A bottle of soda-pop is a pressurized vessel. In the bottle there is liquid. There is also ‘carbonation’ (the gas) and pressure. When the bottle is sealed, bubbles are not seen. The moment the cap is twisted and the seal is broken, there is a ‘swish’ and the pressure is released from the bottle. Now, all of a sudden there is a formation of bubbles in the bottle, and as time goes, they grow and float to the top of the liquid. Certainly the pressure in the bottle is quite high and the nature of the gas (carbonation) is a different than the 21% oxygen in the ambient air. However the concept is the same. In the hyperbaric chamber, as the pressure goes up, more oxygen from the air is ‘pushed’ into the fluids of the body.
The healing process occurs when a severely compromised tissue in the body begins to receive oxygen, and blood circulation to the tissue resumes. Note: The damaged tissue may not have been receiving enough blood for it to heal, due to a lack of blood circulation caused by the initial trauma.
Life needn’t be tricky or confusing, although let’s face it — at times it may seem that way.
At times, it’s incredibly helpful to distill down what we absolutely need to know to live the miraculous, abundant life that is here for us. The five life truths below do exactly this, allowing you to easily connect into your truth (which is really the only truth worth following!) and live the life you came here for.
Follow the 5 truths below and get ready to be astounded as your whole life shifts into a higher frequency.
You are more than your body.
In Westernized culture there is a tremendous amount of focus on our bodies — from the latest food craze to losing “5 more pounds” to having “ripped abs.” The truth is that while our bodies do matter, we are so much more than our body. Our body is the sacred container for our soul, for our true essence.
The sooner we recognize this truth and begin living from a deeper, more expanded place — everything in our life transforms. Our relationships deepen, “ordinary” moments aren’t so ordinary anymore, we know the right action to take at the right time, abundance flows to us and we live in a deeper state of peace. When we engage with the magic of that deeper part of us, we begin to have a life experience that means so much more than eating the perfect diet or having a body that looks like what we see in the media. We learn that when we live from the soul, not only does our physical body shift its appearance to be more in alignment with this truth, but our overall quality of life elevates.
Your body is a powerful tool of communication from your soul.
Our body works in direct harmony with our soul, serving as a honing device for our soul. Think of it as a tuning fork or a compass. Your body will let you know the messages from the deeper part of you that are unable to be translated in any other way. Your body can and does release limiting beliefs, fears and traumas, along with other toxins through deep breathing, bowel movements, tears and often that annual cold/flu you receive.
The body is an incredibly powerful guide that will give you what you need — even when you don’t realize you need it. To access this greater wisdom, you’ve got to create a strong communication system with your body. Did you know you can use a deep detoxifying breath (inhale through the nose and exhale out the mouth) and focus on any area of pain to begin to release it?
Did you know you can talk to the parts of your body that get sick or are in pain and listen for responses to see what it is asking for? Or that you can work with a practitioner that can support you in learning your body’s communication style? Or better yet — do both? Your body has powerful messages for you that will not only improve your physical health but will allow you to live the life you are meant to live.
If someone else can do what you do with ease and joy, let them.
Long-revered mantras like “No pain no gain” or “you must work hard for success” are now a dying breed. Because what truly successful people know is that if something is “hard” and feels like it’s going uphill, the best thing you can do is delegate it to someone that it is a breeze for. We all have specific talents that are unique to us — so let go of being a Jack or Jill of all trades (or to all people).
Why not love what you do, have a great life doing it and let those who are great at the things you aren’t do those things instead? Can you imagine a world where everyone did what they loved because it brought them joy and ease? You weren’t meant to do everything. So stop trying.
Having it all isn’t about doing it all, it’s about being smart enough to know when to delegate and when to sink into doing what you love. If it doesn’t bring you joy — outsource it.
In his book The Big Leap, Gay Hendricks calls this your “Zone of Genius.” And when we allow ourselves to work and live in our Zone of Genius, life is not only more fun, it’s easier which leaves us more relaxed and at peace.
Always follow your passion.
Passion is your indicator of alignment with your core self. When you feel enthusiasm and a strong momentum to move forward — that’s passion. Let it be a guiding force in your life. Ever go round and round in your mind about what decision to make, what you should do, what the next step is? We’ve all been there. But here’s the thing: once you’ve honed in on what your Zone of Genius is, you can make that a guiding force in your life.
You’ll always know the best decision for you because it will light you up inside, you’ll feel excited in your body and mind, and you’ll feel enthusiastic. You’ll know that when it doesn’t feel like work, but like play, that you’re on the right path for you. Passion is what gets you out of bed in the morning, eager for what lies ahead, and passion is what leads you to creating products, services, and offerings unlike anything before. Passion is what makes life interesting and enjoyable. It’s what makes life flow.
When you are continually following your passion, your life can expand in abundant ways that you would never experience if you did what everyone else did because it was the “right” thing to do. You didn’t come here for a life of mediocrity, you came here to be excited, lit up and totally inspired. When you let passion lead, decisions become much, much easier.
What you do matters because we are all connected.
Imagine a set of dominos and what happens when one gets pushed — they all fall down. It’s easy to get into our own worlds and forget about the billions of other humans that we share this planet with. But when we forget this, we forget one of the most important truths in this life — we are all connected.
We are all connected in a quantum-physics-everything-is-energy-and-energy-cannot-be-destroyed kind of way. We are sharing this planet with billions of others who just like us desire love, who want to be happy, who worry at times and who love their children and family.
We all have the ability to live our lives with the inherent knowing that what we do — whether we recycle, let the car in front of us merge, let the guy in the grocery line go ahead of us, bring reusable bags to the stores we shop at, say “thank you” and mean it, make eye contact with every person we pass on the sidewalk — is literally creating a better world to live in. When we hurt another, we hurt ourselves and we hurt many others because the ripple effect is not only real, it spreads to everyone we come into contact with.
How many of us have read a heartwarming story about people helping each other out — whether after a crisis or just a “random” act of kindness — and we end up with tears in our eyes or a big smile on our face? Doing good reaches the human spirit and the human heart in powerful ways. If we all made a commitment to living this truth there would be far less pain in the world and far more joy.
In fact, if you follow the above five life truths to the best of your ability, you’ll notice not only your own life improving — everything from feeling better in your body, to understanding why life works the way it does, to improved relationships to greater wealth NS abundance – but you’ll also notice that the people around you are having similar experiences too.
You see, we are all powerful creators and our energy — good, bad or otherwise — affects those around us deeply. When we consciously and intentionally connect to the soul within us, follow the messages from our body, stay in our Zone of Genius, let passion be our guide and treat everyone as though they are someone we love — our world and the world around us gets to be a better place.
