leadership by Robin Sharma:
1. They listen even better than they speak.
2. They really care about growing people.
3. They don’t mind giving away the credit.
4. They understand that the bigger the dream the more important the team.
5. They are generous.
6. They are kind.
7. They are unconquerably strong.
8. They get that until their mission becomes their obsession, their business will never grow into a movement.
9. They build excellent family lives, knowing that a fortified home base is essential to peak productivity and elite resilience at work.
10. They are industry disrupters, enthusiastically bringing new products and services to their field that change the game.
11. They have brave visions that cause others to call them weird, strange and crazy.
12. They are monomaniacally focused on their big bet rather than interested in every shiny toy opportunity that comes along.
13. They are honest—understanding that integrity is everything and that a 20 year good reputation could be lost in 20 seconds of poor judgement.
14. They spend a lot of time alone because that’s where the most sensational ideas come from.
15. They are extremely physically fit because weak health is a massive vulnerability.
16. They are never too busy building the business to study their financials.
17. They are brilliant at hiring top producers and this brilliance was born through the failed hiring of terrible producers.
18. They are agile so when things get tough, they swiftly pivot to not only survive but prosper.
19. They understand that success breeds complacency and—because of this—they stay hungry, creative and hypervigilant to the threats that could knock off their golden crown.
20. They build superb systems because systems ensure consistency of quality.
21. They are monumentally productive by becoming masters of the polite [yet fierce] no.
22. They are givers rather than takers.
23. They rest a lot given that the key to domain dominant performances is regularly scheduled recovery periods.
24. They care very little about the negative opinions of others because an opinion is just an opinion so why make it more than an opinion.
25. They know that when everyone around them tells them that they are amazing they are in the dangerous situation where they just might start to think they are amazing.
26. They read a ton of books. [And have huge libraries].
27. They go to a lot of learning conferences. [And take a major number of notes].
28. They have supreme spiritual lives and have donated their lives to a cause that’s larger than themselves.
29. When they get knocked down, they get back up—constantly and relentlessly and quickly. Truly.
30. They rise at dawn, gaining a gargantuan competitive advantage as well as a quiet hour to think, plan, prepare, exercise and pray.
31. They eat less food, so they get more done.
32. They are constantly mentoring their people and championing the vision and values so that their teams constantly live the mission and exemplify the values.
33. They have the courage to hire slowly and fire swiftly.
34. They are on the path of mastery in their craft, so they study the great ones and get a little better at what they do each and every day.
35. They not only work to improve their Mindsets, they do the emotional healing required to purify their Heartsets so that the darker emotions of anger, shame, disappointment, regret, sadness and guilt leave them—allowing for maximum creativity, productivity, prosperity and human decency.
36. They never take themselves too seriously, understanding that people who take themselves too seriously are not taken very seriously.
37. They love winning. And are much more keen to construct a dynasty rather than simply secure a championship.
38. They are humble and understand that masters always think like beginners.
39. They are extraordinarily curious and, as a result, are regularly asking good questions as well as asking “why” a lot.
40. They understand that if they are talking—in frustration—about a difficult employee to their spouse each evening, it’s a clear sign it’s time to (respectfully) let that teammate go.
41. They lead without a title, deriving their power and organizational influence via their character, performance, results and optimism versus from the position they have on the organizational chart.
42. They get that the team that breaks bread together is a team that stays together.
43. They write in a journal often knowing that clarity breeds mastery and writing in a journal is thinking on paper.
44. They are absolutely fanatical with getting the tiniest of details perfect.
45. They build legendary cultures because competition can copy the products and services of your business, but they will never be able to clone your soul.
46. They smile a lot.
47. They lean into the things that make them feel scared because greatness comes from the consistent doing of hard things and the discomfort of growth is always to be preferred over the illusion of safety.
48. They make themselves more positive, strong, noble and good people daily knowing that their business will never rise higher than they do.
49. They serve the world well.
And Heartwarming…
Owners Captured The Most Hilarious Moments Of Their Pets Having Lazy Days Around The House We all love it when our pet sleeps with us because that means we can put pajamas on them, tuck them in, and just mother them to pieces. We love it, they love it, and everyone’s happy.
“The champion wins first, then walks into the arena.
Everybody else walks into the arena and then tries to figure out what to do.”
— Jim Fannin
Stuck in a rut? How to appreciate your life again, according to science: After a while, even the most exciting relationships, jobs and environments lose their spark. But cognitive neuroscientist Tali Sharot says it’s possible to fall back in love with life’s small joys.
