The best healing and wellness support system we have is Nature. Yes, Mother Nature!
Here is the latest edition of 1 thing I’m doing, 2 things I’ve learnt and 3 things to explore lovingly created so you can live a happier, healthier and longer life. Much love, Sandy xx
1 THING I’M DOING
Reversing My Age
When it comes to health, “the ultimate flex is feeling younger than your actual age” is something I heard someone recently say. I couldn’t agree more. There’s something incredibly empowering about feeling stronger, more vibrant, and joyful than what your driver’s license (and perhaps the photo on it) suggests.
The Age Paradox
Here’s a scenario I’m sure we’ve all encountered. Do you know someone who is relatively young, but acts much older? They’re constantly complaining about aches and pains, plagued with health issues, and taking a concoction of prescribed medications.
And then there’s the flip side. Do you know a sprightly 80+ year old who doesn’t think twice about climbing trees and fences for pruning, wielding a chainsaw, or walking for over an hour every morning? Oh, that would be my Mum. ❤️ It’s inspiring to witness such youthfulness in older age and not difficult to think, “That’s how I want to be when I’m 80+.”
A Personal Milestone
In about four weeks, I’ll be celebrating my 54th birthday. For those who’ve been with me for a while, you know I consider health the ultimate wealth. This week, I stumbled upon a fun DIY test that assesses your biological age versus your chronological age, using your computer at home. Curious, and up for a bit of fun, I gave it a try.
The Test Results
Despite feeling waaaay younger than I am, the test results made me smile.
The test uses the Levine PhenoAge model, which is based on data from nine common blood tests like White Blood Cell count, Creatinine, Albumin, and Glucose. One value I couldn’t enter was the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). However, since my C-reactive protein levels were normal, I used a median value for hs-CRP, and changing this by 75% in either direction made little difference to my overall score.
Taking it Lightly
At the end of the day, I’m not tying myself to these results. It was a simple, indicative test based on research studies and basic blood tests. And whilst I know there are much more complex biological tests available that offer greater accuracy, scrutinising my biological age and getting my DNA sampled just isn’t for me.
The Real Test
The real test for me is how I feel every day. Am I vibrant, joyful, and full with energy? Is my mind clear and sharp? Is my immune system strong? Am I sleeping well at night? Can I remain calm when I need to but feel like I could wrestle a bear if I had to?
These are my markers for whether I’m on the right track. 54, here I come!
✔️ Action Item – Now it’s your turn. Reflect on how you feel most days. Do you feel your age? Or do you feel younger or older? Has this changed recently? Can you remember a time when you felt your best? What would you need to do to get back there again?
We’re all on this wellness journey together so if you’re not feeling as good as you could, stick with me. The tools and information I provide are all about optimising circadian health and mitochondrial function which are your best strategies for dealing with modern living.
2 THINGS I’VE LEARNT
Sleeptember: A Celebration of Sleep
Can you believe it’s September already? That means it’s time for Sleeptember—a whole month dedicated to the marvellous world of snoozy town and joyous peaceful sleep!
Sleeptember is also the perfect moment for us to take a step back and reflect on our own snoozing habits so let’s do just that. Remember….
Sleep is not an optional extra or lifestyle luxury. It is a non-negotiable, biological necessity and the most effective thing you can do each day to reset your brain and body health.
Sleep is fundamental to our health and wellbeing. In fact, I call it the first pillar to great health. And with research showing that only 15% of people sleep the recommended 7 to 9 hours a night, five nights a week, it sounds like those sleep fairies have a lot of work to do!
Sleep is crucial for our physical, mental, and emotional well-being—just ask Dr. Matthew Walker, the world-renowned sleep expert who reminds us that “the more you sleep, the longer you live.” The consequences of not getting enough Z’s goes way beyond just feeling tired grumpy. We’re talking about serious health implications like higher risks of obesity, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, mental health issues, and even certain cancers.
So, it’s time to forget the old “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” nonsense! It’s time to ditch binge-watching Netflix and social doomscrolling for some quality shut-eye. You put so much effort into your diet and exercise routine, but if your sleep schedule is all over the place, that hard work might just be going to waste. Remember, your circadian rhythms are the true MVPs of your health, and no amount of diet, exercise or green smoothies can outrun them when they’re disrupted.
