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FastCompany.com/3050319/how-giving- up-refined-sugar-changed-my-brain .
While sugar negatively affects our bodies overall, it can have a much more severe impact on our brains. Have you ever noticed that shortly after eating or drinking something high in sugar, you get a rush of good feelings? Sugar triggers the release of dopamine in your brain, and this reward of feel-good chemicals is a major symptom of addiction. Some researchers have compared sugar to illicit drugs, such as heroin and cocaine. Scientists at Princeton University put this theory to the test by performing experiments on rats. They increased the rats’ sugar intakes over time as they became more accustomed to it. Then, the scientists reduced or removed sugar from the rats’ diets. Shortly after, the rats began exhibiting withdrawal symptoms. This exact phenomenon has been observed in humans. When you cut sugar out of your diet, it’s not uncommon to experience headaches, low energy, and cravings. One author put sugar addiction to the test and chronicled the experience, which you can read here:
people, this can sound challenging, but all it takes is a small, dedicated change in routine.
In short, he calls the process of cutting sugar from his diet a “roller-coaster ride” of emotion and concentration. Eventually, the author shifted from craving sugar to feeling better than ever. It wasn’t easy, but in the end, making the effort to cut down on sugar was worth it. It’s something you can do too! Reducing sugar in your diet can do wonders for your health, mentally and physically. The hardest part is getting started and taking that first, all-important step. One of the best ways to lower your sugar intake is to make meals and snacks from scratch. A bulk of the sugar we consume daily is in pre-made foods — including just about anything you buy from the grocery store. Making your own meals and snacks gives you 100 percent control over the ingredients you put in your food and your body. For busy
For example, plan a day to meal prep. Among the meal-prep community — which is prospering online with many subgroups dedicated to slow cookers and pressure cookers — Sunday is the most popular day. You gather your ingredients, do the necessary cooking, and assemble your meals for the week, organizing everything in neat containers. You can prep for just the week and refrigerate your food or plan for multiple weeks and freeze meals so they don’t go bad as time goes on. You’ll save time on preparation and cooking, and you’re left with healthy meals and snacks when you’re done. There is no doubt that cutting down or eliminating sugar from your diet is hard. It takes time and effort, but the end result is more energy and greater mental clarity. Get out from under the shadow of sugar!
Why Seniors Are Flocking to Home-Sharing Platforms An Opportunity for Easy Money and Social Engagement
The freedomof retirement certainly comes with its perks, but challenges of post-work living exist as well. Chief among them, for most elderly folks, are fears of social isolation and financial insolvency, as having coworkers and a regular income are not as common in retirement. Perhaps this is why somany retirees are flocking to home-sharing platforms like Airbnb or its seniors-only cousin, The Freebird Club. Airbnb reported last year that the 60-plus age bracket is its fastest-growing demographic worldwide, with the number of senior hosts as much as doubling every year. Home-sharing platforms can be a tremendous boon to a tight retirement budget. It’s an especially attractive option to elderly folks who find themselves rich in assets but struggling with liquid finances. Home-sharing allows them to tap into these resources. According to Priceonomics, U.S. Airbnb hosts bring in a monthly average of $924.
might never otherwise meet, prompting dynamic social interactions and meaningful connections. The rating systems on Airbnb and similar platforms almost entirely prevent would-be troublemakers from entering your property, and users report that when a rare negative experience does occur, the company typically has your back. It’s a great way to stay socially engaged while staving off loneliness. Best of all, running a modestly successful Airbnb usually doesn’t take much work. It simply requires you to set up a neat, welcoming space, keep in contact with your guests, and ensure the check-in and check-out processes are as straightforward as possible. In fact, senior hosts seem to have a leg up on their younger counterparts, as elderly hosts earn the most consistently positive ratings across the globe. Airbnb andThe Freebird Club won’t make you rich, but they’re relatively low effort enterprises that come with some massive benefits. If you’re looking for a little busywork, some extra cash, and a little social interaction in your retirement, hostingmay be your best bet!
But home-sharing can domore than boost your income. By opening a room in your home to travelers, you’ll encounter all kinds of people you
2 • www.ThomasPhysicalTherapy.com
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