Gut Health for July

I was inspired to look in to Gut Health in recognition of International Self Care Day which takes place on the 24th of July.

Celebrated annually on this date, the day is dedicated to promoting self-care practices that enhance well-being and health. It’s an opportunity to focus on personal health, mental wellness, and the importance of taking time for oneself in today’s busy world.

International Self Care Day was established to raise awareness about the benefits of self-care and to encourage individuals to incorporate self-care routines into their daily lives. Self-care includes a variety of practices such as proper nutrition, regular exercise, adequate sleep, mindfulness, and stress management. It also involves setting boundaries, seeking professional help when needed, and taking time to relax and recharge. This day serves as a reminder that taking care of oneself is essential for maintaining overall health and well-being.

So lets dive in to Gut Health at the beginning of July so we have a whole month to get to work on it!..

The Gut-Brain Connection

Gut health is increasingly recognized as crucial to overall well-being, earning the nickname “the second brain” due to its extensive network of neurons and its significant influence on various bodily functions. Here’s a detailed look at why gut health is so important:

1. Neuronal Network:

The gut contains around 100 million neurons, more than the spinal cord, forming the enteric nervous system (ENS). This complex system can operate independently of the brain and spinal cord, controlling digestion and various gut functions.

2. Neurotransmitter Production

The gut produces a significant amount of the body’s neurotransmitters. For instance, about 90% of serotonin, a key neurotransmitter that influences mood, sleep, and appetite, is produced in the gut.

3. Vagus Nerve:

The vagus nerve, a critical component of the parasympathetic nervous system, connects the gut and the brain. It facilitates bidirectional communication, affecting both gut function and emotional states.

Impact of Gut Health on Mental Health

1. Mood and Behaviour

Gut health can directly impact mental health. Imbalances in gut microbiota are linked to conditions such as anxiety, depression, and stress. This is due to the gut’s role in producing and regulating neurotransmitters.

2. Cognitive Function:

Emerging research suggests that gut health influences cognitive functions, including memory and learning. Probiotics and a healthy gut microbiome are associated with improved cognitive function and a lower risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

Immune System Support

1. Immune Response:

A significant portion of the immune system is located in the gut. The gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) is critical for immune function, protecting against pathogens and maintaining overall health.

2. Inflammation:

Gut health influences inflammation levels in the body. Chronic gut inflammation can contribute to various inflammatory diseases, including autoimmune conditions.

Digestive Health

1. Nutrient Absorption:

A healthy gut is essential for proper digestion and nutrient absorption. An imbalance in gut bacteria can lead to digestive issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and malabsorption of nutrients.

2. Microbiome Diversity:

A diverse gut microbiome is crucial for effective digestion. A varied and balanced diet supports this diversity, enhancing overall digestive health.

Strategies for Maintaining Gut Health

1. Diet:

A diet rich in fibre, fruits, vegetables, and fermented foods supports a healthy gut microbiome. Avoiding processed foods and excessive sugar intake is also beneficial.

2. Probiotics and Prebiotics:

Probiotics (beneficial bacteria) and prebiotics (food for these bacteria) play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy gut biome*. They can be consumed through supplements or foods like yogurt, kefir, and garlic.

3. Stress Management:

Chronic stress negatively impacts gut health. Practices such as mindfulness, meditation, and regular exercise can help manage stress levels and promote gut health.

4. Regular Exercise:

Physical activity is beneficial for gut health, promoting regular bowel movements and reducing the risk of gastrointestinal issues.

The concept of the gut as the “second brain” underscores the intricate relationship between gut health and overall well-being.

Maintaining a healthy gut is crucial not only for digestive health but also for mental health, immune function, and as an added bonus also supports your chiropractic care routine.

By understanding and nurturing this connection, you can enhance your overall health and quality of life.

*Looking for a good source of pre-and pro-biotics? Sarah recommends Biomel products, UK made and delivered next day – I only recommend products that I have done my own due diligence on, that I use myself and have good results with. Always be sure to carry out your own due diligence also.

For transparency if you click on the links above you will receive 25% off your first order! and I also get a reward too!

