The Human Optimization Project

Hosted ByMayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project
The bar for human performance is higher than it’s ever been. As a result, we all feel the need to do MORE. At the same time, we are becoming increasingly aware of the value of sleep, rest, recovery, and wellness. Accordingly, we also feel the need to do LESS. If you’re like most people, it can be challenging to reconcile this conflict of feeling the need to do MORE and LESS simultaneously, and that is likely contributing to high rates of burnout and decreased performance. So how do we reconcile these seemingly competing desires? That is where Human Optimization comes in. Human Optimization is the process of achieving more (however you define that for yourself) while simultaneously improving your wellness and well-being. Although it’s not easy, it’s certainly possible. Not only is it possible, but it is becoming increasingly essential. In this Mayo Clinic Talks Mini-Series, we are going to dive into the topic of Human Optimization and will focus on a few key areas including: exercise, nutrition, culture, emotional intelligence, and finding joy in all you do.

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Mayo Clinic On Human Optimization E59 The Sleep Paradox: Why Trying Harder Makes It Worse

6 de mayo de 2026 casimedicos The Human Optimization Project 00:41:30 Comentarios desactivados en Mayo Clinic On Human Optimization E59 The Sleep Paradox: Why Trying Harder Makes It Worse

 Why is it that the more we think about falling asleep, the harder it becomes? Our mindset around sleep plays a huge role in our ability to fall asleep, the amount of sleep we get and the quality of that sleep. So how can we use our mindset to our advantage?

This episode, we speak with Bhanu Kolla, M.B.B.S., M.D., the co-author of the Mayo Clinic Guide to Better Sleep. He’s also a professor of psychiatry and psychology with clinical appointments in the Center for Sleep Medicine and the Division of Addiction Medicine at Mayo Clinic
in Rochester, MN.

 The three big questions we discuss with Dr. Kolla are:

1. What is the connection between sleep and psychology, and how does that relationship affect our sleep?

2. What are the most common mental traps that negatively impact our sleep?

3. What steps can we take now to optimize our mindset to help us get the best sleep?

 Learn more about On Human Optimization and access Pod-Club questions at https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize

Instagram: @MayoHumanOptimization
YouTube: On Human Optimization – YouTube
Email: optimize@mayo.edu

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