The power of proprioception: how to improve your ‘sixth sense’ – and become healthier and happier It is our physical sense of where we are in space and is essential to our quality of life as we age. Here are simple, everyday ways to test and train it.
This Is the #1 Best Sleep Position for Preventing Cognitive Decline, According to Neurologists It’s no secret that sleep is important for cognitive health—but the way you sleep matters too.
The Best Breathing Techniques For Anxiety, According to Experts When you’re in the throes of anxiety, it can feel like you’re trapped inside your own mind. You might experience symptoms like racing thoughts, nausea, restlessness, or have trouble grounding yourself in the present moment. If you feel like your anxiety is sending you into a spiral, one of the most …
“The champion wins first, then walks into the arena.
Everybody else walks into the arena and then tries to figure out what to do.”
— Jim Fannin
Stuck in a rut? How to appreciate your life again, according to science: After a while, even the most exciting relationships, jobs and environments lose their spark. But cognitive neuroscientist Tali Sharot says it’s possible to fall back in love with life’s small joys.
The power of proprioception: how to improve your ‘sixth sense’ – and become healthier and happier It is our physical sense of where we are in space and is essential to our quality of life as we age. Here are simple, everyday ways to test and train it.
This Is the #1 Best Sleep Position for Preventing Cognitive Decline, According to Neurologists It’s no secret that sleep is important for cognitive health—but the way you sleep matters too.
The Best Breathing Techniques For Anxiety, According to Experts When you’re in the throes of anxiety, it can feel like you’re trapped inside your own mind. You might experience symptoms like racing thoughts, nausea, restlessness, or have trouble grounding yourself in the present moment. If you feel like your anxiety is sending you into a spiral, one of the most …
“Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.” Greek Proverb
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that
gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder” Gilbert K. Chesterton
Gratitude!
First thanks to all of you that voluntarily chose to contribute to help offset Mailchimp and WordPress costs to support this one-man band- Soul Food Friday!
I am humbled and honored that we collectively raised $875 of the $1,000 goal thanks to both anonymous donors as well as Jason M, Wayne O, Feroza A, Lee B, John R, Kathy D, Kelly Mc, Rober C and Sean C.
Thanks again!
If you are local-
“Summer’s here and the time is right, for dancing in the streets!”
I will be jamming on percussion to the classics with Drivin the Bus this Saturday from 6 to 9pm at Coomber Craft Wines in Oceanside, at 611 Mission Ave.
Drivin The Bus will also be playingSunday evening from 7 to 10pm at The Kraken in Cardiff and I hope to join the second half of this gig after a prior commitment.
Neuroscience Says Olympians Like Simone Biles Use the ‘Autopilot Trick’ To Achieve Peak Performance. So Can You The neuroscience of how Olympians get in a flow state will help you perform better at whatever you’re trying to master.
The England team have a breathing coach to help calm their nerves – here’s what you are doing wrong When the Three Lions train there is a focus in camp on how their breathwork, as well as their footwork, can give them a winning edge. Suzy Cox looks at the experts drafted in to help and why they believe changing the way you breathe helps change how you think and feel.
These foods promote longevity and well-being in your 70s, study finds Physical health, cognitive functioning and mental health all saw an uptick in later life with the correct diet. How do you age gracefully? There is plenty of advice out there, ranging from the expected to the downright weird, but time and time again it comes back to the old faithful – your diet. A new study unveiled at Nutrition 2024 outlined how fewer than 1 in 10 people were able to live free of disease and maintain good physical, cognitive and mental health to age 70 and beyond.
‘My Cardiologist Dad Swears by This One Super-Simple Habit, and Now I Do It Every Day’ Sure, he looked a little kooky at first, but it’s definitely paid off.
Eating 30 Grams of Fiber a Day Is Optimal for Gut Health—Here Are 10 Fiber-Rich Foods to Help Meet Your Goals Most Americans aren’t eating enough fiber daily.
Whirlpool is partnering up with global nonprofit to provide thousands of off-the-grid washing machines: ‘It’s an … empowerment engine’ It’s easier to ship worldwide, and having the recipients assemble it will give them a greater understanding of how it works and how to fix it. While most Americans rely on washing machines to clean their clothes, that’s not the case everywhere: Over half of the global population washes clothes by hand. It’s a time-intensive and physically demanding process that often falls disproportionately on women.