Many people spend years pondering the question “What is my life purpose?” For some it can be a lifelong journey to discover.
This is now such a common topic of discussion among people from all over the world and one can find thousands of pages of information online and in books with suggestions of growth and encouragement to help us on our path.
During this journey myself, at times I felt so isolated and discouraged as though I wasn’t getting clear fast enough and that others seemed to have it all figured out.
Instead what I discovered was that I wasn’t alone and each path can be so unique.
The 3 biggest misconceptions I discovered while sourcing out my own Life Purpose:
1) My Life Purpose will hit me like a lightning strike.
I read so many books and articles, took quizzes, challenges, and mediated for months in hopes that a light bulb would turn on and bells would ring when my life purpose suddenly came to me. It didn’t. And it may never hit like a ton of bricks. In fact, most don’t have it occur that way.
Instead what many notice, is that a flicker of a small flame may light something inside and help move you to the next step. And with each step, that flame may get brighter and brighter, all leading you on the path to find your ultimate true purpose.
Pay attention to those flickering lights and notice when they start to fade. That may be a sign that a small change in direction is required.
2) The more effort and focus I give it, the quicker it will reveal itself.
I found that the harder the tried, the less I observed. After all, what you resist persists, so I challenge you to allow yourself to go deeper into the stillness and silence and be patient and for it to surface on it’s own time.
If you can, stop thinking about it consciously and allow yourself to create an open awareness of what is happening around you. It is through the waiting and allowing that I discovered the most significant parts of my life purpose.
3) I only have one unique Life Purpose.
There could be many and it could be an evolution uncovered over the span of your life. A Life Purpose may not even be obvious or what we think it might be.
As we grow in different areas of our life, we may feel a stronger unique calling in one particular area but notice that it changes with our relationships and interests. What a purpose is at five years old can be very different then what it is at fifty. However all aspects of it may ultimately lead to one point.
The most important part is to realize who or what is of more value to you at this point in your life and how those values can contribute to your current purpose.
Today and right now is the most important part of your journey, so choose to live your life ON purpose and to make the journey part of your purpose.
In the movie Fletch, comedian Chevy Chase plays the role of Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher, a reporter working undercover to expose drug dealing on the beaches of Los Angeles. Over the course of his investigation, Fletch assumes a variety of creative characters as he identifies the corrupt businessmen and cops involved in the drug-dealing ring. In one scene, Fletch pretends to be an airplane mechanic and tries to lie his way into a hangar by saying he was there to check the ball bearings. “It’s all ball bearings nowadays,” is one of the most memorable quotes of this iconic ‘80s movie.
Repeatedly, I have been asked how exercise can help achieve a specific goal. I like fun, but honest way to answer these questions and channel your inner Fletch by replying, “It’s all hormones nowadays.” If you’ve worked with me for very long in any capacity, you’ ve heard me say this time and time again. The term “calories in versus calories out” is as archaic as the Myan ruins.
The endocrine system regulates the production of hormones, which are chemicals that control cellular functions. Hormones can affect a number of different cells; however, they only influence the ones with specific receptor sites. Hormones control a number of physiological reactions in the body including energy metabolism, reproductive processes, tissue growth, hydration levels, synthesis and degradation of muscle protein, and mood. Hormones are responsible for both building new muscle and helping to burn fat, so it is important to have an understanding of which ones are released in relation to exercise as well as understanding the physiological functions they influence.
There are three major classifications of hormones: steroid, peptide and amines (modified amino acid hormones). Each class of hormones has a unique chemical structure that determines how it interacts with specific receptors. Steroid hormones interact with receptors in the nucleus of a cell, peptide hormones are comprised of amino acids and work with specific receptors sites on the cell membrane, and amines contain nitrogen and influence the sympathetic nervous system.
Hormones can either be anabolic, which means they help build new tissue, or catabolic because they play a role in breaking tissue down. The term “anabolic steroids” is often mentioned as a method of cheating used by athletes who want to improve performance; however, anabolic steroids are actually natural chemicals produced by the body that are responsible for promoting tissue growth.
I’ve taken the time to compose a list of these hormones along with how they work and why they are important in reaching your fitness goals.
Insulin
A peptide hormone produced by the pancreas, insulin regulates carbohydrate and fat metabolism. When blood sugar is elevated, insulin is released to promote the storage and absorption of glycogen and glucose. Insulin helps reduce levels of glucose in the blood by promoting its absorption from the bloodstream to skeletal muscles or fat tissues. It is important to know that insulin can cause fat to be stored in adipose tissue (fat cells – specifically aroumd the belly) instead of being used to fuel muscle activity. When exercise starts, the sympathetic nervous system suppresses the release of insulin; consequently, it is important to avoid foods with high levels of sugar (including sports drinks) before exercise because it can elevate insulin levels and promote glycogen storage instead of allowing it to be used to fuel physical activity. Wait until the body has started sweating before using any sports drinks or energy gels. If you’ve worked with me for any length I’ve time, you’ve heard me say “NO ENERGY DRINKS!” Gatorade and Powerade, as well as any other drinks like Red Bull are STRICKLY off limits.
Glucagon
Released in response to low levels of blood sugar, glucagon is produced by the pancreas to stimulate the release of free fatty acids (FFAs) from adipose tissue and increase blood glucose levels, both of which are important for fueling exercise activity. As glycogen levels are depleted during exercise, glucagon releases additional glycogen stored in the liver.
Cortisol
Cortisol is a catabolic steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glandss in response to stress, low blood sugar and exercise. It supports energy metabolism during long periods of exercise by facilitating the breakdown of triglycerides and protein to create the glucose necessary to help fuel exercise. Cortisol is released when the body experiences too much physical stress or is not sufficiently recovered from a previous workout. While cortisol helps promote fat metabolism, exercising for too long can elevate levels of cortisol to catabolize muscle protein for fuel instead of conserving it to be used to repair damaged tissues.
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine
These amine hormones play an important role in helping the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) produce energy and in regulating the body’s function during cardiorespiratory exercise. Classified as catecholamines, epinephrine and norepinephrine are separate but related hormones. Epinephrine, often referred to as adrenaline because it is produced by the adrenal gland, elevates cardiac output, increases blood sugar (to help fuel exercise), promotes the breakdown of glycogen for energy and supports fat metabolism. Norepinephrine performs a number of the same functions as epinephrine, while also constricting blood vessels in parts of the body not involved in exercise.
