Once again the light shifts, the seasons change and night welcomes us into a deeper embrace.
The darker months invite the plants to slow their flurry of production, dig way DOWN and IN to the sanctuary of their core and roots. Nature's wisdom moves the animals into their safe places for deep dreaming and hibernation. In a culture obsessed with hyper activity and the bright upward, outward, forward striving for productivity, the rhythms of nature's call to slow our whole selves, move inward and deepen downward may not be shown the profound value which it deserves. Giving ourselves permission to be in synchronicity with the patterns of seasonal living can offer our lives a harmonious balance and a soulful set of healthy, deepening experiences that expand our relationship within ourselves and our greater world.
Having acknowledged that, for those of us acquainted with Seasonal Affective Disorder, the autumnal and winter months take on an added layer of experiences. If you are navigating the less desirable effects of these times then this article may have some supports to help you through.
Part of what may be affecting nearly 10 million Americans ( roughly 6% of the population mostly located in the northern regions ) struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder is that the reduced levels of natural sunlight in the fall and winter months may cause a significant drop in serotonin and melatonin levels and/ or disrupt the body's internal biological clock known as the circadian rhythm. These drops and disruptions can lead to feelings of depression, disturbance of sleep patterns or overall low energy. Seasonal Affective Disorder should not be confused with mild winter blues. It can be as debilitating as other forms of depression. Some of the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder ( also known as S.A.D. or Seasonal Depression ) are having low energy levels/ sluggish-ness, feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day, oversleeping yet still feeling tired all the time, craving high carbohydrate foods, appetite changes, weight gain, disinterest in participating in activities you once enjoyed, achy bones and muscles, difficulty concentrating, feeling agitated or without hope, feeling worthless or having an increased sense of guilt or thoughts of death or suicide.
Many individuals are interested in effective alternatives or safe, effective, evidence based integrative additions to the prescription drugs commonly prescribed for SAD ( anti-depressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), or tricyclic antidepressants.)
This winter may be especially challenging on mental health with the added layers of challenge going on in the global landscape, but there are natural allies and integrative supports that are safe and effective.
Here are 7 top natural integrative supports for navigating S.A.D. to include in your pandemic winter wellness plan :
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1. Meditaion
The tendency of going inward is already on the seasonal agenda. Going inward deliberately through meditation can help those who have a particularly challenging time with feeling unfocused, those who are dealing with the overload of daily toxic stress of these challenging times or who have trouble simply relaxing into good quality sleep. Meditation has been scientifically proven to boost the immune system, relieve depression and anxiety, increase productivity, help alleviate symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder, help to lower blood pressure, and promote clear and creative thinking. Many of the stress relieving, neurobiological and physical benefits of meditation are on par with other chemically based treatments for these same conditions. Getting in tune with your own mind and spirit can have a dramatic and positive natural impact on overall emotional resilience and sense of well-being.
In Tibetan, the term for meditation is gompa, which means “to familiarize.” Meditation is not about attempting to turn off your thoughts or feelings. It is more about training into compassionate awareness and learning to observe your thoughts and feelings without judgment. In this way meditation is a self accepting re-familiarizing of ourselves with the fullness of our wholeness, inner selves and all of Life. This attunement may be the very gift Seasonal Affective Disorder can offer an individual should they accept the cyclical invitation inward.
One of my favorite ways to ease into regular meditation is to utilize the potent practice of the one minute meditation. There are some great wisdoms in this Book on 1 minute Meditations that can help with practical meditating for busy, modern people. We can all sustain just about any reasonable activity for one minute, so this is a great way to get started if you are new to meditating or if seasonal depression is challenging your ability to focus for longer periods of time. You can start with the one minute meditation then build your meditation practice up from there. Listen to your spirit and your breathing ... it knows. The more severe your symptoms, the more likely a longer meditation practice will support your sense of well-being.
2. Light Therapy
When the weather permits, open up those curtains and blinds to let the sunshine all the way in. Getting outside for as long as possible and following the natural light cycles of the day can help you maintain higher serotonin and melatonin levels especially throughout the winter.
