The first step to take is to focus on our breath while breathing in and out of our heart center. We can do this for some time, and then begin to deepen the breath by bringing it into the stomach while gently and lovingly guiding the breath as deep as it may go into the pelvis region. Then pause, and begin the inhale moving up through the body. See where the inhale stops, and then begin the whole process again. We can do this for some time until we feel at ease.

By focusing on our breath, we can tune into our very being and essence. This can be a form of meditation as well as a very healthy step to include in with other daily rituals of self-love, self-care and meditation.

Now let us tune into our heart. What is our heart trying to say? This may take some time as we are only now beginning to truly understand how important it is to listen to our heart. What is our heart trying to tell us about any given situation or emotion? The more this becomes a daily practice, the more the true safety of our very existence begins to become clear, and the more we begin to realize and make manifest our true hearts desire. On the outside, the more we practice this, the more we can become a part of co-creating a heart-based world.

“As we learn to tap into our heart’s intelligence, it increases our vitality, our resilience, and especially our health and happiness.”

-Dr. Rollin McCraty

Often the first instinct is to run away from these emotions and situations.  Now, if there is an environment or person who is unable to value and treat us as the beautiful souls we are, walking away and giving them space to heal what is going on within them can be a true act of love towards that person and our self. When we recognize that the behavior is not ours and is unwanted and harmful, we can walk away and bless them. Wish them well, wish them healing, and know that they have probably had a painful past that they need to heal. Forgive them, and move forward.

Forgiving does not mean this person or situation needs to ever be a part of our life again, yet it does allow us to create healing space for them while freeing us of the need to carry their emotions any longer.

Sometimes it can seem more difficult to let go and let the Universe handle the harm and destruction that takes place in the world around us. When there is injustice and great harm on the Earth, it is then most especially time for us to up our level of kindness, love, compassion, respect, humility, integrity and demonstrate what true healing is by being the light in times of darkness.

There is a very magical and powerful transformation from dark to light that takes place when individuals refuse to give up and give away their power, and instead up their game of self-love, self-care and kindness and compassion towards others.

“We have within us, a power that is greater than anything we shall ever contact in the outer, a power that can overcome every obstacle in our life and set us safe, satisfied and at peace, healed and prosperous, in a new light, and in a new life.”

Ernest Holmes

When we trust in our heart, follow our guidance, and discern what is right for our beautiful soul, we help the world to do so as well. There are situations and lessons that may arise, yet the more we learn to go within, and navigate them through our focused breath and heart space, the more we learn to let go and let the Universe, the more we learn to stand in our lighted power and walk into any darkness knowing by our very presence we will transform it.

Always remember, each one of us has a very beautiful and unique song to sing to the world. The more we shine our light like the stars we truly are, and the louder we sing our beautiful songs with our very own fragrance, the more the world responds with love. Let’s celebrate each other, let’s honor each other, and let us always remember that there is only one you and there is only one me. What are we waiting for, and when will we begin to light the world with our love? The time for me, and the time for you is now.

Let’s take three deep breaths together, tune in and turn up the love. Let’s follow the inner guidance of our heart so we can all arrive. We are growing, we are expanding, we are raising our consciousness and creating a new reality and thus a new world unlike any other. Yesterday already was, and tomorrow has yet to be, will you join us in filling today with hope, goodness, truth, love and beauty? We always have a choice. What will you choose?

Cover Image Credit: no more lookism discovered on Conscious Lifestyle Magazine

Ulonda Faye has a B.A. in Political Science and International Studies, and studied Peace and Conflict Research during her Masters program in International Relations. She survived a Near Death Experience during an accident that led her into Mind-Body-Spirit studies. She is a certified Wellness Practitioner, Rejuv Miracles Practitioner, and holistic esthetician as well as an ordained spiritual minister. Her services are available in person or through Skype and are offered in English and German. For more information, please visit fayenaturales.com

1. Practice Yoga

The benefits of Yoga are countless, and many of them are key for long-term health:

Stretching – Yoga poses work by stretching your muscles, making your whole body more flexible. Stretching is beneficial for general relaxation and tonification of your muscles. In one study, people improved their flexibility by up to 35% after only 8 weeks of yoga.

Increase Blood Flow – Twisting poses bring out venous blood from internal organs and allow oxygenated blood to flow in once the twist is released. Inverted poses encourage venous blood from the legs and pelvis to flow back to the heart, where it can be pumped to the lungs to be freshly oxygenated.

Increase Mobility and Flexibility – During your first class, you probably won’t be able to touch your toes, but if you stick with it, you’ll notice a gradual loosening, and eventually, seemingly impossible poses will become possible. You’ll also probably notice that aches and pains starting to disappear, and your posture getting better.

2. Practice Gratitude

When was the last time you woke up in the morning, and immediately smiled, suddenly overwhelmed by a massive wave of gratitude, just for being alive? With all the struggles of everyday life, we tend to forget about the blessings in our lives. While getting too busy fixing the things that are wrong, we forget about the things that are right.

However, gratitude is one of the pillars of a healthy life, and our mental health -just as important as our physical health-, can benefit a lot from living a grateful life.

