This is what your mind will resemble.
The backbone of all the therapies I recommend is lifestyle changes. Adrenal repair, hormone balance, detoxing, getting rid of parasites, yeast overgrowth, improving immune function, stress reduction…. not a one of it will work optimally without lifestyle modification. Think about it: your lifestyle is partly to blame for any imbalance in the first place. It didn’t happen overnight, though, and you won’t get better overnight. Along with whatever therapy is appropriate for your health issue/concern, solidify it with a good solid lifestyle.
Try a lifestyle makeover. Take seven days and follow these directions. Focus on eating 3 good meals per day, the basis of which should be leafy greens and organic protein. Avoid alcohol and coffee.
First order of business: sleep. On Sunday night, get in bed at 10:30. Get in bed at 10:30 every day for 7 days. If you can’t fall asleep within 15 minutes, start with a hot epsom salt bath and some lavender essential oil. Drink chamomile tea with passion flower and skullcap. Sleep a good 8 hours, maybe 9.
Now it’s Monday! Get up with plenty of time to sit quietly for 5-10 minutes before you start your day. Clear your mind. Breathe in 7 counts. Hold 2 counts. Breathe out 7 counts. Repeat. Replace the negative chatter that you repeat to yourself daily with some positive affirmation. It may feel corny, but just do it for a week. Heat some water and drink it with the juice of one lemon. Make a smoothie with green superfood powder (spriulina, chlorella), flaxseed oil, rice or whey protein, and fruit. Or, make a green smoothie for less sugar:
granny smith apple, washed, cored but with skin
4-5 stalks celery, ends & tips removed, use leaves
2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1⁄2 of a large Haas avocado
1⁄2 bunch cilantro or parsley (depending on your preference) stems removed
2 cups filtered water or unsweetened cranberry juice
Sip and save the rest for a snack.
Have some green tea. Go to work. Give a co-worker a compliment. Or, if you have the week off, take a long walk. Hit the sauna and sweat. Journal. Read. Do whatever relaxes you, allows you to shut off your mind. Our bodies are not designed to be stimulated every minute.
On Tuesday, dust off the juicer and juice some green apple, ginger, beet, and carrot. Take epsom salt baths every day to relax.
On Wednesday, make a big pot of stew. Throw some root veggies in a pot with onion, garlic, spices (curry, perhaps) and stock, and simmer. Add some black beans. Add kale and then finish off with some coconut milk. Eat on this for the rest of the week. Eat slowly, away from the tv. Chew thoroughly. This is the secret to good digestion.
Continue these activities for the entire week. On the weekend, meet friends for tea. Take a long hike. Spend some time with yourself. Hit the farmers’ market or the natural foods store. Do some yoga or whatever activity you find rejuvenating.
By Sunday, aren’t you feeling good? How about another week? Maybe even 3? Perhaps you stick with a couple new habits, and that’s something! That’s lifestyle modification. It’s a work in progress. Try it.