Testosterone
Testosterone is a steroid hormone produced by the Leydig cells of the testes in males and the ovaries of females, with small amounts produced by the adrenal glands of both genders. Testosterone is responsible for muscle protein resynthesis and the repair of muscle proteins damaged by exercise, and plays a significant role in helping grow skeletal muscle. Testosterone works with specific receptor sights and is produced in response to exercise that damages muscle proteins.
Human Growth Hormone
Human growth hormone (HGH) is an anabolic peptide hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates cellular growth. Like all hormones, HGH works with specific receptor sites and can produce a number of responses, including increasing muscle protein synthesis responsible for muscle growth, increasing bone mineralization, supporting immune system function and promoting lipolysis, or fat metabolism. The body produces HGH during the REM cycles of sleep (this is one reason I stand on my soap-box a preach about sleep; if you’re not getting enough sleep, you WILL NOT drop weight) and is stimulated by high-intensity exercise such as heavy strength training, explosive power training or cardiorespiratory exercise at or above the onset of blood lactate (OBLA, the second ventilatory threshold).
Insulin-like Growth Factor
Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) has a similar molecular structure to insulin and is stimulated by the same mechanisms that produce HGH. IGF is a peptide hormone produced in the liver and supports the function of HGH to repair protein damaged during exercise, which makes it an important hormone for promoting muscle growth.
Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotransmitter that helps stimulate the production of new cells in the brain. The production of BDNF is closely related to the production of HGH and IGF—the same exercises that elevate levels of those hormones also increase amounts of BDNF. High-intensity exercise can stimulate anabolic hormones for muscle growth while elevating levels of BDNF, which can help improve cognitive function; thi)s is one of the many reasons I promote High Intensity Interval Training.
Understanding how exercise influences the hormones that control physiological functions can assist you in developing effective exercise programs. Hormones have both short- and long-term responses to exercise. In the acute phase immediately post-exercise, testosterone (T), HGH and IGF are produced to repair damaged tissue. Over the long-term, there is an increase in the receptor sites and binding proteins, which allow T, HGH and IGF to be used more effectively for tissue repair and muscle growth. For those who want muscle growth, the levels of T, HGH and IGF are produced in response to the amount of mechanical stress created during resistance-training exercises. Moderate to heavy loads performed until momentary fatigue generate high levels of mechanical force, which creates more damage to muscle protein, which signals the production of T, HGH and IGF to repair protein, which results in muscle growth.
While there are a myriad of hormones responsible for an almost infinite number of physiological functions, the hormones listed above are directly influenced by physical activity and play important roles in helping the body adapt to the imposed physical demands of exercise. Seasoned health and fitness professionals such as myself, understand that the nervous and muscular systems play important roles in determining the outcomes of an exercise program. However, the reality is that hormones influence many of the physiological adaptations to physical activity. That means that, “It’s all hormones nowadays,” is the appropriate response to many questions about how the human body responds to exercise.
There are trainers in the business that have incorrect and basically archaic information regarding weight loss. We know so much more now than we did in the 80s and 90s. The world of fitness and nutrition is a lot like technology in that it’s ever changing. We are always learning new things about the way our bodies respond to exercise and our nutritional challenges, as well as the role hormones play in whether we gain weight or whether we lose weight.
The endocrine system regulates the production of hormones, which are chemicals that control cellular functions. Hormones can affect a number of different cells; however, they only influence the ones with specific receptor sites. Hormones control a number of physiological reactions in the body including energy metabolism, reproductive processes, tissue growth, hydration levels, synthesis and degradation of muscle protein, and mood. Hormones are responsible for both building new muscle and helping to burn fat, so it is important to have an understanding of which ones are released in relation to exercise as well as understanding the physiological functions they influence.
There are three major classifications of hormones: steroid, peptide and amines (modified amino acid hormones). Each class of hormones has a unique chemical structure that determines how it interacts with specific receptors. Steroid hormones interact with receptors in the nucleus of a cell, peptide hormones are comprised of amino acids and work with specific receptors sites on the cell membrane, and amines contain nitrogen and influence the sympathetic nervous system.
Hormones can either be anabolic, which means they help build new tissue, or catabolic because they play a role in breaking tissue down. The term “anabolic steroids” is often mentioned as a method of cheating used by athletes who want to improve performance; however, anabolic steroids are actually natural chemicals produced by the body that are responsible for promoting tissue growth.
Listed below are some important hormones involved in exercise along with the physiological functions they control.
Insulin
A peptide hormone produced by the pancreas, insulin regulates carbohydrate and fat metabolism. When blood sugar is elevated, insulin is released to promote the storage and absorption of glycogen and glucose. Insulin helps reduce levels of glucose in the blood by promoting its absorption from the bloodstream to skeletal muscles or fat tissues. It is important to know that insulin can cause fat to be stored in adipose tissue instead of being used to fuel muscle activity. When exercise starts, the sympathetic nervous system suppresses the release of insulin; consequently, it is important to avoid foods with high levels of sugar (including sports drinks) before exercise because it can elevate insulin levels and promote glycogen storage instead of allowing it to be used to fuel physical activity. Wait until the body has started sweating before using any sports drinks or energy gels.
Glucagon
Released in response to low levels of blood sugar, glucagon is produced by the pancreas to stimulate the release of free fatty acids (FFAs) from adipose tissue and increase blood glucose levels, both of which are important for fueling exercise activity. As glycogen levels are depleted during exercise, glucagon releases additional glycogen stored in the liver.
Cortisol
Cortisol is a catabolic steroid hormone produced by the adrenal gland in response to stress, low blood sugar and exercise. It supports energy metabolism during long periods of exercise by facilitating the breakdown of triglyceride and protein to create the glucose necessary to help fuel exercise. Cortisol is released when the body experiences too much physical stress or is not sufficiently recovered from a previous workout. While cortisol helps promote fat metabolism, exercising for too long can elevate levels of cortisol to catabolize muscle protein for fuel instead of conserving it to be used to repair damaged tissues.
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine
These amine hormones play an important role in helping the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) produce energy and in regulating the body’s function during cardiorespiratory exercise. Classified as catecholamines, epinephrine and norepinephrine are separate but related hormones. Epinephrine, often referred to as adrenaline because it is produced by the adrenal gland, elevates cardiac output, increases blood sugar (to help fuel exercise), promotes the breakdown of glycogen for energy and supports fat metabolism. Norepinephrine performs a number of the same functions as epinephrine, while also constricting blood vessels in parts of the body not involved in exercise.