Even when you can get outside for a nice walk, supplementing winter sunlight with a good quality Light Therapy Lamp first thing in the morning and on dark days helps many people get through Seasonal Affective Disorder nearly symptom free. Full spectrum white light from supplemental strong incandescent, LED or fluorescent bulbs helps provide energy and rebalance the hormonal systems and circadian rhythm, by stimulating the production of serotonin, a substance which regulates both sleep and the nervous system. Light therapy and increasing the amount of light in the home is especially helpful in the autumn months before the full onset of seasonal winter symptoms may appear. Whenever possible visiting sunny climates during the darker months can also help alleviate some symptoms.
Another type of light therapy that can be useful in treating some of the symptoms of S.A.D. is Red Light Therapy. Red and near infrared light has been scientifically shown to re-energize the body at a cellular, mitochondrial level. These wavelengths of light have been lab proven to ease muscle and joint pain and inflammation ( many people with seasonal depression have achy bones and bodies ), improve sleep quality, mood and overall energy levels. A simple 10-20 minute red and near infrared light session most days is all that's required to reap it's many, many benefits. For more info on some other benefits of Red Light Therapy check out my blogpost entitled "Simply Lightening Up". I absolutely LOVE Red Light Therapy ! It has been a game changer for so many facets of my own wellness. I'm happy to share this link to my very favorite Red Light Therapy Devices ( these are the highest quality at the best price... you're welcome! )
3. Boosting Vitamin D
Low levels of the hormone ( yes... hormone ), Vitamin D, can show up in our experience as fatigue, muscle weakness, aches, mood changes and depression. Research has also linked Vitamin D levels to quality of sleep. In the sunny months Vitamin D synthesis happens in the top layers of skin that have been exposed to the full spectrum of natural light. The ultraviolet radiation in sunlight penetrates into the epidermis and photolyzes provitamin D3 into pre-vitamin D3. Aging, sunscreens, and melanin all diminish the capacity of the skin to produce pre-vitamin D3.
In the darker months of the year when sunlight hours wane, alongside maintaining a healthy diet, boosting our levels of Vitamin D with natural food sources such as :
Egg , Sun exposed Wild Mushrooms ( high vitamin D varieties include Crimini, Portabello, Maitake and White Button ), Fortified Yogurt and dairy, Cod Liver Oil and Fatty Fish like Salmon, Canned Tuna, Sardines and Trout can help supplement the gifts of available sunlight and help our systems and hormones to better regulate themselves.
To learn more about how exposing mushrooms to sunlight increases vitamin D content, check out this article from Paul Stamets.
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4. Make Positive Social Contact
Hugs, chats on the phone or on social media, eye contact ( like REAL eye contact ), walking the dog with a neighbor or friend all take on a greater benefit during long winter months for those working through the challenges of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Humans are designed to connect with the greater tribe in order to thrive and get through the seasons. For this reason it's advisable to line up a reliable family member, a friend, a supportive social media group or two and/ or a solid trained counselor in advance to be ready to be by your side whenever needed.
Be aware that if you or your loved one need free counseling, or if you or someone you know is considering self harm, there is a wealth of support on the website SAMHSA’s National Helpline, or their national hotline at 1-800-622-HELP ( 4357 ) ... or You can reach out for resources and support on the Suicide Prevention Lifeline website or call the National Hotline at 1 (800) 273-8255 should that be of help to you or your loved one.
If you are not personally dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder or if you are in a position to reach out in support of others working through it or pandemic related overload, this is the year to offer your care and support to others.... check on your neighbors, colleagues, family and even strangers wherever and whenever you can. Simple, safe gestures, offerings and contact ( even with following social distancing guidelines ) can make a positive significant difference in the mental health and well-being of our local and global community.
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5. Sun herbs:
In planetary herbology, the actions of herbs on tissue states is grouped into planetary correspondences. Herbs in the "sun herbs" category are associated with vitality, energy, warmth, stimulation, and upward, outward radiance. Medicinal plants like Lemon, Cinnamon, Rosemary and St Johns Wort are all beneficial plants considered "sun" herbs that, when combined with other natural supports and a well-balanced diet, may help one navigate the various symptoms associated with seasonal depression.
