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Check out the infographic "Why Grasslands Are Important" and find out why grasslands are an important ecosystem that is essential to your health and the environment.
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- Written by Super User
- Category: Features
Whether the inner child in you is waiting in anticipation for the sparkle and warmth of the holiday season, or you’re wishing you could fast forward to New Year’s Day and get on with the upcoming year, it’s important to do your best to stay balanced and healthy throughout the holidays. Many of us are looking at traveling to different environments in order to visit loved ones and then staying indoors among germ-filled recycled air. The overall stress of the season and can lead to becoming more susceptible to the flu virus, anxiety and depression, and general fatigue. We tend to convince ourselves to wait until January 1st to start over and begin a new healthy regimen, but why not do your best to keep up with health and wellness now, in order to enjoy a fully relaxed and joyful season?
A great place to start is by watching your consumption. The holidays seem to be an endless stream of social gatherings, but it’s not really an excuse to consume 10,000 calories more than you usually do (although we may try to convince ourselves otherwise). Over-consumption can make us feel lethargic and irritable and hinders our mental clarity. This time of year, more than ever, we need to take much needed time away from the stresses of the season in order to pamper ourselves. Keeping our body in balance is going to start with maintaining a healthy diet and taking quiet moments to find spaciousness and grounding. And as an added bonus, your family and friends are going to find that you are much more enjoyable to be around if you’re in good spirits.
Here are a few things you can do to stay balanced throughout the season.
1) Take a time out for deep breaths
Do you ever notice when your stress elevates, your breathing becomes shallow? It then becomes a cyclical state; the stress causes shallow breathing, and in turn, shallow breathing causes stress in the body. This can elevate your blood pressure and heart rate, and in extreme cases, can even lead to anxiety-induced panic attacks. If you’ve ever watched a newborn breathe, they inhale and exhale with deep, rhythmic breaths using their diaphragm. As adults, we lose that instinctive breath and settle into chest breathing. Deep breathing and breathing exercises help you to relax, bringing the body back to a natural state of calm. Deep breathing also grounds us, reduces heart rate, relaxes the muscles, decreases stress and increases energy levels.
So if you’re starting to feel stressed, take a few moments to step away from what you are doing and find a quiet space to focus on mindfully bringing yourself back to the present. Start by taking a few deep breaths from the abdomen area. If it helps, you can count your breaths. Inhale for a count of four and exhale for a count of four. If you need a deeper sense of relaxation, increase your count to six.
2) Meditate
A daily meditation practice can help ease long-term psychological stress, anxiety, and depression. My personal routine involves waking up at 5am and using a meditation app like Calm or Insight Timer for 45 minutes. Even if you don’t have that much time to spare, taking 10 minutes to meditate each day still has its benefits. In meditation, the body fires on Delta (unconscious) Alpha and Theta (subconscious) brainwaves, and we are reducing the focus on the Beta brainwaves, which are responsible for stress and anxiety cultivated by the ego and conscious mind.
“Regular meditation practice can lead to changes in the body that are similar to changes that occur in sleep. The restful alertness you might experience with meditation is associated with decreased heart rate, reduced metabolism, and changes to the nervous system that reduce arousal that occurs during sleep,” says Dr. Adrian Williams, Professor of Sleep Medicine. So if you haven’t been sleeping well, try to add meditation to your daily routine to give your body the extra rest it needs. If we feel well-rested and energized, we are going to be less likely to feel stressed and we’ll be able to offer up better focus and productivity throughout the day.
3) Maintain a regular exercise regime
With aerobic exercise, not only are you boosting your metabolism and promoting weight loss, but you are also stimulating the body to create a sense of calm. Other benefits include reducing stress, warding off anxiety and depression and improving sleep. Exercise reduces stress hormones and stimulates endorphins, which trigger a positive feeling in the body. Many studies recommend that you exercise at least three to five times per week and take at least one to two day off for stretching or restorative yoga. Exercise is certainly advantageous, but make sure you don’t run yourself ragged. There comes a point when continuing to exercise isn’t beneficial if you’re already worn down. Your exercise program could include going to the gym or going for a brisk walk or run and practicing yoga. Even if you’re not feeling very energetic, consider Yin Yoga which targets deeper connective tissue and promotes deep relaxation. A balance between cardio, strength training and stretching makes for a well-rounded weekly exercise program.
