2020: Creating Physical, Mental and Emotional Balance

Hi everyone! Christa here.

2020 is proving to be a very different year. We are experiencing a lot of change and uncertainty and a new normal. I feel it’s important to keep ourselves in check physically, mentally and emotionally. Read on for some of my favorite tools or tips in making that happen.

Physical Health

This is not just our fitness, or what we eat, it’s how we care for ourselves everyday. Meditation, yoga, nutrition and self-care. With all the news, social media, false information out there, we are running around in an anxious state. It is our duty to focus inward. The best thing you can offer yourself or others is creating a sense of peace within. We can do this through meditation, or yoga relaxation techniques.

Another important part is nutrition. How do you nourish yourself? There are simple ways to make sure our health is in check: eat a healthy balanced nutritional diet. Make an appointment with Ashley and check out what you are eating. You can always make a healthier choice or find a way to add more veggies to any meal. For me, I find a way to add spinach to everything! I add it to smoothies, eggs and even my homemade banana bread. 

I also make sure I take supplements to support my health, skin and immune system. What I take everyday:

Vitamin C: also known as ascorbic acid, is necessary for the growth, development and repair of all body tissues. It's involved in many body functions, including formation of collagen, absorption of iron, the immune system, wound healing, and the maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth. I recommend this one, I especially like the addition of rose hips, grape seed extract, rutin, and acerola fruit extract

Vitamin D: This one comes in an easy to take liquid form with a convenient squeeze top dropper. Vitamin D supports strong, healthy, and flexible bones and discourages calcium buildup in arteries and soft tissue. I like to add this to smoothies or sneak it into a salad dressing.

Calcium and Magnesium: Supports healthy bones, teeth, muscle & nervous system function. Magnesium & Calcium are chelated to citric acid & Vitamin D3 added for enhanced absorption. Magnesium will naturally calm us down as well. I like this brand, it’s also highly recommended.

Probiotics: Did you know your gut is home to 70% of your immune system? For skin and gut support consider a probiotic. I like anything by RenewLife. With a blend of 10 specially selected strains to reflect the natural diversity of your gut, this women’s probiotic helps restore digestive harmony and is gluten free dairy free and soy free.

Mental Health

As Deepak Chopra said:  “The virus makes the need for a positive psychological response more urgent, and the good news is that meditation and yoga are good for anti stress, which is connected to a strong immune response.”

Meditation: Wake and and go to bed with a 5 to 10 minute meditation to start and end your day. Deepak Chopra offers a free 21 day meditation series. In just 21 days you’ll learn to focus your mind and develop habits that put you in control of your own health

Practice yoga: 5 to 10 minutes of moving and stretching to connect with your body and soul. This could be as simple as 5 sun salutations each morning, or there are a lot of great virtual practices online. Check out our team to book a private session or visit them in public classes. I also recommend classes at Good Movement Studio.

Self-Care: Take care of your skin. When your face and body feel good, you feel good! Take a bath once a week to support and calm the nervous system and detox the body. Dry body brush. Regular Body Brushing may not only may your skin glow but improve your overall health, clarity and help detoxify the body. It exfoliates, stimulates, detoxifies, strengthens, alleviates vein and tissue congestion and even the gentle brushing of the connective tissue helps to regenerate production of collagen and elastin fibers.

Emotional Health

Remember, everyone is experiencing different feelings during this time but it is important for us not to spend too much time diagnosing these feelings. We must spend more time acknowledging those feelings, and then raising our vibration and not creating separation or barriers.

Spiritual Response: Take time to write down what is important to you. With so many community offerings closed, we are feeling a sinking feeling. How do we lift our vibration and connect with God or another source and not live in a constant state of fear?

Connect with Nature: Go for a walk, hike, gardening, anything that allows for time in peace and nature. Local nonprofits, The Summit Land Conservancy are offering Nature Bathing. Shinrin-yoku, which translates to “forest bathing” or “absorbing the forest atmosphere” encourages people to simply spend time in nature immersed in the sights, smells, textures, and tastes, of the natural scenery. It teaches the pleasures of presence in the wild and helps create a more defined sense of purpose and connection to this beautiful place we call home. More details here.

Journal:  connect with things that are import to you. Write down what good came out of this time for you. Time with family, time with yourself. 

In conclusion..

Be easy on yourself. These are unique times. These are challenging times. You are doing the best you can and I’m here to support you. Please reach out if I can be of help in any way.

- Christa