Here are some favorite herbal ways to get feeling a whole lot better:
One simple winter comfort is to have a nice cup of hot lemonade made with fresh squeezed lemon juice, hot water, honey and cinnamon. Not only can detoxifying Lemon (citrus x limon) help with weight loss for weight gain associated with S.A.D., it also has mood boosting essential oils as well as beneficial digestive properties that help with sluggish winter digestion. While warming, circulatory, anti-oxidant rich ceylon Cinnamon (cinnamomum verum) helps stimulate neurons, positively influencing brain activity, aids in improving mental concentration and helps in visceral fat loss all while helping boost the immune system. Honey is an enzymatically rich, anti-microbial source of quick energy that can help soothe dry winter throats and boost our ability to fight off various infections. Not only can spicy hot lemonade made with these naturally medicinal ingredients help you bust through the beginnings of a winter cold and help with symptoms of S.A.D., it is also just plain yummy... just sayin'.
Massaging your scalp and/ or chest, neck and back with a wonderfully aromatic and circulatory Rosemary (rosemarinus officinalis) infused oil not only feels great but can help wake up your winter brain and improve concentration, memory recall and mental focus while protecting your brain from negative effects of aging and also stimulating and energizing the entire being. Another way to enjoy the benefits of Rosemary is to include this delicious, medicinal and culinary antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory herb in more of your winter cooking recipes. Mmmm
St John's Wort (hypericum perforatum) is the classic seasonal depression herb many people have successfully used to lift and brighten mood during the winter months. This little, sunny yellow flower has been used for everything from insomnia and depression to obsessive compulsive disorder, ADHD and somatic symptom disorder to healing burns, muscle pain and wounds. St. John's wort has been shown to be effective for depressive symptoms caused by low levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine. It is especially effective in the treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder when combined with light therapy. I like to use St John's Wort in either an infused oil form ( my favorite, topically or internally ) or tincture form. Since St John's Wort can increase photosensitivity or have sometimes dangerous interactions with various medications, it is advised that you talk with your healthcare provider before including it in your wellness regimen.
Due to the exceptional circumstances playing out globally this year, I'll also mention one of my very favorite (non "sun" herb) herbs for helping to relieve a sense of grief or heavy sorrow from the heart, helping to promote healthy sleep patterns and support the body's natural balance between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. Our special pandemic edition of herbal supports comes from the tree nicknamed by Traditional Chinese Medicine the " tree of full happiness", Silk Momosa (albizia julibrissin). The Silk Mimosa tree has a lovely, fluffy pink blossom that looks like something out of a Dr. Seuss book. I just love how this silly looking flower and it's leaves and tree bark can act like a natural kind of prozac. Silk Mimosa is an adaptogen that promotes a healthy response to stress, by supporting natural regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, helping to boost overall adrenal health and emotional/ mental calm. For those who have the added layer of processing grief or heart ache during these tumultuous times, joy promoting Silk Mimosa can be an absolute Godsend.
As always, be sure to consult with your trusted healthcare provider before making changes to your supplementary or wellness regimen.
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6. Playlists and pleasurable movement.
You ever notice how a great playlist can change your whole day? Turns out there's a biological basis that helps lift the spirits of music listeners. Endorphins, our bodies' natural stress relieving, pain-killing feel-good hormones, are released whenever we engage in listening to great music or when we participate in sustained pleasurable or rigorous movement. Endorphins work on the opiate receptors in the brain to stabilize the immune system and signal to the whole body a sense of overall heightened well-being. We release endorphins that help promote feelings of euphoria during exercise, times of pain and stress, while eating, listening to music, hugging or during sex. Dancing or working out to a great playlist can double down on the amount of endorphins that will saturate our wintery senses with feelings of well-being.
So get your playlists together and bust a good feeling move or two. ( yes, on those really heavy days you can totally do this in your jammies without ever getting out of bed too.... extra ups for flicking on your light therapy lamp at the same time )
If you are interested, you can learn more about some of the benefits of having a great playlist by checking out The Benefits of Music: How the Science of Music Can Help You
7. Chromotherapy
Color therapy has roots in ancient Egyptian culture, Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Chinese healing technique where various colors were recognized and used for their spiritual, mood enhancing, energetic or physical actions and correspondences. Ancient Egyptians thought so highly of this complimentary modality that they specially built solarium rooms with different colored glass to bathe in the light that came through. Modern science and the healing arts have rediscovered many benefits of the use of color for enhancing well-being. The practice of utilizing color therapeutically is called chromotherapy.