4) Get outside and get grounded
It is said that the earth produces electrons that are vital to our health and well-being, and by walking barefoot or swimming in the ocean, known as “earthing,” you’re able to connect directly with the energy of the earth. Although there isn’t an overabundance of official scientific studies, believers in earthing say that it can regulate the body’s biological rhythms, improve sleep, increase energy, lower stress and reduce jet lag. Now, for those of you who live in colder climates, taking your shoes off and walking around in the snow might not sound too appealing. I can, however, suggest a few alternative options for the colder winter months.
You can get outside and breath in some fresh air in order to clear the mind and connect with nature. This could be taking a walk in your neighborhood, or perhaps skiing, sledding or snowshoeing if you live near the mountains. If it’s a sunny day, sit at a window that faces the sun to give your body that much needed Vitamin D intake, which boosts the immune system and replenishes your energy. You can bring the outdoors in by finding a polished stone and set it on your desk, rubbing it when you feel stressed. If you are into crystals, find a good grounding crystal like hematite, quartz, or jasper. If you’re a plant person, consider purchasing an indoor plant and tend to it each day. Light a fire in your fireplace, utilizing wood logs to bring the organic elements indoors. And finally, one of the best ways to establish grounding in Ayurvedic tradition is to eat root vegetables such as turnips, parsnips, beetroot, and potatoes. You can also try adding fresh grated ginger and turmeric root to your smoothies.
5) Take a salt bath
The minerals in salt baths are said to remove toxins in the body, reduce stress and anxiety, promote grounding and relieve muscle aches and arthritis. The best (and easiest) way to take a salt bath would be to take a dip in the ocean. But since that might not be comfortable or handy for anyone living in cold or inland climates, taking a salt bath is the next best thing. You may have heard your doctor or dentist prescribe Epsom salt to promote healing. Sea salt has a higher mineral content, but Epsom salt works well too, so adding either to your bath will be beneficial. If you don’t have time to run a bath, try rubbing salt on your body while you’re in the shower.
6) Use an essential oil diffuser
Oil diffusers disperse essential oils into the air, allowing the oil to be absorbed gently into the body. Depending on the oil, they can assist with boosting energy, promoting sleep, detoxifying your breathing space and assisting with fighting cold and flu with their antimicrobial properties. If you’d like a calming oil, try lavender, sweet orange, cedarwood, or even a holiday scented pine. For more uplifting oils, use tea tree oil, which is used by Aboriginals to treat coughs and colds with its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary and spearmint are natural antiseptics with anti-fungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. They also help support the respiratory system if you are battling a chest cold.
7) Practice light gazing
A simple meditation you can do at home is light gazing. As a child, I used to spend hours in the evenings throughout the holidays, listening to relaxing music and staring at the lights on the Christmas tree. Everything else around me would fade away. You may even notice the hypnotic trance that can occur when staring at a campfire or at your fireplace. Trataka, a word in Sanskrit meaning “to gaze,” is a form of meditation in eastern traditions. Trataka is said to aid vision by keeping eyes healthy, relieve depression and insomnia, reduce fatigue and enhance energy levels. Lastly, practicing trataka can also enhance intuition and open up access to a higher state of consciousness. Many people use a candle for this type of meditation, as it seems to be the easiest way to block out external distractions.
8) Take a phone detox
In this day of smartphone addiction, it’s difficult to break free from your (de)vices. The phone sends out different signals and radiation which can be taxing on your energy.
