WATER – HOW TO MAKE THE BEST CHOICE

Understanding Water Quality and Your Choices

Water is essential to life, yet its quality can vary significantly based on its source and the treatment methods it undergoes. Here, we explore various types of water—tap, filtered, ozonated, hydrogenated, distilled, re-mineralized, and structured—highlighting their characteristics and potential benefits. Healthy Living.

Tap Water

Tap water is the most common and accessible form of water. It is treated by municipalities to remove contaminants and pathogens, making it safe for consumption. However, the treatment process does not eliminate all impurities and may include chlorine and fluoride, which some consumers prefer to avoid. The quality of tap water can vary depending on local water sources and infrastructure. Usually it is not recommended unless you do not have any other options.

Filtered Water

Filtered water involves the removal of impurities from tap water using various filtration systems. Common types include:

– Carbon Filters: These remove chlorine, pesticides, and organic compounds, improving taste and odour but usually the most common ones like Brita do not remove chlorine 100%.

 – Ceramic Filters: Ceramic filters use small pores in a ceramic material to filter out contaminants from water, including bacteria, protozoa, and debris, making them effective for microbial purification. Although they do not filter out chemical pollutants as effectively as reverse osmosis or carbon filters, they are an excellent choice for basic filtration needs, improving both the safety and taste of drinking water. Usually you can find them in combination with a carbon filter.

– Reverse Osmosis: This process removes a broad range of contaminants, including fluoride, lead, and other dissolved minerals. You might need to re-mineralise it and be careful of the filters as they tend to get mouldy.

– Alkaline Filters: These raise the water’s pH and add minerals, purportedly offering health benefits like neutralizing body acidity.

Each type of filter has its advantages, catering to different needs and preferences regarding mineral content and removal of specific contaminants.

Ozonated Water

Ozonation is a water treatment that infuses ozone (O₃) into the water. This powerful oxidizing agent can kill bacteria and viruses more effectively than chlorine. Ozonated water is often used in medical and food processing applications. For daily drinking, its benefits include purity and the potential for enhanced immune support, though the ozone dissipates quickly, and the water must be consumed shortly after treatment.

Hydrogenated Water

Hydrogenated water contains dissolved hydrogen gas, which can act as an antioxidant, reducing oxidative stress and improving athletic performance. The hydrogen dissipates quickly, hence it must be consumed immediately or soon after preparation.

Distilled Water

Distillation involves boiling water and then condensing the steam back into liquid, which removes minerals and impurities. While distilled water is one of the purest forms available, it lacks minerals that are beneficial for health. The pH of this water is usually acidic and it is recommended to be re-mineralised before consumption.

Re-mineralized Water

Re-mineralized water is typically distilled or reverse osmosis water to which minerals have been added back. This process enhances the flavour and increases the health benefits, as the body requires minerals for various functions. The type and amount of minerals added can be customized based on dietary needs and taste preferences.

Structured Water

Structured water refers to water whose molecular alignment has been changed to supposedly resemble the structure of water in natural springs. Structure makes water more bioavailable, meaning the body can absorb and utilize it more efficiently.

This overview provides a starting point for selecting water that not only quenches your thirst but also aligns with your health goals and preferences.

SLEEP HYGIEN – 10 HABBITS THAT CAN IMPROVE YOUR RESTORATIVE SLEEP

Sleep hygiene habits

1. Consistent Sleep Schedule: Aim to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This consistency reinforces your body’s sleep-wake cycle.

2. Optimize Bedroom Environment:

   – Lighting: Use heavy curtains or an eye mask to block out light, helping to signal to your body that it’s time to sleep.

   – Noise: Consider using earplugs or a white noise machine to minimize noise disruptions.

   – Temperature: Keep your bedroom at a comfortable, cool temperature between 60-67 degrees Fahrenheit (15-19 degrees Celsius).

3. Limit Screen Time: Avoid screens (TVs, phones, tablets, computers) at least one hour before bedtime. The blue light emitted by screens can disrupt your natural circadian rhythms by suppressing the production of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin.

4. Mind Your Light Exposure:

   – Morning Light: Get exposure to natural light in the morning to help regulate your body’s timing of sleep.

