5 Life- Changing Biohacks That Will Unlock Your Full Potential

This post is all about the 5 best biohacks for peak mental and physical performance and ultimate well- being.

In your quest for peak health and performance, biohacking offers an innovative and multifaceted approach to optimizing your body’s potential.

Unlike many of today’s biohacking strategies such as implantable technologies, stem cell therapy, AI powered exercise machines, etc, holistic biohacking is a group of unique, yet incredibly simple, natural techniques to heal the mind, body and soul. 

At The Holistic Biohackers, we agree that the best and most effective strategies to hack your health are inexpensive (if not free) and are readily available to everyone to utilize.

In this post, we will dive into 5 of the most transformative biohacks that have the ability to help you reach your ultimate well-being naturally: intermittent fasting, cold plunging, sleep optimization, practicing gratitude and micro-nutrient supplementation.

1. Intermittent Fasting (or Time-Restricted Eating)

It has been proven that intermittent fasting isn’t just another diet trend. When utilized correctly, it can be one of the most powerful biohacks there are.

Focusing your energy more on when you eat, and not so much what you eat can be the answer to some key benefits you may be seeking.

Benefits of intermittent fasting include:

• Autophagy: The body’s process of cleaning out and recycling old or damaged cells.
• Weight Loss: During a period of fasting, your body turns to burning your own body fat instead of ingested carbohydrates for fuel.
• Improved Blood Sugar Control: Fasting helps increase insulin sensitivity by making your new and improved cells (from autophagy) more responsive to insulin.
• Improved Heart Health: Fasting has been proven to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and decrease all of the body’s inflammation.
• Enhanced Brain Function: During fasting, your body switches to ketones for brain fuel instead of glucose providing mental clarity and focus. Fasting also has been known to promote growth of new brain cells as well as decreased the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

You can start with a simple 16:8 approach – fasting for 16 hours and eating within an 8-hour window and increase your fasting window as your body allows.

Continue and witness the transformation in your energy levels and health.

You May Like: What Happens to Your Body When You Fast?

[WOMEN- Click here for info regarding the importance of syncing intermittent fasting with your menstrual cycle.]

2. Cold Plunging

The practice of immersing oneself in cold water, known as a cold plunge, has been gaining popularity, and for good reason.

Whether you take a cold shower or take an actual plunge into a bath of freezing cold water, the benefits are astounding.

These benefits include:

• Lowered anxiety, depression and stress
• Increased lasting happiness, pleasure and heightened self-esteem
• Increased lasting energy, focus and concentration
• Increased metabolic rate
• Heightened immune system
• Decreased inflammation
• Increased cardiovascular health
• Improved sleep
• Healthier hair and skin
• Increased resilience from physical stressors

Start with short, cold showers and gradually work your way up to full-body immersions. The initial shock to the system might be intense, but the invigorating aftermath is worth it.

[Click here for everything you need to know about cold showers.]

3. Optimizing Sleep

Quality sleep is non-negotiable for optimal health. Optimizing your sleep involves more than just getting enough hours; it’s about enhancing sleep quality.

Tips to optimize your sleep include:

• Ensure a dark, cool sleep environment
• Stick to a consistent sleep schedule
• Refrain from screens 1-2 hours before bed/wear blue light glasses
• Refrain from eating a meal 1-2 hours before bed
• Get regular exercise during the day
• Avoid daytime naps
• Avoid excessive caffeine, alcohol and nicotine
• Consider sleep-promoting practices like meditation or using white noise
• Reset your circadian rhythm by exposing yourself to sunlight immediately after waking
• Consider taking natural supplements such as Vitamin D, Magnesium, GABA, L-theanine, valerian root and chamomile

Scientific health benefits of enough quality sleep include:

• Improved attention and concentration
• Enhanced learning ability
• Memory making
• Reduced stress levels
• Increased immune system function
• Improved ability to lose weight
• Reduced risk of chronic diseases

4. Giving Gratitude & Positive Affirmations

In the realm of holistic biohacking, not all strategies involve physical interventions- mental and emotional well-being are equally vital.

The act of giving gratitude and reciting positive affirmations tap into the power of the mind to influence the body and overall health.

The Power of Gratitude

Gratitude, the act of being thankful and appreciative, has profound effects on both mental and physical health.

Some key benefits are:

• Enhanced mental health
• Improved sleep
• Stronger and more meaningful relationships
• Increased resilience against stress and trauma

The Power of Positive Affirmations

Positive affirmations are self-affirming statements. When these statements are repeated, they have the ability to change one’s mindset, which lead to improved outcomes in various aspects of life.

• Boosting self esteem and self image
• Enhancing academic, sport and work performance
• Stress reduction
• “Neuroplasticity”: this is rewiring of the brain, leading to long-term positive changes in thought patterns.

Integrating these practices into your day can come in many forms including nightly gratitude journaling, reciting 3 things you are grateful for during your morning shower (even if you don’t want to) and positive affirmation apps on your smartphone.

These 2 often overlooked biohacks require minimal time investment but offer substantial returns in terms of overall life- satisfaction.

[Click here for tips and tricks on how to be a more positive person.]

5. Micro-nutrient Supplementation