Stress Reduction for Real Men
Q: Everyone talks about reducing stress to remain healthy. Got any practical tips for actually doing that?
A: The first thing to do to relieve world levels of stress is shoot all lawyers. But on a more practical note, I found some interesting things about this when I recently consulted a professional English soccer team.
It turned out that when they played a game on Saturday it took them until Wednesday for their sleep patterns to return to normal. In other words, they're jet lagged once per week, even when playing at home!
I told the athletes that when they go back to their hotel rooms they should unplug everything — TV, alarm clock, etc., and turn off their cell phones. Get rid of the electrical magnetic fields. Then make the room as dark as possible and wear an eye mask. The next day I thought the guys were going to kiss me. They said it was the first time they felt they'd really slept.
We're designed to live in caves. It should be pitch dark. And cell phones emit radiation. Get rid of these things and you'll reduce stress and sleep better. Making your bedroom the Bat Cave alone will increase the amount of melatonin and GH you produce when you're asleep. That alone will make you grow.
Another thing to do to relieve stress is to take a time management course. I only answer emails twice per day for example. There are many small things like this that can really add up to reduce stress, and that's important. The best time management course out there can be found on [missioncontrol[dot]com]
We experience one hundred times more stress than our grandfathers. Stress accounts for as much as 90% of all primary care physician visits. With anxiety disorders, insomnia, depression, ulcers, etc., each affecting millions of Americans, stress and its effects could be considered an epidemic.
Stress increases heart disease, diabetes, mental disorders, sexual dysfunction, and gastrointestinal disorders. It suppresses the immune system and lowers Testosterone. Stress can lead to muscle loss and fat gain.
Everyone is under stress. This is the norm, not the exception. As a result, our bodies tend to run on adrenalin and cortisol. That can be great if you're being chased by a lion or a linebacker, but not so useful if you're just going about your daily activities.
So, take actions to control stress. Improving sleep and learning time management are the first steps.
Melatonin... Between Your Legs
Q: What do you think of supplemental melatonin for sleep?
A: It's often warranted for people after the age of 31. You don't need a high dose, about 3 mg, and the best way to take it is through cream form. You rub it inside your thighs where your skin in thin. Because it doesn't come out of a bolus in your GI tract, you won't wake up groggy.
I take it oversees with me and people wonder why I don't have jetlag. Well, the first night I'm there I stay up as late as I can, then I put on the melatonin cream. No jetlag.
Another thing that's good for natural melatonin production is to dim the lights after dark. Starting as soon as the sun goes down, dim the lights or don't have lights on in the house as you're watching TV. Your body will naturally make more melatonin in the darkness.
By the way, know why men are compelled to channel surf? It's in our genetic code. We were programmed by watching the constantly flickering fire outside of the cave. Tell your wife or girlfriend that the next time you're driving her nuts flipping through the channels!
New Supplement Excitement
Q: Any new supplement or area of supplementation that has you excited right now?
A: Anything that helps support acetylcholine production by blocking the acetylcholinesterase enzyme is great for older athletes. Huperzine, for example, contained in a product I make called Fast Brain, helps you regain strength lost due to aging.
People get boners looking at the muscle physiology, but they forget what actually drives the muscle. So anything that has to do with eliciting more motor units is even more interesting. No use spending your time only on the motor if you don't get the transmission right!