As a chamber member who operates an advertising network that runs advertising for local businesses, I actually pay close attention to ads. A good ad helps me remember the brand and why I might want to purchase … and while I may not be ‘in-market’ for the product or service they offer at that moment, the likelihood I will go to that brand when I am in-market is significantly higher. That’s how advertising works. Over the past year, it has been impossible to NOT notice the number of ads that have been generated by AI platforms (ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.) that are popping up on social media feeds, community bulletin boards, storefront windows, and even into direct mail. Industry research predicts that this trend will only accelerate and it is not a good thing. One neuroscience-based study in particular caught my eye. Below are the main conclusions: 1. AI-generated ads are perceived as less engaging and more “annoying,” “boring,” and “confusing” than traditional ads. 2. AI-generated ads elicited weaker memory activation in the brain, compared to traditional ads (translation: they are less likely to be remembered). 3. Low-quality visuals in AI-generated ads increase the cognitive effort required to process them, distracting from the intended message. We really shouldn’t be surprised by this. It’s how AI models operate – they are trained on all of humanity’s knowledge and they average it out. You’re basically getting ‘average’ for free. Unfortunately, in the world of advertising, average also makes you invisible. I care about this because it indirectly impacts the health of my own business. A community media network (like NoCo Community AdSpace) doesn’t attract interest (and attention) if it lacks authenticity. Since AI usage will continue to proliferate, I’d like to offer some suggestions on how to navigate this new world, whether your marketing consists of posting on Instagram or includes paid options like direct mail, online display advertising, TV or digital billboards. Developing brand standards has never been more important. Brand standards codify the voice of your brand (e.g. playful, witty, elegant, etc.) – they consist of a distinct point of view, your visual style and the associated colors and imagery that you believe best represent your business. Start simple by defining your brand colors, a few adjectives that best describe your business, and one sentence that describes why you are different from other options someone could choose. If and when you turn to AI to assist you, demand adherence to those standards. Use real photos and videos of your business. AI platforms will continue to improve at image generation – but as customers we are also getting better at recognizing AI generated imagery. Get into the habit of taking lots of pictures of customers at your business, the products that you sell, or your staff working onsite at a client. Use them. Don’t be lazy and ask AI to create them. Instead, ask AI to use them. If you’re really not sure how to use AI, request that the AI platform interview you with 5-10 questions before proceeding. And when it’s done, ask it to review and evaluate its own work. You might be surprised that it won’t hesitate to critique itself. The golden rule still applies: garbage in, garbage out . What you put into AI (your voice, your photos, your reason for being different) determines what you get out of it. Once you’ve done that groundwork, you’ll have something worth showing off, and that’s when visual advertising starts to pay off. Distinctive images of your business, seen again and again by neighbors in the places they already spend time, is how you become the name people remember when they’re ready to buy. If you’re curious what your business could look like screens around town, I’m happy to sit down for a no-pressure brainstorming conversation.
Rodger Ruge, Peak to Peak Wellness Certified Health Coach Healthy Indoor Air & Water Technology Expert I believe we have a responsibility to care for the body that carries us through this life. That responsibility becomes practical in the choices we repeat. A morning routine gives us a place to practice, and it needs to be simple enough to survive a busy household, an early meeting, or a morning when motivation is nowhere to be found. Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman has helped bring attention to morning light, movement, and other daily practices. Some recommendations have stronger evidence than others. What follows draws on those ideas while keeping the focus on useful habits you can adapt to your own life. Allow about 15–20 minutes for the core routine, with your first meal whenever it fits your needs. Start with water Drink about eight ounces of room temperature water when you get up. Put the glass where you will see it and attach the habit to something you already do. Eight ounces is an easy starting point; your fluid needs across the day depend on your body, activity, and environment. Plain water is enough for most ordinary mornings. Salt and electrolyte products can be useful with substantial sweating, prolonged exercise, or medical needs, but they do not need to become another daily purchase. If you have been told to limit sodium or fluids, follow that guidance. [1] Spend three minutes on breathing, balance and intention setting After drinking your water, take a few deeper than normal breaths. Allow your exhale to last a little longer than your inhale without forcing it. Keep your eyes open and your attention on what you are doing. There is no need for rapid breathing or breath holds. Consider 3-minutes