Written by: Sherille Marquez, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
If you're like most people, the idea of biohacking probably sounds a bit daunting. After all, it conjures up images of mad scientists in laboratories, tinkering with DNA and other complex biological processes.
We are all biohackers
But the truth is, we're all biohackers whether we realize it or not. Whenever we make a change to our diet or lifestyle in an effort to improve our health or well-being, we're engaging in a form of biohacking.
I set out to biohack my best life after my divorce almost nine years ago. I knew I had to go deep within first and get back into alignment with my spirit, soul, and emotions before I could even tackle my physical health.
And while some biohacks are more complex than others, the principles behind them are actually quite simple. In fact, anyone can biohack their way to a better life – including divorcees. If you're currently going through a divorce or struggling to find happiness and fulfillment in the aftermath, this article contains four tips to help you get started for biohacking your way to a better life.
What is biohacking?
What exactly is biohacking? In short, it's using science, technology, and self-experimentation to hack your biology - to optimize various aspects of your life. This can be done through diet, mindfulness practices, exercise, sleep, and other lifestyle choices.
There are plenty of benefits to gain from biohacking. For one, it can help align your mind, body, spirit, and emotions for optimum health and well-being. It can also help you unleash your greatest potential after divorce, enabling you to build yourself and your life better than before.
1. Invest in your health and well-being
I can’t emphasize enough the importance of investing in your health and well-being, especially after a divorce. When your mind, body, spirit, and emotions are aligned, you will be better equipped to handle difficult situations without losing yourself.
Your health is the foundation for everything else in your life. If you don't have your health, you won't be able to do the things you love or be there for your loved ones. Going through the experience of having a 3-year-old with cancer while being 6 months pregnant at the same time was the moment when I stopped taking my health for granted.
Investing in your health after divorce means taking care of your mind, body, spirit, and emotions, and it will pay off in the long run. Do not skimp on this with time or money. You are worth it!
2. Prioritize self-care and self-love
When it comes to divorce, it's easy to get caught up in the negativity. The divorce process can be emotionally and mentally draining, not to mention the logistical nightmare of untangling your life from your ex's. It's important to remember that amidst all the chaos, you are still responsible for taking care of yourself. In fact, self-care should be at the top of your priority list during this difficult time.
Here are some tips on how to prioritize self-care and self-love after divorce:
Make time for yourself
This may seem like an obvious one, but it's often the first thing to go when you're dealing with a divorce. Between work, co-parenting, and managing your own household, it can be tough to find time for yourself. But it's important to make the effort to schedule in some "me" time, even if it's just a few minutes each day. Set aside time each week to do something that you enjoy, whether it's reading, working out, taking a yoga class, or spending time in nature.
Nourish your body
It's common to comfort yourself with food during times of stress, as I did, but it's important to be mindful of what you're eating. Stay hydrated and fill your diet with nutrient-rich foods that will help your body deal with the stress of divorce, such as leafy greens, berries, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and whole grains.
Don't underestimate the power of making small changes in your daily routine - your mind and body will thank you for it.
Get moving
Exercise is my favorite method to alleviate built-up stress and tension. I would frequent a hot spin class where I was able to scream, cry, and take out my aggression on the bike because it was dark and loud.
Exercise helps you feel more relaxed and refreshed, as well as improves your mood and helps you sleep better. Even if you don't feel like working out, just getting up and moving your body will do wonders for your mental and emotional state.
Connect with loved ones
Surround yourself with people who love and support you. Spend time with friends and family who are understanding and make you feel good about yourself. Avoid people who are negative or judgmental, as they will only bring you down. I could not have survived without the unconditional love and support of my family and friends. Even when I made bad judgment calls, they held space for me and loved me anyway.
If you don't have anyone in your immediate circle that you can rely on, there are plenty of online support groups for people going through divorce.
Seek professional help
If you're struggling with the emotional aspects of divorce, seeking professional support from a transformational coach or a therapist can be helpful in navigating this difficult time.
3. Develop positive habits
When it comes to developing positive habits, it's important to focus on what works for you. There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to creating positive habits, so it's important to find what works best for you and your lifestyle. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Set realistic goals
When you're setting out to develop a new habit, it's important to set realistic goals. If your goal is too unrealistic, you're much less likely to stick with it. Take some time to think about what you want to achieve and ensure your goals are achievable. Shoot me an email to get a copy of my free S.M.A.R.T. goals sheet to help you get started.
Create a plan
After you've set your goals, it's time to create a plan. This plan will help you stay on track and achieve your goals. When creating your plan, be sure to include specific steps that you'll take to reach your goals. It goes without saying that a plan is only as good as its execution.
Take it one step at a time
When you're trying to develop a new habit, it's important to take things one step at a time. Trying to do too much at once is often overwhelming and can lead to frustration. Take it from a recovering over-achiever; there really is no such thing as multi-tasking—it’s called 'burnout.' Learn from my experience and focus on taking small steps, moving forward one day at a time.
Be patient
Creating new habits takes time and effort. It's important to be patient with yourself and understand that it may take some time to see results. Give yourself grace, and remember, Rome wasn't built in a day!
Ask for support
Developing new habits can be difficult, so it's important to ask for support from family and friends. Having a support system in place will help you stay on track and achieve your goals.
Developing positive habits is an important part of living a healthy, happy, and fulfilled life. By setting realistic goals, creating a plan, and taking things one step at a time, you can develop habits that will biohack your mind, body, spirit, and emotions.
4. Discover a new you
Divorce is a significant life event that presents an opportunity for reinvention and self-discovery. It's a chance to explore new interests, rediscover old passions, and redefine your identity in a way that is authentic and meaningful to you.
My divorce is one of my greatest blessings and when my personal transformation began. Over the course of almost nine years, I have gone through many different versions of myself. Each time I leveled up, I rewrote old programming and started designing myself and my life in a way that was authentic for me.
Reinventing yourself after divorce also involves letting go of past baggage and embracing a fresh start. It's an opportunity to free yourself from the constraints of your previous relationship and create a life that is solely focused on your own happiness and well-being. This process requires taking risks, facing fears, and challenging yourself, but it will lead to personal growth, increased self-confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose.
You have the power to reinvent yourself after divorce and create a life that is aligned with your true self. Embrace the opportunity for self-discovery and personal growth.
Conclusion
Biohacking my best life after divorce has been a transformative journey of healing, personal growth, and self-discovery. By aligning my mind, body, spirit, and emotions, I have unlocked my true potential and am living a life even better than I could have imagined.
I encourage anyone going through a divorce to embrace these tips and remember that they have the power to create a life they love, as I did.
Sherille Marquez, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Sherille leads powerful transformations for divorced women, drawing from her own experience navigating a devastating divorce while raising two boys. This personal journey is now her life's mission, dedicating herself to helping others reclaim their power and build authentic, fulfilling lives through personalized coaching and transformative programs. Sherille is certified in Holistic Life and Mind-Body Coaching, Past Life Regression Hypnosis (QHHT), Holistic Nutrition, and Reiki.