Let’s be honest: periods can be messy, painful, and get in the way of our cute, new white jeans. Not to mention, our heightened emotions and sensitivity can sometimes make us feel, well, crazy. But, menstruating monthly is a (very important!) indication that our reproductive system and our body as a whole is balanced and working as it should. Our hormones – yes, like those responsible for PMS – affect much more than just our period. They influence everything, from our energy levels to our cognitive state, our nutrient needs, our sex drive, our bloating, and the glow of our skin.
We know we all need to eat. The question is truly: How much do we need to eat to be able to optimize our days, keeping both our mental and physical health in mind? While this differs from person to person, the US Department of Health set baseline minimums of 1200 calories per day for women and 1800 calories per day for men.
Tapping into our creative mind can boost our problem solving skills, improve our mood, and enhance our motivation. But, did you know that wellness can be a great way to spark our creativity, leading to happiness and better overall health? Wellness, which comes in many forms, stimulates our brain to release various chemicals, allows us to move our bodies in new ways, and opens the door to trying new things.
Sleep is an essential part of life; it allows us to recharge our bodies and minds, leaving us feeling refreshed, alert, and ready for the day. Healthy sleep plays a significant role in digestion, the repair of cells, immunity, hormone regulation, and disease prevention. Without enough sleep, or upon waking up from a restless sleep, our brains and bodies can feel tired and lethargic.
It is widely known that too much stomach acid can cause issues such as acid reflux and ulcerations in the GI tract. However, low levels of stomach acid, also known as hypochlorhydria, can also be problematic.
Vitamin D, the wonder vitamin! You have likely heard some of the many health-related claims surrounding vitamin D. Some of these assertions are true but many need more research to solidify their validity.
Omega-3 fatty acids provide a variety of health benefits. The three main omega-3 fatty acids are docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). EPA and DHA are primarily found in certain species of fish while alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is found in plant sources including flaxseed and soybean oil.
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S. affecting 40 million adults age 18 and older. That’s approximately 18.1% of the population! Anxiety disorders can be successfully treated but only about 37% of people suffering from anxiety seek treatment.
A plethora of harmful ingredients are unfortunately hidden in the majority of personal care products. Most lotions, shampoos, makeup and other beauty products contain chemicals such as synthetic fragrance, phthalates, parabens, oxybenzone, polyethylene, petroleum, triclosan, triclocarban and more.
For good reason, inflammation seems to be a hot topic these days. This is largely because after decades of research, wellness professionals are unveiling how systemic and extensive the effects of inflammation are on our health.
Were you ever told to “finish your veggies” or not to get up from the table until you “cleaned your plate?” Most of us were conditioned from an early age to follow external cues when it comes to food consumption. This discouraged our innate tendencies to be attuned to our bodies and to listen, quite literally, to our gut instincts.
Now more than ever, it seems that stress is a part of everyone’s life. Whether dealing with health concerns, work demands, relationship or financial challenges, we are presented with scenarios that involuntarily elicit a stress response.