The Healing Benefits of Infrared Amethyst Mats

Are you looking for a natural and effective way to relieve stress and pain? Experience the healing power of nature with an infrared amethyst mat. For centuries, this stunning gemstone has been used to promote physical and spiritual well-being. Now, amethyst biomats are growing in popularity among the wellness industry for their ability to harness the therapeutic qualities of amethyst crystals.

In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at what infrared amethyst mats are, why they work, and some of the countless healing benefits they offer. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, stress, or just looking for a way to relax, an infrared amethyst mat may be just what you’ve been looking for. Discover the incredible curative abilities of amethyst and why their restorative properties take any regular yoga mat to the next wellness level!

 

Woman Using Clearlight PEMF Amethyst Mat for Health

 

More Than Just a Normal Yoga Mat

 

Unlike any normal yoga mat, amethysts infrared mats are specially designed to promote a number of therapeutic benefits. While regular yoga mats only provide cushioning and support during yoga or stretching, these mats incorporate the restorative capabilities of crystals and infrared heat to deliver specific effects.

Infrared amethyst mats are padded mats filled with pockets of amethyst crystals and infrared light heaters. Together, these two therapies work in conjunction to produce a soothing and deeply penetrating therapy. Utilizing the mineral component and heat, amethyst biomats are able to offer a range of health benefits, from pain relief to relaxation.

As the mat is turned on, the amethyst crystal stones heat up, releasing negative ions. The importance of negative ions for cellular function has been well recognized in the health space for decades. In 1991, two researchers won the Nobel Prize for a study that identified the negative ion’s involvement in purifying the blood. The crystal itself also has the ability to produce small, detectable magnetic fields. While exposure to high levels of magnetic fields can be dangerous, these naturally-occurring lower-power fields provide all the benefits of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) technology.

Meanwhile, the mat’s infrared light waves also penetrate through the body, providing all of the benefits of infrared therapy and PEMF therapy in one tool.

 

What is PEMF Therapy?

 

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy helps boost your body’s cellular function and improve your physical and mental health by using magnetic energy to essentially help “recharge” cells. PEMF therapy is completely safe and has been found to stimulate healing of nerves and muscles. PEMF involves the use of low-frequency electromagnetic fields to help stimulate cells and tissue regeneration in the body. This has countless potential benefits for overall wellness and health, including better circulation and cell regeneration, and reduced inflammation and pain.

 

Person Using Amethyst Crystals in Wellness Routine

 

Why Amethyst?

 

Amethyst is a semi-precious gemstone that up until the 18th century had been considered as valuable as diamond and sapphire gems. Now, amethyst is better known for its incredible revitalizing properties. Spectral analysis has shown that amethyst crystals contain manganese, a mineral that is present in the human body in small amounts. This mineral is beneficial for a good and healthy life. Increased exposure to the mineral in a controlled way can improve important biological functions in the body.

 

The Healing Power of Amethyst

 

Could this healing technology-powered mat be the key to relieving chronic health concerns? While amethyst and PEMF therapy alone are not treatments for illness or chronic conditions, they can be a helpful addition to your health and wellness routine for a more comprehensive experience. Below are some of the top amethyst and PEMF mat benefits you may experience from regular use.

 

Detoxification 

Data has shown infrared light has a detoxifying effect in your system. By releasing unwanted toxins, the body is left rejuvenated and strengthened.

 

Cell Regeneration 

PEMF technology is known to support healthy cell growth. By increasing energy levels in the body, cells are stimulated to regenerate naturally.

 

Better Sleep 

The gentle heat emitted by amethyst crystals, especially when paired with infrared therapy, is known to potentially improve sleep patterns. They can help provide a sense of calm for the body and mind.

 

Blood Circulation

As the heat from the infrared rays increases body temperature, blood vessels expand and blood circulation improves. This can also help kick start your immune system and strengthen your body.

Along with these health benefits, amethyst PEMF mats have many more benefits, especially relating to chronic pain. The combination of far infrared light and PEMF can yield the following improvements for the body:

  • Muscle pain relief
  • Joint pain and stiffness relief
  • Arthritis pain reduction
  • Inflammation reduction
  • Increased energy
  • Back pain relief
  • Immune system boost
  • Faster injury recovery

 

Person Meditating on Infrared PEMF Mat

 

Activities to Do on an Infrared Amethyst Mat

 

Whether you’re ready to purchase your first infrared amethyst mat or recently acquired one, you may be wondering how to incorporate it into your daily routine. Infrared amethyst mats are such a versatile relaxation and healing tool, you can do almost any wellness activity you already take part in on your mat. Here are some activities to get you started that will help you reap the full benefits of this cutting-edge technology. 

 

Yoga

Practicing yoga on an amethyst mat can further deepen a relaxed state and promote greater flexibility. Many people also practice hot yoga on their amethyst mats by raising the heat and creating a warm space. Your joints and muscles will be more relaxed with exposure to heat. 

 

Meditation

Sitting or laying down on an infrared amethyst mat during meditation can maximize your potential for relaxation. Many feel that it enhances their meditative practice and reduces their stress levels quicker. 

 

Post-Workout

Lying on an amethyst mat post-workout is great to relieve sore muscles and promotes quicker recovery. It’s an easy tool to use during your cooldown session for a time to rest and recover.

 

Therapies

Amethyst mats can fit right into other therapeutic settings as well. Many chiropractic offices and physical therapy clinics offer this service as the mats are great at helping alleviate pain after a session.

 

Sleep

Those who struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep find great benefits in their sleep patterns from napping on amethyst mats. Since the warm nature of the mat invites a relaxing sensation, many find it aids their ability to relax their body and fall asleep. Note that it is not recommended to sleep on an amethyst mat for a prolonged period of time when the heat setting is on high. Limit higher temperature settings for quick naps or other activities. 

 

Now that you have a better idea of amethyst crystals and PEMF therapy benefits, consider adding an infrared amethyst mat to your wellness rituals! If you’re ready to indulge in a whole-body wellness experience that maximizes your healing potential, look no further than the powerful combined therapy of this precious crystal and infrared technology.

9 Essential Performance & Recovery Tools for Athletes

Athletes are all about maximizing performance, and sometimes it takes some extra tools to help properly train and recover. Proper recovery is highly important when you are active, both for keeping your body safe and for improving your body’s ability to properly perform. If you are looking to add some tools to your workout routine, there are a number of recovery tools for athletes that you can enjoy at home or pack easily in your gym bag. From infrared saunas to compression massagers, see the best equipment to help you naturally enhance your performance as an athlete.

 

Athlete Using Infrared Sauna for Muscle Recovery

 

Infrared Sauna

 

One of the best tools for athletes is an infrared sauna. When a daily 20-minute session brings health benefits like reduced stress, detoxification, weight loss, and pain relief, infrared sauna use is an easy and effective way to improve your health. On top of the regular health benefits, infrared saunas are great workout recovery tools as they help the muscle recovery process by increasing blood circulation and carrying oxygen-rich blood to oxygen-depleted muscle. Heat also allows muscles to relax better, thus relieving muscle tension.

There are many different ways to enjoy infrared therapy at home, whether you want a personal 1-person sauna, a 5-person sauna for practicing hot yoga, or even a sauna dome that can make your sauna sessions a little more portable. You can also boost your infrared experience with enhancements such as red light therapy to create the ultimate home sanctuary for your health and wellness.