Testosterone
Testosterone is a steroid hormone produced by the Leydig cells of the testes in males and the ovaries of females, with small amounts produced by the adrenal glands of both genders. Testosterone is responsible for muscle protein resynthesis and the repair of muscle proteins damaged by exercise, and plays a significant role in helping grow skeletal muscle. Testosterone works with specific receptor sights and is produced in response to exercise that damages muscle proteins.
Human Growth Hormone
Human growth hormone (HGH) is an anabolic peptide hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates cellular growth. Like all hormones, HGH works with specific receptor sites and can produce a number of responses, including increasing muscle protein synthesis responsible for muscle growth, increasing bone mineralization, supporting immune system function and promoting lipolysis, or fat metabolism. The body produces HGH during the REM cycles of sleep and is stimulated by high-intensity exercise such as heavy strength training, explosive power training or cardiorespiratory exercise at or above the onset of blood lactate (OBLA, the second ventilatory threshold).
Insulin-like Growth Factor
Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) has a similar molecular structure to insulin and is stimulated by the same mechanisms that produce HGH. IGF is a peptide hormone produced in the liver and supports the function of HGH to repair protein damaged during exercise, which makes it an important hormone for promoting muscle growth.
Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotransmitter that helps stimulate the production of new cells in the brain. The production of BDNF is closely related to the production of HGH and IGF—the same exercises that elevate levels of those hormones also increase amounts of BDNF. High-intensity exercise can stimulate anabolic hormones for muscle growth while elevating levels of BDNF, which can help improve cognitive function.
Understanding how exercise influences the hormones that control physiological functions can assist you in developing effective exercise programs specifically for you. Hormones have both short- and long-term responses to exercise. In the acute phase immediately post-exercise, testosterone (T), HGH and IGF are produced to repair damaged tissue. Over the long-term, there is an increase in the receptor sites and binding proteins, which allow T, HGH and IGF to be used more effectively for tissue repair and muscle growth. For those who want muscle growth, the levels of T, HGH and IGF are produced in response to the amount of mechanical stress created during resistance-training exercises. Moderate to heavy loads performed until momentary fatigue generate high levels of mechanical force, which creates more damage to muscle protein, which signals the production of T, HGH and IGF to repair protein, which results in muscle growth.
While there are a myriad of hormones responsible for an almost infinite number of physiological functions, the hormones listed above are directly influenced by physical activity and play important roles in helping the body adapt to the imposed physical demands of exercise. Many fitness professionals like myself understand that the nervous and muscular systems play important roles in determining the outcomes of an exercise program. However, the reality is that hormones influence many of the physiological adaptations to physical activity. That means that, “It’s all hormones nowadays,” is the appropriate response to many questions about how the human body responds to
Today, I want to talk about the importance of protein. How protein benefits your overall health in physical performance is crucial to understand. So whether you’re a weekend warrior, you’re trying to lose weight or you are an athlete, protein is important for everybody — and just about everyone is deficient in quality protein in their diet
I’m going to go over how to get more protein in your diet, the benefits of eating more protein foods and how much you should consume. So starting off here, let’s talk about protein and what it does.
Why Protein Is So Important
Protein is the building block of yourself. It’s the building block of your muscles and also is present in the foods that are going to boost your metabolism and fat-burning potential. Nothing is more important than protein. It really is the fuel that motivates and really supports your body in building healthy tissues and cells.
What exactly are proteins? Proteins are considered long chains of amino acids, which are the important molecules we get from our diet. Amino acids can be found in many different types of foods, even vegetables, but the highest sources are those that come from animals – like meat, dairy, eggs and fish – plus to a lesser extent certain plant foods like beans and seeds.
Proteins are used every day to keep the body going. Because they’re used to develop, grow and maintain just about every part of our bodies — from our skin and hair to our digestive enzymes and immune system antibodies — they’re constantly being broken down and must be replaced.
Vital organs, muscles, tissues and even some hormones of the body are made from proteins. Additionally, proteins create hemoglobin and important antibodies. Proteins are involved in just about every body function from controlling blood sugar levels to healing wounds and fighting off bacteria.
Simply put, without proteins life would not exist.
The average person probably needs half his or her body weight in protein a day. So if you weigh 150 pounds, you need at least around 75 grams of protein a day if you’re trying to burn fat and build muscle the right way. And for many athletes, more than that is going to be essential as well.
Do You Have a Protein Deficiency?
Mayo Clinic researcher Jan van Deursen, Ph.D, set out to study the cause of cancer, but soon his research took him in a different direction — what impacts aging? His research revealed that certain proteins play an important, even critical, role in aging.
In his investigation, van Deursen and his team created genetically modified mice that had a protein deficiency in one specific type of protein, BubR1. They discovered that the mice deficient in this vital protein aged four to five times faster than the control group of normal mice.
This naturally occurring protein declines as we age and, in this study, were found to be at deficient levels in the mice’s muscles, heart, brain, spleen, testis and ovaries. The study theorizes that this holds true in the human body, too, with aprotein deficiency leading to cataracts, heart problems, kyphosis or muscle atrophy — all somewhat common in the elderly.
Eating too little protein can result in these symptoms as well:
A sluggishmetabolism
Trouble losing weight
Trouble building muscle mass
Low energy levels and fatigue
Poor concentration and trouble learning
Moodiness and mood swings
Muscle, bone and joint pain
Blood sugar changes that can lead to diabetes
Slow wound healing
Low immunityThe best forms of protein you can be getting are going to be things like grass-fed beef, organic chicken and turkey, wild-caught salmon — also, grass-fed organic dairy products are great. And then, healthy quality protein powders like grass-fed whey protein is another great option.Some other high protein foods to help overcome a protein deficiency include:
And then for the plant-based sources of protein, flaxseeds and chia seeds are great; other nuts and seeds, and beans, are also quality sources of protein.
The Top Protein Foods
Free-range eggs
Lentils
Natto
Kefir or yogurt
Mushrooms Getting protein in your diet is greatly beneficial, and the biggest benefits of protein include fat burning, helping muscle recovery and helping heal cuts in the wound. And if you have any sort of injury, protein is essential. It’s also essential for:
Protein Health Benefits
Fighting diabetes in balancing up blood sugar
Brain function
Any issue you have in terms of depression and brain issues
CholesterolAnd last but not least, it’s important for muscle recovery. So if you’re trying to recover from an injury and also want to improve your overall energy, getting more protein in your diet is essential.So get more protein in your diet. I’d even recommend keeping a food journal; write down what you’ve eaten the past three days, and then add up the grams of protein you’ve actually gotten in your system.
