The 6 Best Healers for Improved Wellbeing –

The six best healers are: Rest, Water, Air, Exercise, Sunshine and Diet.

Rest - It all begins with Rest. Getting quality sleep is essential for your body to repair itself and so you have the energy you need to function.

Water - We all know water is essential, but many of us don’t drink enough. Mild dehydration can cause fatigue. Instead of reaching for the coffee (which is a diuretic) and will dehydrate you more and can cause you to expel electrolytes, try drinking some water! Herbal teas or flavored sparkling waters are also great low calorie options. If you need a little extra pick me up, green teas contain a small amount of caffeine and have powerful antioxidants. Try an app to track your water intake for the day and to remind you to drink.

Air - Try some deep breathing to maximize your oxygen. We typically only utilize the upper 1/3 our lungs. Try some deep belly breaths to wake up the body and calm the nervous system. Also, get outside for some fresh air. Spending time in nature is very healing. The practice of Forest Bathing (walking in the trees being conscious and contemplative of the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest), is good for both physical and mental wellbeing. It is proven to reduce stress hormone production, improve feelings of happiness, as well as lower heart rate and blood pressure, boost the immune system and accelerate recovery from illness.

Exercise - Gentle movement practices can help give you energy. Try Yoga, Pilates, or Tai Chi.

Sunshine - Vitamin D is essential for our bodies immune system. When exposed to the sun, your skin can make it’s own Vitamin D. Our skin contains receptor cells that convert ultraviolet rays into Vitamin D. Many of us are told to avoid the sun because it can cause skin cancer and use sunscreens that are full of toxic chemicals. If you are unable to get enough sunlight, Vitamin D supplements are an option, but it is best to get it naturally if possible. Also, when using sunscreen, use one with natural ingredients.

Sunshine is a powerful mood booster and fights depression! Getting exposure to sunlight can also improve sleep, as it helps reset our sleep/wake cycle.

Diet - “You are what you eat”. Many of us overlook this. Food can be poison, or it can be our medicine. Avoid sugar and processed foods (including bread). Try to eat whole foods in their natural state. Eat plenty of veggies and berries. Get enough protein. Eat organic when possible. Non organic foods often contain pesticides that cause inflammation and have been linked to autoimmune disease. Identify any food intolerances and eliminate those from your diet. Some people do better avoiding things such as gluten or dairy.

In addition to incorporating these six natural healers, try to avoid chemicals in your environment. Toxic chemicals can be in cosmetics, shampoos, and household cleaners as well as our food (such as pesticides, BPA, and other hormone and immune disrupters).