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4 habits that slow down aging for less than $3/day
The Sunday Upgrade – A smarter, healthier start to the week

Today’s playbook:

Happy Sunday,
We often invest in productivity tools, nootropics, and health tech.
But the biological drag slowing us down most?
Unaddressed micro-aging — at the cellular, metabolic, and neurological level.
Today I give you 4 evidence-backed habits that combat aging across:
- Cognition
- Inflammation
- Energy metabolism
- Skin + structural health
…And you can implement them in less than 10 minutes/day — for under $3.

Why drinking less often is safer than drinking less
Science says:
A pooled analysis of 5 large cohort studies showed that daily drinkers had up to a 71% increased risk of liver cirrhosis — even when their weekly alcohol volume matched non-daily drinkers.
Why execs should care:
The liver clears not just toxins — but used hormones, cholesterol, and metabolic waste.
A sluggish liver = elevated cortisol, lower testosterone, brain fog, and slow recovery.
Implementation for busy execs:
Alcohol Off-Ramp Rule: Drink only on weekends or strategic social events.
Sub in high-performance options:
Sparkling water + sea salt + citrus
Rooibos, ginger, or ashwagandha tea post-work
Tart cherry juice (bonus: supports melatonin)
Cost: $0 or savings
Time: 0 minutes (just choose smarter)


The test that predicts how long you’ll live
Science says:
In a study of over 2,000 adults (ages 51–80), those who performed poorly on the Sit & Rise Test had a 5x higher risk of all-cause mortality.
Why execs should care:
Mobility is not just movement — it’s your neuromuscular battery.
Tight hips, weak glutes, and poor stability = pain, fatigue, less confidence, and worse HRV.
Implementation for busy execs:
Integrate into desk routine:
Use a standing desk mat to stretch while on calls
Sit on the floor 10 mins while scrolling or reading
Daily test: One up-down movement every morning = mobility scan
Cost: $0
Time: 2 minutes total
Bonus: Improves circulation to the brain — critical for executive function.

The organ that controls your mood
Science says:
The gut-brain axis affects mood, cognition, immunity, and inflammation.
A 2025 study found daily probiotic use significantly reduced sadness, irritability, and worry in just 14 days — without reducing positive mood states.
Why execs should care:
An unbalanced gut = impaired decision-making, poor sleep, and chronic inflammation — the enemy of high-performance aging.
Implementation for busy execs:
Quick gut-support stack (under 3 mins):
Greek yogurt or kefir + berries + chia or flax
Add garlic, onion, or asparagus to dinner
Fridge staples:
Sauerkraut or kimchi with lunch = effortless microbiome diversity
Cost: ~$1.25/day
Time: <5 minutes
Bonus: Improved nutrient absorption = better ROI from your entire diet.

How to rebuild your skin in 3 minutes or less
Science says:
You lose 1% of collagen per year after age 25. This affects your skin, joint stability, and even mitochondrial energy production.
Topical creams don’t fix it — but dietary collagen can restore skin elasticity and reduce wrinkles.
Why execs should care:
Collagen loss = accelerated skin aging, poor sleep recovery (from joint pain), and reduced workout performance.
Implementation for busy execs:
Morning ritual stack:
Stir 1 scoop collagen peptides into your coffee or matcha (no flavor, zero prep)
Or sip 1 cup of bone broth during your midday focus block
Whole food add-ons:
Add citrus or bell peppers (Vitamin C = collagen cofactor)
Use chicken thighs, sardines, or eggs 3x/week
Cost: $1.00–$1.50/day
Time: <5 minutes
Bonus: Skin glow = perceived youth + presence in high-stakes rooms.
Habit | Time/Day | Cost/Day | Performance ROI |
---|---|---|---|
Cut Daily Alcohol | 0 min | $0–Saving | Restores liver, hormones, sleep |
Sit & Rise Test | 2 min | Free | Mobility, cognition, resilience |
Gut Nourishment | 5 min | ~$1.25 | Mood, focus, immune function |
Collagen Nutrition | 5 min | ~$1.25 | Skin, joints, recovery |
Total: <10 minutes/day
Total Cost: ~$2.50–$3.00/day
Aging isn’t optional. But accelerating it is.
The executives who win long term aren’t younger — they just age slower on purpose.
If someone forwarded this to you, click below.
References
Daily alcohol increases liver cirrhosis risk:
Roerecke et al., "Drinking frequency, alcohol quantity, and liver cirrhosis: A pooled analysis of cohort studies."
PubMed ID: 36274528Sit & Rise Test predicts longevity and mobility decline:
de Brito et al., "Ability to sit and rise from the floor as a predictor of all-cause mortality."
PubMed ID: 23242910Probiotics reduce negative mood in healthy adults:
Knudsen et al., "The mood-enhancing potential of daily probiotic supplementation in healthy individuals."
Nature Mental Health (2025)
Article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s44184-025-00123-zCollagen peptides improve skin elasticity and hydration:
Proksch et al., "Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology."
PubMed ID: PMC3583892
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