You also can go to the website nutritiondata.com and actually look up the amount of protein in the amount of food you’ve consumed, or else do it for the next three days and see how much protein you’re actually getting in your diet.
When buying protein, make sure it’s from organic, natural sources. One of the issues we run into today is all of our conventional restaurants, our conventional grocery stores, they’re not selling grass-fed organic protein. And if you’re eating conventional protein, it’s loaded with hormones, antibiotics, steroids and other chemicals that will actually destroy your health.
There is study after study showing that protein is essential for your body.
If you’re looking to up your protein intake, I will be posting a list of 50 snack options that are packed with protein on the Empower Wellness closed group page. If you’re in a program with me or any of our team at Empower Wellness, you should have access to this page; if you do not, simply send a request to join and I will get you added.
This is a great piece…..I’d love to take credit for it, but I cannot. I’m not certain as to who wrote it, but they are right on point…….
Growing up, its very challenging to even accept – let alone act upon – the dormant thing inside of you that you know makes you special, different. School is all about fitting in, finding the box that best suits you and conforming to its predispositions.
I was an extremely inquisitive child, philosophical, I liked wearing my heart on my sleeve and I made my thoughts and feelings available to anyone who was interested. Problem was, nobody was really interested. And me being me was a rather uncomfortable fit for my well-meaning family. They were what you might term stiff-upper lipped Brits. I was raised in a do-honoring family, where you didn’t question religion, nor the status quo or institutions; you just got on with it, like a good girl.
As the state of my inner wellbeing was not apparently significant to those around me it became dis-eased. Once I approached my teen years I plummeted head first into a heady and dangerous rebellion. Drugs, underage drinking, reckless sex. Numbing my consciousness about being different seemed to work, for a while at least.
Mine is not an unusual story; in a society where success is about what you’ve done, not about who you really are and what inner happiness you might have generated its easy to see why you might want to step away from your inner calling and adopt the attitude ‘If I can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.’
But thank goodness we have pioneers in all representations of human endeavor who have championed a new, better way, despite the consequences. Too many were ridiculed in their time, even tortured and killed. Yet they held true to themselves, and loyal to what their hearts told them they had come to gift the world with.
The Wright Brothers were seen as crazy in the early twentieth century. Despite having no formal engineering training they made the first airplane flight. And they succeeded in showing the doubting world that yes, people could fly.
Princess Diana (incidentally but not coincidentally who’s name means Heavenly or Divine) ignored the tight collared restrictions, decorum and rigors of royal establishment in many areas; dress, parenting, relations with the media, attitude, what she did, said… her passion was to serve, not to be served. She was ostracized by the royals, but not by the people.
Ed Sheeran shot to fame because he too dared to be different with his fresh, colloquial, relatable lyrics and playful melodies. He shook the music industry by the scruff of the neck, rebelling against the generic, empty- sounding songs churned out by the world of commercial music.
“There’s never been a melody like you before and there will never be again.” Dr. Barbara De Angelis
As both Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith and Dr. Barbara De Angelis say, giving birth to your true self is messy and uncomfortable. If you’ve birthed a child, you’ll recognize the final stages of pregnancy; knowing its Time, knowing that you are ready to offer the world a precious new Being, desperately eager to meet the person inside of you that you have nurtured for so long. Once you have re-birthed yourself – or awakened – you are in for a glorious explosion of feelings. This is what life is all about! This is who I am.
These days I’ve swopped self abuse for self love. I’ve never felt happier, healthier nor more vibrant in my life. And I credit embracing who I am really am with this. Despite family and friends thinking me a bit strange, I am pursuing my innate need to study spirituality and to spread my thoughts and reflections about life to others.
I broke my mold and I can tell you this; it feels liberating. Have you considered that perhaps you were placed in an environment that was not conducive to your inner aspirations because your soul knew you needed some resistance to really ultimately make you push through these limitations? Perhaps you were placed in an unsupportive sphere so it would show you, no, you cannot live your life this way and inspire you to reach deep down and reveal the real you. Many members of my family and friendship circle don’t get or really know me, but that’s ok. They see what I do works for me and that’s enough for them. My happiness – although it looks different to their version – nonetheless inspires them to seek theirs.
“I think everybody’s weird. We should all celebrate our individuality and not be embarrassed or ashamed of it.” Johnny Depp.
If you’re going to make a difference, doesn’t it seem logical that you will have to be different? Follow your flair, pursue your passion. Would you not regret it more if you didn’t?
Money, time, energy, stability, pride. And you’re not even guaranteed to succeed.
You know that if you do reach success, the doorway to everything you’ve ever wanted will open up. But . . . what if you fail?
What if you don’t have what it takes and all your best-laid plans go awry? What if you lose your steady income, your house and ultimately your friends and family?
You could end up living in a cardboard box, sitting alone on the side of the street, begging people for pocket change.
Nah,says your mind. The risk is too great. I’d better settle for what I have. Compared to the cardboard box alternative, it’s not so bad.
You might tell yourself that the timing isn’t right, or that you’re no risk-taker. But whatever the excuse, deep inside you know the real truth: you’re afraid of failing.
Fear of failure makes you play small in life. It stops you from chasing your dreams -and it needs to be dropped once and for all.
Ready to do just that? Good.
7 Mindsets to Overcome Your Fear of Failure
Your fear only goes as deep as your mind allows it. That means you’re in control. Here are 7 mindsets to help you look at fear of failure from a perspective that will serve you.
Fear Is Your Guidance System
What you fear failing most in life is often what you care most deeply about. It’s a clear message of a true desire. The stakes are higher when it comes to your dreams, so your fears are also naturally amped up. Use your fear as a source of guidance about what to go after.
Life’s Already Dangerous
Life is inherently risky. Loved ones can leave us, bosses can fire us and the car we drive can hit another and abruptly end it all. But you’ve made it this far. Instead of protecting yourself from the possibility of future pain, wouldn’t you rather enjoy full aliveness and exhilaration now? Stop holding yourself back. Life is full of experiences, opportunities and chances that are yours to claim.
Playing It Safe Is the Real Danger
Playing it safe is settling for mediocrity. It means making decisions based on fear and thereby not living up to your full potential. By not following your dreams, you are robbing yourself and the rest of the world of your unique greatness.
Failure Is One Step Closer to Success
Failing at something gets you one step closer to what you want. By taking action, you differentiate yourself from the majority of people. You also gain insight and clarity that can bring you closer to your dream.
Each mistake teaches us something. Before finally succeeding with the light bulb, Thomas A. Edison said, I have not failed, I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.
