Midlife Matters: Diane Amelia Read
With a last name like Hacker in my family tree (yes, it truly was my mother’s maiden name,) it seems only fitting that biohacking would pique my curiosity.
When I learned biohacking might help mitigate symptoms I’d simply chalked up to age, I was all in. Over the last six weeks, I’ve made some lifestyle changes and want to share a bit of what I’ve learned about this DIY approach to optimizing your body and mind.
What Is Biohacking?
Biohacking is the practice of making intentional changes that influence your body’s natural processes, with the goal of maximizing your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. In its simplest form, biohacking is about expanding your understanding of how your unique body works and giving it exactly what it needs to thrive.
“Biohacking is the practice of making intentional changes that influence your body’s natural processes, with the goal of maximizing your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.”
Maybe you’ve heard of the futuristic-sounding approaches to biohacking, like “smart drugs,” genetic modification, and electronic tattoos. They have a “wow” factor, but these extremes aren’t required for positive results.
Though some do take the drastic-measures route, daily-life hacking can be extremely effective. And, hey, if you’re making health decisions based on your FitBit feedback, you’re biohacking already!
Why Biohacking Matters For Women At Midlife And Beyond:
It’s not news that as we navigate midlife and beyond our bodies undergo significant changes. Biohacking offers tools to address the challenges brought about by hormone fluctuations, helping you feel sharper, more vibrant, and in control.
Last summer, I started getting hot flashes again after a decade without. This was piled onto joint aches, fuzzy brain, and withering libido. Conventional wisdom says it just happens as you age, but I learned that this progression might not be a foregone conclusion. In response, I started using small lifestyle changes and I’m already feeling more like myself again.
Lifestyle Choices Count:
Biohacking does not have to be complicated. I have experienced big leaps forward by making changes in these areas:
1. Nutrition Tweaks:
Biohack your diet by focusing on nutrient-dense foods. Swap the word “eat” for “nourish” and mealtime becomes, “How can I best nourish myself?” Incorporate more omega-3s (think salmon, chia seeds) and healthy fats … mmmm, nuts! avocado! coconut! Save alcohol for special occasions, reduce processed sugars, and let it rip with hydration. Yes, you’ll pee more at first but, I promise, your body adjusts.
A simple morning hack? Start your day with a protein-rich breakfast to stabilize blood sugar and keep cravings at bay. With 50% protein, 50% fiber-filled carbs, and a dollop of healthy fats on your plate you’ll stay full and satisfied for hours. Bonus points for including green veggies before noon!
2. Movement and Recovery:
Exercise is a powerful biohack, and consistency is non-negotiable. Short, daily walks, yoga, or strength training can improve mood, boost metabolism, and support bone health. Workouts like Pilates, that work your muscles but don’t jack your levels of cortisol (the stress hormone,) help the rest of your hormones stay happy, and all sorts of good things flow from there … hello, bone density … take that high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Another popular biohack is a little frosty. Cold water dips prompt endorphins which are natural painkillers and mood boosters. They enhance circulation and can boost the immune system. Finish your shower with a minute of cold water (or, if you’re me, 10 seconds!)
Recovery is a critical part of exercise. Stretching and quality sleep are essential to balancing and recharging your body.
3. Mental Mastery:
Meditation, mindfulness, and learning new skills can enhance brain function. Biohack your mind by dedicating 10 minutes a day to meditation or an activity that stretches your brain. Struggling with a problem, like learning a language, can build new neural pathways in the brain and strengthen existing ones. Consistency reinforces them, no?
“Meditation, mindfulness, and learning new skills can enhance brain function.”
Breathwork is also a powerful biohacking tool. By training the muscles involved in breathing, it’s possible to build lung capacity and increase endurance. Breathing techniques like “4-7-8” ** have been studied and found to have positive effects on sleep quality, blood pressure, and stress and cortisol levels.
My Specifics:
I’m at the halfway point in a 12-week program …
- Throughout I’m making dietary changes by eliminating sugar, dairy, gluten, corn, alcohol, soda, and artificial sweetener. Nonetheless, I’m eating more than ever, with emphasis on at least 30 different plants a week.
- I’ve traded my wham-bam workouts for a home-based Pilates series. (To me, it’s slow and boring but my muscles have never looked or felt better.)
- I’m doing a morning meditation and five minutes of breath work every day.
In six weeks I’ve lost five pounds, the hot flashes stopped, my brain is calm and sharp, and I’m feeling noticeably more frisky. Have I left cocktails and cheesy tortillas behind for good? No, but if/as I reintroduce these things to my system, I’ll pay close attention to how my body reacts and hack accordingly.
Why It’s Worth It:
With scientifically-driven lifestyle interventions you can take charge of your wellbeing and biohack a path to your best life yet. Biohacking isn’t about turning back the clock; it’s about making the time we have feel fantastic.
*** 4-7-8:
- Breathe in through your nose to the count of four.
- Hold your breath to the count of seven.
- Exhale through your mouth to the count of eight.
- Repeat the cycle up to four times.
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About the Author:
Diane Amelia Read is an experienced growth partner, health and mindset advisor, stereotype disrupter, and surfer wannabe. She’s a Reiki Master Teacher, podcaster, StreetWise MBA graduate, and samba singer, Law of Attraction mentor, and motivational speaker.
Her mission is to make the world a more loving and interconnected place by helping women love themselves first so they can bring their most joy-filled awesomeness to everyone and everything else without depleting themselves
As a Mind & Body Alchemist For Women Over 50, Diane Amelia’s unique personal transformation toolbox is chock full of options for midlife women ready for sustainable improvement in their health, confidence, mindset, income, community, or all of the above.
