Mind & Body Support
Looking to enhance your well-being? Our Mind & Body Support provides valuable educational resources on healthy living essentials. Explore expert tips, wellness guidance, and tools to support your journey to a healthier, more balanced life.
What's So Great about Fasting?
Fasting can offer a range of health benefits, from giving the digestive system a much-needed break to supporting metabolic and cellular repair processes. When we fast, our bodies shift into a state of increased efficiency, using stored energy and enhancing autophagy—a natural process where cells remove damaged components and regenerate. This can contribute to improved insulin sensitivity, heart health, and even cognitive function. Additionally, fasting encourages mindful eating habits and can help reset cravings, fostering a more balanced approach to nutrition. Whether practiced intermittently or periodically, fasting can be a powerful tool in promoting overall well-being.
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Connie personally knows Mindy Pelz who has traveled the world discovering the best fasting techniques and the science to back it. Check out Dr. Mindy Pelz website for more information.
Why are Microplastics Bad?
Microplastics pose a serious threat to human health and the environment. These tiny plastic particles, often less than 5 millimeters in size, are found in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat (1). Studies suggest that microplastics can accumulate in vital organs, including the brain, heart, and reproductive system, potentially leading to inflammation, hormonal disruptions, and increased risks of diseases such as cancer (2). Additionally, they absorb harmful chemicals, making them even more toxic when ingested (3). Because plastic never fully decomposes, microplastics continue to spread, affecting ecosystems and wildlife, ultimately impacting human health as they enter the food chain.
What are a few simple things you can do to reduce consumption of microplastics?
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Reduce plastic purchases such as throw-away items or plastic containers.
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Eliminate plastic containers and cooking utensils from your kitchen.
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Reduce bottled water intake - consider purchasing a stainless steel bottle and bring your water with you!
The Benefits of Going Barefoot!
Going barefoot can offer surprising benefits for both physical and mental well-being. Walking without shoes strengthens foot and leg muscles, improves balance, and enhances posture by allowing natural movement and engagement of stabilizing muscles (1). It also restores a more natural walking pattern, reducing the impact on joints and encouraging better foot mechanics (2). Additionally, barefoot walking can help with sensory awareness, as the feet contain numerous nerve endings that provide feedback to the body, improving coordination and stability (3). While there are risks, such as exposure to rough surfaces or infections, mindful barefoot walking—especially on soft, natural terrain—can be a great way to reconnect with the body and the environment.
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OF COURSE, it isn't PRACTICAL to go barefooted all the time, so we recommend the next best thing! Try out a pair of Earth Runners! Connie and Joy both love and wear these.
The Amazing Benefits of CLEAN WATER
Clean water is essential for overall health, but different types of purified water offer differing benefits:
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Distilled water. This is a great, inexpensive option. When water is stilled, it becomes free of all contaminants. Once essential minerals are replaced, it can provide ultra-pure hydration without unwanted chemicals. You can find one around $100 on Amazon - we recommend purchasing a stainless steel version with glass pitcher.
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Hydrogen water. Infused with molecular hydrogen, this water is praised for its potential antioxidant properties, helping to neutralize harmful free radicals and support energy levels. For an inexpensive option, you can purchase tablets to put in your water or buy a hydrogen bottle. Connie and Joy are currently testing out the Hydroh Bottle.
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Filtered water. Depending on the filtration method, filtered water retains beneficial minerals while removing impurities. The amount of minerals and remaining impurities do vary depending on the filtration system.
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In contrast, tap water may contain chlorine, heavy metals, and other pollutants, which can impact taste and health over time. Choosing the right water depends on individual needs, but ensuring access to clean, high-quality hydration is key to maintaining well-being.
I Keep Hearing the Word Somatics. What does it Mean?
Somatics is all about learning to understand the language of the body—how emotions and experiences show up as physical sensations.
While our brain tends to process things in words and thoughts, our body speaks through sensations like heart racing, heat, tension, numbness, heaviness, tightness or even butterflies in the stomach. When we ignore these signals, we might feel disconnected or overwhelmed.
The key to getting the brain and body to work together is awareness. Instead of just thinking about emotions, somatic practices encourage people to feel the sensations of them—paying attention to how stress, joy, or sadness physically manifests.
Techniques like deep breathing, movement, and mindfulness help bridge the gap, allowing the body to release stored tension while the mind processes emotions more clearly.
Imagine your body and brain as two friends speaking different languages. Joy specializes in teaching your body to communicate with itself , leading to greater emotional balance, resilience, and overall well-being (1). Here is a 12-minute YouTube video if you want to do deeper dive about somatics. Somatic work can be a great way to experience support and accountability while not needing to rehash your life story.
