Happiness Experiment 40: Crazy Little Thing Called Breakfast – Conclusions

 Experiments  1 Response »
Apr 072013
 




This was one of those quiet experiments that completely kicked my ass in surprise. I started off with an experiment on eating breakfast when I get up.

Just to say it again, I didn’t normally skip breakfast. I ate it at work, approximately 2 hours after I woke up.

For the last week I’ve been having a breakfast shake about 30 minutes after I wake up.

The difference has been astonishing. I’m down several pounds. It’s funny, because I don’t even know how much. I expected this experiment would help increase my energy, not that it would contribute to a substantial weight loss, so I didn’t bother measuring myself to get an exact reading. Suffice to say, it’s at least 2-3 lbs. The key appears to be in how taking in nutrition close to when I woke up helped me moderate my eating for the rest of the day. I had fewer cravings for food later in the day, which meant I ate a lot better over the course of this week.

It always amazes me how the little experiments – the ones that I expect to have almost no impact, end up kicking my ass with how powerful they are!

So, just to state it clearly, having breakfast within a short time of me waking up has improved my energy levels, but most notably has helped me to control my diet for the rest of the day at eat healthier quantities of food (and healthier foods). This led to a weight loss this week.

I definitely have to say that this will be something I continue with going forward!

Happiness Experiment 40: Crazy Little Thing Called Breakfast

 Experiments  1 Response »
Apr 012013
 




Another happiness experiment? What madness is this?

Well, I’m noting the start of it a bit late, but ever since yesterday I’ve been working on an issue I have with mornings – breakfast.

I know breakfast is a key meal of the day, and I don’t skip it… well, I don’t technically skip it, but I bend the rules. I am a typical “non-morning person”. I wake up with enough time to get ready for work, but not a whole lot else. I pack a breakfast the night before, but I never eat it before I get to work. This means that for 5 days of the week, I get breakfast an hour or two after I wake up.

Now, I see research indicating that the best way to start the day is with a healthy breakfast, and while I’m starting my day at work with one, my body has to survive the commute without breakfast.

This week I’m trying to change that. It starts with discovering a tolerable chocolate protein smoothie. This one is made by Vega and is plant based. It claims to be dairy, gluten and soy free, with no sugar added. So, my body has little to react negatively to. It also claims to offer 2 servings of veggies along with omega 3, 7 grams of fiber and a whopping 11 grams of protein in 1 serving.

My plan is to drink one serving every morning on my commute in to work, making breakfast closely follow waking up. I’ll see if this helps improve my energy levels at work, and perhaps this will reduce my cravings for sweets and sugars. A healthy breakfast is closely related to a wide variety of health benefits, so I’m not entirely sure how this might benefit me, but I can’t see much of a downside to this experiment and this Vega chocolate powder sure does seem healthy!

As me drinking something isn’t particularly exciting, my updates on this will definitely not be daily, but hopefully they will still be worth reading!

Happiness Experiment 38: Nasal Strips Conclusions

 Experiments  No Responses »
Jan 132013
 




A week ago, I started my 38th happiness experiment, seeing if nasal strips helped me sleep better and wake up easier.

In the past, I’ve only turned to nasal strips when I’ve been sick or suffering from allergies. The nasal strips give me a non-drug option for relief when I have already taken allergy or cold medication. As I tend to have minor allergy problems at the beginning of winter (caused dust and other things) I wanted to see if the nasal strips could benefit enough that I could avoid taking anti-histamines all together.

As reading about how I’ve slept every night is about as exciting as watching paint dry, I only put in one nasal strips update this week.

Conclusions on my Nasal Strips Experiment

After about a week, I can definitely identify that there is an improvement when I use nasal strips, but it seems proportional to how much I’m suffering. So, when I have a full blown case of allergies and I can’t take any more anti-histamines, they are a lifesaver. However, when I only have mild allergies, their impact is very much more muted.

The strips help open up your nasal cavities, so I definitely felt like I was breathing better, but I can’t say that it helped me sleep any better.

So, I’m forced to conclude that in my personal situation, nasal strips

Happiness Experiment 38: Nasal Strips Update

 Experiments  6 Responses »
Jan 092013
 




I haven’t been updating this experiment particularly frequently, because to honest, there isn’t a whole lot to say.

I’ve gone to bed with the silly looking sticker on my face for the last 4 days and I have to say that my wife must love me to put up with my silliness.

This is the longest number of days in a row that I’ve worn a nasal strip. I’m finding that my nose is getting a bit irritated, but it’s just slightly redder than normal, so that might even be my skin reacting to the winter weather.

While I’ve noticed the strips help me more when I’m sick, I have yet to see a substantial result in this experiment. Perhaps the small difference they make is MUCH more noticeable when I’m sick and need the additional help.

So, the update for today is that the strips aren’t hurting my sleep quality or sinus situation in the morning, but they do not appear to be substantially helping me either.

We’re not finished the experiment yet though, so this isn’t yet a final conclusion.

My favourite experiments so far

 Experiments, Ponderings  6 Responses »
Jan 072013
 




Well, I’ve been working my happiness experiments for more than a year, and I’ve come a long way.