 

Red Light Tower

 

Red light therapy, or RLT, is a technique used to help promote healthy cell growth and regeneration through mitochondrial respiration. Today’s practice of red light therapy can be used as an aid for athletes seeking recovery and improved performance. Improved mitochondrial performance allows for less muscle fatigue and stronger, healthier tissue. When paired with infrared technology, these therapies help improve circulation, oxygenation, cellular repair, and cellular reproduction to assist in quicker recovery and better performance.

There are many ways to utilize this therapy by simply placing red light technology near your body, from light towers to handheld devices and face masks. Red light therapy units can be conveniently placed where you need it, from free-standing units to mounted units in your infrared sauna. Because of their versatility, they are some of the top health devices for the home.

 

Woman Using PEMF Amethyst Mat for Athlete Recovery

 

Infrared Amethyst Mat

 

Muscle pain relief, reduced inflammation, increased energy, improved cell health, back pain relief, and faster injury recovery are just a few of the health benefits found in using an amethyst mat with infrared and PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) therapy. Amethyst has the ability to produce small magnetic fields, which can help boost the body’s performance through improved blood circulation and cell regeneration. Adding a session on an amethyst after a workout may help your body recover quicker, helping athletes improve their performance.

 

Massage Gun

 

For something compact that packs a punch, massage guns have changed the athlete recovery game. Deep muscle work can help speed up recovery and give back range of motion for muscles that are too tight. They also help improve blood circulation to reduce soreness. You can pair a massage gun treatment with products like CBD salves to relieve tension even more. Athletes use these tools to help with warming up, treating cramps before a game, and soothing soreness after a workout. Even better, they fit right in your gym bag!

 

Inversion Table

 

Sometimes, being active can have side effects like back pain and injuries. Using an inversion table as part of your athlete recovery routine can help alleviate back tension and pain, making it easier to have the range of motion you need. Inversion tables hold you upside-down, helping your spine elongate and remove pressure from your nerves, offering a beneficial stretch that can also help with resetting back alignment. Many professional athletes use these tables before strength training and during workout cooldown.

 

Compression Device

 

Compression devices are some of the best recovery equipment for athletes. These devices use compression to help squeeze their muscles and relieve soreness. By using air to contract and pulse, compression helps increase circulation and reduce lactic acid buildup that typically causes fatigue and decreases mobility. You can find these devices for different parts of your body, including legs, arms, and feet. Use these devices after working out to help speed up your recovery time, especially after tough workouts.

 

Athlete Using Sleep Tracking Technology for Health

 

Sleep Technology

 

Sleep is an incredibly important factor in athletic performance, as it is when your body really gets to recover. Sleep sensors can help you analyze your sleep to identify any potential problem areas and work toward getting the high-quality sleep your body needs. There are different methods to track your sleep, from wearable technology to sensors that go directly in your bed. Many offer features such as heart rate, snoring, temperature, and blood oxygen data tracking to help pinpoint what changes you can make to turn your bedroom into a recovery sanctuary.

 

TENS Unit

 

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS, units are a great tool for athletes suffering from stiff or sore muscles. These devices can be found in medical offices or physical therapy settings, but are now available for use at home. TENS units use electrical pulses to stimulate muscles, which helps soothe sore muscles after a workout when something like foam rolling just isn’t doing the trick. Personal TENS units can be taken almost anywhere due to their small size, making them perfect for your gym bag or even your bedside table for some muscle work before bed.

 

Fitness Tracker

 

Fitness trackers are made for everyone, from avid athletes who want to track training progress to someone starting their fitness journey. Wearable fitness brands like FitBit, Garmin, and Apple offer robust insights into your health and a plethora of features to help you stay on track. You can set reminders to get up and move, track exercise times, monitor heart rate, check blood oxygen levels, record GPS route and distance, and more with just a simple wristwatch and app that can give you some great data to help you improve your training and performance.

 

To help improve your physical fitness and performance, investing in recovery equipment for athletes can help you achieve your goals safely and more efficiently. On top of using these tools, always remember to hydrate and avoid pushing yourself past your limits! Taking the time to properly recover and rest will ensure your body stays in its best shape, whether you’re working out at the gym or about to play a big game.

Healthy Lifestyle Changes to Help Reduce Blood Pressure

Nearly half of adults in the United States have hypertension or high blood pressure. This is why taking control of your health through everyday choices is so important. As February marks American Heart Month, learn more about how to reduce high blood pressure naturally. With these healthy lifestyle changes, you can make a difference in your quality of life and help reduce your chances of illness. In this blog,

we will discuss simple tweaks, everything from exercises to infrared sauna use. You may be surprised to learn that these easy changes can last you a lifetime!

American Heart Month

February is a time for people across the country and beyond to come together to create awareness about cardiovascular disease prevention. American Heart Month is a necessary time to shine a light on heart health as hypertension is one of the risk factors for stroke and heart disease, both being two of the leading causes of death in the country. Understanding risk factors for heart disease can help us live a more heart-healthy life.

There is a lot of work to be done across all age groups, not just among older adults. Taking steps to prevent high blood pressure can be done at any age to help keep up with heart health and reduce the chances of heart disease down the road.

Happy Woman with Hands Over Heart

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

Before learning about the causes of high blood pressure, you may be wondering what blood pressure is. Blood pressure is the pressure with which circulating blood pushes against the walls of your blood vessels. It is normal for blood pressure to rise and fall throughout the day based on your physical activities. 

High blood pressure is when the level of pressure is consistently higher than normal. A normal blood pressure is considered 120/80, while elevated levels are when your systolic blood pressure is between 120-129 and your diastolic pressure is less than 80. High blood pressure can increase your risk for other health conditions, especially those related to the heart.

High blood pressure can be caused by many different factors and usually develops over time. Unhealthy lifestyle choices such as smoking and lack of physical activity can exacerbate the condition. Other health issues such as obesity and diabetes can also impact your blood pressure. Pregnant women can experience high blood pressure postpartum too.

High Blood Pressure Symptoms 

Myth: Nervousness, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, sweating, headaches, and facial flushing are symptoms of high blood pressure. 

FACT: High blood pressure is a “silent killer” and largely has no symptoms.

If you are looking for a list of high blood pressure symptoms, you won’t find it here (or anywhere for that matter), as high blood pressure usually has no warning signs or symptoms. Most people with high blood pressure, even those receiving dangerously high blood pressure readings, are symptomless. Many can have high blood pressure for years without any symptoms. Regularly monitoring your blood pressure is the only way to know for certain if you have high blood pressure. With the support of your healthcare team, you can take steps to control your blood pressure if it measures too high.

You can measure your blood pressure:

  • At your primary care doctor’s office.
  • At most pharmacies.
  • At home by purchasing a home blood pressure monitor.

Patient Getting Blood Pressure Checked for Heart Health

How to Reduce Blood Pressure Naturally

According to the CDC, nearly 116 million adults in the United States take medication for hypertension, which can become incredibly costly. Country-wide high blood pressure costs amount to $131 billion each year, but there are natural ways to improve your health daily and reduce your chances of having hypertension.

By managing or preventing health conditions you may already have and by making healthy choices, you can help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range. While you should always speak to your doctor to find the best health options for you, below are some examples of natural lifestyle changes that may help lower blood pressure.

