5 Holistic Self-Care Habits For a More Balanced Body
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What is Holistic Health?
Holistic wellness is a belief and philosophy that focuses on treating a person as a whole rather than focusing on a specific illness or body part. This includes a person’s physical, mental, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual wellbeing. Many cultures around the world have been practicing this form of healing for centuries, but the oldest record of holistic medicine was dated back to 2,200 years ago in China.
Down below I have 6 holistic self-care practices that have improved my well-being and have made me feel more balanced. I recommend trying at least one of them and letting me know what you think in the comments down below.
1. Tongue Scraping
Tongue scraping is an ancient Ayurvedic self-care practice that has numerous health benefits. The word Ayurveda (pronounced: eye-your-veda) translates as the “science of life” and has been practiced in india for over 3,000 years.
Scraping your tongue removes toxins that would otherwise be released into your body promoting a stronger immune system. This practice also improves digestion. When your tongue has a coating on it from an excess of mucus, your taste buds aren’t able to use their receptors to send signals to the enzymes needed to break down food and prep for digestion. Tongue scraping also improves your taste and encourages fresh breath.
How to:
1.) Stick out your tongue and place the tongue scraper as far back on your tongue as you comfortably can without gagging.
2.) Gently pull the scraper down to the tip of your tongue. This practice should not hurt. repeat 7-14 times to ensure that you have scraped your whole tongue.
3. Spit out any saliva or waste that comes off your tongue. Rinse your mouth and your scraper.
4.) Once you are done with your practice, make sure to sanitize your scraper and keep it in a clean space.
Repeat this practice daily. I recommend tongue scraping paired along with brushing your teeth in the morning and at night. if you are interested in purchasing a tongue scraper, I’ll list my favorites down below!
2. Dry Brushing
The ancient Egyptians were known to have been the “pioneers” of practicing dry body brushing dating back to thousands of years ago. This self-care practice has also been seen throughout many cultures because of its numerous health benefits.
On a surface level, dry body-brushing removes dirt and oil that build up in our pores which then creates softer skin.
Your lymphatic system runs all throughout your body under your skin and helps your body: remove cellular waste, maintain body-fluid levels, maintain a healthy immune system and absorb nutrients from your digestive tract.
Body brushing has a huge positive impact at promoting lymphatic drainage and circulation while also helping with detoxification of the body.
How to:
I recommend dry brushing in your shower for easy clean up and since you will be showering after this practice.
First, we recommend adding a few drops of pure Cypress Essential Oil to your palm and coating the bristles of your dry brush with the oil. Cypress Essential oil is wonderful for stimulating the lymph system and encouraging proper drainage. You can check out the link below for a beautiful essential oil tonic perfect for this process as well.
Start at your feet and work in sections brushing upwards and towards the heart. (You want to aim for 8-10 brushes per section)
3. When you get to your upper body you want to brush down in the direction of your heart and chest area. (This is where the lymphatic system drains.)
4. Dry-brushing should be done gently and should not hurt. You can repeat this practice daily for optimal results.
You’ll find dry body brushes at most stores with beauty/self-care items or on Amazon for your convenience.
3. Warm Lemon Water
Drinking warm lemon water in the morning is not only such an easy task, but it has numerous health benefits as well.
The lemon not only contains Vitamin C, but it also: increases the production of white blood cells in the body, contains high-levels of potassium, calcium, iron & much more.
Drinking warm lemon water also aids in digestion and increases your metabolism which encourages weight-loss. It is also amazing for your gut-health.
I can go on and on about all the benefits of such a simple elixir. I highly recommend you try this one out each morning.
How to:
Wash your lemon.
Heat up 8oz of water. It is important that your water isn’t boiling hot to protect the enamel on your teeth.
Place a slice of lemon into the water & enjoy!
4. Himalayan Salt Sole
Salt tends to have a bad reputation for causing high-blood pressure but it is often that the reasoning is due to table salts. Table salts are bleached and are found in a lot of processed foods. Sea Salt, Celtic Salt, and Himalayan Salt all contain 84 trace minerals that are extremely beneficial for our bodies. Unfortunately, due to our plastic polluted oceans, sea salts are absorbing those toxins as well. I was recommended to make a Himalayan Salt Sole (pronounced so-lay) by my partner's cousin Stephanie. I am so grateful that she did because Himalayan Salt Sole has these health benefits:
Helps hydration: your body naturally detoxifies and repairs itself during sleep, using a lot of water. This causes us to be really thirsty when we wake up in the morning. This salt sole helps rehydrate our bodies.
Helps body detoxification: The sole contains minerals that are antibacterial. This helps move bacteria out of the body while balancing your systematic pH.
Himalayan salt sole also improves digestion, blood sugar, muscle health, bone health, blood pressure, weight loss, healthy skin, nails, and so much more. (More information on the benefits of Himalayan salt sole will be available in the "Learn More" link below).
How to:
Fill a glass jar 1/4 of the way with pink himalayan salt. it is important that your jar has a plastic or non-metal lid, as the salt will corrode the metal.
Fill the rest of your jar with filtered water and cover.
Give your elixir a shake and let it sit overnight on your counter (about 12-24 hours).
Your sole should still have remnants of salt on the bottom, this means that the sole is fully saturated.
5. Use 1 tsp of your himalayan salt sole in 1 8oz glass of water. Repeat daily.
6. For optimal taste, I recommend adding a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice.
You can store your sole in room temperature thanks to the preservatives in the salt.
5. Golden Milk
Turmeric milk, or “Golden milk”, originated in India and was used to treat illnesses such as coughs and colds, inflammation, pains, restlessness and more.
Click on the image below to download a copy of our Golden Milk Recipe.
About the Ingredients we use
Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory while also boosting immunity and preventing respiratory diseases
black pepper activates the properties in turmeric helping the body with absorption.
Allspice is comprised of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves which contain antioxidants, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Sweeteners with a low glycemic index are going to be more nutritious than processed sugars.
Find any of these holistic habits interesting? Let us know in the comments below which one you want to try!
As always, we are so grateful for your continued support.
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we wish you love, light + many blessings on your journey.
See you next week!
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