If your brain is your primary asset, chronic inflammation is a significant, often unnoticed threat. Many tech professionals contribute to this issue without realizing it.
Most people associate “inflammation” with injuries such as a twisted ankle or a sore throat. This is acute inflammation, which is part of the body’s natural healing process.
However, systemic chronic inflammation quietly undermines energy, focus, and long-term health. It acts as a persistent, low-level process in the body that can last for years.
Several common factors accelerate this process.
- junk/light-polluted sleep
- isolation + chronic stress
- sitting all day
- ultra-processed food & sugar
- too much visceral fat around the organs
- constantly “hustling” with no real recovery
The Wheel of Inflammation, as shown in the diagrams above, illustrates this cycle:
poor diet + stress + inactivity + bad sleep → gut & hormone chaos → more fat, more toxins, more inflammation → higher risk for metabolic issues, depression, heart disease, and burnout
As a former IT engineer and manager who relied on soft drinks, snacks, and late nights, I have personally experienced the effects of this cycle:
- heavy body and foggy brain
- bad sleep
- blood pressure up and patience down
Externally, I appeared to be performing well. Internally, my health was deteriorating.
Today, at 50, I treat my body as the hardware supporting my most valuable asset: my mind, presence, and capacity to lead and connect with others.
I do not claim to do this perfectly. However, I approach it with intention and awareness.
Eight habits you can begin to change this week to slow this cycle:
These are not medical recommendations, but rather a starting point for self-awareness:
- Added sugar in drinks & snacks. Replace one soda or energy drink per day with water or herbal tea.
- Pastries and white-flour comfort foods are used as rewards. Observe how you feel 60 to 90 minutes afterward. Is your energy stable or declining?
- Cheap seed/vegetable oils in everything. Read ingredient labels and choose whole foods prepared simply whenever possible.
- Trans fats & deep-fried “treats.” Limit these to occasional treats rather than daily consumption.
- Late-night screen time that wrecks sleep. Prioritize the last 60 minutes before bed as you would an important meeting.
- Chronic sitting with zero movement breaks. Taking 5 to 10 minutes to walk or stretch every 60 to 90 minutes can have significant benefits.
- “News doomscrolling” that spikes stress but changes nothing. Replace one period of scrolling with a short walk, breathing exercises, or a meaningful conversation.
- Tobacco & other toxins, you know, don’t serve you. If you are not ready to quit, be honest with yourself about the associated risks.
You do not need to address everything at once. Choose one area in your own cycle of inflammation to focus on improving this week.
For tech professionals, this is not only about longevity. It is also about achieving:
- sharper thinking
- more stable energy and deeper, more restorative sleep
- more patience with your team and your family
If you work in technology and suspect your lifestyle may be contributing to inflammation and reduced mental clarity, and you would like support in developing a mind–body protocol tailored to your actual circumstances,
Please send me a direct message. Together, we can begin protecting the most important asset you have.