Keep a Healthy Weight

Being overweight or obese can exponentially increase your risk for health issues, including high blood pressure. Work with your healthcare provider to come up with a plan to lose or maintain a healthy weight, which may include practices such as exercise, diet, sleep, hormone balancing, or other lifestyle changes.

Live a Physically Active Life

Physical activity is one of the best lifestyle changes you can make to improve your health because it can help you maintain a healthy weight AND lower your blood pressure. Getting regular moderate-intensity physical activity most days of the week for at least 30 minutes is recommended for all adults.

Healthy Foods for Reducing Blood Pressure

Maintain a Healthy, Balanced Diet

A great way to avoid high blood pressure and its complications is through your diet. The DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is a flexible and heart-conscious dietary plan that has been a proven record of helping people lower their blood pressure. The diet includes: 

  • Eating fruits and vegetables
  • Limiting foods with saturated fats and including more fat-free or low-fat options
  • Limiting sweets
  • Reducing sodium/salt intake

Talk to your doctor about what dietary changes you can take to take control of your blood pressure.

Quit Smoking

Smoking is proven to raise your blood pressure and put you at risk for stroke or heart attack. Quitting smoking is a great way to care for your overall health. Speak to your physician about ways they can support you during this journey. If you do not smoke, do not start, as once you do it is harder to quit. 

Limit Your Alcohol Consumption 

Drinking alcohol is also proven to raise blood pressure. Limiting your consumption, or not drinking alcohol at all, will help you live a healthy life. If you do drink, the CDC recommends men should not have more than 2 alcoholic drinks a day, and women should not exceed 1 drink per day. 

Couple Using Infrared Sauna for Reduced Blood Pressure

Use an Infrared Sauna

You may be wondering, how is an infrared sauna good for high blood pressure? Recent studies have shown that consistent infrared sauna use may help reduce blood pressure levels and help decrease risk factors for cardiovascular disease by strengthening the cardiovascular system, improving blood circulation, increasing resting heart rate, reducing both physical and mental stress, and helping maintain a healthy weight.

Try Chromotherapy

Chromotherapy, or color light therapy, can be a helpful tool in reducing stress, which in turn can help reduce blood pressure. Many infrared saunas come equipped with chromotherapy lights, which allow you to feel the heart health benefits of infrared heat on top of the calming effects of certain colors. Blue, purple, and green have been known to help reduce stress and improve mood.

Manage Other Health Conditions 

When looking to reduce your risk for high blood pressure, managing other health conditions you may already have should be one of the first steps. Controlling pre-existing health issues, such as diabetes, can help you focus on other areas of your health.

People with high blood pressure can lower their blood pressure to a healthy range by making a few simple lifestyle changes. Understanding what positive lifestyle changes you can make can keep you away from the risk of more serious heart issues such as heart disease and stroke. Speak with your doctor for the best course of action for your health, and with a few daily choice changes, you can take control of your health for a lifetime.

Is it Safe to Use an Infrared Sauna While Sick?

As the weather changes, it can be inevitable to get sick. During this time of year, everyone is looking for remedies to get better faster and continue living a healthy life. From teas and herbs to questionable at-home fixes, we all want an easy remedy that will actually work. But what if the quickest possible recovery was actually one of the most soothing ones? Saunas, commonly known for their relaxing nature, have also been proven to be beneficial to your health in a number of ways. But how do infrared saunas help with a common cold? And is it safe to use a sauna when sick? Find out why saunas are one of the best ways to accelerate your recovery while sick below. 

 

Woman Blowing Nose While Sick

 

Are Saunas Good to Use When Sick? 

 

Yes! Infrared saunas are known to be helpful to combat a number of common health problems, including treating sickness. Infrared sauna use is completely safe and can help give you a healthy boost when trying to fight off an infection or virus. By increasing blood flow and detoxifying the body, sauna use can do wonders to strengthen your system when you are sick. When properly used, saunas can provide incredible healing benefits. However, if you have an existing condition and are unsure if sauna use is recommended, make sure to speak to a health professional prior to using a sauna.

 

How do Infrared Saunas Help Combat a Cold?

 

By detoxifying your body of the bad stuff! How it works is the heat from the sauna raises the body temperature above its resting temperature of 98.6 degrees. This process is called hyperthermia and it allows the body to enhance its sweat production. As it turns out, sweating is the only proven solution to flush your body of bad toxins. Sauna-induced sweating is the easiest and most natural way to accelerate this process. Hyperthermia is a safe and effective way to eliminate viruses and return to an optimal health state. As most people are used to warming their body by drinking hot tea or soup when sick with a cold, sauna use is another way to increase your body’s temperature. 

Through hyperthermia, infrared saunas use activates a number of amazing reactions that strengthen the body. Some of these include aiding respiratory function, reducing inflammation, improving circulation, and improving immune system health – all which contribute to improved overall health, but are especially beneficial when sick.

 

Why Infrared Saunas? 

Infrared saunas are saunas installed with infrared lights, while functioning like any normal saunas does but with added health benefits. These far and near infrared light waves penetrate into our body to activate the sweat glands and promote the health benefits of sweating. This is why infrared lights in saunas can help give an even bigger health boost than saunas without this technology. Infrared saunas promote healing and revitalization through discharging your system of large amounts of waste material in just one session.

 

Woman Sweating in Infrared Sauna While Sick

 

Benefits of Using Infrared Saunas When Sick

There is really no reason to put your life on pause while you are sick with a cold. Infrared saunas not only aid health in a holistic way, they are also incredibly relaxing and soothing when you’re feeling under the weather. The following are some of the top benefits of sauna use we find when treating a cold: 

  • Ease muscle tension, aches and pains
  • Promote restful sleep – which tends to be disrupted during illness
  • Reduce stress by promoting a calm state throughout the body and mind
  • Clear and open airways for congestion
  • Soothe scratchy throat by breathing in steam
  • Boosted immune system
  • Sooth other chronic symptoms

The amazing benefits of using a sauna when sick may even minimize your recovery time from cold symptoms. Using a sauna helps your body improve drainage and potentially weaken flu viruses. Studies show that regular sauna use may even help reduce the frequency in which a person gets sick.

You can also enhance the health benefits of an infrared sauna by incorporating practices such as halotherapy and aromatherapy. Salt therapy, or halotherapy, technology can help stimulate the respiratory system, reduce inflammation, fight infections of all kinds, clear blockways, and reduce discomfort. Aromatherapy is helpful by using various essential oils to help soothe the respiratory system and help promote rest for a faster recovery.

 

Preventing Common Colds and Flu 

While regular sauna use may decrease the likelihood of you getting sick, there are other lifestyle choices you can make to help boost your immune system and prevent sickness. 

  • Take daily multivitamins
  • Get movement and exercise in regularly
  • Wash your hands 
  • Keep your space clean 
  • Stay on top of doctor checkups 
  • Eat a healthy and balanced diet
  • Avoid the use of substances

Among these, communicating with your doctor about your health concerns and illnesses should be of the highest priority. Make sure you are caring for your body when you most need it. 

 

Woman Staying Hydrated in Infrared Sauna When Sick

 

Recommendations For Using Saunas While Sick

 

Because the body can be slightly more sensitive when sick, here are some recommendations for using a sauna safely and comfortably. 

Ensure you are staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water, before, during, and after a sauna session. Your body tends to be more dehydrated when you are sick and the sweat production from sauna use also requires you to rehydrate after. This is an important step to reduce risk of worsening symptoms.