3. Try New Supplements

Food nowadays is not as nutritious as the food our grandparents and great-grandparents grew up with, so an extra input of certain nutrients is often useful to prevent any deficiencies. These are some that might help improve your health:

• Vitamin D

It helps your body absorb calcium and also has a role in your nerves, muscles, and immune system. Deficiency can cause rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults. Muscle aches and weakness, muscle twitching and light-headedness are common symptoms of vitamin D deficiency; and some studies have found that it is also linked to depression.

• Magnesium

Magnesium is required for the proper growth and maintenance of bones, for the proper function of nerves and muscles, among others. Magnesium supplements can help with irregular heartbeat, blood pressure, anxiety, fatigue, fibromyalgia, diabetes, kidney stones, headaches, PMS, asthma and hay fever, among many others

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include cramps, tremor, spasms, fatigue, loss of appetite, apathy, confusion, insomnia, irritability, poor memory, and reduced ability to learn.

• Fish oil

Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, known to reduce inflammation in the body among other health benefits. It is most often used for conditions related to the heart and blood system, lowering high triglycerides, and preventing heart disease and stroke.

• ZMA

ZMA is a natural mineral supplement made up of zinc, magnesium aspartate, and vitamin B6. These three nutrients in your system can build muscle strength and stamina, speed muscle recovery, and improve the quality of your sleep.

4. Drink More Water

Around 75% of people are chronically dehydrated. Are you drinking enough water? Signs of fatigue, poor memory, difficulty focusing, and sleepiness, might be telling you that you’re not. Your body is 70% water (your brain is almost 90%!); water is essential for proper digestion and circulation, numerous chemical reactions, nutrient absorption, waste elimination and flexibility of the blood vessels. It regulates body temperature and acts as an internal skin moisturizer, as well as preventing premature aging due to toxic buildup.

5. Eat More Greens

A plant-based diet includes more nutrient-dense foods that will help keep you full longer and give you more energy with less toxins, making you feel better overall. Switching to a natural plant-based diet like veganism or any of its varieties, has many other benefits for your body, the animals and the environment.

Can’t think of what to eat? There are various vegan meal delivery companies that could help start you on your journey. Give it a try and let the new flavors, textures and ideas change the way you’ve always thought about healthy eating.

6. Eliminate or Reduce Toxins

Reducing or completely eliminating toxins from your diet and lifestyle will make it easier for your body to recover its natural healthy state. The list of toxins to avoid includes tobacco, alcohol, caffeine and sugar, which have an acidic effect -the process of neutralizing this acid spends energy from other processes, which affects your energy levels and ability to focus. Plastics and other hormone disruptors are another kind of toxins to avoid as much as possible, in order to get healthier.

7. Aim to Sweat Everyday

With sweating comes great benefits: an increased heart rate works as a “heart workout”, which improves your general cardiovascular health, and increases the blood flow to major organs. Sweating from intense exercise also releases endorphins, which help you feel good and prevent depression, stress, and anxiety. Sweating helps filter your blood and rid the body of toxins through your skin, making you feel lighter and better.

8. Get a Blood Test

General fatigue, mood swings, skin issues, vision sensitivity, joint pain and muscular weakness are common physical signs of nutritional deficiency. Mind fog, confusion, difficulty focusing, poor memory, or sleep issues, could also be signs that something is missing.

The best way to find if you have any deficiency, is to get a complete blood test.

9. Do a 3 Day Juice Cleanse

One of the easiest ways to start a reset in your system and rid your body of toxins by cleaning out your organs, is to do a 3 day juice cleanse. This has the effect of mild fasting, without the risk of upsetting your blood sugar levels or being too extreme if you’re not used to it.

10. Add superfoods into your diet

Superfoods are nutrient-rich foods that are especially beneficial for your health and well-being. Some examples are:

Turmeric – Curcumin in turmeric has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and neutralizes free radicals. It also increases the growth of new neurons and fights various degenerative processes in the brain. Curcumin is beneficial for heart health, and helps prevent cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. It can also treat symptoms of arthritis, and alleviate symptoms of depression.

Matcha Tea – If you haven’t heard of matcha tea, this is going to be life changing! Matcha green tea has over 100 times the antioxidants of regular green tea. The health benefits of drinking matcha tea include improved mental alertness and clarity, stronger immune defense and detoxification. It also helps relaxation and prevents bacterial, fungal and viral infections, cancer and type-2 diabetes. It assists in maintaining cardiovascular health, gastrointestinal health and works as a superb energy booster.

Spirulina – Spirulina is a blue-green algae that is rich in protein, minerals, B vitamins, vitamin E, manganese, zinc, copper, iron, selenium, and gamma linolenic acid (an essential fatty acid). It also has a high supply of carotenoids, which have antioxidant properties.

Spirulina can be beneficial for anxiety, ADHD, depression, diabetes, fatigue, heart disease, high cholesterol, improving your immune system and memory, PMS, and assist in wound healing and weight loss.

What are your ways of resetting your health? Feel free to share with us in the comment section!

Sources:

38 Health Benefits of Yoga

Vitamin D Wikipedia

Magnesium WebMD

Magnesium Wikipedia

Fish Oil Wikipedia

ZMA Wikipedia