When it comes to investing in your health there are two things that help everyone across the board. They are nutrition and stress reduction. Most of us don’t realize just how damaging stress can be to our health. Here is the thing, we all deal with stress in our daily lives. But have you ever noticed that some of the most successful people seem almost stress-free? Often it can be a sore issue for those of us struggling to manage and deal with our never-ending stress loads. What if I told you that the key to success was how you personally dealt with stress on a daily basis? I am sure there are those of you out there that are more than skeptical which is why I am going to challenge you. 

What’s Really Going On Behind Closed Doors

Did you know that almost every health-related issue can be traced back to stress? When our bodies are under stress they release a number of hormones into our bloodstream: Cortisol, Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, Corticotropin-releasing Hormone, to name a few. These hormones trigger a cascading effect on a long list of additional hormones (Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone, Ghrelin, Leptin, Melatonin, Dopamine, and Serotonin to start). When Cortisol levels increase due to stress our bodies kick into high alert which can be extremely beneficial for our health in short bursts. Unfortunately, due to our fast-paced lifestyles, we experience excess amounts of Cortisol inducing periods. As a byproduct, our bodies start to attack themselves and begin to break down.

The Natural Solution

Luckily, there are tons of ways you can naturally lower your stress with little to no work. Some of my favorites include the foods you eat, meditation, exercise, essential oils, supplements, teas, and more! In fact, one of my favorite ways to reduce stress is with a spa night. Natural ingredients can be enjoyed in more ways than just your meals and can benefit you not just from the inside out, but from the outside in, too. One of the best ways is to add one or more to a hot bath. A long soak will draw out toxins and impurities through your skin and allow the absorption of the healing ingredients, leaving you feeling refreshed and revitalized. Here are a few DIY natural baths:

A Eucalyptus bath: 

This bath is excellent for moisturizing. It includes baking soda, eucalyptus oil, and Epsom salts. These ingredients relieve dry and itchy skin in winter, soothe and moisturize, and support the detoxification process.

A Ginger bath: 

Ginger helps you if you have indigestion and nausea because it promotes normal digestion and fights against bacterial infections. The main components of this bath are ginger and Epsom salts. This bath relieves symptoms of skin infections.

A Coconut milk bath: 

You can add powdered or liquid coconut oil to your bath along with a few drops of rose water or essential oils. This bath promotes relaxation.

An Apple cider vinegar bath: 

This bath is a great option if you are suffering from inflammatory skin problems like eczema or any bacterial or fungal infection because it helps regulate your skin’s pH levels. You can also add rose water or other essential oils to this bath.

It is just as important to detox from the outside as it is from the inside.  Your skin detoxifies to keep your body healthy; treat it well.  None of these baths require excessive or lengthy preparation and is the perfect ending to a hectic day.  Run a hot bath, add any of these ingredients, and let nature take care of you.

When you take time to love yourself and take time out of your busy day, you will thrive and feel at peace. 

Dr. Dee

Every Little Bit Counts

Taking these small steps is a great way to start clearing your mind and your life of digital clutter. Try one or two and see how the world and your perspective begin to unfold before you. This will also hopefully set an example that your family and friends want to emulate, creating an even healthier environment for social interaction and relationships. Personally, I take the weekends off. In fact, I don’t look at any emails or social media all weekend. This doesn’t mean that I cut out all technology completely. It just means I have taken a log of the areas that cause me the most stress. Turns out, the mass majority of my stress is caused by the constant ding of my social media updates. 

Citrus Salad

Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Serves 4

Ingredients

• 2 Cups Arugula
• 6 Cups Mixed Greens
• 2 Avocados
• 2 Grapefruits
• 2 Tbsp Chives
• 1 tsp Sea Salt
• 1/4 Cup Tahini
• 2 1/3 Tbsp Maple Syrup
• 1/4 Cup Grapefruit Juice
• 2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 Cups Toasted Pine Nuts

Directions:

In a small bowl, combine tahini, syrup, juice, vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper to taste for dressing.

In a large bowl, toss greens, arugula, chives, and nuts. Top with peeled and wedged grapefruit and avocado. Dress salad and enjoy this light and refreshing dish!

Watermelon Spicy Mint

Gluten-Free Vegan Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 4 Mint Leaves
• 1 tsp Chili Powder
• Zest of 1 Lime
• 1 Jalapeno Sliced
• 2 Cups Frozen Watermelon
• 1 Lime Juice
• 1/4 Cup Lime Coconut Bia Water
• 1 Pinch Coconut Sugar
• 1/4 Cup Flaky Sea Salt (optional)
• 4 oz Silver Tequila*

Directions:

Combine the powder, sugar, lime, watermelon, half of the jalapeno, water, and tequila into a blender. Blend until smooth. Take the skin of the lime and run around the rim of the glass before dipping into the sea salt. Top with leftover jalapeno and mint leaves. Enjoy and drink responsibly. Great without the alcohol too!

Need A Hand?

A happy and healthy life is closer than you may think. We all have to deal with our health daily, and when we don’t feel our best, it shows. If you are tired of just making it through your day, you NEED to start investing in your health today! You are not alone on this journey. If you ever need any help, I am always here to do just that. Even if it is something as small as acting as a sounding board, do you have any questions or concerns I can help you with? Feel free to contact me directly at [email protected], or you can even book a one-on-one call with me. Be sure to subscribe to gain access to tons of free goodies and check back daily for more great recipes and information!