Make sure the temperature of your sauna is not set too hot. The sauna should be a comfortably warm space. Since your body temperature may rise while you are sick, this comfortable temperature may be lower than the one you use when you are feeling healthy. You will still achieve the same results at a lower temperature but you always want to make sure the temperature is not too high.

Some people may find that they sweat in the sauna more when they are sick. Having a towel handy can make sure you feel comfortable during the session.

The next time you are stuck with the flu or a cold and want a relaxing remedy that will also help boost your immune system, try getting in an infrared sauna. Regular sauna use is not only beneficial for a relaxed state of mind, but it can also strengthen your immune system and prevent you from getting sick in the future.

The Best Health and Wellness Podcasts and Blogs for 2023

Looking to up your health game this 2023? You can’t grow a healthier mind and body without the right information and resources. One of the best ways to stay up to date with the latest health news and trends is by listening to podcasts and reading blogs. You can explore the most relevant information for you on the go, no matter where you are. That’s why we have gathered the best health and wellness podcasts and blogs for you to jumpstart your health journey this new year. These podcasts and blogs offer the latest tips to help you eat better, exercise smarter, and take control of your life. 

Woman Listening to Health and Wellness Podcast

Health and Wellness Podcasts for 2023

Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth

This popular fitness podcast exposes the raw truths about health, fitness, nutrition, and more. Hosted by four former athletes who were fed up with constant misinformation in the fitness industry, this podcast pulls the curtain on common myths by educating listeners on science-based solutions.

10% Happier with Dan Harris

Dan Harris, an ABC newsman who had a panic attack on Good Morning America, used his experience to take up the practice of meditation in search of becoming 10% happier. This podcast interviews guests and aims to answer the question: Can you be an ambitious person and still strive for enlightenment (whatever that means)?

The Ultimate Health Podcast

Co-hosts Marni Wasserman and Dr. Jesse Chappus inspire you to reach your maximum potential in all things health. They interview world-class natural health and wellness experts on topics such as lifestyle, nutrition, fitness, meditation, diet, and sleep. Jesse and Marni tackle mainstream medical thinking with holistic information and alternative viewpoints.

Ben Greenfield Fitness

This podcast covers fitness, nutrition, biohacking, fat loss, anti-aging, and cutting-edge health advice from America’s top personal trainer, Ben Greenfield. This podcast features the latest research on health and wellness topics, how to optimize mind-body-spirit, and interviews with exercise, diet, and medical professionals to give a full picture of health.

The Human Upgrade

Formerly known as Bulletproof Radio, this podcast by the founder of Bulletproof Coffee, also known as “the father of biohacking,” Dave Asprey, pushes the boundaries of science and personal development. Expand what you know about the capabilities of the human mind and body and test your own possibilities with knowledge from world-class MDs, biochemists, Olympic nutritionists, and meditation experts. 

Yogaland

Host Andrea Ferretti talks to insightful guests about yoga and the path of self-awareness. Her topics include how yoga is used in schools, how it rewires our brains, the nitty-gritty anatomy advice, the simple ways yoga helps us navigate emotions, and more. Yogaland provides weekly inspiration focusing on creating a happy, healthy, and meaningful life.

Woman Recording Health and Wellness Podcast

The Doctor’s Kitchen Podcast

Covering a range of topics from the principles of healthy eating to how to prevent and treat illness, Dr. Rupy and his panel of experts draw on the latest research to give listeners actionable tips to help supercharge their health. This podcast is great for those wanting to learn more about how diet affects overall health.

Feel Better, Live More

Hosted by Dr. Chatterjee, this podcast aims to inspire, empower and transform the way we feel. Tune in to hear stories from leading health experts and exciting personalities who offer easy health life-hacks, give expert advice, and debunk common health myths giving listeners the tools needed to revolutionize how to eat, sleep, move, and relax.

TEDTalks Health

From medical breakthroughs in cancer treatments and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy to tips on what to ask your doctor and how to make healthy decisions, doctors and researchers share their discoveries about medicine and well-being. These podcast episodes are pulled from onstage TED conferences, TEDx events, and other global events. 

The Rich Roll Podcast

Ultra-athlete, wellness evangelist and world’s fittest vegan Rich Roll uses his master-class skills in personal and professional development to educate, inspire and empower listeners to unleash their best, most authentic self. Interviews with guests include topics in fitness, veganism, cooking, nutrition, and everything in between.

Sleep With Me: The Podcast That Puts You to Sleep

Sleep is integral to overall health, and this podcast aims to bore you to it. These bedtime stories for adults progressively become more boring to help calm the mind and wander off to sleep. Expect to find boring renditions of some of your favorite pop culture events, such as slow recaps of the recent episodes of current shows.

The Goop Podcast

Goop CEO Gwyneth Paltrow and CEO of LOOM Erica Chidi chat with a wide range of special guests – from doctors to creatives, CEOs to spiritual healers – about shifting old paradigms and starting new conversations. Listen to this podcast to learn about holistic and alternative approaches to medicine, fitness, nutrition, spirituality, and more. 

Woman Reading Health and Wellness Blog on Computer

Health and Wellness Blogs for 2023

Clearlight Infrared Saunas Blog

From natural remedies to mental wellness tips, along with some helpful information on how infrared sauna use can improve your health. Backed by research and expert advice, our blogs aim to educate and entertain readers to a happier, healthier, and more natural life. Check-in monthly to find new health and wellness topics for the season.

Healthline

Search for something health-related online, and you’re likely to see a Healthline blog show up in the results. Over 125 million visitors visit this blog every month for tips on medication, lifestyle, and general health news. Everything is written by health experts, meaning readers can feel confident in the information they are receiving.

Well+Good

Well+Good does just as the blog name implies, it gives tips on wellness and how to experience good sweat, good looks, good advice, good food, good travel, and a good home. From the past years, their site has continued to grow to provide readers with tips and insights into recent health and wellness trends. Now available as a podcast too! 

Joyous Health

Want easy-to-follow advice for a healthier lifestyle? Joyous Health is the perfect blog for just that. Joy McCarthy draws from personal and professional experience to teach you how to live a holistic life. From well-being tips, recipes, family guidance, and more find everything you need for a healthier life on her page.

Naturally Savvy

This health and wellness blog focuses on how nutrition impacts many aspects of your life. From education on what you eat and which supplements you take to how to use natural ingredients as remedies for illness, Naturally Savvy stresses the importance of knowing how outside elements affect your body, and what you can do to counteract the negatives.

Man Reading Health and Wellness Blog on Phone

Everyday Health

This blog is one of the most comprehensive and well-trusted sites for medical information. Helpful tools such as meal planners, symptom checkers, and calorie counters are offered alongside expert reviews of medical news and industry insights from writers who are in active clinical practice. Articles range from flu reports to healthy recipes.

MindBodyGreen

The founders of MindBodyGreen, Jason and Colleen Wachob, started this health and wellness blog as a way to document their journey toward living an organic and healthy life. After over a decade of producing content and building its brand, MindBodyGreen is a hub for all things related to holistic health, from natural beauty products to spirituality tips.

Delicious Living

Find a trusted voice in a sea of noise. Delicious Living is your one-stop-shop for everything natural remedies, expert advice, clean beauty, green living, and natural cooking. For more than 30 years, they have offered a natural health community that focuses on solving modern needs with contemporary natural health care methods.