Failure Never Makes YOU a Failure
Failing at something doesn’t mean that you are a failure. It means that what you tried didn’t work. Who you are and what you do are two different things. Never confuse the two. Failing is a practical matter; don’t let it become an emotional one.
Fears Are a Figment of Your Imagination
The job of the mind is to protect you. Anything unknown (including success) is scary to it. To keep you “safe,” it will do just about anything to make you listen to it, including projecting a parade of fears in front of you.
But reality is rarely as bad as you imagine it will be. The majority of all fears exist only in one place: your imagination.
Regret is the Biggest Failure of All
Regret is an ugly emotion. It doesn’t show up like other emotions, as a direct response to something that has happened. Instead regret creeps up slowly, in response to what hasn’t happened. Years can go by before it reveals itself to us, but when it does, we know it’s there as a reminder of something wedidn’t do.
Fear Often Disguises Itself
These mindsets will help you keep the fear of failure at bay. They’ll help protect you, but you’re not scot-free just yet.
Even if you use them to prepare yourself mentally, the fear of failing can still arise. Like an unwanted guest, it can come knocking on your door unexpectedly – and in disguise.
This disguise might look a lot like reason. It could also resemble blame or excuses.
At a first glance, it might look smart and even sensible. Reason is so logical, it’s hard to argue with. Blame says it’s not your fault. And our excuses can seem valid as to why we aren’t taking action toward our dream. Other people will even validate them for us.
It’s easy to point the finger. Maybe it’s the economy. Maybe you don’t have enough time, money, experience, support or skills. Maybe it’s too late or too risky. It’s easy to come up with excuses or reasons and say, See? This is why I can’t pursue my dream.
But when you look deeper, behind the thoughts telling you not to pursue something, ask yourself what the dominant emotion is.
Could it be fear in disguise?
3 Ways to Not Let Fear Guide Your Choices
Making fear-based decisions never takes you in a desired direction. Sometimes, however, it’s difficult to distinguish when fear is guiding you. Here are 3 ways to avoid that:
Tell Your Story in Advance
Imagine telling your children or grandchildren your life story. You start with the sentence: “ had a dream, and then I . . “
What is the story you would like to tell? Did you go for it, or were you too afraid? Will it be a story worth telling? Make it so, and tell it to yourself now. Frequently.
Stop Analyzing What Can Happen
Failure is something we project that might happen in the future. But the future is out of our control, so placing our focus there often leaves us feeling stressed, worried and powerless.
Instead of directing your attention toward what you can’t change or control, focus on what you can. The present moment is where your power lies; this is where your attention should be.
Ask Your 90-Year-Old Self
Imagine being 90 years old and guiding the younger version of yourself.
What advice would you give, knowing what you know now? How would you want your life to be and what do you want to look back on?
Now, listen to this older and wiser version of yourself.
Rising Above Your Fear
Let’s face it. Stepping into the unknown and risking the chance of failing is scary. But remember, it’s this way for everyone.
Taking action toward your dream doesn’t mean you won’t experience the fear of failure; it means you rise above it. You overcome the fear of failure once and for all when you realize that you are bigger than your fear.
Imagine waking up every morning full of empowerment, determination and clarity. Nothing and no one can stop you.You know that you’re moving in the direction of how you want your life to be. Now that’s a pretty nice feeling to wake up to, isn’t it?
Make a slight shift in your mindset, and your perception of failure can change dramatically. And if you ever feel your fears get the better of you again, just get your 90-year-old self to set you straight or use any of the other techniques you just learned.
Don’t play small in life. Don’t end up somewhere you didn’t want to be just because you didn’t want to take risks. Don’t be afraid of failing; be afraid of not giving your dream a chance to be born.
I’m about to share with you the single best exercise for burning fat. But first, I want to explain the number one mistake people are making in the gym, today.
This mistake is leading to some pretty big consequences like:
Causing you to age faster
Breaking down your joints
Causing your body to STORE fat, instead of burn it
Causing your hormones to get out of balanceMost people who want to burn fat and lose weight falsely assume that going to the gym and doing traditional aerobic exercise, like jogging on the treadmill, is the best way to see results.If you’ve been spending hours on the treadmill and not seeing any results, it’s because long distance cardiovascular exercise can decrease testosterone and raise your stress hormone levels like cortisol. Increased levels of cortisol stimulate the appetite, increase fat storage, and slow down or inhibit exercise recovery.The Journal of Sports Sciences found that long periods of aerobic exercise increased oxidative stress leading to chronic inflammation.If you want to see results fast without the negative benefits of cardiovascular exercise, your best option is burst training. Burst training (aka interval training) combines short, high intensity bursts of exercise, with slow, recovery phases, repeated during one exercise session. Burst training is done at 85-100% maximum heart rate rather than 50-70% in moderate endurance activity.Essentially, burst training is exercising like a sprinter rather than a marathon runner.Burst (or interval) training isn’t necessarily new. Elite athletes and Olympians have known this secret to exercising and have been doing interval training for years. The research proves that anybody – not just elite athletes – can do interval training and achieve amazing results, no matter your experience or fitness level.The reason burst training works is because it produces a unique metabolic response in your body. Intermittent sprinting causes your body to not burn as much fat during exercise but after exercise your metabolism stays elevated and will continue to burn fat for the next 24-48 hours!Another study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, April 2007, researched eight different women in their early 20’s. They were told to cycle for 10 sets of four minutes of hard riding, followed by two minutes of rest.Key Benefits of Burst Training
After two weeks, the amount of fat burned increased by 36 percent, and their cardiovascular fitness improved by 13 percent.
Also, chemicals called catecholamines are produced which allow more fat to be burned and this causes increased fat oxidation which drives greater weight loss. The women from the study lost the most weight off their legs and buttocks.
Research from the University of New South Wales Medical Sciences found that burst (interval) cardio could burn more than 3 times more body fat than moderate cardio. The researchers studied two groups and found that the group who did eight seconds of sprinting on a bike, followed by 12 seconds of exercising lightly for 20 minutes, lost THREE TIMES as much fat as other women, who exercised at a continuous, regular pace for 40 minutes.
One of the major benefits of burst training is that it can be done in the comfort of your own home with no or minimal equipment. An easy example of burst training would be going to a track and walking the curves and sprinting the straight aways. Or getting on a spin bike and cycling hard for 20 seconds then going easy for 20 seconds, then repeating that cycle for between 10 to 40 minutes.
Similar exercise methods to burst training include High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and the Tabata method. With burst and other types of interval training you are getting the same cardiovascular benefits as endurance exercise but without the negative side effects. Also, burst training is the fastest way to lose weight and burn fat fast.