   – Evening Light: Dim your lights as you approach bedtime to signal to your body that it’s time to wind down.

5. Circadian Rhythms Alignment: Align your sleep schedule with your natural circadian rhythms. Most people’s optimal bedtime falls between 9 PM and 12 AM.

6. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Time:

   – Liver and Gallbladder Time: According to TCM, the liver and gallbladder are most active for cleansing and renewing the body during 11 PM to 3 AM. Sleeping during these hours is believed to promote restorative sleep and effective detoxification.

7. Physical Activity: Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and enjoy deeper sleep. However, avoid vigorous exercises close to bedtime as it might have the opposite effect.

8. Mindful Eating and Drinking:

   – Avoid Heavy Meals: Don’t eat heavy meals within a couple of hours of bedtime. Light snacks are okay.

   – Limit Caffeine and Nicotine: Both are stimulants and can interfere with your ability to fall asleep.

   – Cut Down on Sugary Foods and Refined Carbs: These can trigger wakefulness at night and pull you out of the deep, restorative stages of sleep.

9. Relaxation Techniques: Incorporate relaxation routines before bed to help signal to your body that it’s time to wind down. This can include reading, taking a warm bath, meditation, or gentle yoga.

10. Manage Worries: Try to resolve your worries or concerns before bedtime. Consider jotting down what’s on your mind and then setting it aside for tomorrow.

Adopting these habits can significantly improve your sleep quality, impacting your overall health and well-being. Each person’s response to these strategies can vary, so it may help to experiment and see what works best for you.

NUTRITION – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU CHOSE ANY DIET

Nutrition from a Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a unique approach to nutrition that emphasizes the harmony and balance between the environment, the body’s internal conditions, and the energetic properties of food. Unlike Western dietary practices that often focus on calories, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, TCM considers the broader energetic impact of food on the body’s balance of yin (cooling, calming energy) and yang (warming, activating energy). This perspective teaches that there are no universally good or bad diets; rather, nutritional choices should be tailored to the individual’s health condition, environmental factors, and the seasons.

The Importance of Local Climate and Seasons

TCM stresses the significance of aligning our diet with the energetics of our immediate environment and the prevailing seasons. Each climate and season impacts the body differently and requires adjustments in our diet to maintain balance. For example, in cold and wet climates, it’s beneficial to incorporate warming and drying foods to counteract the dampness and chill, such as ginger, garlic, and roasted nuts. Conversely, in hot and dry climates, cooling and moistening foods like cucumber, melon, and dairy products can be beneficial.

Seasonally, winter is considered a time when energy retreats inward and consolidates. This is a period for warming and substantial foods like root vegetables, whole grains, and roasted meats, which help to warm the body’s core and sustain its inward focus. Summer, characterized by expansive and outward energy, calls for lighter, cooling foods such as fruits and raw vegetables, which prevent overheating and balance the body’s external openness.

A general rule in here will imply eating what is produced locally and within the season.

Energetics of Foods

Foods in TCM are categorized not only by their physical nutrients but by their energetic effects on the body:

– Warming Foods: These foods raise the yang energy and are ideal for colder months or for individuals with cold constitutions. Examples include onions, leeks, peppers, and cooked spices.

– Cooling Foods: These help to increase yin energy, suitable for warmer weather or for people with naturally warmer constitutions. Foods like tomatoes, spinach, and fruits fall into this category.

– Neutral Food: These foods are balanced between yin and yang, making them generally suitable for all body types and seasons. Examples include rice, carrots, and apples.

Cooking Methods and Their Energetics

The way food is prepared also influences its energetic qualities:

– Deep Frying and Roasting: These methods introduce more heat into foods, making them more warming. Such methods are beneficial in colder climates or seasons, or for individuals with a cold constitution.

– Steaming and Boiling: These techniques are gentler and impart less heat to food, making dishes cooler, which is ideal for hot climates or for balancing excess yang.