Wellness Mama

Wellness Mama is geared toward mothers and families looking to live a life of health and wellness, but their content can be applicable to non-mamas too! Founder Katie Wells aims to educate readers about the importance of natural living through the support of a team of researchers and medical advisors. They even have a Wellness Mama Podcast available now!

Fit Foodie Finds

While the title of this blog may seem like it’s all about food, this site offers much more than that. CEO and founder Lee Funke has created an impressive catalog of healthy recipes and has supplemented her message of balance with workout tips, travel and style guides, and wellness trends for a well-rounded and engaging health blog.

Now that’s a round-up of the best health and wellness podcasts to get your health kick in 2023! Be sure to subscribe to these podcasts and blogs to stay up-to-date with news, trends, and all the latest tips. Find exciting content that will inspire new healthy habits in your own life. The health and wellness space is ever-evolving and that’s why having a list of your most trusted resource and information hubs on the web can help you when you most need answers. Stay informed and on top of your well-being throughout the new year.

5 Tips on How to Increase Body Heat Naturally this Season

As the temperatures drop, you might be looking for ways to warm up and get a little cozier this season. Even after bundling up, it can feel hard to hit that perfect level of warmth. Being cold can be caused by a number of things, from the obvious effect of the weather to the less obvious effect of diet deficiencies. But there are plenty of ways to stay warm in fall and winter. From cinnamon and warm tea to using an infrared sauna, see some of the healthiest ways to naturally warm up as the temps drop!

 

Man Using Infrared Sauna to Naturally Increase Body Heat

 

Infrared Sauna

 

It is no secret that saunas are a quick and easy way to warm up your body. You can take this practice a step further by using an infrared sauna, as infrared heat penetrates deeply into the body and helps increase blood flow for whole-body warming. Using an infrared sauna is a great way to naturally warm yourself in the fall and winter with the temperature inside being adjustable and averaging a comfortable 100°F to 130°F. Not only does this heat application feel nice when the weather is chilly outside, it also offers a host of health benefits that can help keep you feeling warm and healthy all season (and year) long.

You can enjoy infrared sauna benefits many ways, whether with a personal sauna dome or a 5-person sauna that you can share with family and friends or use for yourself for a great hot yoga session. Adding in additional therapies like red light therapy, halotherapy, and chromotherapy can help pack in even more health benefits as you get cozy in the infrared heat to escape the cold.

 

Iron

 

If you feel cold more often than average, especially in your hands and feet, it might not just be the colder weather playing a part. An iron deficiency might also be in play. A lack of iron can cause anemia and inhibits oxygen from properly being delivered to your body – which can lead to the feeling of being cold. Eating iron-rich foods such as red meat, poultry, seafood, beans, seeds, nuts, leafy greens, and dried fruit can help boost your iron intake. If it’s difficult to incorporate those ingredients, there are also iron supplements easily available to help boost your levels. Before taking supplements or starting a diet, talk to your doctor if you believe iron deficiency is an issue.

 

Couple Cooking Warm Meal to Stay Warm Naturally

 

Nutritious Diet

 

Eating and drinking are some of the most enjoyable methods when learning how to keep the body warm naturally, especially when you can spice food and drinks up with the traditional flavors of the season. 

 

Warming Spices

There is a reason why spices are so popular in the fall and winter months, and it’s not just because pumpkin spice lattes always take coffee shops by storm. It’s also because their ingredients help keep you warm for a while. Spices like cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cumin, and hot peppers are warming and help promote thermogenesis, which helps boost metabolism and keep you warm. Ginger is especially warming as it is a diaphoretic, or a substance that induces sweating and blood circulation. It’s a little like a food version of a sauna!

 

Complex Carbs & Fiber

When you’re thinking of ways to use those warming spices above, consider making something with complex carbs and fiber. Fibrous foods, whole grains, and other complex carbs require more energy, or heat, to digest. That’s why that hearty stew in a bread bowl is such a comforting meal when temperatures start to drop – they are delicious, keep you full for a long time, and keep your body warm as it works to digest. Roasting some fiber-forward veggies is a healthy way to incorporate these ingredients while having the added benefit of the oven warming your home.

 

Hot Drinks

A warm drink might not warm you from head to toe for a long time, but it is certainly comforting and gets the job done to some degree (pun intended). Hot drinks trigger receptors in the mouth that can cause you to sweat and warm you from the inside-out. Holding a warm mug and bringing the steamy drink to your face also helps warm your hands and face. Just like the food mentioned above, you can also add in some of those warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to give your drink that extra kick.

 

Man Taking Bath to Keep Body Warm Naturally

 

Showers & Baths

 

Similar to using an infrared sauna, showers and baths can be a great way to increase body heat naturally. Since baths and showers don’t get as hot as infrared saunas, their thermotherapy healing properties might not be as high, but they are still great ways to keep the body warm naturally through the contact with hot water and increased blood circulation. Baths can be especially helpful, as you can add things to the water that’ll warm you further such as ginger or mustard (don’t knock a mustard bath). Showers offer the benefit of steam to provide all-around comfort. Just be sure to hydrate any time you expose yourself to heat for long periods of time.

 

Working Out

 

This one is pretty simple, and has a lot of benefits outside of just heating you up! Being active is one of the best ways to keep the body warm naturally in any season. When you exercise, your body burns calories, which are units of energy. This stored energy is converted to heat, which is why your body heats up. Exercise also helps increase blood circulation and makes you break a sweat. Even on the coldest days, taking a brisk walk if the weather permits or doing some jumping jacks inside by the fireplace will make you stay warm in fall and winter very quickly. You’ll also help boost your metabolism, which can help keep you warm for longer as you burn more calories.

 

This season when you’re searching for that missing fuzzy sock to keep you warm, keep these tips in mind to help warm the body naturally. From hearty, cozy meals that warm you from within to infrared saunas that give a full-body warming experience, these tips will keep you warm all fall and winter long.

Lung Health Tips for How to Keep Lungs Healthy Naturally

Lungs are some of our most important organs, and keeping them healthy is key to living a healthy life. From pollution to sickness, our lungs and respiratory system sometimes need our help to keep them healthy and strong. Luckily, there are products and techniques that can help prevent illness, reduce symptoms of respiratory conditions, and help strengthen your lungs for future respiratory health. Read on to find lung health tips, from using a halotherapy generator to practicing breathing exercises.

 

People Using Air Purifier in Home for Lung Health

 

Air Purifiers

 

One of the first steps you can take toward keeping your lungs healthy naturally is preparing a healthy environment at home. According to the EPA, recent studies have shown that air pollution within homes and buildings is higher than the air outside due to them being enclosed spaces. Getting a high-quality air purifier in your home can help ensure your space is healthy and safe for your lungs to breathe on the regular. Make sure you get one that’s the right size for your space, and change the filters regularly.

 

Breathing Exercises

 

One of the biggest things to consider when it comes to your lung health is lung capacity, or the total amount of air your lungs can hold. Decreased lung capacity happens with age and can be worsened by conditions such as asthma, with side effects including shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. Breathing exercises are an easy way to help expand your lung capacity naturally, training your lungs how to better expand and get more oxygen into your body. Two of the most effective breathing exercises to try are diaphragmatic breathing and pursed-lips breathing.