Holistic Affirmations for Harmonizing Your Mind, Body, and Spirit:

In the fast-paced world we live in, finding balance and inner peace has become an essential practice to embrace more than ever.

Learning to harness the power of holistic affirmations is a self help tool that transcends traditional self-help practices, embracing a holistic approach to affirmations involves aligning your mind, body, and spirit to encourage overall well-being and success.

Let’s, dive into the transformative potential of holistic affirmations and how they can elevate your life.

Understanding Holistic Affirmations:

Holistic affirmations extend beyond mere positive statements; they encompass a comprehensive approach to self-improvement.

By acknowledging the interconnectedness of your mind, body, and spirit, holistic affirmations create a harmonious resonance within yourself. This synergy enhances the effectiveness of affirmations, making them a potent catalyst for personal growth.

Integrating Mindful Language:

Crafting affirmations from a holistic perspective involves choosing words that resonate with your entire being. Instead of focusing solely on external achievements, holistic affirmations encourage the alignment of your thoughts with your core values and beliefs. This mindful language not only boosts confidence but also fosters a sense of purpose and fulfilment.

Nurturing Emotional Well-being:

Holistic affirmations embrace the emotional aspect of your being. By acknowledging and addressing emotions, these affirmations serve as a therapeutic tool, helping you navigate through life’s challenges with resilience and positivity. This emotional intelligence contributes to a more balanced and centred living.

Embracing Physical Vitality:

The holistic approach recognizes the profound connection between the mind and the body. Affirmations designed to promote physical well-being can enhance energy levels, reduce stress, and contribute to overall health. By incorporating statements that affirm your body’s strength and vitality, you can cultivate a holistic sense of wellness.

Spirituality and Holistic Affirmations:

For many, spirituality is a fundamental aspect of holistic living. Affirmations that align with your spiritual beliefs contribute to a deeper connection with your inner self and the universe. Whether through meditation, prayer, or mindfulness, integrating spiritual dimensions into affirmations can foster a sense of purpose and inner peace.

Practical Tips for Crafting Holistic Affirmations:

• Be Specific and Positive: Clearly define your goals and frame them in a positive light. Affirmations provide a continuous stream of positive thoughts, helping to counteract negative or self-limiting beliefs. By focusing on positive aspects, you may reinforce a more optimistic mindset.

• Connect with Your Values: Ensure your affirmations align with your core values and beliefs. It’s important that your affirmation resonates 100% – you’ll know intuitively if you feel great when you repeat it or not. If you know how to dowse you can also use your dowsing skills to help create your affirmation!

• Self-fulfilling Prophecy: When you repeat affirmations, they may unconsciously alter your behaviour to align with your positive statements. This can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, where your actions reflect your affirmed beliefs.

• Visualize Success: Incorporate visualization techniques to enhance the impact of your affirmations. Affirmations often involve visualizing the desired outcome. Creating mental images of success or positive experiences can help you build a more vivid and compelling vision of your goals.

• Increased Awareness: Affirmations encourage you to focus on specific aspects of your life or goals. This heightened awareness may lead to more intentional actions and decisions that support your desired outcomes.

• Repeat Frequently: Establish a daily practice to reinforce your positive messages consistently. Affirmations can contribute to cognitive restructuring by challenging and changing negative thought patterns. Repetition of positive statements can gradually replace self-doubt with self-empowering beliefs.

Here are a couple of examples of well constructed affirmations:

• I create my life with love
• I create abundance in my life
• I easily attract loving relationships
• I am loving and generous
• I live a wonderful life

Incorporating holistic affirmations into your daily routine can be a transformative journey toward a more balanced and fulfilling life.

By nurturing your mind, body, and spirit through mindful language and positive statements, you unlock the potential for profound personal growth.

Start today! – Embrace the power of holistic affirmations and embark on a holistic journey towards well-being, health and success in your life.

How to Cleanse your Crystals

Cleansing and clearing crystals is a common practice to remove any accumulated negative energies and restore their natural energy vibrations. Here are several methods you can use to cleanse and clear your crystals:

Water Cleansing:

Method: Rinse your crystals under running water (preferably natural, such as a stream or river) for a few minutes. Visualize the water carrying away any negative energies.

Suitable for: Hard, non-porous crystals (avoid using this method for porous or soft stones).