One of the easiest ways to get instant benefits from chromotherapy is to wear specific colored clothing and/ or use various colors of high quality, therapeutic grade Color Therapy Glasses throughout the day. Each color of the spectrum of light has a unique action in or benefit to the body, mind or spirit.
As it relates to moving through Seasonal Affective Disorder, blue is a color best avoided until the daylight hours increase. Some of the most useful colors to bring in when seasonal depression kicks in are:
Green: Green, the color of the heart chakra in ancient Indian medicine, is the most balancing of all the colors. Experts in modern color therapy consider green to be the safest color and typically start color therapy with shades of green. Whenever you're feeling restricted, hopeless, sad or depressed, green can help improve your mood. Green is the color employed by chromo-therapists to enhance emotions of joy, to expand a sense of independence, a sense of hope, strength, inner peace, serenity and love. Science has even acknowledged how being in green spaces helps patients in hospitals heal faster.
Yellow: Certain shades of yellow are used in color therapy to bring up energy, help you feel happier and encourage action. A little yellow goes a long way ( be careful not to use yellow for too long or in too bright a shade as it can reverse these effects )
Orange: Orange can be useful to increase mental energy, revitalize a sense of pleasure and connectedness, well-being and even to help revive your interest in sexuality. Orange may also help with stimulating a healthy appetite and aid in physical healing. ( use for shorter periods of time if you are prone to anxiety )
For more in depth research on the effects of chromotherapy on mood you can check out this study (short ) and the longer Critical Analysis of Chromotherapy and it's Evolution
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We'll go deeper into other mood enhancing natural allies in future posts. I do hope you've found some useful natural allies here that you can integrate into your winter wellness strategies. Until then... may we honor our authentic rhythms and find our inner light deep within ourselves as the world offers the many seasons of possibility to all in existence..... May you know yourself, may you feel as complete as is humanly possible in every unique moment...and always, all ways.... THRIVE,
Aleli Estrada from Anima-Botanica.com
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This post is intended for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat any particular condition. For medical advise please consult with your trusted healthcare professional. Blessings on your wellness journey.
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We'd love to connect with you here in the COMMENTS: .... What has helped you feel your best in the winter months? How has navigating Seasonal Affective Disorder brought you into a deeper relationship with yourself? Got a great feel-good playlist you'd like to share with others that's helped you through rough spots? Kindly share in the comments below ( and THANKS! Everybody loves discovering new music )
]]>I've often marveled at how precious water is to our existence. And although precious water is our body's 2nd most important nutrient ( the 1st most important being oxygen ), many people rarely give it the place, beautiful treatment and acknowledgement it deserves within their daily experience. You might remember hearing in grade school how your body, just like the planet's surface, is made up of 60- 70% water. Water really IS life.
Many years ago, while pregnant with my third child, I had the joy of sitting in deep conversations with Deanna Delong, author of the water benefits reference guide for wellness educators Drink Water For Life ( inspired by her extensive research on water, which included insights from the influential book Your Body's Many Cries for Water ). We marveled at what water does in every single function and system of the human body. It was a delightful, comprehensive and illuminating series of discussions. Since that time, I have come to respect and cherish water on a whole new level.
It's estimated that nearly 75% of all Americans are chronically dehydrated. You'll learn in this post why, in my view, water is one of the top most useful, safe natural allies in multi-dimensional health and well being, not just for Americans, but for our species at large. Once we begin to understand all that water can do for us ( and as us ), it is much easier for us to get into a healthier relationship with it and with ourselves.
