How to become the best version of yourself in 2021 | Series| 5 Tips to heal your body!

If you are like me, you are most likely your biggest critic. Without you realizing it, judging your body and the areas of your body that you are not happy with, is probably taking up a lot of your energy. So today, I want you to start working towards changing that! The most confident and beautiful people you know have something about their bodies that they do not like.

We all know that our bodies need the basics which are food, water, sleep and movement. But there is more to a healthy body than this. And the techniques I want to discuss might be familiar to you, or perhaps these concepts are new to you. Whatever the case, I hope that you can learn something and look at yourself a little differently after today.

Before we get into the tips, I need you to do something that can be difficult for the most confident of us. Look at your body. Oh yes, butt naked, in its full glory in front of a mirror.

We try and hide our bodies from ourselves because we are embarrassed or feel shame looking at ourselves. And we are the only species on earth to feel this way...

If it is too much for you to look in the mirror and at your body straight away. Start practicing being more comfortable with your naked self first. Sleep naked, get ready in front of a smaller mirror, yes naked, and walk around naked in your home(remember to close those blinds and curtains). Now that you are more comfortable with no clothes on, try again. Oh boy! That inner voice comes right out to show you all your flaws. And you know what. That's ok! Listen. Remember that you are not your inner voice. Look at the areas it is pointing out to you. What is it that your inner voice does not like about these areas?

If anything these parts of your body makes you unique. It might be a scar. Or perhaps an area which is too thin or too fat. Whatever it is, it doesn't matter for the reasons you think it does. Your only concern should be if you are happy and healthy. And if not. Why? Are your assumptions about how your body or certain areas of your body holding you back from being happy, healthy and strong in your own way?

You might be able to change these areas of your body if you wish to, or perhaps not? But by allowing this to hold you back from reaching your full potential in life and being the beautiful person you know you are inside, is a waste of your life. Think about how many times you were held back because of the negative self-talk and your inner voice's negative body image.

Now, accept those areas and decide to make peace with your body. If you are planning to change it or not. Make peace with it, as it is, right now. Take each area of your body, especially the ones you have not accepted, and make peace with each of them individually. Remind your inner voice every time it comes up with feelings of shame, that you have done this. And never allow this to hold you back in any way, ever again!

Tip number one to heal your body from the inside out, is to start listening to your body. Research has shown how our bodies give us external signs of what is going on on the inside. These signs might be related to a health problem and your body is crying out for help by showing you in various ways on the outside.

Bad breath or gum disease can point to a possible heart problem or hormonal imbalances.

Muscle cramps are a possible sign of dehydration or mineral deficiencies.

Liver and Kidney problems can often show their first signs on your hands and feet through swelling or rash breakouts.

If you have had months of constant fatigue which is influencing your quality of life, you might be dealing with a thyroid imbalance, anemia, diabetes or closely related mental health challenges.

You only have one body. Do not let it fail you because you failed it.

Through many years of struggling with infertility and being diagnosed with PCOS at age 13, I have done the research and investigated the roles of different hormones in our bodies. I have also received my Doula qualification and I have learned the most incredible things about our bodies through the process. Hormones have many more functions in our bodies other than helping us to reproduce. And for my second tip, I would recommend you do the same. Do your research and I am going to help you get started right now.

My research has taken me through most aspects which include diet, exercise, supplementation, and the whole shebang! We now have a beautiful, almost 3-year-old boy because of it.

So let's discuss a few of these hormones. The ones you ONLY need for survival and the ones you want around more often than not. What you can do to get more of them, get rid of them and balance them all together.

Cortisol

This is an adrenal hormone that kicks in, in times of stress or "survival". It is an amazing and very necessary hormone if you are truly facing danger to your existence. However, in today's world, we are facing so many stressors and we live in such an unnatural state that our bodies release cortisol on an almost permanent basis.

What type of stressors are we looking at?

This can be almost anything from lack of sleep to sitting in front of a computer screen for hours. Physical injury, anxiety, infection, starvation diets or excessive exercise.

Signs of excessive cortisol in your body might be weight gain in your mid-section, constipation and a decreased libido. It can cloud your thinking because you sleep poorly as a result of an overworked heart. Your memory suffers in turn because your body is depleted of oxygen, as a result of stress. And the cycle starts all over again.

How can I lower my cortisol levels?

One way is to find healthier ways to release stress. This can be done by talking to a professional if you are dealing with anxiety or depression. Some people find moderate exercise a great form of release. A good 1-hour spinning class use to release my stress immensely and I have a friend who finds the same in a good run.

Another way is by expression. This is that creative magic I discussed in this blog about healing the soul. Use your hobby of art or movement in dance. Anything you enjoy can be used to express and release your stress and built-up feelings.

And remember your senses(your own personal superpowers!) which I mentioned in this blog about healing the mind. When you use your senses to create good feelings or remember happy memories, your body will release some amazing "good" hormones which will counter the effects of cortisol on your body.

Oxytocin

Also known as the "cuddle" or "love" hormone. This hormone isn't just excellent for your body, but also your mind and soul.

What effects can you expect from oxytocin?

It will help you feel good, warm, grounded and connected to others and the world around you. I am sure you guessed that it is a key hormone during sex and not surprisingly during labor and birth.

This hormone is what makes you want to trust people and is essential for connecting with other human beings both physically and emotionally.

What causes the release of oxytocin?

