March Wellness - Skin Health

Welcome to March Tribe members! This month I focus on skin health - as a massage therapist I have worked with, see, and have touched a lot of skin! Our skin is our largest organ of elimination, sheds on a regular basis, and provides visual cues to our overall health. Apply my Soothe - Nourish - Rest tips to improve the look, feel, and health of the skin you're in!

Subscribe to my monthly wellness newsletter to receive the March edition where I share tips, tools, and resources to improve the health of your skin. This month's edition goes out next week so visit my homepage to sign-up...Let's Soar!

Be Well! ~Tiffany

Rest by Napping...

Oftentimes we don't get the sleep we need at night. Napping offers various health benefits including relaxation, reduced fatigue, increased alertness, improved mood, and heightened performance. According to The Sleep Foundation, humans are unique and tend to relegate sleep to one distinct period rather than the majority of mammals (85%) that sleep for short periods throughout the day. Set aside 20-30 minutes per day for a short snooze and enjoy the results.

Be Well! ~Tiffany

"Sleep is the best meditation." - The Dalai Lama

Soothe with Sound...

According to the Chinese calendar, February 16th begins the Year of the Dog. This year promises hallmarks indicative to the faithful pup such as loyalty, steadfastness, tolerance, and openness. What might this year mean for you? I encourage you to focus on something that is often neglected...self-love. Be loyal, open, and steadfast with your self care...and start with sound.

It is said that music can soothe the savage beast, assist us in meditation, help us to relax, and even heal. Sound sets a mood from an upbeat tempo to a soothing lullaby. Give yourself an audio tune-up, click here to receive a FREE 7-minute Chakra tune-up from renowned sound healer Jonathan Goldman.

Be Well! ~ Tiffany

Nourish with Tonics...

What do the Egyptians, Babylonians, and Hippocrates each share in common? They treated ailments and promoted good health with vinegar tonics. Vinegar (specifically apple cider vinegar) can reduce muscle pain, soothe sore throats, reduce sugar cravings, soften skin, help you lose weight, and clear acne. Enjoy twice a day for best results. Get recipes and learn more here.

Be Well! ~ Tiffany

Learn 20 uses for Apple Cider Vinegar plus 6 health benefits.

Pins & Needles...

Numbness of the feet and hands is uncomfortable and painful, especially when numbness is constant. There are any number of reasons why our extremities fall asleep. Lying or sitting in one position for too long may place pressure on nerves, numbness may be a sign of injury due to repetitive use, or more serious conditions such as diabetes or peripheral neuropathy can lead to nerve damage. The good news is that damaged nerves can regenerate and heal. In order to treat this condition your physician will help you determine the cause. Address this problem on your own by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising (to increase circulation), avoid or limit alcohol, apply ice packs or cold compresses, and seek alternative therapies such as acupuncture or therapeutic bodywork.

Be Well! ~ Tiffany

A Time to Fast...

Over the years I chose to fast for health, weight loss, and greater spiritual connection. Some of these fasts were safe and therapeutic; others were a bit risky and admittedly foolish. A regular fast that nearly everyone participates in is the nightly fast while we sleep. The morning meal is called 'breakfast' for a reason...we are breaking a fast.

You may or may not realize that the act of digestion requires a great deal of energy. Digestion can interrupt sleep, and overeating burdens our system. This is why we feel heavy, bloated, sleepy, and lethargic after indulging in large meals. By finishing your last meal at least 2 to 3 hours before bedtime, and avoiding late night snacks, you allow your body to divert energy to restorative work. In the deepest stages of sleep our body releases human growth hormones and appetite suppressing hormones like ghrelin. To improve the quality of your sleep, avoid food late in the evening. This allows your body to support good health.

Be Well! ~ Tiffany

"Sleep is that golden chain that ties health and our bodies together." - Thomas Dekker

Reducing Pain...Recipes & Remedies

Pain management is a priority for those of us managing chronic conditions. Of course there are plenty of prescription drugs available to treat pain, though our country faces an opioid epidemic. To manage pain effectively, affordably, and with fewer negative side effects there are a number of alternatives available. In my book, Butternut to Bionic, I discuss how I used prescription pain medication sparingly after surgery and opted for treatments such as acupuncture, homeopathic remedies such as Arnica, and mind/body techniques such as EFT, guided imagery, and meditation to better manage my pain. I also receive regular therapeutic massage, exercise daily, self-treat with Reiki, and most recently, have been using CBD balm (purchased from Dave's Health) to reduce shingle pain. Speak to your doctor about alternative remedies to manage your pain. Each of us experience pain differently and in varying degrees. Oftentimes, using a variety of approaches results in success.

Be Well! ~ Tiffany