Down To Earth 🌎
Estimated read time: 3 minutes and 51 seconds
⭐ THE QUICK BITES ⭐
🙌 Wisdom: “The only one who can tell you ‘you can’t win’ is you, and you don’t have to listen.” - Jessica Ennis
📊 Did you know?: Chewing an aspirin during a heart attack can thin your blood in just five minutes, significantly increasing your chances of survival.
🍽️ Recipe: Delicious Baked Apples
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I was scrolling through memes, and I’m sorry—I just had to throw that one up to kick off the week 😋
I also made such an impulse buy over the weekend… I’m sorry, I have to come clean to all of you. I bought the Whoop Band over the weekend.
Okay, hear me out though! 🙉
I love fitness trackers.
At this point, I’ve literally tried almost every one of them (email me if you ever want advice on picking one!). But the only one I haven’t tried—and have wanted for years—is the Whoop.
Yes, I think it’s crazy expensive 💰.
Yes, I don’t know if I actually need it. But I love love love looking at data about my health, and if data is what gets my ass moving, then so be it 😊
Don’t worry—I’ll definitely report back 👨🔬 on whether it’s actually worth it.
Enough of that nonsense—let’s dive in!
- 🍃 Think Aloe is Just for Sunburns?
- 💥 The Truth About Motivation
- 🚶♀️ Can Daydreaming Make You Smarter?
- 🥖 Butter vs. Oil
[BRAND NEW] Ooh yeah, I’ve now added a weekly challenge for all of us to do together. Check it out under the Weeklies section!
🍃 Think Aloe is Just for Sunburns?
Move over, expensive supplements—aloe vera is here to save your heart (and maybe your knees too).
This spiky green miracle isn’t just for sunburns. It’s packed with vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and even soluble fiber that can do wonders for your cardiovascular system.
🚀 Here’s why you should care:
- Lowers bad cholesterol (LDL) & triglycerides 🩸 (because clogged arteries = no fun)
- Increases good cholesterol (HDL) 💪 (HDL hunts down the bad stuff and kicks it out)
- Reduces inflammation 🔥 (so your heart AND joints can chill out)
- Boosts circulation 🏃♂️ (goodbye numb hands & feet)
- Helps regulate blood sugar & insulin sensitivity 🍭 (aka, happy pancreas)
- Contains L-arginine → Nitric Oxide → Vasodilation 💨 (fancy science for “your arteries relax, and blood flows better”)
🥤 How to Use It:
- Cut about an inch of fresh aloe vera, remove the outer skin, and eat the gooey magic inside
- Blend it into a smoothie or juice
- Take first thing in the morning (15-30 min before breakfast) for maximum benefits
Video Link
💥 The Truth About Motivation
If you’re sitting around waiting for motivation to strike like a lightning bolt from the heavens… bad news. ⛈️ You might be waiting forever.
Motivation is a fickle little gremlin—it shows up when it feels like it, and disappears just as fast. If you rely on it, you’ll never get anything done.
Instead, use momentum. 🏃♂️
- Start with one tiny action. Fold a single shirt. Write one sentence. Do one push-up.
- This tricks your brain into wanting to continue. Small action → small win → tiny dopamine boost = motivation follows.
The secret? Action comes first, motivation follows. 💡
Stop waiting. Happen to things. Don’t wait for things to happen. 🚀
Article Link
🚶♀️ Can Daydreaming Make You Smarter?
You probably already know that sleep is important (duh).
But did you know that zoning out—yes, that thing you do mid-meeting—is also a legit brain rest strategy?
This magical brain state is called the Default Mode Network (DMN), and it’s when your mind wanders freely instead of focusing on a task.
Sounds like slacking off, but actually, it’s essential for creativity, problem-solving, and self-connection! 🙌
🚀 How to Activate Your Brain’s “Recharge Mode”:
- 💤 Power Nap – A 5-minute nap can sharpen your thinking, while a 90-minute nap is perfect for deep creativity.
- 💭 Positive Daydreaming – Do something chill (like doodling or knitting) while imagining relaxing scenes. No over-controlling! Just let your mind wander.
- 🚶♂️ Free Walking – Forget the treadmill! Walking freely (not in a straight line like a robot) boosts creative thinking.
- 🚿 Shower Thoughts – Can’t solve a problem? Let it soak (literally). The DMN thrives when you’re lost in steam and shampoo bubbles.
⚠️ Too much daydreaming = Overthinking Spiral 😵💫
If your DMN goes into overdrive (hello anxiety and worry loops!), try:
1. 🧘 Meditation – Calms the mind and shuts down mental chaos.
2. 🌄 Experiencing Awe – Get outside. Watch a sunset. Stare at the stars. Perspective = Peace.
So don’t just focus, focus, focus.
Make time to unfocus—your brain needs it.
Now, go forth and nap, doodle, or take an unnecessarily long shower… for science! 🚿✨
Podcast Link
🥖 Butter vs. Oil
Another day, another food fight! This time: Butter vs. Vegetable Oil—and science is here to referee. 🥊
🌿 The Study: Researchers followed 200,000 people for 30 years, tracking their fat intake and death rates. (Casual, right?)
💀 The Risk:
- Eating more butter ➡️ 15% higher risk of death
- Eating more vegetable oil ➡️ 16% lower risk of death
🥇 Best Oils for the Win: Olive oil, canola oil, and soybean oil were the MVPs, linked to lower mortality. 🌱
🚩 Corn & safflower oil? Meh. No significant benefits found.
🔥 How You Cook Matters: Butter used for baking/frying? No clear risk. Butter on bread & food? More death risk. Yikes.
⚠️ But Wait! Correlation ≠ Causation
This wasn’t a randomized trial, so we can’t say butter definitively causes death. But based on tons of research, swapping butter for veggie oil looks like a safer bet.
💡 Takeaway:
1️⃣ Swap the butter for olive oil, canola oil, or even a handful of nuts.
2️⃣ Don’t freak out over the occasional croissant. Moderation is key.
3️⃣ If someone tries to sell you “grass-fed, massaged-on-Tuesdays” butter as super healthy, ask for receipts. ✋
Video Link
📚 Ryan's Book Of The Week |
Ever feel like your brain is a browser with 37 tabs open… and somehow, one of them is playing music but you can’t find it? 😩 Same.
This week’s book is basically a deep breath for your overstimulated mind. It’s all about slowing down, getting clear on what actually matters, and cutting through the mental chaos we all wade through daily.
💡 Why read it?
- Learn how to stop reacting to everything like a caffeinated squirrel. 🐿️
- Discover how doing less can actually help you accomplish more.
- Get simple strategies to prioritize your time, energy, and sanity.
If you’re tired of feeling busy but not productive — this book might just be your new favorite self-care tool.
This week's challenge is simple yet powerful:
Every night before bed, write down 3 specific things you're genuinely grateful for that happened that day.
It could be a great workout 💪, a delicious meal 🍽️, a laugh with a friend, or even finding matching socks! 🧦
Here's why:
- Daily gratitude journaling increases happiness and satisfaction with life.
- Helps shift your mindset towards positivity and reduces stress.
- Improves sleep by calming the mind before bedtime.
💬 Your Turn (Reply Today!): Hit reply to this email right now and share:
"What's one small, everyday thing you're grateful for today?"
Let's kick off this week with some gratitude and positivity—I can't wait to hear from you! 🌟
🚀 If you loved today’s tips… imagine how much your best friend, workout buddy, or health-conscious coworker would, too. Forward them this email and make their day!
Until next time,
Ryan Lehman
Your guide to a balanced, healthy life
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