 

Diet

 

What you put in your stomach can make an impact on your lungs. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet that’s high in nutrient-rich ingredients can help relieve some symptoms of respiratory-related conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pulmonary fibrosis. Try adding ingredients to your meals that are rich in nitrates (beets), vitamin C (peppers), antioxidants (apples), carotenoids (pumpkin), curcumin (turmeric), anthocyanins (blueberries), vitamin D (fish), and omega-3 fats (fish).

 

Woman Working Out for Healthy Lungs

 

Exercise

 

Just like how breathing exercises can help expand your lung capacity, physical exercise is great for helping keep your lungs in healthy shape. Exercises that leave you breathing a little harder than usual have a similar effect to deep breathing exercises that expand your lungs and cycle air to get more oxygen to the body. In addition to lung capacity benefits, leading a physically active lifestyle can help you manage a healthy weight, which in turn puts less strain on your respiratory system.

 

Halotherapy

 

Salt therapy, also known as halotherapy, has been a practice used for centuries to take advantage of the properties of salt. With benefits initially discovered in salt caves in Poland in the 1800s, halotherapy today can be easily accessible by going to a salt room at a spa or having your very own salt therapy generator at home. In these settings, you’re surrounded by microsalt particles that can help stimulate the respiratory system, reduce inflammation, fight infection, clear blockages, and reduce discomfort when inhaled.

 

Infection Prevention

 

It’s said that prevention is better than treatment, and taking the steps to prevent respiratory infection can help reduce your chances of lung complications due to infection. Your daily habits contribute to this prevention, such as washing your hands regularly, practicing proper dental hygiene to reduce exposure from bacteria in the mouth, and taking extra precautions during flu and cold seasons when respiratory symptoms are more common. While symptoms are often temporary, severe cases can leave lingering side effects on your lungs.

 

Woman Using Infrared Sauna for Respiratory Benefits

 

Infrared Sauna

 

Recent studies have found that infrared sauna use may help improve lung and respiratory function. One recent review in 2018 found that those suffering conditions such as asthma, COPD, or chronic bronchitis saw breathing improvements after sauna use, and another study found that consistent sauna use helped reduce the symptoms of acute respiratory symptoms. Infrared sauna use can help improve circulation, reduce inflammation, maintain a healthy weight, and improve immune system health – all factors that can help improve overall lung health.

 

Laughter & Singing

 

Here’s a fun one! Turns out just having a great time laughing with friends or belting out your favorite tune can help keep your lungs healthy by exercising them and helping cycle out air. By laughing and singing, you work your muscles and can help expand your lungs’ capacity to make breathing easier. And by expelling the air in your lungs to hit that high note, your lungs get a nice, full breath of fresh air after. On top of respiratory benefits, laughing and singing can help reduce anxiety – a win-win situation.

 

No Smoking

 

It’s no secret that smoking isn’t good for your lung health. Those who smoke cigarettes are at a higher risk for developing lung cancer or COPD. The smoke from cigarettes also restricts breathing passages and can cause chronic inflammation. Aside from cigarettes, vaping can also pose a threat to your lung health, as chemicals are involved that can cause lung irritation and lead to respiratory damage and disease. Avoiding smoking all together can offer a healthier future for your lung and respiratory health.

 

Woman with Good Posture Doing Breathing Exercises

 

Posture

 

The way you sit or stand can make an impact on how your lungs can function. This quick fix can help you breathe a little deeper and better. When positioned in a cramped posture, typically by being in a hunched position, your lungs are more compressed and are not able to fully expand. Studies have shown that bad posture can shorten your diaphragm over time. Switching your posture can help open up your chest and allow you to breathe more freely. Pro tip: Those breathing exercises mentioned above can help with your posture, too!

 

Reduced Pollution Exposure

 

Pollution is an unfortunate reality in our lives now, especially air pollution. Living our everyday lives exposes us to  air pollution, so it’s almost impossible to avoid, but there are still precautions you can take. As mentioned before, an air purifier in indoor environments you can control (such as your home or workplace) can improve your quality of life and lung health. In other environments, minimize the amount of time you spend in highly-polluted areas, such as cities or near high-traffic roads.

 

Taking care of your lungs can help you live a better quality of life, so it’s best to take all the precautions to keep them healthy. With pollution and age being inevitable factors, being proactive in caring for your respiratory health with these lung health tips can set you up for a healthier future. Be sure to consult with your doctor if you have lung concerns and work with them to find the ideal plan for you.

8 Home Gadgets to Create Your Health & Wellness Sanctuary

Going to the spa is a nice treat, but having the tools and equipment at home to create your own health and wellness sanctuary can be a game changer. Having a home sanctuary can allow you to have access to health and wellness 24/7, because you deserve to treat yourself whenever you want to. From infrared saunas and red light therapy towers to halotherapy generators, see how to create your own at-home sanctuary and learn what the best health gadgets are to keep your wellness space up to date!

 

Couple Stepping into Infrared Sauna Home Sanctuary

 

Infrared Sauna

 

One of the best ways to practice wellness at home is with an infrared sauna. When a daily 20-minute session can help bring health benefits like reduced stress, detoxification, weight loss, and pain relief, infrared sauna use is an easy and effective way to improve your health. An infrared sauna at home is one of the best health gadgets as it provides a range of benefits unlike other health devices for the home that only address one area.

There are many different ways to enjoy infrared therapy at home, whether you want a personal 1-person sauna, a 5-person sauna for practicing hot yoga, or even a sauna dome that can make your sauna sessions a little more portable. And if you’re designing a beautiful home sanctuary, Clearlight® Infrared Saunas offer beautiful craftsmanship to really make your house feel like a luxury spa.

On top of the regular sauna health benefits, you can boost your infrared experience with enhancements such as chromotherapy, halotherapy, and red light therapy to create the ultimate home sanctuary for your health and wellness.

 

Chromotherapy Device

 

Color light therapy, or chromotherapy, is the practice of using colors to correct imbalances in the body. Each color aids in healing a different physical, emotional, or mental aspect of your life. This practice is typically seen in spas, but can easily be incorporated into your everyday life with your own home sanctuary with color light therapy gadgets as it can be easily incorporated into your home wellness routine through a number of methods.

Chromotherapy can be a wonderful addition to infrared heat therapy in a sauna and can help boost sauna health benefits even further. You can also turn your shower into a relaxing chromotherapy oasis with a color light therapy shower head, or improve your skin care regimen with a rejuvenating chromotherapy face mask that can help target specific skin issues.

 

HALOONE® Halotherapy Generator for Wellness Sanctuary

 

Halotherapy Generator

 

Halotherapy, or salt therapy, is a practice that has been around for centuries to use the healing properties of salt. What used to be reserved for large salt rooms you can now enjoy at home with a compact HALOONE® halotherapy generator. These generators produce microscopic particles of salt that are distributed into the air in a room free of humidity and a user spends 20-30 minutes inhaling the salt particles.

Exposure to these salt microparticles can help provide relief from a number of ailments ranging from skin health to respiratory health. Halotherapy generators are a great health device for the home, as it allows you to easily create a healthy environment. It’s best to  do it in an enclosed space for the best exposure, such as a home infrared sauna, which will also help combine the benefits of infrared and salt therapies.

