There is a phenomenon such that when multiple and even infinite options or data points become available for review the process leads to confusion and paralysis. We see this daily when confronted with DirectTV and its 200+ choices of what to watch or the menu with four pages of dinner options. We search with the typical FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and ultimately burn up extra time, get decision fatigue, and make poor choices or no choice.

Efficiency and happiness experts teach us the dangers of too many options and the reality of the phenomenon called “decision fatigue”. The solution is to embed simple favorable life strategies into our daily life that “like brushing your teeth at night” become a habit and generally non-negotiable. This is really important going into the new decade where advances in technology will cause logarithmic increase to our available options for how we fill our 24 hours. Let’s apply this to the longevity strategies in our daily life so we can make fewer decisions on the simple things in order to save energy for careful thought on the important things.

Acting on the five factors that impact health long-term is the most productive place to start. There is always debate but most people agree that the modifiable predictors of our health and happiness incorporate the BIG FIVE: sleep, movement, nutrition, gratitude, and cognition. Let’s apply some possible small modifications to our day that will embed lifestyle habits that automate our health and wellness going forward.

1) SLEEP

Our ancestors dedicated one third of their 24 hours to sleep at a cost of not seeking food or reproduction and exposing themselves to risk of predators in order to sleep. We know from scientific studies that sleep deprivation for as little as three days can lead to significant mental illness manifestations. Sleep is almost as important as food to our well-being and health. Try the simple intervention of setting an alarm to initiate the "go to bed process". This will mean turning off the lights and darkening the household about 90 minutes before you anticipate going to bed. This will greatly improve your sleep quality with a better quality of Deep Sleep and REM sleep. The more sleep you login before midnight generally improves the quality of deep sleep a