6 Simple Science-Backed Hacks That Will Make Your Life Better
May 13, 2024
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Dr. Adam Alter shares science-backed hacks to improve your life including a simple change to gain 20 years, the impact of colors on behavior, a free hack for productivity, the influence of a common household object, and how screens affect your body and brain.
Simple changes in day-to-day life can influence success, happiness, and health.
Using colors strategically can impact mood, behavior, and social outcomes.
Spending time in natural surroundings can significantly restore mental and physical energy.
Deep dives
Factors Shaping Behavior and Well-being
Interactions in day-to-day life significantly influence success, happiness, and health, some of which may be unnoticed. Research reveals impactful elements such as the color of clothing on a first date and the behavioral impact of mirrors. A minor adjustment, supported by research, can potentially add 20 years to one's life by understanding and utilizing these influential factors.
Impact of Nature and Screens on Well-being
Spending time in natural environments, away from screens, has profound positive effects on well-being. Natural elements like running water and wind rustling through trees can restore energy, countering the depletion caused by continuous screen exposure. Attention restoration therapy emphasizes the therapeutic benefits of natural surroundings, making time in nature a vital component for rejuvenating mental and physical energy.
Influential Power of Colors on Behavior
Colors play a significant role in mood, perception, and behavior. Research indicates that wearing red can convey strength and dominance, affecting outcomes like athletic performance. Additionally, the color pink has been linked to calming effects, with the 'drunk tank pink' color used to promote relaxation in specific environments. Understanding the psychological impact of colors can guide behaviors in various contexts, such as job interviews or social interactions.
The Collective Problem of Screen Usage Among Kids and Parents
Teenagers and kids express a desire to reduce screen time despite feeling compelled to use devices due to social pressures. Parents also wish to limit exposure but face challenges of isolation if they're the only ones doing so. Efforts are being made to shift behaviors on a collective level within schools and districts to delay device use among parents and kids.
Impact of Screen Addiction and Time Consumption
Screen addiction leads to negative effects on social, physical, and psychological well-being, including exposure to bullying, anxiety, aggression, and overspending. Excessive screen time leads to reduced tolerance for deep work and prolonged focus. Lack of stopping cues in screen interactions contributes to mindless scrolling and time contraction, negatively impacting the perception of meaningful chunks of time.
In today’s episode, you’ll learn 6 simple mind and body hacks that play a huge role in your success, happiness, and health.
One of the top psychology experts and professors in the world, Dr. Adam Alter, is here to reveal the simple things in your day to day life that influence how you think, feel, and behave.
Dr. Alter is a New York Times bestselling author and a renowned researcher and professor at NYU’s Stern School of Business.
He will share his incredible research, including:
- One tiny change that will give you 20 years of your life back (yes, you read that right).
- The exact colors you should wear on a first date, during a big meeting, or when you want to be more influential.
- A simple, free hack that makes you more productive and calmer.
- One common household object that can dramatically change behavior based on where you put it.
- How looking at a screen impacts your body and brain
After listening to today’s episode, you’re going to know how to use these 6 science-backed hacks to make your life better.
For more resources, including links to Dr. Adam Alter’s research and bestselling books, click here for the podcast episode page.