 

UV Disinfectant Wand

 

Harmful germs and bacteria are everywhere, even at home. Having a safe environment in your health and wellness sanctuary is important to give you peace of mind once you come home. Cleaning your space with disinfectant sprays and wipes are a good start, but using a UV disinfecting wand can help keep your other health and wellness gadgets staying as clean as possible.

Emitting both UV-C and UV-A, the Clearlight® UV Wand damages the DNA and RNA in bacteria and viruses rendering them harmless, and works 10x faster than most fluorescent UV devices and up to 2x more powerful than other LED UV devices. Use it on any surface you touch often, including your phone, handles on your home spa or gym equipment, or wherever else you want a deeper clean.

 

Person Using Clearlight Red Light Therapy Tower

 

Red Light Tower

 

Red light therapy, or RLT, is a technique used to help promote healthy cell growth and regeneration. Today’s practice of red light therapy can be used as an aid for treatment of a wide range of issues such as skin conditions and wound recovery. It can be enhanced when paired with infrared technology to provide a more holistic approach to your overall wellness, which is especially useful in your home sanctuary.

There are many ways to utilize this therapy by simply placing red light technology near your body, from light towers to handheld devices and face masks. The Clearlight® Light Therapy units can be conveniently placed where you need it, from free-standing units to mounted units in your infrared sauna. Because of their versatility, they are some of the top health devices for the home.

 

Air Purifier

 

Along the same lines of disinfecting surfaces of your home with a UV wand, the quality of air in your house is another important thing to consider when setting up your home sanctuary. Smart air purifiers on the market today are designed to quickly and efficiently filter the air so you can avoid the side effects of pollutants in your home and have a break from poor air quality you might face while out and about.

Current technology also allows you to monitor air quality stats from your phone, check filter status, and adjust timers, fan speeds, and more, so your home sanctuary is always one of the best places to be for a breath of fresh air. Whether you’re avoiding allergies inside your house or just want to feel safe taking deep breaths while meditating, a high-quality air purifier is one of the best health gadgets.

 

an Using Best Health Gadgets for Sleep Tracking

 

Sleep Sensor

 

Getting a healthy night of rest is one of the most important factors in living a healthy life, though many struggle with getting the ideal amount of sleep. Your home wellness sanctuary doesn’t have to be a dedicated spa, it can be as simple as making your bedroom a healthy space. Sleep sensors can help you analyze your sleep to identify any potential problem areas and work toward getting high-quality sleep.

There are a few different methods to track your sleep, from wearable technology to sensors that go directly in your bed. Many offer features such as heart rate, snoring, temperature, and blood oxygen data tracking to help pinpoint what changes you can make to turn your bedroom into a sleep sanctuary. When you get the proper amount of sleep, you’re setting yourself up for a healthier future overall.

 

Skincare Fridge

 

Having a fridge in your bathroom might not be your first thought, but if you have a skincare regimen, having a mini fridge to store products can be a game changer. While not as technical as the other health and wellness gadgets above, skincare fridges offer a lot to your wellness regimen at home. The refrigeration helps maintain the integrity of the ingredients in some skincare products to ensure your skin is getting the best nutrition.

These little fridges are some of the best health gadgets because they are fairly compact and can be used to enhance your daily routine. They are great for providing the refreshing feeling of applying cold products like serums, eye cream, or sheet masks to the face or chilling facial tools like face rollers. These cold products feel great during your regular skincare routine, but they feel especially rejuvenating after sweating in an infrared sauna.

 

When putting together your home sanctuary, think of all the health benefits you’d like to focus on and get those health gadgets first. Building a wellness sanctuary can be a slow process of gathering all the things that make you feel your best and provide a healthy and safe space. Start off with some of these health devices for home wellness, and start treating yourself every day!

Pamper Yourself with 7 DIY Spa Day & Home Spa Treatments

Going to the spa is a great way to decompress, but it’s not always the most feasible option when it comes to cost or time. So why not bring the spa into your home? A spa day at home is one of the best ways to treat yourself, and luckily, you can DIY a lot of great treatments to make it a fun experience. From face masks to deep conditioning your hair, read on to find DIY home spa treatments – along with tips on how to make your spa day extra luxurious with things like infrared sauna sessions and stress-relieving baths. Once you find how easy it is to make your own home sanctuary, you’ll be making time for DIY spa days all the time!

 

Woman Using Infrared Sauna During DIY Spa Day

 

Home Spa Treatments

 

Infrared Sauna

Using an infrared sauna during your spa day at home is an incredible way to pamper yourself. Infrared heat therapy penetrates deep into your skin to help ease muscle aches, increase circulation, and detoxify your skin. This is a great first activity in your spa day, as it helps put your body into relaxation mode for the rest of the day. The detoxification process also helps open the pores, making it easier for your skin to absorb any products you may apply during your spa day. Infrared sauna use also helps reduce stress and affects the autonomic nervous system to help put you in the rest and digest state for proper healing.

You can also incorporate aromatherapy, chromotherapy, halotherapy, and red light therapy to enhance your home spa day even further. If you enjoy yoga, do a restorative hot yoga session in your sauna to stretch and meditate.

 

Take a Bath or Shower

Both starting off and ending your spa day feeling clean and refreshed is the way to go. Rinse off with a quick shower first, then relax in either a hot shower or bath to get into relaxation mode with the help of a little thermotherapy. If showering, do an exfoliating body scrub and some aromatherapy with the shower steam to make a truly luxurious experience. In the bath, make it special with bubbles or a bath bomb, and light some candles during your soak. Remember to moisturize after a bath or shower to keep your skin healthy.

 

Indulge in Spa Treatments

You can’t have a spa day at home without some sort of spa treatment! This part can be as simple or complex as you would like, whether you make a DIY face mask or splurge on expensive home spa products. If you’re on the DIY track, there are plenty of treatments to choose from such as face masks, body scrubs, and hair masks that are made with healthy and natural ingredients that you might already have in your pantry or fridge. If going shopping for your spa products, items can range from $2 sheet masks to $400 serums.

 

Couple Using DIY Face Masks for DIY Home Spa Treatments

 

DIY Spa Recipes

 

DIY Hair & Face Masks

One really fun addition to a home spa day is creating your own DIY hair masks and face masks. There are many ingredients you can use, with some you probably already have in your kitchen! For example, mashed bananas can help deliver vitamin C and moisture to your skin and hair. Avocado also has moisturizing properties for both hair and skin. Add some egg whites to the mix for some elasticity benefits, and sweeten it up with some honey for even more moisture and some clarifying properties. Before largely applying any ingredients to your skin, test a small amount to ensure you don’t have any sensitivities, and wash the DIY mask off thoroughly after.

 

DIY Skin Exfoliator

Exfoliating your skin is an important step in keeping your skin looking healthy and radiant, and you can easily make your own at home. DIY body scrubs can be made with a number of ingredients found right in your pantry! Use your leftover coffee grounds to make a coffee and honey scrub that helps smooth and firm the skin. If you aren’t a coffee drinker, you can use sugar and mix it with a number of ingredients – rose petals to calm the skin, citrus to brighten the skin, turmeric to help with inflammation, and olive oil to nourish the skin. To avoid irritation, don’t scrub too hard, and exfoliate after heat exposure – not before.

