The Monday Mag – Apr 27, 2015

In This Edition Of Our Weekly Magazine:

– Drink Water Before A Business Meeting
– Best Snacks To Boost Alertness
– And A Shrimp Cocktail Before Bed

Our Favorite Quote Of The Week – “Certain flaws are necessary for the whole. It would seem strange if old friends lacked certain quirks.” – Goethe

Drink Water Before A Business Meeting – Many people avoid drinking before a meeting for fear they may be stuck there with a full bladder. Big mistake, say researchers. Studies have shown that as little as 1% dehydration results in a 5% decrease in cognitive abilities. In a University of Westminster test, subjects drank a full glass of water prior to a test one day, and no water on the next day. Their performance and alertness were reported to increase by as much as 14% when they had ingested water. Lack of focus from a sluggish, thirsty brain makes most people feel bored and isolated. While many people bring bottled water to meetings, few actually consume the entire bottle. Sips won’t do, say researchers. People who drink a good glass of water before a meeting have reported feeling more engaged and less focused on the little things that normally annoy them.

Best Snacks To Boost Alertness – We associate protein with muscle building, but it is essential to the brain as well. Protein has been shown to stimulate orexin neurons, the cells responsible for for alertness. Your best choice for a snack: Almonds. Their rich content in magnesium and vitamin E contribute to good brain function as well. Also think green, dark leafy green to be precise. The folic acid and vitamin B they provide are known to boost mental clarity. Add a touch of sweetness too. Blueberries offer a powerhouse of anti-oxidants that have been shown to stimulate the brain for nearly 5 hours after consumption.

And A Shrimp Cocktail Before Bed – We bring all sorts of bugs to bed; of the mental sort, that is. How often do we go to bed truly feeling good about the day? More than half of sleep disturbances are due to what goes on in our minds before closing our eyes. The midnight snack does work, sometimes, but not just any food will do. Enter the shrimp cocktail, for two reasons: 1- It is a good source of tryptophan (the same amino acid found in turkey that is responsible for making you feel sleepy). 2- A shrimp cocktail is associated with special events and luxury. You cannot indulge in a shrimp cocktail and not relax into a feeling of well-being and self-worth. This goes a long way toward a good night sleep.

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