Slowing Down, Getting Stronger & Living with Less
Thing I’m Eliminating: Caffeine
Last week, I decided to stop drinking coffee.
My goal wasn’t necessarily to have more energy. It was actually the opposite in some ways. I wanted to slow my physiology down. Over the past several months, I’d noticed a few things that didn’t feel quite right. I was sweating at times when I shouldn’t have been. I was experiencing brain fog. And my energy levels were fluctuating dramatically throughout the day. I began wondering whether my daily caffeine consumption was contributing to some of these symptoms. So I decided to run a little experiment on myself. I eliminated coffee completely.
Ten days later, all three symptoms have resolved.
No more unexplained sweating. My thinking feels clearer. And my energy levels are much more consistent throughout the day. Of course, this is just my personal experience. Everyone responds differently to caffeine, and I can’t say with certainty that it was responsible for every symptom. But the results have been enough to convince me to continue. There’s also an unexpected financial benefit. Those expensive coffee drinks add up quickly! The bigger lesson for me is that sometimes improving our health isn’t about adding another supplement, workout, or wellness routine.
Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is eliminate something.
Product I’m Recommending: Iron Neck
One area of fitness that I believe doesn’t receive nearly enough attention is neck strength.
We spend hours looking at computers, phones, and screens, often placing our necks in sustained positions without giving much thought to the muscles responsible for supporting our heads. That’s why I like the concept behind Iron Neck, a neck-strengthening training system designed to help develop strength and control through different directions of movement.
As a chiropractor, I spend a tremendous amount of time helping people improve their spinal function, posture, and movement. But there’s another piece to the equation: building strength. Our neck muscles deserve the same thoughtful training that we give our legs, shoulders, and core.
For athletes, strengthening the neck can be a useful component of a well-rounded conditioning program. For others, appropriately prescribed neck exercises may help improve strength and muscular endurance. Iron Neck provides one way to train those muscles with resistance. Like any exercise equipment, it’s important to use appropriate resistance and technique, particularly if you have an existing neck injury or symptoms.
My takeaway: Don’t forget to train the muscles that support your spine.
Quote I’m Loving: The Beauty of Less
“Simplicity boils down to two steps: Identify the essential. Eliminate the rest.”
— Leo Babauta
This quote has been resonating with me lately. We live in a world that constantly encourages us to add more. More commitments. More possessions. More responsibilities. More things to maintain. More decisions to make. But I’ve been thinking a lot about the opposite. What would life look like if we intentionally removed some of the unnecessary things that occupy our time and mental energy? Recently, I even shaved my head.
Part of the motivation was simple: one less thing to think about every day.
No worrying about styling my hair. No time spent getting it ready. Just one less small decision in an already busy life. It’s a funny example, but I think it represents something much bigger. Every possession requires some degree of care. Every commitment requires time. Every decision requires mental energy. And none of those resources are unlimited. I’m becoming increasingly interested in creating a life with fewer unnecessary demands so that I can invest more energy into the things that really matter. My family. My health. My relationships. My patients. My fitness. And the experiences that make life meaningful.
The goal isn’t necessarily to do less. It’s to eliminate the unnecessary so we can give more to what matters most.
Maybe a simpler life isn’t about sacrificing things. Maybe it’s about making room for better things.
That’s what I’m eliminating, recommending, and thinking about this week.
Here’s to living with a little less noise and a lot more intention.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether you’re looking to improve your posture, recover from an injury, move better, or simply feel healthier, we’d love to help.
If you or someone you know could benefit from our care, please reach out.
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We look forward to helping you build a healthier, more active life.
Have a healthy week everyone!
In Health,
Dr. Devin Shea, DC
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