WATER IN OUR BODY:
In many ways, water is YOU. Water may just be this planet's top natural remedy. Water constitutes, migrates and interpenetrates everything within your physical structure. Inherent in it's natural chemistry water holds, among other things, polarity, cohesion, and surface tension that help smooth and orchestrate the mutli-functionality and fluidity of every cell of the human matter based vessel. You are invited to pour yourself a tall, clean glass of refreshing water as you discover just some of the body systems that water supports:
From washing wounds, preventing wrinkles and dry eyes, helping with weight loss all the way to reducing migraines and heart attacks, the powerful natural ally of using water wisely and staying well hydrated can have profound effects on our over all health and well-being. You might be wondering how much water does your body actually need to thrive?
What is "proper hydration"?
Are you drinking enough water?
Although there is no set amount of water that all experts agree upon, many researchers suggest drinking a minimum of around half your body weight in fluid ounces every day to maintain the optimal functioning of all systems of the body... more if you exercise heavily, have a special healing requirement or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
HERE'S AN EXAMPLE OF HOW TO FIGURE OUT AN OPTIMAL BASE AMOUNT FOR YOUR DAILY WATER INTAKE:
In our example we'll say that we are figuring out water intake for a person who is 150 pounds in weight
150 pounds divided by 2 = 75 (use this number now in ounces)
75 ounces divided by 8 ounce cups = apprx. 9 and a half cups ( we round up )
by the above example an average 150 pound individual could benefit optimally from a base intake of around 9 and a half cups of water per day, spread throughout the day.
***An extra hydration tip: For good digestion, one of the best times to drink water is about half an hour before and/ or about one hour after each meal. This can help you absorb the nutrients in your meal much better.
***And for those who are physically active: It is advisable to pre hydrate at least one hour before workouts.
You may have heard about how useful electrolytes are in proper hydration. Electrolytes are mineral ions that help conduct and enable the smooth flow of electrical signals throughout the body, replenish mineral losses and help you make the most of the available water within your body. There are sports aides on the market that help to replenish and rebalance electrolytes.
However, you can also make your own
THIRST QUENCHING NATURAL ELECTROLYTE SPORTS AID:
Some of the top athletes who've taken my herbalism for athletes workshops have reported great performance and post performance recovery using this simple, all natural electrolyte recipe. You can make your own natural electrolyte sports aid drink using pure coconut water, calcium magnesium powder ( key mineral electrolytes) and the energizing, mineral rich adrenal support herb Organic Stinging Nettles.
2 cups fresh Coconut Water
2 cups Stinging Nettles Infusion ( 1oz dried nettles steeped in 1 quart of boiling hot water for 4 hours, covered, then strained )
1/8 - 1/4 tsp Himalayan Sea Salt
1 tsp Calcium Magnesium Powder
optional: flavor with 1/4 cup of fruit juice ( like pineapple ) and or sweeten with 1-2 TBLSPs honey or stevia
*** Blend together all ingredients. Makes 1 quart. Drink as you would a commercial sports aide. Will keep in fridge for up to two days. You can substitute all water, all coconut water or all nettles infusion to make up the full 4 cups of fluids depending on what you have on hand. Both coconut water and nettles infusion contain other naturally occurring minerals and electrolytes.
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The healthiest hydration includes drinking the HIGHEST QUALITY WATER that is available to you.
Since water makes up most of our bodies, the water we drink should be as clean and pathogen free as possible. I mean, think about it..... that ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Eliminating the possibility of water born diseases, harmful substances and pathogens ( like giardia, E.coli, cryptosporidium, typhoid fever, hepatitis A, arsenic, heavy metals, amoebas or cholera, etc ) ensures that up to at least 60 percent of our body and 95 percent of your brain begins in good, clean running order. You can upgrade your physiology today by upgrading the quality and intake of your water. Worth it!
Most bottled water is not regulated for filtration and is most often discovered to be tap water which sits in BPA laden plastic bottles for long periods of time before making its way to the consumers lips. Although decent drinkable tap water is readily available in most places, it's good to be aware that tap water is of differing quality and filtration standards depending upon it's sources and the regulations of the municipality where it is distributed. For this reason, its a good idea to filter the water we drink with a high quality filter whenever possible.