What have I learned?

Both a lot and nothing at all. Some experiments were incredibly effective, others were completely ineffective – which was an education in itself.

Now that I’m on my 38th happiness experiment, which ones have stuck out for me? Well, here are a few that were particularly memorable.

The Health Benefits of White Wine on Sleep: Sometimes, you unintentionally discover something awesome. This experiment was inspired by a study I read that talked about red wine improving sleep. I decided to try white wine since I prefer it, and the results were still effective. Now, I know that the occasional glass of wine at night will help me sleep incredibly well.

Clutter Busting: I’ve always heard that a cleaner house makes for happier people, and that physical clutter weighs down on your energy. I didn’t believe it until I started really clearing out my own clutter. Once I started moving out clutter I found that I couldn’t wait to keep cleaning!

Eating Paleo: This was an incredibly effective experiment, but also the first experiment that I consider myself to have failed on. When I read up on the timeline for going on the paleo diet aferwards, I found out that my discomforts were not uncommon for people going onto the paleo diet. I might go and try this again in 2013 – I can’t deny how much weight I lost in the first few days, but the stress and discomfort were significant. Maybe I should take a long holiday so I don’t have to go through carb withdrawal at work!

And the most effective experiment of all, the Happy Thoughts List: I read an article about adding gratitude to your life and how it can make you a happier person. I didn’t walk into the experiment thinking it would work. Now it’s one of the few experiments I stick with and still make part of my regular life.

I’ve learned a lot in this last year. I hope by my documenting my experiments, you’ve had the chance to learn from my experiences as well. Hopefully I’ve given you a few good ideas and saved you from making many of my mistakes.

Happiness Experiment 38: Nasal Strips

 Experiments  2 Responses »
Jan 062013
 




Well, now that winter is here in full force, we have our windows closed and our heater on. This has typically been a trigger for my allergies, leading to a bit rougher sleep, and unhappy mornings.

In the past, I’ve had some luck using nasal strips to help in situations where I’ve already taken antihistamines or cold medication and my sinuses are still bothering me. So, since I generally try to avoid taking unnecessary medication, I wanted to see if using nasal strips would help me sleep and breathe better without the added medication.

My Nasal Chips of Choice

Happiness Experiment 38

I’m using Breathe Right Advanced Nasal Strips for this experiment. I haven’t been sponsored by Breathe Right, nor was I given free product. I simply chose this brand because it should be universally available. There are individualized store-brands if you want to try this experiment and save money.

How this experiment will work

While I’ve done all sorts of crazy things in my experiments for this site, I really do love the occasional lazy experiment.

This week I’ll be applying a nasal strip (as per the official instructions) every night before bed. I’ll see if it improves my sleep quality or makes it easier to wake up and function in the morning.

Happiness Experiment 37: Setting Priorities in Life – Conclusions

 Experiments  No Responses »
Dec 022012
 


Well, the end of this experiment has reflected my thoughts as the week has passed.

Did it feel good to get a lot done? Heck yes.

Do I feel like I truly grew? No, not really.

I feel like that random element to less-organized time gives me significantly higher chances for personal growth.

All things considered, this is time well spent if you don’t have anything else on the go, but if you have better plans or fun options, then run with them.

Happiness Experiment 37: Setting Priorities in Life – Day 6

 Experiments  No Responses »
Dec 012012
 


Well, I have to say, I am really enjoying getting this much stuff done. I’m cleaning, eating healthy, exercising, and getting a ton of stuff done.

However, taking care of the present does not guarantee that the future is taken care of as well. Perhaps this is an issue with my planning for this experiment. I always feel like I should be thinking and planning for the future as well as living in the present.

So, I’ll continue to work hard at this experiment and get things done at an amazing rate, but I don’t think (at least so far) that this is the solution to finding perfect contentment.

However, it should be stated, that I do feel better getting things done than I feel when I am unfocused and get nothing done.

Happiness Experiment 37: Setting Priorities in Life – Day 5

 Experiments  No Responses »
Nov 302012
 


Over halfway in to this experiment, I’m starting to see the positive and negative sides of things.

When you know exactly what you want in life, or are pretty sure of what you want in life, focusing and setting priorities in life can be hugely efficient way to live if you know what you want. However, if you don’t know what you want, how does that focus give you the time to find what you want?

I’m getting a lot done in this experiment, but I’m not completely satisfied, as I feel like there’s still something missing.

I believe that in an ideal situation, I would need to devote the majority of my time to getting the day-to-day necessities done, while still devoting a portion of effort to new projects. That lets me still search for things that offer opportunities to grow, while not forgetting the day-to-day things I need to get one.

Happiness Experiment 37: Setting Priorities in Life – Day 4

 Experiments  No Responses »
Nov 292012
 


Today went much better than yesterday, as I had the night planned out much more effectively.

I made a healthy lunch and a healthy dinner, and even have a healthy lunch set up for tomorrow.

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately as well, partially brought on by all of my volunteering. I’m learning an incredible amount in my writing and studying, the real challenge now will be letting my brain sort it all out productively.

I even fit in a couple of walks and stretches.

All and all, an incredibly productive day!

 Older Entries