The Daily Stoic - Eat And Be Merry

Episode Date: May 21, 2019

A few years ago a study by Brad Bushman at Ohio State University found a link between low blood sugar and arguments between spouses. It pretty much confirms the experiences of anyone who has ever been in a relationship and found themselves fighting right around lunch or dinner time for no good reason. The colloquial term for this? Being hangry. And it can ruin relationships, friendships, and generally make you a jerk. The funny thing is that even the Stoics knew this and warned against it. As Seneca wrote:“Hunger and thirst must be avoided...they grate on and inflame the mind. It’s an old saying that quarrels are sought by the weary’ just as much, too, by the hungry and the thirsty, and by every man who yearns for anything.” So conquering your temper and being kind and respectful and fair is not simply a matter of your mind. How you treat your body affects how your mind operates (another study shows that judges are more merciful after lunch). We know this regardless of what the studies show. When we feel good, it’s easier to be good. When we are rested, it’s easier to be patient. Your tone will be softer when your stomach isn’t growling, and you’ll make better decisions when your energy levels are better. This means that we have to take good care of ourselves. We have to eat right. We have to keep to a smart schedule. We have to know our physical limits. All of which, of course, requires the use of our mind now...so that our body isn’t at odds with it later.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey, prime members, you can listen to the Daily Stoke podcast early and add free on Amazon music. Download the app today. Welcome to the Daily Stoke. For each day, we read a short passage designed to help you cultivate the strength, insight, wisdom necessary for living the good life. insight, wisdom necessary for living good life. Each one of these passages is based on the 2000-year-old philosophy that has guided some of history's greatest men and women. For more, you can visit us at dailystowac.com. Eat and Be Merry. A few years ago, a study by Brad Bushman at Ohio State University found a link between low blood sugar and arguments between spouses. It pretty much confirms the experiences of anyone who has ever been in a relationship

and found themselves fighting right around lunch or dinner time for no good reason. The colloquial term for this being hangry, and it can ruin relationships, friendships, and generally make you a jerk. The funny thing is that even the Stoics knew this and warned against it. As Seneca wrote, "'Hunger and thirst must be avoided. They grate on and inflame the mind.' It's an old saying that corals are sought by the weary, just as much too by the hungry and the thirsty and by every man who yearns for anything. So conquering your temper and being kind and respectful and fair is

not simply a matter of your mind. How you treat your body affects how your mind operates. Another study shows that judges are more merciful after lunch. We know this regardless of what the studies show. When we feel good, it's easier to be good. When we are rested, it's easier to be patient. Your tone will be softer when your stomach is engrowing, and you'll make better decisions when your energy levels are better. This means that we have to take good care of ourselves. We have to eat right. We have to keep a smart schedule. We have to know our physical limits. All of which of course requires the use of our mind now so that our body isn't at odds with it later. Don't forget to

subscribe to this podcast on iTunes or your favorite podcast app and if you don't get the daily stoke email go to dailystoke.com slash email. Hey, prime members, you can listen to the Daily Stoke early and add free on Amazon music. Download the Amazon music app today, or you can listen early and add free with Wondering Plus in Apple podcasts. you can listen early and add free with Wondery Plus in Apple podcasts.