Sleep Hacking
I am minorly sleep-obsessed; without my proper 8 hours, I am literally in zombie-mode. But the cruel irony of sleep is the more you worry about it, the less likely you are to be able to actually do it. If you’re one of the 35.2% of adults in the U.S. that reports sleeping on average for less than seven hours per night, try some of my go-to bedtime tipZzZ:
- Calm Magnesium Powder: Magnesium is a miracle mineral: From restful sleep, to no more leg cramps, to a more stable blood pressure and no more constipation, it is a fantastic supplement. I’ve been taking this stuff for years as part of my wind-down routine.
- Weighted Blanket: A weighted blanket uses “pressure therapy” — using a calm-inducing amount of pressure on your entire body, similar to the feeling of being hugged or held. My kids got me one of these for Christmas a few years ago, and the first time I used it, much to my surprise, I was napping in minutes.
- Tricking Your Brain Into Falling Asleep: In this insightful TedTalk, Jim Donovan teaches a simple, quick method to slow your brain down by using rhythm. I tried it this past Sunday, and woke-up Monday awake, alert, and ready to take on my week.
Ridiculously Amazing Insurance Technology Support
A few weeks ago I sat down with Kelly Donahue-Piro of Agency Performance Partners on the Ridiculously Amazing Insurance Agent Podcast. We discussed a range of topics, from the significance of technology support and consulting for insurance agencies, to why I always tell people that the insurance industry is a little like the mob, you can never leave. Check out the episode here.
My Totally Normal, Sane, Sports Obsession
I’m trying to care a little less about college football, specifically UCLA. Last week the Bruins lost in dramatic fashion, and my wife was looking at me during the game like I had completely lost it – probably because I was completely losing it! If you schedule a call with me this week, apologies if my voice is still hoarse.
Amidst my minor UCLA-induced depression, I wondered, what is it about sports that turns otherwise sane people into raving lunatics? Why does winning compel people to tear down goal posts, and losing, to drown themselves in bad keg beer? In short, why do fans care? I remembered reading a book several years ago written by an Alabama-turned-New Yorker’s experience of taking a leave of absence from his job to follow the Alabama Crimson Tide football team in an RV. It is a funny and sometimes surprisingly poignant account of his time at home and away games, the people he met, and the insanity of being a college football fan.
I’m not saying my sports obsession improved at all because of this book, especially with College basketball around the corner, but it did give me some clarity into my crazy. I am certainly in need of the sleep and relaxation I talked about earlier.
The Last Word
Happy official first day of Fall everyone! If you identify as a pumpkin-spice obsessed member of society, I invite you to ring in the new season with this list of ridiculous seasonally-flavored products. If you send me a photo, I may even give you a shoutout it in my next newsletter to compliment embarrass you. Have a great week!