This week: “To Fall Seven Times, to Rise Eight Times. Life Starts from NOW!”
Healthy Fruits You Must Have for Your Health
12,600-Year-Old Art that is the Discovery of a Lifetime
Caring Employee Saves a Life
10 Mind blowing Optical Illusions that are Fun!
Summer A Peel to Consider
These Are The Healthiest Fruits For Your Body That Have The Most Benefits, See What They Are As a general rule of thumb, a colorful palate is a healthy one. Fruit does a lot more for your body than just tingle the taste buds. From your skin down to your cells, these fruits will make you feel like you’ve finally reached that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
12,600-year-old painting that’s 8 miles long discovered in the Amazon Rainforest Unearthing prehistoric art is exciting at the best of times, but when that art consists of eight miles’ worth of ice age paintings, it becomes the discovery of a lifetime. Researchers in the Amazon rainforest uncovered an extraordinary “canvas” made up of drawings of mastodons, giant sloths, and other extinct beasts, which is up to 12,600 years old. The ancient artists used the red pigment ochre to create the monumental artwork, which spans some 13 kilometers (eight miles) of rock.
Domino’s Pizza Employee Delivers Pizza To The Same Trailer Every Day, Then She Stepped Inside After 11 days without hearing from the man they are used to delivering to every day, the employees decided to take matters into their own hands. It’s a good thing that they did because the man’s life depended on it.
Try not to have your mind blown by these 10 optical illusions: Optical illusions are fun and intriguing, and we don’t always know why they happen. Here are some of our favorites. June 29, 2024, We all love an illusion. They are fun, intriguing and can mess with our head. There are many kinds of optical illusions, and science cannot always explain the reasons they play tricks on human perception. What we see in our minds is the result of our brains receiving information from our eyes and filling in the gaps. And they don’t always get it right.
“History never repeats itself, but it does often rhyme”- Mark Twain
What are the consequences of America’s unresolved history?
That’s the question raised by a new book by journalist and historian Nick Bryant. The book maps a path from the founding of the United States to the current political state of the country and argues that the political divisiveness we see today is a natural part of the country’s story. Nick Bryant joins us to talk about the lessons we can learn from America’s history and is a compelling listen!
If you believe history comes in cycles, and at the end of each cycle comes an inevitable fourth turning- typically of great crisis and upheaval, the fourth turning might be here now!
“Real happiness comes from a continuous effort to become the best possible version of yourself”- Aristotle
Humility is the foundation to a virtuous life. Humility doesn’t get the fanfare of virtues like courage, compassion, or generosity. But without humility, those other virtues won’t get much traction in the quest to live a good life.
Practice Makes Permanent. Perfect Practice Makes Perfect-
These 3 daily practices are the Japanese ‘secret’ for a ‘long and happy life. Okinawa, Japan has the highest concentration of centenarians worldwide. Here are three principles that may lead to their longevity.
Leopard Visits The Same Cow Every Night, Then A Farmer Sets Up A Camera And Sees Why The quiet village of Antoli in Vadodara, Gujarat, India, had a nightly visitor, a leopard. After they observed the wild animal for some time, it became obvious that the creature wasn’t looking to cause harm. Instead, she was looking for someone, an unlikely friend.
If you would like to help defray my out-of-pocket costs for Mailchimp email services, and WordPress hosting, which is a little over $1,000 per year, I would really appreciate the “pay whatever you choose” support for this one-person purpose/passion/positivity project. I will continue to curate content and publish “what matters most” on a weekly basis as I have done for the last 13+ years. No amount is too small, plus it lets me know this investment of time and energy does make a difference. Donate here if you choose: https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/95ulIWevEN
Please pay it forward!
Love and Happiness,
Neville
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”— Benjamin Franklin
Summer Appeal: Can YOU Help Support Soul Food Friday?
If you would like to help defray my out-of-pocket costs for Mailchimp email services, and WordPress hosting, which is a little over $1,000 per year, I would really appreciate the “pay what you can afford” support for this one-person purpose project. I will continue to curate content and publish what matters most on a weekly basis as I have done for the last 13+ years. Thanks in advance for your consideration as no amount is too small, plus it lets me know this investment of time and energy does make a difference.
He wore a toga and spoke Latin. This ancient philosopher can help you survive the anxiety of the 2024 election: If you’re agonizing over what might happen in this November’s presidential election, consider the wisdom of ancient Stoic philosophers such as Marcus Aurelius, who offer three pieces of advice that still are relevant today.