Well, being close to people. Not the ones who stress you out! But the ones you love and adore. And I have personally felt a rush of oxytocin while I with someone and I can just feel the connection between us. In what we are talking about and our feelings towards certain topics. And it is almost like your mind takes a pause for a split second and you feel as though sunshine is filling your veins and you are just so happy and grateful for that person in that moment. And this was not a romantic connection either, so never think oxytocin is just around when the candles are burning and the air is filled with romance.

Endorphins

You can get addicted to this hormone. It creates a euphoric-like effect if strong enough and some start chasing it more and more.

What triggers this hormone?

Pain, laughter, an amazing workout, a delicious meal and of course sex.

What other effects can your body benefit from this hormone?

Pain relief is a huge one I would say. It can also boost pleasure in the body in addition to creating a positive and energizing outlook on life. It improves your ability to sleep and through all of these effects lowers your cortisol levels and stress.

Serotonin

This hormone is linked to your overall wellbeing and happiness.

What triggers this hormone?

Sunlight and movement.

How does it benefit my body?

If balanced, you will have more regulated moods, improved sleep cycles and better digestion.

The third tip I want to mention is to try to stay clear of toxins as far as possible. This can be in your make-up, cleaning agents, body products and your environment. These toxins disrupt our endocrine system(your body's natural release of hormones) and have terrible effects on our health.

I fully understand that the switch to all-natural products can, not only, be an expensive one but also a stressful one. I am still not there and most days I feel like it isn't even in sight. But then I remind myself that I am trying my best to be informed and aware of anything I bring into my home. And that is good enough for now!

Something that you can look out for is the word "fragrance" on any product. This ingredient is often used by companies to hide ingredients that are not otherwise specified on the container.

Young Living has some excellent personal care and home products that are toxin-free and tested. And I have seen so many brands out there claiming to be all-natural which you can try.

If your budget is tight, try to incorporate inexpensive white vinegar into your household cleaning. It is extremely effective and there are all kinds of recipes online for different uses. I often add Young Living essential oils to boost the benefits in my home while I clean. Try and use Apple Cider vinegar as a conditioner and just switch your shampoo out for one that is fragrance and sulfate-free to start with. Take it one small step at a time and do not overwhelm yourself or your budget with this decision.

If you are a parent like me or just someone with an extremely busy life, you would know that we do not always have hours to spend in the gym or even enough time to go for a run on most days. This is why my fourth tip is a simple, 5-minute pose you can do instead. You can do this once or twice a day. When you wake up in the morning or when you go to bed at night.

Put your legs up on a wall.

1. To do this first get your bum as close to the wall as you can by sitting on the floor, with your right or left arm next to the wall.

2. Now lie down next to the wall on your back. Legs straight out in front of you.

3. Lift your legs straight up towards the ceiling while at the same time turning your bum and legs to face the wall.

4. And rest your legs on the wall, as close and parallel as you can get them. Spread your arms far out, away from your body, and flat on the floor.

While you are taking this moment, close your eyes. What do you see, hear, taste, feel, smell? What are you planning for your day and how do you feel today? What do you feel inside your body at this very moment?

`We hold so much anxiety and stress in our hips and by doing this restorative pose at least once a day, can start to release some of those feelings and improve our health at the same time. This pose sends blood to your core, eases stress, helps you sleep, calms your nerves, relieves swollen ankles, legs and headaches and improves digestion.

It also helps to slow down your heart rate to give your heart a rest. Stay 5 minutes in this pose and notice how your breath comes back to its natural rhythm(try this quiz, to find the best breathing techniques for you). If you have a little more time, you can try different variations of this pose.

1. Legs straight up facing the ceiling. Stay here for 2 minutes.

2. Now bend your knees away from one another and press the soles of your feet gently against each other Your bent legs still resting on the wall as flat as is comfortable for you. Stay here for 2 minutes.

3. Then open your feet, knees and legs as far apart as what feels comfortable to you. Your legs should form a V-shape. Legs still resting against the wall. Again stay here for two minutes before you bring them back to a straight position and roll onto your side before slowly getting up.

You can find some beautiful image examples on Paleohacks website on the variations I explained above.

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nd my fifth and last tip is to look into your supplementation. Supplements mean nothing if they are not in a form that your body can use or if you are deficient in another vitamin or mineral that your body needs to absorb the other. Supplements are not just supplements. You can ask your doctor to test you for deficiencies. However, by listening and looking at your body and doing your research you should be able to start pinpointing deficiencies as well.

I have mentioned in this blog how the food we eat today is not the same as what we ate 10 years ago. It has less nutritional value and we need to make up for that with good dietary supplements. My personal favorite is the Mannatech Range below, in no particular order.

1. Plus

2. Nutriverus

3. Omega-3 with Vitamin D₃

4. Advanced Ambrotose

5. Immunostart

Whichever supplements you are using, make sure that they are helping you towards a stronger and healthier body and that it is not just money that you are sending down the drain quite literally because your body cannot absorb them sufficiently.

I hope that you found this blog informative and that I shed some light on a few simple ways in which you can heal your body. Lastly, I want to leave you with this thought:

"And I said to my body softly, 'I want to be your friend.' It took a long breath and replied, 'I have been waiting my whole life for this." -Nayyirah Waheed

Check out the video here:

Disclaimer: I am not a professional in the subjects in this article. What I have shared with you is from my own personal research, experience, and opinion.