7 Simple Changes That Have Transformed My Health


Read this on Dango.co​
Read time: 3.8 minutes

In the book "The Slight Edge," author Jeff Olson talks about how small, consistent changes compound into massive results.

Health works the same way.

Improving by just 1% compounds over 365 days and ripples throughout every area of your life.

Health isn't just about looking good. It's the entry-level drug to upgrading every area of your life.

Over the past 6 months, I've added 7 things to my routine that have transformed my health.

These tiny tweaks have had a massive impact on my physique, energy, and sleep.

So in today's newsletter, I want to take you through them in detail so you can apply them to your life and upgrade yourself.

You ready? Let's go πŸ”₯

Full transparency: I might earn a small commission from some links, but I promise I'm not just shilling random stuff. These are things I actually use and love.

7 Things That Transformed My Health In The Past 6 Months

1. Adding Sea Salt To My Sleep Tea At Night

For as long as I can remember, I have been waking up in the middle of the night to go pee, and it's the worst.

But I'm not alone. Around 35-50% of people deal with this every night.

So, imagine my surprise when all I had to do to fix this was add a 3/4 teaspoon of sea salt to my sleep tea​

The electrolytes and minerals help my body hold onto the water instead of just flushing it through.

The result? I sleep through the night without bathroom breaks and basically time-travel to the next day.

Most people don't understand how much of a change this is. My life will never be the same.

​Here's the sea salt I recommend getting.​

Dan Note: In addition to the sea salt, I don't drink liquids two hours before I go to sleep. I have also mentally forced myself to stay in bed anytime that I wake up at night. This has contributed to decreasing my nighttime bathroom trips. That said, there are also studies that show that reducing salt intake can reduce nighttime urination. So everyone's a little bit different. Take this advice with a grain of salt.

2. The Urevo Treadmill with an Incline

Every morning before I start work, I hop on my under-desk treadmill and walk while I brainstorm.

I walk during meetings, I walk while watching videos, and I even walk while creating content like this.

This isn't just about steps (though it adds plenty). The incline feature makes it feel like I'm walking outside. Also, walking on an incline has been shown to increase calorie burn by 70%.

But the real benefit? My joints feel better, my energy is higher after work, and some of my best ideas come during these walking sessions. A side bonus is adding years to my life.

I've gotten so good at it that I can start typing while I'm walking. This means I'm getting work done while getting healthier. It's like killing 10 birds with one stone.

​Here's where you can get the Urevo with the incline.​

3. Drinking Yerba Mate

I'm a one-coffee-a-day type of guy. If I drink two coffees, my anxiety spikes and my sleep suffers.

But sometimes I need that extra boost. Enter Yerba Mate.

This type of caffeine hits differently. It's like having smoother, increased focus without the jitters.

Part of the reason is that the antioxidants in Yerba Mate help my body process the caffeine better.

This has an effect on my ability to drink an extra 100 mg of caffeine while still being able to fall asleep at night.

​Here's the brand of Yerba Mate that I recommend.​

4. The New Alaska Bear Sleep Mask

I've bought the Alaska Bear sleep mask before, but this one is different.

They changed the design from an adjustable band to a tighter, more elastic one that contours around your eyes.

This means no light gets in. Zero. None.

It was uncomfortable for the first few nights, but now I can't sleep without it.

The deeper, uninterrupted sleep without any pesky light peeking in has been a game-changer for my sleep.

​Here's a link for the Alaska Bear Sleep Mask.​

5. The Jaspr Air Filter

Here's something most people don't think about: the air in your house is often more polluted than outdoor air.

The Jaspr HEPA filter doesn't just clean the air - it removes microplastics, allergens, dust, and volatile organic compounds.

About this in my previous blog post about creating the healthiest home on the planet.

Your lungs process 11,000+ liters of air daily. That air either energizes you or slowly poisons you.

When you have cleaner air, you have clearer thinking, better sleep, and less inflammation. Unless you live in the middle of a forest, every house should have one.

​Here is a link to the Jasper Air Filter.​

6. A $20 Pedometer

Since the end of last year, I've been ditching my smartwatch and sleep trackers and going back to basics.

It's not that wearable tech is bad, but once you know what good health looks like, getting a constant stream of data can become a psychological crutch.

But...

I still need to track my steps because working at a desk job makes it too easy to stay sedentary.

I wear this simple pedometer in my pocket like it's a pager because it keeps me honest without the noise.

Walking is the most underrated exercise on the planet. It helps you live longer. It improves cognitive function, and it also helps you burn more calories, but you knew this already.

It's the one movement I will do for the rest of my life, and this $20 device keeps me accountable.

​Here's a cheap pedometer you can get from Amazon.​

7. Comprehensive Blood Work

You can look healthy on the outside and be a mess underneath.

I'm at 15% body fat, look pretty fit, but underneath the surface, my blood work can be a different story.

This is why every 6 months, I get comprehensive panels done to track key metabolic markers:

  • Fasting glucose and insulin
  • HbA1c (blood sugar over 3 months)
  • Lipid panel (cholesterol, triglycerides)
  • Inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR)
  • Thyroid function (TSH, T3, T4)
  • Vitamin D, B12, and other key nutrients
  • Hormone health (Testosterone, estrodial, cortisol)

I've used Superpower (US only), InsideTracker, and Siphox.

If I had to choose one, it'd be Siphox - they serve multiple countries and give you the most comprehensive panels at a great price.

You can't optimize what you don't measure, and if you are over the age of 35, regular blood work will keep you on top of your health.

​Click here to get your blood test done from Siphox.​

The Compound Effect of Health

Something I've learned is that health improvements compound faster than you think.

Better sleep improves decision-making. Better decisions improve relationships. Better relationships create opportunities. Better opportunities create a better life.

And I'm not even talking about the increases in confidence, energy, and the lack of mental health problems.

When you feel 1% better physically, that 1% shows up everywhere else. In your work, your relationships, your confidence, and your opportunities.

These health additions have cost me money, but the compound returns on my energy, focus, and quality of life? Priceless.

Start with one. Pick the easiest. Watch it ripple through everything else.

Onward and upward. πŸš€

- Dan

When you're ready, here is 1 way I can help:

1. Promote yourself to 450,588+ subscribers​ by sponsoring this newsletter.

​

Disclaimer: This email is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician.

​

Subscribe to The High Performance Journal