Author: Dr. Ben

Good morning and Happy December!

As I sit here at one of my favorite coffee shops in Louisville while our car is being serviced, I’ve been reflecting on what’s led to a renewed energy and uplifted mood during my day despite winter and turning 58 in a week.

Two keys you already know though we don’t always practice are:

1)  Finding things to appreciate each day — in our life, in our relationships, and in our work, learning, or sowing of the day

2)  Choosing to bring “good” energy and joy to our encounters and what we do without “waiting” for something to make us feel good.

The second is particularly intriguing, because we often forget we have a choice.  (This has led to some interesting “discussions” between me and Rachelle – ha!)

I’ve found movement often helps me shift my energy — even if it’s just standing up and moving around the house.

And sometimes it’s sitting quietly and breathing for a moment or two and saying a little prayer or giving thanks again for this moment and what’s around me and within me.

Next, in addition to becoming more and more aware of #2 above, the biggest thing I’ve “added” or changed in my life recently is taking our new Mynd360 Feel Calm blend in the evening when I’m ready to wind down, and then sipping our new Night Time blend of saffron, magnesium, and a dash of melatonin.

Saffron has been shown on clinical studies to improve mood, and so has the Lemon Balm in the Feel Calm blend.

And we all know a better night’s sleep helps us feel more refreshed and ready to embrace the day.

Now that I’ve been making these two blends part of my nightly routine consistently, I’m seeing a rise in my baseline sustained mood & energy during the day, even though my sleep might still seem to  fluctuate from time to time on an individual night’s basis.

Any questions or if you’d like some personal guidance, just reach out and I’ll be happy to assist you.

And here’s to your own daily practice of gratitude and choosing how you show up in each moment.

Happy December!

P.S. Want more tips & ideas to maximize your health and create a life you love? Hop on over to: Journey with Dr. Ben

Good morning!  As we enjoy family time and a bit of break from the “usual” schedule with Thanksgiving weekend, here’s a quick tip for any of you who may be realizing you’re wanting to change something in your life.

Perhaps it’s what you or your kids are consuming, both literally and figuratively (something Rachelle and I have been talking about).

Or something in your own health, habits, or work.

Or maybe something new you want to bring into your relationships or life.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed or to start seeing ourselves in the “gap” as Dr. Benjamin Hardy mentions in his books (he even wrote a whole book about this called The Gap and The Gain).

One practice I’ve found  tremendously helpful whenever I want to change something — or am feeling that icky or overwhelming feeling of not measuring up and being in the “gap” — is simply this:

Take a little step today.

Whether it’s taking a moment to crack open an uplifting or empowering book and read a few minutes before going on to something else, listening to 10 minutes of a podcast on a topic you want to improve before turning on the tunes, or adding a bit of fresh apple or celery to your meal or snack without feeling bad that you haven’t overhauled your whole diet yet, taking a little step can “break the ice” and start some momentum in a new direction.

Plus it puts you back in “the gain” as Dr. Hardy calls it — where you’re feeling progress and even a small “win” in an area that you’re wanting to grow in your life.

Then just start stacking those little steps and they will compound over time.

This can apply to taking a walk before sitting down to pie, or sitting down for a chat to express appreciation to someone you love, too.  Or taking that 2 minutes of selfcare to enjoy your LumiSpa or microcurrent massage with your RenuSpa (also called the WellSpa internationally).

What’s a “little step” you can take today in something that matters to you?

Decide and see it in your mind even if it’s not something you can do this instant.

Then take that step and pat yourself on the back when you do it today.

Enjoy, and blessings on your weekend!

P.S. Want more tips & ideas to maximize your health and create a life you love? Hop on over to: Journey with Dr. Ben

For better sleep many of you know about getting natural light and moving during the day, then taking a break from screens and bright lights before bed to help your natural circadian rhythm.

But did you know your eating — or not eating — during the day can profoundly affect your sleep, too?

Particularly on busy days — do you ever find yourself going and going — and pushing off eating or taking a break — because you have so much to do?

Perhaps you get a quick “boost” from caffeine, sugar, or something processed because it’s quick, easy, and available even though you know it may not be the most healthy for you.

How does this affect your sleep?

One simple way to think about it is that when you go too long without eating — and especially when you’re also busy and stressed — your body releases adrenaline to help mobilize some of the sugar stores in your liver and muscles so your brain and muscles can keep functioning.

The same can happen when you have a sudden sugar rush — and then a crash when your blood sugar drops.

What happens when you get to the end of your day and you’ve had all this adrenaline running through your system?

It’s hard to shut off, and your mind keeps going, or if you do sleep, your sleep is restless.

Can you relate?

So here’s a tip — equip yourself with some healthy protein and snacks throughout the day.

Perhaps a hardboiled egg, some celery or carrot sticks and hummus or raw cheese (at least get “real” cheese and not something that’s totally processed)

How about an apple and some raw almonds or walnuts, or some natural peanut butter (without sugar and other additives).

Even though some of the things I mentioned have natural sugar, the fiber in them or the added protein and natural fat from some of the examples I gave helps give you more even blood sugar levels and energy throughout the day, so you’re less likely to end up with adrenaline rushes that leave you high strung at the end of your day.

Now to keep this simple — pick one of the examples I gave and make it part of your day today, or give yourself permission to take that break for lunch and eat something a little healthier and not in a rush.

Notice how nourishing and taking care of yourself during the day helps you get better sleep at night.

Have a question or your own favorite tip – or a healthy snack that keeps you nourished during the day? Love to hear from you below!

P.S. Want to get more tips & ideas to maximize your health and create a life you love? Hop on over to: Journey with Dr. Ben

Sounds obvious, but it makes a difference:

Block time

What does this mean?

Create time blocks – these could be as little as 10 mins, and 30 mins works for many people

A block of time to focus on one task.

Don’t scroll, open multiple windows, or leave that task until it’s done or your time block is up.

Some use fun timers to assist them.

Next periodically create a longer time block for “slow time” or going deeper.

This may be a longer period of writing or studying something, or extended conversation over coffee, tea, lunch, or on a long walk.

It could also be unplugging and reading an actual book, going for a walk without media, or lying back and watching the stars at night.

Speaking of walking – taking a quick walk around the block can be a great way to “reset” if you have gotten distracted or just find your energy and focus running low.

I find I gain a lot of clarity and fresh ideas while walking, and it makes me much more productive and centered than if I hadn’t stepped away.

When do you find yourself most easily distracted, and what’s been your biggest way to cope so far?

Love to hear from you below!

P.S. Want to get more tips & ideas to maximize your health and create a life you love? Hop on over to: Journey with Dr. Ben

Did you know your brain has its own detox system?

It’s called the glymphatic system – no joke – kind of a lymphatic system for the brain.

This system is thought to play a primary role in clearing toxins and byproducts that build up in our brain during the day.

And guess when this system is most active?

During sleep – especially deep sleep while lying down.

That’s when the flow of fluid across and around our brain shifts and provides a wonderful clearing and renewal process.

Isn’t that cool?

We get a new brain while we sleep!

Next time you’re tempted to skimp on sleep – remember this brain detoxing and renewal process – and give yourself the gift of sleep.

Have trouble sleeping or falling asleep?

Share your biggest challenge or question below, and let’s see how we can shift things in your favor.

And stay tuned for more key insights on what happens in our brains while we sleep!

P.S. Want to get more tips & ideas to maximize your health and create a life you love? Hop on over to: Journey with Dr. Ben