Eureka! Problem Solving on the Potty

HISTORY | INSPIRATION | PROBLEM-SOLVING

The 'Eureka!' Effect: How to Tap into Your Subconscious

Ah, yes good old Archimedes, the famous Greek mathematician who makes a cameo in the latest Indiana Jones movie.

Maybe you’ve heard of Archimedes’ famous “Eureka” story? If not, it goes like this:

Archimedes was stuck on solving a rather difficult problem - how to calculate the volume of an object - which isn’t as easy as measuring length or weight.

Then during a shower, he noticed the water spilling over as he stepped into the bath. This observation sparked a revelation: volume could be measured by the displacement of water!

At that moment of insight, he supposedly ran out on the streets (still naked), while exclaiming “Eureka!” which is Greek for “I’ve got it!”

We don’t know how true this story is, but it’s a great demonstration of the problem-solving prowess of the subconscious mind.

You might have noticed times in your own life when you were struggling with an issue or working on a difficult problem and it was during the most mundane time (such as taking a shower or walking outside) that the solution finally came to you.

That’s because your subconscious mind continues working behind the scenes even when you are not actively thinking about a problem.

The next time you encounter a difficult problem or just need some inspiration, tell your brain to come up with a solution and set it aside - just let your subconscious do its thing.

Your mind will eventually present you with a solution, often at some random time. Incredibly, I’ve even had solutions to tough problems come to me in dreams while sleeping.

So the next time you’re stuck, take a break and go on a walk, take a shower, or just sleep on it. You might be surprised to find that the solution often comes when you least expect it.

And speaking of sleep…

HEALTH | LIFESTYLE | SLEEP

Why you should tape your mouth at night

In a previous edition of Idle Impact, I touched upon the importance of breathing with your nose instead of your mouth.

It turns out that breathing with your mouth may also have negative effects on your sleep, including snoring and sleep apnea.

Note: If you’re not aware, sleep apnea is a sleep condition that, depending on its severity, can cause you to wake up anywhere from 15 to over 200 times at night! This is a whole different issue which I’ll probably cover another time.

A great way to train yourself to breathe through your nose while sleeping, which can also minimize snoring and sleep apnea, is to tape your mouth shut.

There are a few options available like this mouth tape specifically made for this purpose. Or, as the author James Nestor recommended in his book, you can just use the 3M Nexcare Durapore tape.

Try this yourself and you might be surprised. 

Personally, my wife has stopped complaining about my snoring ever since I started taping my mouth at night!

And that’s a wrap!

Please share this newsletter if you have found any of the info helpful so far. You can use this link: https://idleimpact.com/subscribe?ref=PLACEHOLDER

In the meantime, take care, and see you back tomorrow!

- Kevin and the Idle Impact Team

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