As we’re looking forward to the Summer ahead this is the perfect time to focus on creating a routine around your work schedule that enables you to find time to exercise, socialise, sleep and nourish your body with nutrient rich foods that fuel your human engine so that it is able to function at an optimal level.
Having energy, mental clarity and protection against a variety of stressors in life must be a good thing, so I am here to show you ways in which you can achieve this on a fundamental level.
Let us start with the moment you open your eyes in the morning. When you first wake up sit on the side of your bed and drink 2 full glasses of still water to hydrate the system. Then it is time for you to have a full glass of water with 1 tablespoonful of raw organic apple cider vinegar with Mother. Drink this through a straw. This drink is great as it regulates blood sugar, is rich in potassium and enzymes, combats infections in the urinary tract, balances the stomach acid to combat digestive issues like heartburn, and clears uric acid from the joints. You will probably want to pass water afterwards which is good for flushing through your urinary tract. You can drink this while checking your phone and messages!
The next step is to make an energising drink which is great to have while doing your home yoga, stretch, Pilates or Qigong session or you are about to hit the gym for your daily class or workout. In a glass put 1 heaped teaspoonful of Viridian Qi-Ribose powder, 2 teaspoonfuls of fish collagen and 1 heaped teaspoonful of MSM powder and mix with still water. Add the juice of ½ a lime and ½ a lemon. Drink through a straw. This combination will energise and alkalise your system, enhance mental focus, help reduce inflammation in the joints and give you a boost of vitamin C.
Unless you are doing intermittent fasting which is great for reducing inflammation and fat make sure your breakfast includes protein, good fats from avocado and nuts plus a good handful of green salad leaves. This will keep your blood sugar steady so you do not experience that awful blood sugar drop where your mood, focus and emotions can be totally upset. Keep away from the refined carbohydrates even if those cravings arise. What you need is more potassium which comes in the form of fruits and vegetables. I recommend eating the paleo diet way for your meals unless you have a particular food intolerance or digestive problem.
This brings us onto the subject of digestion. I cannot emphasise the importance of this process in the body which can be upset due to stress and food choices. Starting in the mouth it is so important to chew your food properly and then going into the stomach you want the digestive fire to be at abalanced ph level that will break down the proteins effectively so you are able to absorb the amino acids. Apple cider vinegar in water before meals will do this. Enzymes are so important as your system needs them to break down the carbohydrates, fats and proteins effectively. We benefit more from what we absorb and not just from what we choose to eat. You need to have regular bowel movements so you are constantly clearing the waste. As we lead busy lives this can affect our bathroom visits to the point sometimes when days go when you just have not emptied your bowels. This build up will make you tired and consequently uncomfortable. This is why movement is so important in our lives and more so if your job is based at a desk.
The liver is an extremely important organ which produces bile a natural laxative and fat emulsifier, aids in detoxification and if working effectively will bring forth vital energy. You can support this organ with a herb called Milk Thistle rich in Sylimarin and N-Acetyl Cysteine which all encourage glutathione production the master antioxidant in the body. All the antioxidants both cellular and from food sources help to neutralise the free radicals in the body a lot of which are produced from exercise. Montmorency cherry juice in water is a great antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and also helps the body with post exercise recovery together with the amino acid L-glutamine.
With all the external stressors to deal with the body can experience an increase in inflammation. Chronic inflammation is at the root of all major diseases. In order to reduce this we need to consume vegetables and fruits rich in antioxidants, avoid gluten containing grains, consume more omega 3 fatty acids both found in fish oils, algae, Flax and chia seeds. In addition there are amazing anti- inflammatory herbs like Turmeric, Boswellia and Ginger that help reduce many inflammatory markers in the body.
At the end of a day at least twice a week and especially after a hard gym workout I recommend a magnesium chloride salt bath. Put 2 full mugs of magnesium chloride salts into a warm bath and soak for 20 minutes. Afterwards keep warm and relax. The magnesium will penetrate into your body and relax your muscles and mind. This is a brilliant strategy to follow when you have had a lot of mental pressure to deal with. The next day you will feel more refreshed and ready to take on the next challenge. If you do not have time for a bath you can massage Magnesium oil + MSM on the lower back, backs of legs, calves and shoulders. Leave on for 40 minutes and then shower off. Arnica oil is also brilliant after a warm shower.
My advice to all my clients is to adopt the 80/20 rule. This means for 80% of the time you follow an organised routine that enables you to function at your best and then the other 20% you relax, enjoy new experiences so your soul is fed not just your mind and body.
Hope you benefit from my suggestions – enjoy your day!
Stephen Masters
Medical herbalist