the minimum effective dose. While you are doing your light, slow, deep breathing, hold onto a solid object and lift one foot and balance for 15–30 seconds, using fingertip pressure on the support as needed, then switch sides. This gives you a small opportunity to practice proprioception through balance and body awareness. Keep your breath flowing, no holds. If combining the two makes you unsteady or distracted, practice them separately, or breathe while seated. This is habit stacking: connecting useful actions so they fit into the time you have. You might alternate supported balance with standing on both feet while choosing one intention for the day. Make it specific enough to use: “When I feel rushed, I will pause before I answer,” or “I will give my family my full attention when we speak.” Brief daily breathing practice has promising research behind it. A study coauthored by Huberman found benefits for mood and respiratory rate with five minutes of daily practice, particularly an exhale-focused technique. The three-minute combination here is a practical adaptation, rather than a tested protocol. [2] Take your movement into the daylight Head outside for a 10–15-minute walk when daylight and conditions allow. Choose a pace that feels purposeful while still letting you speak in sentences. Adapt the movement to your abilities; an accessible route, a shorter walk, or seated outdoor movement can be your starting point. If you already exercise in the morning, build the daylight exposure around that session. The walk is another easy stack: movement and morning light in the same period. Let the first few minutes belong to you before adding a podcast, the news, or a phone call. Notice your surroundings and give your attention a chance to settle. Morning daylight helps signal daytime to your internal clock. The relevant light reaches your eyes; you do not need direct sun on your face or exposed skin. Never stare at the sun . Cloudy mornings still offer outdoor light, although the amount available varies with weather and season. Treat the walk as a useful starting habit rather than a guaranteed light dose. If you wake before sunrise, turn on indoor lighting and get outside after daylight arrives. [3] During dark winters, a purpose-built, UV-filtered light box may be an option. For winter seasonal depression, the National Institute of Mental Health describes a 10,000-lux light box used for about 30–45 minutes in the morning. Follow the device’s distance instructions rather than staring into it. Breakfast can fit alongside that time. If you have bipolar disorder, certain eye conditions, or take medication that increases light sensitivity, get clinical guidance first. [4] Make caffeine timing an experiment If you enjoy coffee or tea, try having it after your water, breathing, and movement. You can experiment with waiting 60–90 minutes after waking and notice how you feel. This delay has shown for some people significant improvements in sleep. Pay attention to your total intake and whether caffeine interferes with sleep. Keep a delay if it helps you; there is no reason to turn the clock into another source of morning stress. [5,6] Build your first meal around protein Whenever you eat your first meal, give it some thought. Keep added sugar very low and refined carbohydrates minimal. Pastries, sweetened cereals, juice, and coffee loaded with syrup can create a massive insulin spike and later energy ycrash, while leaving protein and fiber in short supply. Start with a meaningful serving of protein. Around 25–30 grams is a practical starting target for many adults, with portions adjusted to individual needs. Breakfast trials using roughly 30 grams have found greater fullness and sustained energy rather than lower-protein alternatives. [7] Keep the meal easy. Eggs with extra egg whites, cooked spinach, and avocado are one option. Plain Greek yogurt with chia seeds, walnuts, and a modest portion of berries is another. A high-protein tofu scramble with vegetables works too. Check portions and labels so you know whether your meal contains enough protein. Carbohydrate quality matters. Vegetables, whole fruit, beans, and whole grains provide fiber and nutrients, and portions can reflect your activity and health needs. Someone heading into demanding endurance training may need more carbohydrate than someone spending the morning at a desk. A lower-carbohydrate breakfast can fit this routine without making every carbohydrate a problem. [8] Stack preparation into the evening by choosing your meal and getting the ingredients ready. That makes it easier to follow through when the morning gets busy or pick a day to do some meal prep to maximize time efficiency in the morning. Keep a shorter daily routine version for difficult mornings Some days, the full routine will not happen. Drink your water, take one minute for comfortable breathing and an intention, and spend five minutes outside moving if conditions allow. Have a simple protein-centered meal when you eat. Resume the longer routine when you can and protect your sleep rather than setting an earlier alarm to complete a checklist. Choose one or two habits to begin with and repeat them for a week. Notice what makes them easier, what gets in the way, and whether they help you feel more prepared. Add another practice when the first ones have found a place in your life. Caring for yourself is part of being able to serve the people and purposes you value. Give that care a few deliberate minutes tomorrow morning. Which practice will you start with, and what can you set up tonight to help yourself follow through?