Nature: Unfiltered

OCEAN

It's probably my favorite part of nature, I always feel more healthy and vibrant when I'm at the beach. The combination of the sun, the sand and the ocean is magical! Ok, not really magical, but it sure feels like it! So what is it that makes me (and probably you too!) feel so healthy at the beach? It's a combination of the things in my previous posts; being in direct contact with the earth (sand is an excellent conductor for earthing), getting getting a good dose of the sun, and much better air quality. All this with one special addition: the ocean. 

The ocean is full of magnesium and other minerals. Magnesium is amazing for our health and since the best way to get magnesium is transdermally (through the skin) then swimming in the ocean gives you a good dose. Most people are at least slightly magnesium deficient if not severely. In ancient times we would bathe in magnesium rich oceans and rivers and our soil was full of a variety of minerals. But since then we have moved inland, started filtering our water and adding harmful chemicals, and depleting our soil of its rich minerals. There are also things that we do that deplete out bodies like drinking soda, coffee, alcohol, or eating sugar and even overexercising! Because of this we have to be vigilant. Swimming in the ocean is the best way to get this precious mineral. 

Prove it you say? Simple. Magnesium is most helpful for deep and restful sleep, ever notice how you sleep better at the beach after a day of swimming? It's magnesium! I always sleep so well after a day at the beach, another reason I love being there. 

Now of course we aren't all lucky enough to live near the ocean so there are other ways to get your magnesium. The best option is to make magnesium lotion or spray -http://www.modernalternativemama.com/blog/2012/12/17/monday-health-wellness-magnesium-lotion/ . This is my favorite home remedy and I use every night before bed! 

You can also use a product called "magnesium calm", it's a drink mix and while I don't use it personally I've heard all good things about it. You can also eat raw cacao and dark leafy greens. 
So get to the beach this summer! Swim in the ocean! And in the mean time make sure you are getting this precious mineral at home as well. 

Nature: Unfiltered

AIR

You may wonder why I would do a post on this, people aren't scared of air! Well, not most people anyways. What I want to address is not the fear of air but the actual air quality. Your body is basically a filter for the air around you; the dust, the bugs, the pollutants. Now you're scared of air right? You shouldn't be. Our bodies are resilient. 

But there is still an issue. As resilient as our bodies are, having to filter out the harmful pollutants of our modern day environment can take its toll on our health. This is especially true of people who still use chemical cleaners, every time you clean with them chemical particles end up floating around in the air and then you breathe it in. This can weaken and damage your lungs. There are also chemical pollutants in the air outside, especially in crowded city areas. These can be from cars, chemical plants, pesticides, etc. 

So how can you avoid all this? 

The best thing to do is make your home your sanctuary. Ditch the chemcial cleaners and opt for more natural options. Open your windows and doors to let cleaner air circulate through your house. Buy a high quality air filter to get rid of dust particles, pet hair, and any pollutants that make it inside. 

Now you may be wondering why I would advise opening windows when the air outside can be so polluted... The fact is the air outside, in most cases, will be 10-100 times cleaner than the air inside. The air inside is full of dust, pet hair and other particles all of which have been recycled multiple times throughout your house. 

The fact of the matter is, we need air. Its all about getting the best quality air you can. The more rural your surroundings the better. If you live in a crowded area your best option is to buy a high quality filter, open your windows, and get out to a more open area as often as you can. Breathe deeply! 

What Your Exercise Routine is Missing

Exercise has been on my mind lately. Mostly because I need to do it, I move my body a lot and keep active but I want to really focus on muscle groups and start biking again. 

But there are two things I do exercise regularly that most people don't even realize they are missing!

These two things are your immune system and your skin. Bet you didn't realize you could exercise those things did ya? Well you can! And it's important that you do. 

Exercising the immune system keeps you healthy, it keeps you illness free or at least shortens the duration of your illness's. If you're not exercising you immune system you are weakening it! So how can you exercise you're immune system? 

First, dump out ALL of your chemical antibacterial wipes, sprays, sanitizes, etc. Throw them out! Not only do these products coat everything with a layer of harmful chemicals but they also destroy any good bacteria that may be present. The good bacteria is what builds your immune system and keeps you healthy! 

Second, walk barefoot everywhere! Inside, outside, on the grass, everywhere. Especially outside in the dirt. You can see why in my last post about earthing :) 

Third, eat fermented foods. This includes yogurt (not from the store, that yogurt is pasteurized and therefore has no probiotics), sauerkraut (again, not from the store, make your own - so easy!), kimchi, etc... You can also take probiotics.

Use essential oils, specifically doterra oils! Onguard, oregano, and clove are good examples. 

Did you know your skin has tiny muscles in it that help keep it from sagging? Yep! And you can exercise them too which helps keep your skin looking beautiful. This one is super easy. Basically what you want to do is at the end of every shower slowly lower the water tempature until its as cold as you can handle. You will notice the small hairs all over your body standing on end, this is because the tiny muscles in your skin are at the base of each hair. By ending your shower with cold water you are causing these muscles to contract. This helps keep your skin taught and pretty. 

Give it a try!