 

Woman Doing DIY Epsom Salt Soak at Home

 

DIY Epsom Salt Soak

While the heat of a bath alone might be a nice, mild form of heat therapy, you can help kick it up with a DIY Epsom salt soak. Epsom salt breaks down into magnesium and sulfate when placed in water, giving your body the opportunity to absorb the minerals and help relieve tension. Use essential oils to add in an aromatherapy element. Eucalyptus and lavender are common spa scents, but you can mix it up with some of your favorite scents. Draw yourself a bath, dissolve 1-2 cups of Epsom salt in the warm water, and blend 5-20 drops of your favorite essential oils mixed with a carrier oil at the end for a relaxing home spa experience.

 

DIY Spa Water

Have you ever had the delicious water they serve at spas, usually infused with refreshing fruits and herbs? Not only is it a refreshing drink, but staying hydrated during a spa day is crucial to feeling healthy and rejuvenated at the end of the day. It helps replenish your electrolytes after spa treatments like using an infrared sauna or taking a bubble bath, and makes you feel like you’re at the spa while at home with just a few simple ingredients. Some of our favorite spa water combos are strawberry/mint/lime, watermelon/basil, cucumber/orange, pineapple/ginger/mint, and peach/basil.

 

Learning how to pamper yourself at home is a valuable life skill, as it teaches you how to tune in to your body and give it the time it needs to relax and restore. It is very easy to get caught up in life and forget to slow down, so start off by rewarding yourself with an hour of uninterrupted self-care a week. A spa day at home doesn’t have to be a full day, it can be an hour or even a full weekend. Whenever your schedule allows, take time for yourself with these tips for a perfect DIY spa day at home.

The Effects of Pollution on Human Health, and How to Fix It

It’s an unfortunate truth – pollution is a part of our lives, and it has negative impacts on our health. With such sprawling cities and new developments across the world, pollutants are all around us from the food we eat to the air we breathe. While land, water, and air pollution might all be fully unavoidable, there are still things you can do to help reduce the effects of pollution on human health. Read on to learn how pollution affects your body and ways you can help avoid the effects for a healthier life.

 

View of Factory with Smog and Air Pollution

 

What is Pollution?

 

Simply put, pollution is the presence of harmful contaminants in the environment. It can be found almost all across the globe, with air, land, and water all having pollutants present. Land pollution includes household garbage (mostly paper, food, lawn clippings, and plastic) and commercial/industrial waste. Water pollution is created when foreign substances are introduced to the water, including chemicals, sewage, pesticides and fertilizers from agricultural runoff, and metals like lead or mercury. Air pollution is the most common form of pollution that we face, with 9 out of 10 people breathing air high in pollutants as of 2018, made up of pollutants like small particles from burning fuel, exhaust, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and chemical vapors.

Much of the pollution today comes from modern-day industry and habits, though there are still lingering pollutants from the past – proving just how long pollution can affect our bodies and environment. For example, persistent organic pollutants, sometimes known as “forever chemicals” or POPs, are resistant to environmental degradation, meaning POPs from World War II are still present. While environmental protections are slowly being put in place to reduce this pollution, it is still a persistent issue.

These harmful pollutants make their way into our daily lives with the things we eat, air we breathe, and water we drink. In turn, our bodies are prone to retaining these toxins, which can lead to health issues with prolonged exposure. The effects of pollution on health can gradually build up over time, so it is important to take the appropriate precautions to lessen the effects.

 

Doctor Checking Patient for Respiratory Issues from Pollution

 

Health Risks of Pollution

 

Pollution is an unfortunate aspect of our lives, and the effects of pollution on human health can range from mild to severe depending on exposure. Those in higher-polluted areas such as industrial areas and cities may feel symptoms more than those with less exposure to pollutants. Land and water pollution, while not as prevalent as air pollution, can introduce chemicals, parasites, bacteria, and pesticides to your body, leaving you with ailments such as gastroenteritis, headaches, fatigue, and cardiovascular illness. In the more prevalent air pollution, health risks can range from a number of items, such as:

  • Cancer
  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Respiratory Illness
  • Skin Irritation

 

Woman Using Air Purifier to Reduce Pollutants at Home

 

How to Decrease Effects of Pollution on Health

 

Reduced Exposure

As mentioned earlier, the more exposure you have to pollutants, the more harm they can do to your health. The first step in decreasing the effects of pollution is by decreasing your exposure. For land and water pollutants, wash your produce thoroughly, cook meat to safe temperatures, and use a water filter. To avoid air pollutants, check your area’s air quality every day. On days with worse ratings, try to minimize your time outdoors. Reducing time spent in traffic, in large cities, and near industrial areas can also help reduce exposure.

 

Filters & Air Purifiers

While you don’t have much control over the pollution outside of your home, you can certainly take steps to reduce the pollutants inside of your home. Invest in some filters for your water sources and home ventilation and be sure to routinely check them for replacement when they get dirty – especially if you are using the vents more frequently for A/C or heat. On top of filters, air purifiers are great additions to any home to reduce impurities you breathe in, especially in high-use areas like living rooms or bedrooms.

 

Exercise

Working out has many benefits for your health, and it can be especially beneficial in helping protect your body from the effects of pollution on health. The benefits of exercise include two big things for battling pollutants: detoxification and lung health. Exercising helps your body detoxify through sweat, and breathing through a workout helps keep your lungs strong to help combat any air pollutants. A healthy and strong body overall is also better equipped to fend off the negative side effects of pollution.

 

Infrared Sauna Use

Since our own fat tissue serves as a storage reservoir for toxins, and since they remain with us for several months and up to decades, mobilizing and eliminating these toxins from our bodies may help support our health. One way that may prove beneficial in helping remove these toxins from the body is through sauna-induced sweating. Numerous clinical studies have shown that infrared sauna use is a helpful tool in removing many toxins through sweat, including heavy metals, pesticides, and more, making it a great tool in helping reduce pollution effects.

 

Infrared Sauna and Halotherapy to Reduce Pollution Effects

 

Halotherapy

Salt therapy, also known as halotherapy, is a practice that has been used for years to help treat a number of ailments. One of the most popular forms of halotherapy involves inhaling particles of microsalt produced by a halotherapy generator that aerosolizes salt into the air. Studies have shown that this treatment is beneficial in seeing improvements for those facing respiratory conditions – something often caused by air pollution. You can double up on detox and lung health benefits by adding salt therapy into your infrared sauna sessions.

 

Diet

As long as you’re washing your food and avoiding land pollutants, your diet plays a role in protecting your body from pollution. Having the right vitamins and minerals in your body can help build up your immune system and help protect your body from toxins. Look for foods rich in antioxidants like blueberries, cruciferous veggies like broccoli, and anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric. A healthy diet will set you up to be better prepared to process and eliminate toxins your body may accumulate from pollution exposure.

 

Hydration

Last but not least, hydration is a key tool in helping protect your body from pollutants. Not only does it keep us refreshed to stay active and healthy, but it’s also one of the main ways to detoxify your body. Without proper hydration, your body would not be able to expel toxins through sweat, urine, or other processes. Be sure to drink plenty of water to assist the liver in detoxifying and to help keep pollutants from sticking around in the body longer than they need to.

 

Pollution is something we will have to live with the rest of our lives, so it is important to take steps to protect our bodies from the adverse effects of pollutants whenever we can. Living a healthy life with exercise, hydration, and a good diet is always key to help protect yourself from harmful elements, and taking the extra precautions of detoxifying, using halotherapy, and managing your exposure can help take your health to the next level.