Sleep & Recovery

At Stamina Lab, we believe that sleep is the foundation of health and optimal performance.

Coaching

Work directly with one of our expert coaches to unlock your potential.

Blog

Our articles spring from the experimenter’s mindset we encourage for all flow seekers.

Podcast

Upgrade performance, achieve mental clarity, and improve your wellbeing.

Beauty, Aesthetics and How We Make Decisions with Hassan Aleem, PhD.

May 7, 2024 | Flow, Habits, Mindset, Podcast

Listen in on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google | YouTube

Summary:

In this episode of the podcast, Stamina Lab founder, Glen Lubbert sits down with Dr. Hassan Aleem. Hassan is an expert in neuroaesthetics, and his research focuses on how we learn and change preferences over time, and the role of aesthetics in social identity. Hassan has contributed to product development and strategy in diverse sectors like biometric wearables, fintech, and pharmaceuticals. He is currently advising companies on behaviorally informed product strategy at Nuance. During this episode, Glen and Hassan talk about how our brains use what we find as beautiful to give us an approach signal to learn more, basically driving our attention. Given this insight, they discuss how creating your environment with this mindset helps create the conditions for a mental state of more flow in your work, with the people you interact with, and of course how you better create the conditions for restorative sleep, which improves everything. In fact, Hassan shared how when you see something beautiful your brain feels safe which can help reduce stress and cortisol, and allow your brain time to recover. Engaging in these activities results in a 31% lower risk of dying from all cause mortality. An incredible result for a zero cost way to improve your healthspan! After this episode, you’ll walk away with strategies on how to use neuroaesthetics to open up your mind for exploration and growth.

Topics:

  • Symmetry as an indicator of beauty and why our brain can more easily process symmetrical items/beings 
  • How beauty and aesthetics are an approach signal to your brain that tells it to slow down, pay attention, and learn and why this is important for the individual to understand 
  • Utilizing an aesthetic mindset to become more conducive to growth and success 
  • Being more self reflective to increase your resiliency 
  • How the aesthetics of your environment shape your mindset and can invite more flow state and reflection 
  • How to incorporate more aesthetic choices in your life and focusing on intention 
  • Adopting an exploration mindset to update your model of the world to cultivate more appreciation and meaning 
  • Using an approach signal and aesthetics to create a better sleep environment 
  • Understanding the connection of openness, self-actualization and aesthetic choices for identity transformation
  • How to train yourself in the art of noticing to cultivate more meaning in your own life 
  • More on the field of neuroaesthetics, the history of it and what’s to come  

Episode Resources:

About Hassan:

Hassan has over 7 years of research experience in the field of neuroaesthetics, focusing on visual design, preference learning, and the role of aesthetics in social identity. Passionate about practical applications, he has contributed to product development and strategy in diverse sectors like biometric wearables, fintech, and pharmaceuticals. Hassan utilizes his expertise and quantitative skills to deliver clear, actionable insights. He thrives in interdisciplinary teams, especially when tackling novel challenges and exploring uncharted territories.

Connect with Hassan: