The World's Best Book Summaries
Do you have weak lungs? What can you do to strengthen your lungs and increase their air capacity? According to James Nestor, there are two aspects to strengthening your respiratory system. First off, you need to train the diaphragm muscle that drives your breathing. Secondly, you need to strengthen the muscles and bones of the face that support your vital airways. Here is what to do to strengthen your breathing apparatus.
Is it better to breathe fast or slow? How does slowing down your breath affect oxygen absorption? When we breathe “normally,” we only absorb about 25% of the oxygen we take in. On the other hand, slow breathing lets us absorb more oxygen using fewer breaths—a more efficient process for the whole body that uses less work to produce more energy. Keep reading to learn about the health benefits of slow breathing, according to James Nestor.
What’s dual-task interference? How is it keeping you from being more productive? Can you avoid it? Dual-task interference is what happens in your brain when you multitask. This interference results in less efficiency and productivity. When you understand the science, you’re better equipped to keep this phenomenon from happening. Keep reading to learn how to maintain your focus and increase your productivity by avoiding dual-task interference.
What does myelin do? What role does it play in talent? In The Talent Code, Daniel Coyle reveals that talent comes from myelin, a sheath that’s wrapped around each nerve cell. He further explains how myelin produces skills and talent. Read below to learn the role of myelin in development.
Is nose breathing better than mouth breathing? How can you habituate yourself to breathe through your nose? Your nose and sinus cavity are specifically designed to process air in ways your mouth can’t. Breathing through the nose strengthens your airways, regulates your metabolism, and even has a positive effect on your brain. Here’s why you should try to breathe through the nose instead of the mouth.
What happens in the body when you inhale too much carbon dioxide? How can breathing CO2 help you increase your panic tolerance? Like bringing air into different parts of the lungs can trigger different responses in the body, you can also affect unconscious responses by exposing yourself to excess CO2. In particular, chemoreceptors, which act as the body’s fear alarm system, can be trained to have a higher CO2 tolerance. Here’s how you can increase your CO2 tolerance using breathwork.
Where does talent come from? Are we born with talent? In The Talent Code, Daniel Coyle goes beyond the nature versus nurture debate and digs into the science of skill-building to answer the question. Coyle says that while we’re not born with talent, there is a science behind developing it. Keep reading to learn where talent comes from.
Can you regulate your nervous system through respiration? How can breathwork help you calm down—or stimulate—your mind? The respiratory system is an opening through which we can consciously influence other autonomic functions. In computer terms, the lungs provide an exploit that we can use to control parts of our bodies that we wouldn’t otherwise have access to, such as the nervous system. Here’s how you can hack your nervous system by breathing.
What’s the best way to start your work day? How should you handle stressful situations at work? How can you break through a creative impasse? In Your Brain at Work, David Rock argues that, by understanding the neuroscience behind the brain’s functions, you can increase your productivity by working with your brain’s natural rhythms. He shares the neuroscience you need to know and some strategies to optimize this knowledge. Keep reading for our overview of this interesting and practical book that will help you get the most out of your work day.
How do cars contribute to climate change? Can electric cars offset the carbon footprint of gas-powered cars? The age of the car began on August 12, 1908. This was the day the first Model T was assembled, making cars a much more affordable commodity. The automobile has had an enormous impact on the world but is also a major contributor to carbon emissions. Let’s look at the numbers behind vehicles to explain why they are so inefficient as a means of transportation and why electric cars won’t save us.