One of my favorite go to, high performance home water filters is the Travel Berkey Water Filter I like that I can set this on a countertop or bring it with me camping... and it has been tested to remove more than 99.999% of viruses and pathogenic bacteria, while also removing or dramatically reducing protozoa (such as giardia and cryptosporidium), trihalomethanes, inorganic minerals, heavy metals (including arsenic, lead, mercury, chromium), pharmaceutical drugs (including caffeine, Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, Progesterone, Triclosan) from water. One of my other very favorite low cost water purifying methods, due to its ease of use and other wellness boosting properties is to use Natural Shungite Water Purifying Stones to purify water. You can learn more about how to make really good clean, affordable wellness promoting Shungite Water in my previous blogpost So simple.
Offering your body high quality, pure water in optimal amounts and in beneficial timing is a medicine and a magic all it's own. I invite you to drink deep this elixir of Life optimally from this moment forward.
And speaking of clean water for all....If you are interested in helping to bring clean drinking water to others in water scarce communities around the world ( yup 1 in 10 of our fellow humans on the planet still need access to safe, clean drinking water ), you can hook up with and make your offerings to a solid, impactful organization like CharityWater.org
This post is intended for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat any particular condition. For medical advise please consult with your trusted healthcare professional. Blessings on your wellness journey.
We'd love to hear from you in the COMMENTS below.... What are your favorite grounding techniques? How do you like to turbo boost your manifesting powers? <3
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***Precautions for using Schisandra: People who are pregnant or nursing should consult with their trusted healthcare provider before judiciously using Schisandra. Schisandra may interact with certain medications such as antibiotics like Biaxin (clarithromycin), diuretics ("water pills") like Coumadin (warfarin), estrogen-based contraceptives, immuno suppressive drugs like Sandimmune (cyclosporine) or diabetes medications like Glucotrol (glipizide).
Although Schisandra is a berry, and considered to be one of the "Immortal Foods" in the thousands years old traditional healthcare system of TCM, it isn't often actually eaten as a food. The most common way to benefit from the natural stress relief, increase energy and the many adaptogenic properties of Schisandra is in enjoying it as a tea. Due to it's deliciousness, it has quickly become a very favorite tea of countless people the world over. I have to say, it's flavor is marvelous! It has been said that the traditional way to take Schisandra tea is to build a core of strength by drinking it every day for 100 consecutive days. Then as needed after that. Schisandra berry can also be made into/ used in a tincture, powdered and used in capsules, juiced or even made into Schisandra wine. But by far the preferred method is to enjoy it in it's flavorful tea form.
*** You can make an extra large batch and refrigerate it covered for up to 3 days in the fridge. This is very handy if you are drinking Schisandra tea daily for the 100 consecutive days. Most people traditionally drink between 1 cup to 1 quart of Schisandra tea per day during this time. Schisandra Tea can be enjoyed hot or cold, sweetened or unsweetened. I sometimes add other herbs like organic Goji Berries or sliced Astragalus Root to the tea, but straight up Schisandra tea is simply divine and very satisfying.
I am happy to share with you my favorite practices, plants and most powerful tools for wellness. I hope you have found this posting helpful and informative. I don't know about you, but I intend to ride out the winter quarantine days ahead with great big, nourishing steamy cups of Schisandra tea and lots of meaningful reinvention. May you find your way, sanely and safely through these transformative and unprecedented times. And as always..... THRIVE,
Aleli Estrada from Anima-Botanica.com
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**** This post is intended for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat any particular condition. For medical advise please consult with your trusted healthcare professional. Blessings on your wellness journey.
We'd love to hear from you in the COMMENTS below.... Have you tried Schisandra Berry Tea? What are your favorite adaptogens and natural stress relieving, energy boosting practices and allies?
To learn about a whole next amazing level in natural, elegant, simple selfcare... Check out our latest blog post titled Simply Lightening Up. It is a game changer for sure!
]]>I love to find simple, natural, safe, non toxic yet potent ways to live well and healthy. And its a passion of mine to share about the great stuff I find with others. That's part of why Anima Botanica exists.
Ok, I've got to tell you about one of my new favorite optimal wellness care supports in the world! It is multi-functional, super impactful/ effective and has tons of fascinating scientific research that has confirmed its many benefits. There's good reason you're seeing praise for it pop up everywhere.
If you haven't yet heard about it, I'm so happy to introduce you to it... And if you have, then you already know exactly why I'm so in love with this potent wellness modality. This one is sort of a departure from my usually plant based offerings, but I can't help it, I just love it so much.