So, What’s the #1 Exercise to Burn Fat Fast?
A recent study in Psychoneuroendocrinology showed evidence of long-term high cortisol levels in aerobic endurance athletes. Researchers tested levels of hair cortisol in 304 endurance athletes (runners, cyclists, and triathletes) and compared to non-athletes. The results showed higher cortisol levels with higher training volumes.
But recent research is proving that long distance cardiovascular exercise is NOT the fastest way to burn fat and lose weight.
The number one mistake is doing way too much cardio.
Can burn up to 3x more body-fat than moderate cardio
After two weeks of interval training, fat burning increased by 36%
Your body will continue to burn fat for the next 48 hours after you are done exercising
You can workout in less time and see better resultsBurst training is exactly what we do at Empower Wellness. We have our own YouTube channel where you can watch and participate in burst training right from your living room; plus you have a real life Personal Training to help you through every aspect of your training.
For most people, this doesn’t happen very often. But we’re now learning that there might be more of a reason for you to start making these types of activities a priority.
A movement known as “grounding” or “earthing” is sweeping the holistic health scene. Walking barefoot outside, with the soles of your feet free to directly connect with the surface of the earth, is the main activity that’s a part of the earthing or grounding practice. While it might sound strange at first — ditching your shoes and digging your toes into the dirt or sand, or strolling across some pesticide-free grass — there’s evidence that this can be greatly beneficial for health by lowering free radical damage (also called “oxidative stress”), stress, inflammation and pain.
How Does Earthing or Grounding Work?
Regularly connecting to the earth’s natural, powerful energy is now known to be healing and vital for all people. This is why “reconnection” — with both the earth itself and our body’s own innate healing abilities — is the focus of earthing. The best part about earthing or grounding is that it’s super simple, completely free and can be done anywhere, at any time. It requires nothing but your bare body and willingness to try something that might seem “a bit out there.”
You might be a bit skeptical about this phenomenon, so let me explain more about the basics of how earthing works:
It is an established, though not widely appreciated fact, that the Earth’s surface possesses a limitless and continuously renewed supply of free or mobile electrons. The Earth’s negative charges can create a stable internal bioelectrical environment for the normal functioning of all body systems which may be important for setting the biological clock, regulating circadian rhythms, and balancing cortisol levels.
Your body is naturally able to absorb electrical charges from the earth since your skin acts like a “conductor.” Your feet, specifically certain points in the balls of your feet, are believed to especially be good at receiving the earth’s electricity.
But because of our modern way of living — for example, always wearing shoes and living most of our lives above ground in our homes or offices that are located several floors up in tall buildings — we’re losing touch with the earth’s natural “electrical” force.
‘The human body is electrical first and chemical second,” according to earthing expert Clint Ober. Our brain, heart beat and neurotransmitter activity, for example, all rely on electrical signals, so when our electricity if off, so can be certain aspects of our health.
The idea is that by being in touch with the planet, the electrical force coming off the earth is able to help lower inflammation and fight free radicals. In fact, the term “earthing” has even earned a patent as a natural method for reducing disease-causing inflammation.
Vitamin G: The Key to Earthing!
Just like our body needs direct exposure to sunlight to produce adequate amounts of the vital nutrient called vitamin D, we also require a certain level of direct exposure with our home planet to produce something that some holistic practitioners call “Vitamin G.”
You might be familiar with vitamin D deficiency and related symptoms, but likely you’re brand new to vitamin G. Being directly in touch with the earth, our body’s own electricity becomes more stable and in line with that of the earth. Think of it this way: You know the relaxing, healing feeling of spending time outdoors in the sun? Well, you can also get a surge of healthy compounds flooding your system by walking in your bare feet on the earth’s soil or sand.
I will talk more about the benefits of barefoot shoes in just a moment, but I also want to say that to reduce stress and energize your system in the biggest way, you should ideally also get outside and go completely “bare,” with no shoes on at all.
Health Benefits of Earthing or Grounding
Up until this point, unfortunately, so much of our current health care model has provided us with very little, if any, research of the importance of the bio-electrical component to our health. But the idea of the earth having an electrical pulse that impacts our body is nothing new. This has been proven and well-understood for many years and is an important aspect of preventing accidents or injuries in fields like radiation, gas, dynamite or surgery.
So much of the information we have about bio-electrical impacts on our health has been done outside of the field of medical science and health-related research. However, even though we only have a few solid studies on the health benefits of bioelectrical impulses, many of us have “experienced” the benefits firsthand. For instance, have you ever experienced a walk on the beach or a stroll in the park letting your bare feet touch the grass or sand and sensed a feeling of peace? I know I have.
The known benefits of earthing have to do with a reduction of free radicals that takes place in our body when it comes into contact with “free electrons,” whether from the earth or foods that have grown from the earth.
According to a 2012 report in the Journal of Environmental Public Health:
Throughout history, humans mostly walked barefoot or with footwear made of animal skins. They slept on the ground or on skins. Through direct contact or through perspiration-moistened animal skins used as footwear or sleeping mats, the ground’s abundant free electrons were able to enter the body, which is electrically conductive. Through this mechanism, every part of the body could equilibrate with the electrical potential of the Earth, thereby stabilizing the electrical environment of all organs, tissues, and cells.
Here is how this process can specifically benefit your health:
Reduces Inflammation
To put it simply, it’s thought that the influx of free electrons from the Earth’s surface help to neutralize free radicals and reduce both acute and chronic inflammation and accelerated aging. Experts on earthing and grounding believe that this practice can help improve circulation, which means you’re better able to distribute nutrients throughout your body and also carry waste and toxins out. In fact, enhanced circulation can have a tremendous effect on the body in many ways — from boosting energy levels to reducing swelling.
According to a report published in Alternate Therapies in Health and Medicine, “Inflammation is now recognized as an overwhelming burden to the healthcare status of our population and the underlying basis of a significant number of diseases. The elderly generally bear the burden of morbidity and mortality, which may be reflective of elevated markers of inflammation resulting from decades of lifestyle choices.”
How does earthing help stop inflammation? Inflammation, which triggers disease for so many people, is largely believed to be caused by a lack of electrons in your tissues. When your body senses that you’re “under attack” or sick, it delivers reactive oxygen species (ROS) to the site of injury, which is another way of saying that it triggers an inflammatory response in an attempt to heal and defend you. When this takes place, some free radicals can leak in to surrounding tissue and damage otherwise healthy parts of your body by increasing swelling, pain, heat and redness.