Individual Health Conditions

TCM also emphasizes the importance of tailoring one’s diet to their specific health needs. The balance of yin and yang in one’s body and the presence of any imbalances like excess heat or cold should guide food choices. For instance, a person with excess heat might experience symptoms like inflammation, anxiety, or insomnia and would benefit from cooling foods. Conversely, someone with an excess of cold might suffer from fatigue, poor circulation, or frequent urination and would need more warming foods.

No Universal “Good” or “Bad” Diets

In TCM, the concept that one type of diet fits all is rejected. What is beneficial for one person can be detrimental to another, depending on a variety of factors including age, health condition, environmental factors, and lifestyle. For example, raw, vegan diets might benefit people with strong digestive systems and excess heat, but could harm those with weaker stomachs or a colder constitution by exacerbating these conditions.

This holistic approach to nutrition means that understanding your own body’s needs in relation to your environment and lifestyle is essential. Consulting with a TCM practitioner can provide personalized insights into which foods might best help to balance your specific conditions and enhance your overall health and well-being.

By considering these factors, individuals can make more informed decisions about their diets, leading to improved health outcomes that are aligned with the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

ENVIRONMENT – HOW TO REDUCE GEOPATHIC AND ELECTROMAGNETIC STRESS

How to Reduce the Exposure to Environmental Stresses

Geopathic stress and electromagnetic stress are environmental factors that can impact health and well-being by disturbing the body’s natural rhythms and detoxification process. Geopathic stress is thought to result from certain natural earth energies and underground features like mineral concentrations, energy lines, and underground streams, while electromagnetic stress is linked to exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) from electronic devices, power lines, and wireless communications. Here’s how to minimize exposure and mitigate the effects of these stresses:

Understanding and Avoiding Geopathic Stress

1. Identify Geopathic Stress Zones: One approach to identify these zones is through dowsing, a traditional practice that uses a dowser or rod to detect earth energies. Professional dowsers can help identify areas in your home or workplace that might be affected by geopathic stress.

2. Rearrange Living Spaces: If certain areas are identified as geopathically stressed, consider rearranging your healthy living or working spaces, particularly where you spend a lot of time such as the bedroom or desk area. Avoid placing beds or workstations directly over stressed areas.

3. Use Geopathic Stress Neutralizers: Various products can neutralize or harmonize the effects of geopathic stress. These can include specific crystals, grounding mats, or devices designed to alter the earth’s energy for better health outcomes. Earth acupuncture can also release a lot of stagnant energies and harmonise your place.

4. Incorporate Natural Barriers: Planting certain types of trees and using natural materials like stones can sometimes be suggested to block or alter negative earth energies. Consulting with a geomancy expert can provide specific recommendations suitable for your area.

Reducing Electromagnetic Stress

1. Minimize EMF Exposure: Reduce your exposure to EMFs by keeping electronic devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops away from your body as much as possible. Avoid Bluetooth and use wired headsets or speakerphone modes to minimize direct contact with your smart devices. Use protective cases for your phone when you have to have it close to the body. Utilise the aeroplane mode when you do not expect a phone call.

2. Turn Off Wi-Fi and phones at Night: To reduce exposure during sleep, turn off Wi-Fi routers overnight. Consider switching to wired internet connections where possible to further decrease reliance on wireless signals. Converting your WiFi into ethernet is a convenient option and you can find the specific plugs on Amazon. Also, switch completely off your phone during the night.

3. Limit Use of Electrical Devices: Especially in bedrooms, minimize the use of electrical devices. If necessary, keep them at least a few feet away from the bed to reduce EMF exposure and switch them off while sleeping. Avoid electric cables around the bed.

4. Use EMF Protection Devices: There are various shields and devices designed to block or neutralize EMFs, ranging from small stickers for mobile devices to larger units that cover entire rooms. You might need to install those devices with a specialist which can measure with and EMF  meter the effectiveness of each device.  

5. Implement Shielding Solutions: For high EMF environments, consider using materials that shield against EMFs. Special paints, window films, and fabrics can block or reduce the penetration of electromagnetic fields into a space. As with the devices, ideally has to be done by a specialist or you need to have a meter to check the effectiveness of the shielding. For body protection there are shielding cloths which can also offer protection on the move. Visit us.