Billions of people just felt the deadly intensity of climate-fueled heat waves: Scorching heat across five continents set 1,400 records this week and showed how human-caused global warming has made catastrophic temperatures commonplace.
Researchers make important discovery that could reduce ER visits by over 60%: ‘The improvements that can be made are really meaningful’: “We need to tie those investments to public health outcomes.” We all know how relieving a good shade tree can be on a 100-degree day. But what if trees could dramatically reduce heat-related illnesses and deaths in our world’s hottest cities? Researchers recently published findings in the International Journal of Biometeorology about how increased tree cover and reflective surfaces could reduce emergency room visits in Los Angeles. The study is critical because rising temperatures impact human health.
Researchers develop method of desalination that could save millions of lives: ‘A paradigm shift is essential to sustain human life’: On a large scale, desalination is a promising method to provide abundant fresh water. Australian researchers have announced a breakthrough in desalination science that has the potential to provide millions of people with clean water. The experts from the Australian National University are perfecting an alternative to creating fresh water from seawater that’s more cost-efficient and uses less energy than reverse osmosis and other common methods.
Polar Bear Tries To Get Attention From Fishing Ship. When Crew Notices, They Lower A Rescue Vessel: The small village of Kaktovik, Alaska, receives a grand arrival of polar bears every summer. Trained Inuit guides take tour groups on a whimsical boat ride to photograph these bears up close and personal. With a life on the line, both visitors and locals alike scrambled to save a polar bear.
The Summer Solstice is a sacred time, commemorated by our ancestors through fire and ceremony, honoring the sun as it peaks high in the sky and stretches the day into the longest of the year. It’s often said to be a time of new beginnings; with the changing of the seasons, we say goodbye to a long, stagnant period of self-reflection and welcome the fiery energy of the sun to propel us forward. This very physical changing of the seasons is a powerful time to manifest spiritual transformations. Rituals to release, cleanse and renew, and other tools from nature’s pharmacopeia paired with ancestral wisdom can be applied and adapted today in simple yet effective ways.
What is the summer solstice? Here’s what you need to know. Once a year, an astronomical alignment ushers in this seasonal change. The solstice is celebrated across the world—and shrouded in myth.
A Summer Solstice Appeal: Can YOU Help Support Soul Food Friday?
I have invested in this labor of love to put some positive energy back out into the universe for well over 13 years. If you would like to help defray my out-of-pocket costs for Mailchimp email services, and WordPress hosting, which is a little over $1,000 per year, I would really appreciate the “pay what you can afford” support. I will continue to curate content and publish what matters most on a weekly basis. Thanks in advance for your consideration as any amount is not too small, plus it lets me know this work effort does make a difference.
On Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 1:50 pm PDT summer begins in the Northern Hemisphere.
The summer solstice is the longest day and the shortest night in our year. The sun sets farthest north on the horizon.
At this time of the year, the days are warm, all the plants are energized by the sun and the land is filled with rich new growth.
Summer is truly a celebration of the primal creative force of nature, fertile and blooming with abundance.
Humans for many millenniums have marked this sacred time in the yearly cycle of life. Celebrating the solstice can be a beautiful reminder that our lives are part of a larger order, always changing, always renewing.
The beginning of summer represents a time for purification and renewed energy. This is a time of cutting through resistance and obstacles, using the sun’s energy to illuminate and light the way on your path.
Fire is especially important, symbolizing the light, heat and power of the sun. Into a fire, you can throw a piece of paper with written goals to achieve, and anything to release.
Now is a good time to plant seeds for a more intuitive, simpler and natural lifestyle.
Stay in tune with nature and wellness,
Billy
To Your Wellbeing-
Google Spent Months Learning Why Habits Fail. The Answer Often Comes Down to 1 Powerful Word And that word is definitely not ‘routine.’
Do this once a month and extend your life by 10 years. No gym required: These authors want you to prioritize practicing or appreciating art alongside getting good sleep, exercising, and eating well. And they have proof it’s good for you.
Give yourself grace, be flexible: Mental health professionals share the self-care practices they swear by”: We asked therapists how they prioritize their own mental health.
Metamorphosis: Exercise triggers molecular changes in major organs: While the benefits of exercise on overall health are broadly recognized, the intricate biological responses triggered at a cellular level by physical activity have only recently been explored in depth.
Happy Soul Food Friday! 