Salt Water Soak:

Method: Submerge your crystals in a bowl of water mixed with sea salt. Leave them for a few hours or overnight. Rinse them thoroughly afterward.

Suitable for: Quartz, amethyst, citrine, and other hard stones (avoid using this method for soft or porous stones).

Salt Bed:

Method: Place your crystals on a bed of sea salt and leave them for several hours or overnight. Brush off the salt afterward.

Suitable for: Hard crystals that are not sensitive to salt.

Selenite Charging:

Method: Place your crystals on or near a selenite charging plate or selenite wand. Selenite has a powerful cleansing energy that can clear other crystals.

Suitable for: Most crystals, as selenite is generally safe for all types.

Smudging:

Method: Pass your crystals through the smoke of cleansing herbs like sage, cedar, or palo santo. Visualize the smoke purifying the crystals.

Suitable for: Most crystals, but be cautious with crystals that can be damaged by smoke or heat.

Sunlight and Moonlight:

Method: Place your crystals in direct sunlight or moonlight for several hours. Visualize the light purifying and energizing the crystals.

Suitable for: Most crystals, but be cautious with crystals that may fade in sunlight (e.g., amethyst).

Visualization and Intent:

Method: Hold the crystal in your hands, close your eyes, and focus on sending positive, cleansing energy to the crystal. Visualize any negativity leaving the crystal.

Suitable for: All crystals and especially suitable when other methods may not be applicable.

Sound Cleansing:

Method: Use sound vibrations from singing bowls, bells, or tuning forks to clear the energy around your crystals.

Suitable for: Most crystals, but be cautious with extremely fragile or sensitive crystals.

Remember to trust your intuition when choosing a cleansing method for your crystals. Additionally, some crystals may have specific care instructions, so it’s a good idea to research the particular needs of each crystal in your collection.

Top 10 Healing Crystals

Top 10 crystals for healing that can enhance your energies, spaces or dowsing practice by amplifying energy, increasing sensitivity, and providing additional insights.

As you start to connect with your crystals you’ll learn what qualities they have to share with you and how they can guide you and bring you into greater harmony and balance.

1. Clear Quartz:

Helpful for: Amplification, clarity, and enhancing intuition. Can be used for holding space, for dowsing or wearing to amplify your intentions and enhance your connection to energy.

2. Amethyst:

Helpful for: Spiritual insight, intuition, and calming energy.
Hold or wear an amethyst crystal to promote a clear connection with your intuition and higher guidance during dowsing or other energy work.

3. Selenite:

Helpful for: Purification and clearing energy blockages. Used to cleanse your energy before healing self or others and when dowsing, ensuring a clear and receptive state.

4. Rose Quartz:

Helpful for: Emotional balance and heart-centered guidance.
Rose quartz crystal is related to matters of the heart or emotional well-being.

5. Black Tourmaline:

Helpful for: Grounding and protection from negative energies.
Use black tourmaline to stay grounded and protected ensuring a balanced and secure experience.

6. Labradorite:

Helpful for: Enhancing psychic abilities and intuition.
Carry or wear labradorite to boost your intuitive senses and strengthen your connection to spiritual insights during energy work and dowsing.

7. Citrine:

Helpful for: Manifestation, clarity, and positivity.
Utilise Citrine to enhance positive energy and manifestation while dowsing or wearing for answers or guidance.

8. Lapis Lazuli:

Helpful for: Spiritual insight, inner truth, and awareness.
Use lapis lazuli to access higher knowledge and connect with your inner truth during dowsing sessions.

9. Fluorite:

Helpful for: Mental clarity, focus, and spiritual awakening.
Hold fluorite to enhance mental clarity and focus during dowsing, promoting a deeper connection to your intuitive abilities.

10. Moonstone:

Helpful for: Feminine energy, intuition, and emotional balance.
Incorporate moonstone to attune to feminine energies and enhance your emotional awareness.

When using crystals for dowsing, wearing or holding space it’s essential to cleanse and charge them regularly to maintain their energetic purity.

Additionally, choose crystals that resonate with you personally, as each individual may connect differently with various stones. Trust your intuition and explore which crystals enhance your living and dowsing experience.