Mindfully Melissa

Tips to better health and well-being from mindfulness maven, Melissa Beasley.

Article by Verdure Magazine Team|May 23, 2023

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Demystifying the Adrenal Cocktail

Everything you need to know about this trending elixir.

Article by Divina Helene|April 11, 2023

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5 Yoga Postures Everyone Needs Now

While yoga is a layered practice with myriad benefits, perhaps the greatest and most obvious benefit of all, is the roominess it creates in the body.

Article by Divina Helene|December 22, 2021

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3 Ways to Boost Your Immunity Now

We can over-complicate it, but let's not.

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Perimenopause: What You Need to Know

Everything you need to know about menopause's little sister—and how to welcome it with open arms.

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Combating Adrenal Fatigue

Ward off adrenal fatigue by implementing adrenal-supporting habits into your daily routine.

Article by Divina Helene|May 4, 2021

The rigors of daily life coupled with poor lifestyle choices can lead to, or exasperate, a number of chronic conditions and ailments, and adrenal fatigue may be one of the first noticeable symptoms of prolonged stress and bad habits. The adrenal glands, a part of the endocrine system, produce and regulate hormones in the body and chronic stress, a lackluster diet, or poor sleep habits can send this delicate system into a frenzy, resulting in either too much or too little cortisol in the bloodstream. The result? Adrenal fatigue: tiredness and low-energy, brain fog, irritability and moodiness, decreased sex-drive, insulin resistance, hair, skin and nail changes, sleep issues, and hormone imbalances.

So how do we keep our cortisol levels in check and avoid adrenal fatigue? Reducing stress and developing healthy, adrenal-supportive habits are essential. Here are some helpful tips on how to reduce stress and support your adrenal glands:

Avoid foods that can over-work the adrenal glands. This includes caffeine, refined sugars, processed foods, and an excessive intake of carbohydrates.

Include foods that support the adrenal glands. This includes nuts and seeds, pasture-raised lean meats, wild-caught salmon, fruits and vegetables (especially cruciferous), fermented foods, and avocados.

Prioritize rest. Rest when you feel the need to rest. Prioritize sleep by putting away the blue-light emitting smart phones and laptops well before bed-time and enjoy a book and a cup of chamomile tea instead. Aim to be in bed by 10PM and get 8-10 hours of sleep each night. Check out our article, Seven Steps to Better Sleep, here.

Move your body daily. Be sure to exercise or move your body daily even if it’s only for 20 minutes. Tackle some yard work or go for a brisk walk around the neighborhood or office building. Yoga in particular is a wonderful, stress-reducing practice.

Supplement with adaptogenic botanicals. Adaptogens like ashwaganda, astragalus, ginseng, rhodiola, maca and cordyceps have been used for centuries to help the body cope with stress and to support the adrenals.

Practice self-care. Do things that make you happy. Laugh daily. Slow down. Relax. Tell yourself “I love you. You are enough.” and believe it—often. Self-love and self-care is at the root of healing. Check out our article, Human in the Mirror, here.

 

 

Better Sleep in 2023

Tips to make the most out of your sleep in 2023.

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Habits to Spring Into This Vernal Equinox

Simple habits to support this season of growth and transformation.

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Stay Healthy As You Fly

Tips and tricks for keeping healthy as you take to the skies.

Article by Divina Helene|December 22, 2022

Traveling this Christmas? These simple tips and tricks will help keep you in tip-top shape so you can enjoy the Holidays, sniffle-free.

1. Get enough sleep prior to travel. There’s always so much to do before a trip but prioritizing a restful night’s sleep is paramount in staying healthy while you travel. Consistent sleep strengthens both our innate and adaptive immunity. Boarding a flight feeling tired and groggy puts you at an immediate disadvantage, leaving you more susceptible to illness.

2. Exercise before you board. Movement like a brisk walk, a jog, or some light weight-lifting in the 12-hours before you board will help mobilize immune cells, readying them for action should the need arise.

3. Hydrate before, during, and after your flight. The cabin can be drying due to decreased air pressure with almost no humidity. It’s important to drink extra water before, during, and after your flight to replenish what you’re losing and to keep things fluid and moving.

4. Eat foods rich in antioxidants, zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin D, or consider supplementing with high-quality, bio-available products. Increasing these in the days leading up to travel can give your body the upper edge in staving-off illness. Plenty of nourishing, quality foods like berries, pasture-raised and finished beef, eggs from local, pasture-ranging hens, dark, leafy greens, and mushrooms are all great options, as is getting enough sunshine (the best source of vitamin D). Talk with your licensed healthcare provider about supplementing during your travels.

5. Skip the in-flight snacks and meals. Digestion is distracting. Your body is better able to fight-off potential intruders on an empty stomach so avoid eating a large meal directly before you board or during your flight, if possible.

6. Use essential oils as a natural defense. Place a few drops of tea tree or thieves on the inside of your shirt, jacket collar or scarf for their cleansing, antimicrobial properties.

7. Stretch once you get off the plane. Blood can pool in the legs and the joints can stiffen after a long flight. Invite movement into the body whenever you can in-flight, but be sure to spend a good 5-minutes stretching after you land, maybe while you wait for your luggage or transportation.

8. Wash your hands often. There’s nothing like good ‘ol soap and warm water to rid your hands of anything they might have picked up in-flight.

9. Gargle with salt water the minute you can. This old school trick is still one of the best! Kill-off anything that’s made in into your mouth, and maybe consider a nasal saline rinse, too, especially if you’re beginning to feel congested.

Yoga Off the Mat and Into the World

Lisa Ellisen of Soul Yoga & Wellness reminds us how to take yoga off the mat and into our every-day life.

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Setting Healthy Boundaries

Protect your peace this Holiday season and beyond.

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Fresh InspirationforLiving Well