The reason that we want to eat plenty of high-antioxidant foods is the same reason we want to practice earthing. Antioxidant electrons in your body help ensure that damage from free radicals doesn’t get out of control and lead to high levels of inflammation and faster aging, just like anti-inflammatory foods do. Basically, the free or mobile electrons from the earth can resolve chronic inflammation by serving as natural antioxidants!
The belief about earthing’s benefits is that electrons can be absorbed from the bottom of your feet when they’re touching the ground, and then these can move anywhere in your body where free radicals are forming. The antioxidant electrons help cancel out free radicals and, therefore, halt damage to DNA and other forms of “oxidative stress.”
Helps Reduce Stress Hormones
Chronic stress can kill your quality of life, as you’ve probably experienced first hand. But luckily, time spent in nature can really help reverse certain feelings of stress and anxiety. One double-blind study that investigated the effects of earthing on 58 healthy adults used conductive adhesive patches placed on the sole of each participant’s foot to read their electrical signals. The subjects were exposed to 28 minutes in the unearthed condition followed by 28 minutes with the earthing wire connected. Controls were unearthed for 56 minutes.
After earthing, about half the subjects showed “an abrupt, almost instantaneous change in root mean square (rms) values of electroencephalograms (EEGs) from the left hemisphere of the brain.” These changes are believed to signify positive changes and lower stress reactions.
Nineteen of 22 earthing participants also experienced decreased blood volume pulses (BVP). After considering the effects on electrophysiological properties of the brain and musculature as recorded using EEG, EMG and BVP readings, the findings suggest significantly higher reductions in overall stress levels and tensions results in the earthing participant’s compared to the control group.
Can Help You Sleep Better
A 2007 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine demonstrated that connecting the human body to the earth during sleep (earthing) normalizes the daily cortisol rhythm and improves sleep patterns. This is because of the effects that stress hormones have on your natural circadian rhythm, energy and ability to sleep soundly.
It’s proposed that the earth’s “diurnal electrical rhythms” set the biological clocks for hormones that regulate sleep and activity. We’ve all had the experience of tossing and turning in bed, unable to fall asleep due to racing thoughts. When our bodies are not in line with the natural rhythms of the earth, including the patterns of light and darkness or “electrical” charges, our sleep and immunity suffers. The indoor-lifestyle that many of us lead might be one reason for rising cases of chronic fatigue syndrome.
One 2006 study published in the Journal of European Biology and Bioelectromagnetics observed the patterns of patients’ cortisol levels before and after grounding. They found that their cortisol rises and dips were scattered and somewhat unpredictable in the adults before they practiced earthing. But after earthing, their levels of cortisol were more in line with the natural rhythms of the earth and sun: They had higher cortisol early in the morning when we naturally need more to feel alert and awake, then they had lower cortisol at night time when we need to unwind in order to fall asleep for the night.
Electrically and chemically speaking, poor sleep is often a symptom of high stress hormones like cortisol. By lowering our reaction to stressful events in our lives, we can fall and stay asleep more easily. And sleep is crucial for healing our body on the most basic level – raising our immunity, giving us enough energy for proper digestion, fighting food cravings or weight gain, and supporting a healthy mindset.
Can Help Increase Energy
Many people have found that earthing or grounding can improve their energy or fight low-grade ongoing fatigue. This can be one side effect of getting better sleep but also be due to improvements in hormones and lower levels of inflammation.
For example, many studies point to the fact that higher cortisol levels rob the body of energy. Physiological stress and cortisol have a close relationship: Stress impacts cortisol, and cortisol can further increase stress responses. This cycle can lead to fatigue and sleep problems, even cravings for low-nutrient foods, sugar and excess calories that further lead to low energy levels.
Can Help Lower Pain
Inflammation is a major source of pain, since it increases swelling, stiffness, reduced mobility and malformation. Inflammation in the joints and tissues are the main cause of pain associated with chronic conditions like arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), for example, is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that usually involves pain in multiple joints as well as symptoms like fatigue, fever, weight loss, eye inflammation, anemia and lung inflammation. In someone with RA, the body releases enzymes that attack its own healthy tissue, therefore destroying the linings of joints. By lowering inflammation, its very possible to help combat pain caused by chronic autoimmune disorders, injuries, headaches, menstrual problems and so on.
One 2010 pilot study compared the pain levels of adults who were grounding compared to a control group following intense exercise that caused muscle soreness. The results showed that grounding the body to the earth altered measures of immune system activity and pain. Among the ungrounded men, there was an expected, sharp increase in white blood cells (sign of an inflammatory response) and greater perception of pain after exercise. In comparison, the grounded men had only a slight decrease in white blood cells, indicating less inflammation and experienced shorter recovery times.
How to Start Earthing
There is no such thing as earthing “too much,” and it’s likely that the more we do, the greater benefits we’ll see. At the same time, even short periods of being in contact with the earth directly over the course of the day can help. Some ways to start having more direct contact with the earth can include: walking barefoot to the mailbox, mowing your lawn, gardening without shoes on, barbecuing outdoors barefoot, laying directly on the sand at the beach instead of sitting in a chair, and many more easy, realistic ways. Sounds rough, right?
Several products are now available that can also help us practice earthing or grounding more often, although just being outdoors barefoot is still the optimal (and simplest) way. For example, a type of electrically-charged bed has been created that features silver wires that are connected to the electrical charge of the earth once plugged into an “earthing” port.
These beds basically have conductive systems that transfer the earth’s electrons from the ground into the body. So even when we’re inside, sleeping in an “earthing bed” might be able to help us absorb the effects of the earth’s electricity and normalize our circadian rhythms and sleep patterns. Laying or sleeping in the bed is almost like sleeping outside on the grass, according to Clint Ober.
Other people like to use “earthing mats.” These look similar to small yoga mats and are placed on the floor. They also have a controller and are connected to electrical fields being given off from the earth’s surface. These are an easy way to practice earthing while working at a desk, standing around the bathroom or kitchen, watching TV or talking on the phone. “Earthing bands” also exist, which are placed on the wrists and arms. Some people like to wear these while cooking, working or doing anything else around the house when they can’t be outdoors.
As you follow the secret detox lifestyle (or any ongoing healthy lifestyle), I recommend that you try to get outside while totally barefoot for at least 30 minutes a day. This can truly help you experience faster healing and reduced stress. Of course, it can also help you avoid the all-too-common vitamin D deficiency, too, and maybe also get some exercise.
Not only is this a powerful value to our ability to detox, it’s a resource that everyone has available to them — and it’s a completely free resource! You can’t beat that value.
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