What's got me feeling shiny and buzzing with new energy these days is Red Light and Near-Infrared Light Therapy also known as PhotoBioModulation.
Nikola Tesla is revered for once saying, “If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.”
Red and near-infrared light are part of the electromagnetic spectrum, and more specifically, part of the healthy spectrum of light emitted by the sun. These wavelengths of light are “bioactive” in humans. Red and near-infrared light are able to penetrate deeper into the human body and are able to reach the cells, tissues, blood, nerves, into the bones and even into the brain. Just like plants, we use light for our overall health. Specifically red and near infrared light therapy have been repeatedly shown in thousands of scientific studies to have positive effects on cell function in humans and animals alike and to aid in significantly improving a wide range of conditions.( It has also proven safe and effective in numerous trials in order to gain FDA approval.)
Besides the abundance of science backing its benefits, one of the biggest reasons I love red light therapy is how it helps improve SLEEP AND ENERGY. I have struggled with serious insomnia since I was tiny ( like 4 years old tiny ) with a creative and active mind. Good sleep is absolutely key to overall health and wellness.
Here's just part of what I discovered while diving into the world of red light therapy:
I've learned a lot since starting to experience positive results in my sleep and energy cycles using red light therapy. It turns out that most modern individuals are exposed to too much artificial blue light which can not only cause digital eye strain and headaches during the day but in the evening it can make it harder to get to sleep and stay asleep. (Some of these sources of artificial blue light include computer screens, televisions, smart phones and overhead lighting). When we expose ourselves to this artificial blue light our bodies get the signal that it's time to be awake. This light throws the body's biological clock—the circadian rhythm—out of sync. Worse yet, research shows that it may contribute to the causation of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.
Poor quality sleep not only use to plague me but is also pretty much an epidemic in the modern world ..... and light exposure is a big part of the problem. More specifically getting the wrong kinds of light at the wrong time of the day.
It's been discovered that exposure to typical room light in the evening has been shown to suppress the onset of the release of the sleep hormone melatonin and shorten melatonin duration in humans while red light therapy has been shown to have an opposite effect. One study even found increases in their serum melatonin levels of up to 75%! I know its helped me fall asleep faster, get a better quality of sleep and feel more oomphy ( yup, that's a word now ) the next morning. I've had the best results combining organic Full Spectrum CBD oil ( a high CBN formula for Sleep and Pain is my favorite for this ) before bed with 10 minutes of red light therapy. Here is a link to where you can find the best deal on the red light device with which I've had real, effective insomnia relief: Red Light Device
and another great link for you to get the pure organic reiki infused CBD products I've found to be the very best: ThoughtCloud CBD
But there is so much more to it all than just getting a good night's sleep.
Red light therapy is a NATURAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY that’s been shown to reduce swelling, soreness, and strain in numerous clinical studies. It is an effective natural treatment in cases of arthritis, inflammation, post workout muscle recovery and pain reduction. Red light therapy reduces inflammation by INCREASING CIRCULATION AND BLOOD FLOW to damaged tissues. DECREASING OXIDATIVE DAMAGE, which degenerates joints, and is another way that light therapy can benefit soft/connective tissue. Furthermore, PRODUCING MORE CELLULAR ENERGY helps tissues regenerate and heal faster. It works perfectly on my old injuries ( among other things, I've fallen off a cliff rock climbing and down a huge flight of stairs while holding a baby ) and newer post workout aches. It has helped melt away layers of my pain and tension that were previously stuck. I'm currently using photobiomodulation to help ease carpal tunnel inflammation from years of playing musical instruments. It's really helping.
What I find so beautiful about this recent addition to my wellness habits is that there are also multiple other benefits to using a simple red light therapy device regularly..... Benefits like healthy younger looking skin, wrinkle reduction, more ATP, increased hair growth and hair recovery, increased collagen production, increased testosterone production ( in men ), higher energy production, pain relief, tissue healing etc all without taking any supplements or using any topicals.
Its a lazy, wonderful way to boost overall wellness. Like do next to nothing, gain a bunch of benefits. You just turn on the light, sit and receive.