A new trend is to take one day of the week (people often chose the weekends) and turn off the phone completely. If you can’t turn off your phone because you might need to communicate, at least take a social media break. Some people opt to remove the Instagram and Facebook apps completely (or whichever your chosen addiction may be). You can simply X it off your phone and re-download it again on Monday. It will limit the temptation to continue to check your updates. You can also turn off the alerts off on your phone. My Whatsapp groups are non-stop. Turn off the sound and pop-ups on group chats. If you know someone might need to get a hold of you, tell them in advance to just give you an old-fashioned phone call. Try to also give yourself a curfew on your phone in the evenings. My rule is no phone usage after 7pm. At 7pm, my phone is set to automatically go into Do Not Disturb mode. The glare from the white backlight can also cause fatigue. If you’re going to use your phone, set it to Night Shift, which switches the colors of your phone to a warmer tone, and is thought to assist with a better night’s sleep. If you can, try not to put the phone right by your head when you sleep either, to distance yourself from the signals the phone emits. Maybe invest in an old-fashioned alarm clock if you need to see the time and get up at a certain hour.
I hope these suggestions are helpful in cultivating a relaxing and detoxifying holiday season. Wishing everyone has a safe, happy and healthy holiday.
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Soulcare is only using natural cleaning products, 80% plus organic foods and we limit the environmental toxins as far as we can to provide the healing platform set my Owner and Healer Omar Botha.
You may have heard about different ways our environment is polluted, but you may be surprised to find out about some of the specific poisons in our environments that can hinder us from overcoming symptoms and conditions and slow down our healing process. This article will show you how to protect yourself against these destructive forces. Know that there is much you can do to heal, no matter how many of these you are exposed to.
Environmental Issues Inside the Home
Allergies, monthly headaches during your menstrual cycle, asthma, eczema, anxiety, fatigue, hair loss, brain fog, confusion, weakness, aches and pains, and a host of other health issues can all be exacerbated by environmental issues.
With all of the triggers I’ll discuss, please don’t worry if you are in a circumstance where you cannot avoid or eliminate the trigger. Know that you can make the best choices you’re able to protect yourself in other ways, such as through food choices or with supplements.
Carpet Chemicals
Brand new carpet contains solvents, fungicides, and other toxic chemicals, which can trigger seasonal-affective-disorder-like symptoms and other conditions and symptoms connected with any active or inactive viruses you have. For example, if you have Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and you’re exposed to the chemicals found in new carpets, a host of symptoms and conditions may arise, such as fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Lyme disease, aches and pains, brain fog, migraines, Hashimoto’s, psoriasis or asthma.
Conventional carpet cleaners typically use a large number of different solvent chemicals mixed into a single, toxic brew. People don’t realize that the freshly cleaned carpets they’re walking on barefoot or letting their children play on have been saturated in a harmful solution. The solvents and chemicals found inside freshly cleaned carpets can trigger viruses in people’s bodies, such as EBV.
Another problem is that older carpets especially tend to begin breaking down and can harbor mold.
Soulcare only uses natural cleaning products!
Paint
Be cautious and mindful of painting projects inside the home. Fresh paint can have a negative impact on your health, and it takes time for paint fumes to dissipate. Viral and bacterial conditions are more easily triggered when someone is living in a freshly painted space.For example, streptococcus could be triggered, which could result in a health-related difficulties including SIBO, sinus congestion, UTIs, styes, and acne. If possible, use low-VOC paint.
Mold
Mold can be present in a variety of places. Different types of black mold that may appear inside the walls, underneath the kitchen sink, or other places around the home can trigger serious health symptoms and conditions. Black mold can be a major trigger for neurological viruses that create Lyme disease symptoms, a variety of multiple sclerosis, or a host of other health-related issues.
Water
From brushing your teeth to washing your hands to soaking in the tub after a busy day, you’re constantly encountering varying qualities of water. Many people know to avoid drinking tap water whenever possible. If you cannot afford a high-quality water filter, even a semi-decent filtration system can offer some benefits.
When you run a bath or step into the shower, you’re often bathing in chlorine and fluoride. These substances are not ideal for your health or healing. I worked with one client who developed chronic fatigue because of constant exposure to chlorine while showering, on top of an Epstein-Barr virus. After addressing the chlorine, the fatigue reduced by 75%.
We are only using borehole water for showers and it is all tested and filtered to Soulcare's standards.
