#1503 Purpose in Life

How’s Yours? (It Matters! A Lot.)

Today we’re going to wrap up our tour through Chris Palmer, MD’s BRILLIANT book Brain Energy.

Did I mention it’s my #1 ALL-TIME FAVORITE BOOK?

A few times, eh?

Hope the memo landed.

THIS is the book to read/share with any/everyone in your life who has ever or is struggling with psychological issues. 🙏

Here’s the quick recap for the Learning 101, spaced-repetition win!

Chris tells us that: “Mental disorders—all of them—are metabolic disorders of the brain.”

He also tells us that: “Metabolism is the process of turning food into energy or building blocks for growing and maintaining cells, as well as the appropriate and efficient management of waste products. Metabolism is how our cells work.”

Then he gives us a BUNCH of practical tips on HOW to optimize our metabolism SO WE CAN CONQUER PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES.

Note: In our chat, he basically COMPLETELY affirmed our obsession with eating, moving, and sleeping as THE most powerful way to get our Energy dialed in so we can show up powerfully in our Work and in our Love.

And, know this: “As we embrace the idea that mental disorders are no longer syndromes but metabolic disorders of the brain, new solutions become obvious. We need to restore brain energy by normalizing metabolism and the function of mitochondria. Once we do this, the symptoms of mental illness will begin to resolve.”

Now…

We talked about sleep and fasting as two powerful ways to boost our metabolism.

Here’s the third…

Chris tells us: “Humans are driven to have a sense of purpose. I believe this is hardwired into our brains, given that this single construct has been highly associated with both metabolic and mental health. When people lack a sense of purpose, it appears to induce a chronic stress response and can lead to many poor health outcomes. Purpose in life is multifaceted, however. It usually includes many things, not just one. The stress inventory I just mentioned highlights three possibilities: relationships, taking care of yourself and staying healthy, and having a job.”

That’s from the final practical chapter all about “Love, Adversity, and Purpose in Life.”

Pop quiz: Did you notice the Big 3 of Purpose?

Yep. There they are: Energy (“taking care of yourself and staying healthy”), Work (“having a job”) and Love (“relationships”).

Dr. Palmer talks about the research that shows just how important it is to have a clear sense of

purpose in life and how that purpose fuels our metabolism at the mitochondrial level.

One of the researchers he references in this section is Lisa Miller.

We recently featured her great book called The Awakened Brain (check out those Notes) which is all about “The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life.”

He also tells us: “It’s important to point out a general rule of thumb for human health— people need to develop and maintain full lives, ones that include what I call the four Rs: close relationships, meaningful roles in which they contribute to society in some way, adherence to responsibilities and obligations (not just to the people in one’s life, but to society as a whole, such as not breaking laws), and having adequate resources (money, food, shelter, etc.).”

He goes on to say that we need to continue to do the work at the INDIVIDUAL and SOCIETAL levels to help create a world in which everyone has access to those fundamental things.

With all this wisdom in mind, I say...

Here’s to playing our roles as humbly yet Heroically well as we can to help create a world in which 51% off humanity is flourishing by 2051.

Day 1. All in.

LET’S GO, HERO!

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