Its all in the way that red light and near infrared light interplays with the mitochondria ( the energy centers of the cells ). These bio active light spectrums are natures perfect design in feeding our cells the frequencies and wavelengths that power active healing, healthy body rhythms and energy production. The specific photons found in red and near infrared light interact with photoreceptors within our cells called cytochrome c oxidase. This interaction stimulates the mitochondria in our cells to use oxygen more efficiently, which allows the mitochondria to produce more ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Adenosine triphosphate is a complex organic chemical that provides energy to drive many processes in living cells, e.g. muscle contraction, nerve impulse propagation, and chemical synthesis. Found in all forms of life, ATP is often referred to as the "molecular unit of currency" of intracellular energy transfer. When our cells have more energy, they simply perform better and the whole body follows suit. We really are beings of light!
For me, I use my red light device for about 10- 15 minutes on most days and I feel the immediate layering of these really significant multiple benefits. All this while I'm just straight up chillin', meditating, stretching, dancing, doing breathwork or just clearing my head for the day. I can think of few other techniques, supplements, treatments or wellness modalities that offer such great gains for so little effort. It's one of my favorite reset buttons from the craziness going on in the world. Instantly revitalizing. I'm completely hooked!
The red light therapy device I use is called MitoRed. It is, in my opinion, the very best. It's on my must have list for good reason.
If you are interested you can purchase a Mito Red device or learn more about if red light therapy is right for you by clicking this link : Mito Red Light Therapy Devices
Here's some tech geek stuff specifically about why I chose the Mito Red as my red light therapy device:
Some red light therapy device brands use only 2w or 3w LEDs. At Mito Red they use very high quality 5w LEDs. Their 5 watt LED configurations actually deliver industry leading power that are validated by unbiased independent 3rd party testing.
This Higher Irradiance = Better Results in Less Time.
Since my time is precious to me, I absolutely love this about the Mito Red devices! 10- 15 relaxing minutes and I'm good to go. Its a super relaxing, comfortable experience, kind of just warm and relaxing. Especially since gyms and spas are mostly still closed, I really love having a professional grade at-home device I can use at any time. I actually prefer getting to just plink down in front of it at home. Its way more cost effective and time efficient than heading to a gym, spa or treatment center for red light therapy.
There are many brands from which to choose, all of varying quality and cost. Some manufacturers claim their devices have irradiance of >100mW/cm2, but they leave in the fine print that this is at the SURFACE of their device. Others make bold claims but fail to provide any independent diagnostic data. Mito Red lays out all their specs and data, and I really feel, based off of all the specs I've researched on multiple brands devices that they have made a superior device to most others on the market at this time.
Mito Red devices have what they call Enhanced Spectral Energy Output™ (aka ESPEO).... This essentially means that the Mito Red devices deliver light energy across the entire spectrums of Red nanometer relatively long wavelengths (620-700nm with peak at 660nm) and Near Infrared nanometer relatively long wavelengths (800-900nm with peak at 850nm) at therapeutic levels. Red light has a frequency of between 405-480 THz ( THz = terahertz.... hello!... for all my sacred musicians and healing frequency adepts reading this, red light vibrates in that 432 THz peaceful, well-being attunement range )
It is the most powerful, legit red light device I've found at the very best price. Some of the other brands are outrageously priced ( like 3 xs or more for the same size unit ) while not offering any higher quality. The Mito Red devices ticked all the boxes for me... A powerful therapeutic grade high quality device, backed by independent 3rd party testing, supremely easy to use design, like zero maintenance required and very reasonably priced. Its my absolute top pick for red light devices.
I love red light therapy so much that I'm sure I'll be writing more in depth posts about its many benefits in the future. Its just a game changer! I haven't even scratched the surface of everything this kind of light therapy can do. As always, I encourage you to do your own research when it comes to your unique biology, but I'm glad to begin to share with you about the tools and techniques that have helped me feel and be at my best.
I hope you find this helpful on your own journey through wellness. Get and Stay healthy my friends!
What are YOUR new favorite wellness allies these days? We'd love to hear from you ❤ Share your experiences and favorites in the comments.
You can SHOP Mito Red Light here