“All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
The First Sip
Each afternoon for the past 7 months, Chris Penny has watched as his mail carrier unloads two or three heavy bins on the front porch of his Grapevine, Texas house.
The bins are loaded with packages containing…rocks.
But these aren’t just any rocks…
They’re intricate works of art – hand painted by thousands of people from all over the country – destined for the Parr Park Rock Art Trail just a short walk from his house.
And since the start of the pandemic, Chris and his family have received more than 4,000 of these painted rocks.
What started as a small project designed to brighten his little corner of the world has quickly evolved into a powerful movement that’s brought an entire community of people together.
There are Disney-themed rocks and rocks with quotes.
There are rocks paying respect to frontline workers and rocks painted to support favorite sports teams.
There are unicorns, tigers, and salutes to fallens soldiers.
There’s even a giant tic-tac-toe board with ladybugs and bumblebees acting as the pieces.
In fact, the art rock park has gotten so big that Chris and his daughters have started organizing the rocks into their own little “exhibits.”
There’s a rock ‘n’ roll hall of fame, dog park, wildlife reserve, and Hollywood walk of fame…
As you can imagine, the community response to the rock garden has been overwhelmingly positive.
“The fact that so many are using the trail to stay encouraged during these times is uplifting in itself,” says Kevin Mithcell, director of the Grapevine Parks and Recreation Department.
And while some rocks are certainly more intricate than others, all rocks are welcome.
Whether it’s painted by a professional or a toddler, Chris and his girls will find a place for it.
As he says, “When it comes down to it, there’s really no such thing as a bad rock.”
1 Caffeinated Neurohack
According to a brand new study published by the American Heart Association, adults with the healthiest sleep patterns are 42% less likely to suffer heart failure than those with unhealthy sleep patterns.
More specifically, the study, which gathered data from 408,000 people over nearly 15 years, found the risk of heart failure was:
- 8% lower in early risers
- 12% lower in those sleeping 7 to 8 hours nightly
- 17% lower in those without insomnia
- 34% lower in those reporting no daytime sleepiness
Have trouble getting good quality sleep on a regular basis? Perhaps the thermostat can help…
Research shows that the ideal temperature for sleep is 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
The human body is programmed to experience a slight dip in core body temperature during the evening hours. And by turning the thermostat down a few notches, you can assist with temperature regulation and send a signal to your body that it’s time to wind down.
Marketing Psychology Quick Hit
Looking for a way to improve the effectiveness of your marketing copy or blog posts?
Consider using more numbers in your headlines.
Research shows that headlines with numbers generate 73% more social shares and engagement than headlines without digits.
In fact, numbers are so effective in copywriting that psychologists call them “brain candy.”
The brain loves numbers because they have a simple and automatic categorical effect – helping you to make sense of large volumes of information with ease.
And, believe it or not, certain numbers are more effective than others:
- Odd numbers are viewed as more authentic and trustworthy
- Small numbers are more digestible than large numbers
- Numbers placed at the beginning of a headline grab more attention
According to a study of more than 100 million articles, the numbers 10, 5, 15, and 7 are most effective.
Do This First Thing Monday AM
I’m a firm believer in staying active whenever and however you can.
However, if you look at the data, there’s a case to be made that working out first thing in the morning actually produces superior results.
- Cortisol – the hormone that keeps you awake and alert – tends to reach its peak around 8 a.m. And by working out earlier in the morning, your body is pre-programmed to perform at a higher level.
- Early morning exercise improves visual learning, attention, and decision-making.
- Early morning workouts improve how your body responds to food cues and makes it easier to control your appetite throughout the day.
- Working out in the morning is linked to better sleep quality (when compared to afternoon and evening workouts).
Now I’m not going to sit here and tell you that a morning workout routine is the only way to go…but it’s worth a shot!
I’d encourage you to give it a try tomorrow morning and see what you think.
If you notice some of these benefits, perhaps it’ll become a part of your daily routine.
If you find it miserable and wish you got an extra hour of sleep, well…you can always sleep in next Monday.
Let’s talk soon,
Jeremiah