Air
Every state in the U.S. has areas that are specifically designated for agricultural use. In many of these areas, workers lay down hundreds of billions of pounds of plastic throughout rows of produce. These often white (but sometimes black) colored row covers are vastly different than the row covers you may use in your backyard garden to provide protection and pest control.
These toxic plastic row covers blanket thousands of acres of crops throughout the U.S. and in other countries, and they’re sprayed multiple times a week with rodenticides, herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, and fungicides. The barrels these chemicals come from display a unique variety of hazard label, which is a large skull and bones, and the mixture that’s eventually sprayed on the crops is concocted in a massive containment unit. The people who cover these plastics with those toxic chemicals have to wear hazmat suits to protect themselves.
Once the conventional crops are ready to be harvested, the plastics are gathered and burned. During this process, dangerous furans take to the air. Burning plastic by itself can be toxic, but this becomes an even greater issue because of the high levels of pesticides, fungicides, rodenticides, and herbicides covering these plastics. This hidden practice is wreaking havoc on people’s lives, but it’s slipping under the radar of experts and environmentalists.
Communities
If you live in a gated community, retirement complex, condo, or other communal space, you are likely exposed to rampant pesticide use. The hundreds of pounds of pesticides used on lawns, bushes, and other greenery in these community spaces affect people who live in these places. These chemicals are also carried by the wind so they have adverse effects on people outside the community.
Golf Courses, Parks, and Lawns
Lethal fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides cover most golf courses, and most people who play on these courses will suffer some negative health consequences because of it. Not only are your feet, ankles, and legs exposed to tremendous amounts of pesticides and herbicides, but you’re breathing in these toxins as well.
Parks and sports fields are also heavily sprayed with chemicals. It’s unfortunate that places that bring joy to so many families can be highly toxic.
For your health, reconsider spraying your lawn with an herbicide or treating the inside or outside of your home with insecticide.
New Cars, Furniture, and Clothes
Toxic solvents create that new car smell and can linger in a vehicle and cause problems for up to six months. If you have allergies or chemical sensitivities and you get a new car, know that you may suffer with these symptoms more during the first few months after your purchase.
If you buy a new piece of furniture, it’s likely laced with fungicides and nanotechnology. It may also have a smell, which is due to the high-level of solvents typically found in new fabrics. Even if the furniture doesn’t smell, solvents are still usually present. Due to the toxic nature of the solvents, simply sitting on a new piece of furniture could slow down someone’s healing.
Whenever you purchase new clothes, blankets, towels, quilts, or other bedding, wash them before you wear them. Many of these new pieces have been saturated with formaldehyde, fungicide, and other toxic chemicals. Avoid traditional dry cleaners as well, as the toxic chemicals used at these places can hinder healing.
Detergents and Hair Care Products
When doing laundry, it’s important to use a natural detergent. Conventional detergents usually contain petrol oil, which may slow healing efforts.
Be mindful of the products you use, including creams, gels, sprays, and hair products. One past client returned to my office because her headaches had come back after a three-month respite. Spirit told me the client was using a different, more toxic brand of hairspray. My client confirmed this was the case.
No Hair Care Products are allowed at the lodge. You will all receive your Natural hair care products in each Chalet.
Perfumes and Colognes
Perfumes and colognes should be avoided whenever possible. Chemical compounds used in perfumes and colognes have the same chemical compound construction as particular pesticides and herbicides.
Perfumes and colognes are so toxic that simply breathing in the cologne or perfume of another colleague at work on a daily basis can set your healing back slightly.
If you’re hesitant to give up your perfume or cologne, switch to some high-quality essential oils. Essential oils can give you a wonderful fragrance without exposing you to toxins.
Air Fresheners
Plug-in air fresheners, like perfumes and colognes, possess the same chemical compound construction as certain pesticides and herbicides. Remove and toss any plug-in air fresheners or sprays. Air fresheners are so harmful that moving into a place where air fresheners were once used can actually slow down someone’s healing for a period of time.
How are Soulcare Protecting You?
Here are a few simple tips to help protect your and your loved ones:
Organic
We only Choose organic produce when possible. Animal products, are antibiotic-free, grass-fed meats and free-range chicken.