When we know better, we do better so it’s time to up your sleep game this Sleeptember. Sleepy town is calling and it’s got a ton of perks waiting for you. Sweet dreams my beautiful friend. 😴😴
✔️ Action Item – Let’s kick off Sleeptember with the goal of boosting your sleep game. Rate how well you slept over the past week, and give yourself a score out of 10? If you need a little extra hand and wish a sleep fairy would come, good news – I’m launching a Sleep Reset Challenge soon so stay tuned.
The Shady Side Of Seed Oils And Where They Came From?
There are two shady stories I’ve heard of how seed oils came to be.
First, we have the story that seed oils were created by J D Rockefeller. A by-product of oil production, and his colossal oil company at the time, these seed oils were basically engine lubricant. At the time, Rockefeller and those aligned with him, lobbied to have these oils approved for human consumption.
Second, there is the story that seed oils were once a by-product used in soap production. A handy invention by William Procter and James Gamble (of mega corporation Proctor & Gamble) this by-product from soybeans, corn and rapeseed found a new purpose, going from waste product to kitchen staple with the introduction of Crisco in the early 1900s.
Whether either or both stories are correct, they do share something in common. Seed oils came to be as a by-product of waste suggesting the magazine Popular Science may have been onto something when they said this in reference to seed oils…
“What was garbage in 1860 was fertilizer in 1870, cattle feed in 1880, and table food and many things else in 1890”
Unnatural Seed Oils
Whilst some may try to convince you that seeds oils are the “better” choice, don’t let that fool you. These cheap oils are the go to for ultra-processed foods, which is why Big Food loves them. The truth is, they are not natural, our bodies are biologically not designed to handle them, they are highly inflammatory, can wreak havoc on our bodies, and up our risk for diseases, which is why Big Pharma loves them.
Just as a little refresher, here’s a handy list of the worst offenders to steer clear of, keeping in mind, often you’ll see “vegetable oil” as a sneaky disguise for one of these:
- Canola (rapeseed) oil
- Corn oil
- Cottonseed oil
- Safflower oil
- Soybean oil
- Sunflower oil
- Grapeseed oil
- Peanut oil
- Rice bran oil
Want to dive in further? You can find a great article on seed oils here including a detailed account of the toxicity and safety of seed oils based on in vitro, animal and human studies done.
Image Source: Zero Acre
✔️ Action Item – It’s time to ditch those seed oils for good! Join the amazing label reading tribe and make conscious choices for a healthier future for you and your family. Remember, voting with your wallet matters, especially when it comes to the food industry!
3 THINGS TO EXPLORE
The Energies of Spring
Spring has sprung. And with it, it brings sunnier days, the rituals of planting new seeds, be it in the garden or otherwise, the joy, not joy of spring cleaning and decluttering.
Each passing season brings with it, new phases, and cycles. Each season has its own set of needs and demands, opportunities and pains for us to explore. So, as you’re winding down your day, writing in your journal, meditating or taking a peaceful stroll, think about Spring and what’s important to you.
Is there some Spring energy you need to bring into your home, your relationship, your job, your hobbies, your future? It may sound a little woo woo, but something tells me that working with the seasonal energies brings positivity. It’s like you have the universe working on your side and conspiring with you. And really, who could ask for more than that?
Spring holds profound spiritual meaning and significance. A time of renewal, growth, and awakening, as nature blossoms and flourishes, so too can our spirits and souls. Spring offers us an opportunity to shed the heaviness of winter and embrace the lightness of being. May the beautiful Spring energies be with you. Here are some words for inspiration….🌼
✔️ Action Item – It’s time to embrace Spring energies. What does this Spring mean to you and require of you? What Spring energies can you tap into, to help you achieve some goals?
Life Is Like A Photograph
Life is like a photograph. It develops from the negatives in our lives.
As hard as it may sound, embracing the suck is not always easy, but it’s essential.
The chaos, the setbacks, those moments when everything feels like a whirlwind—they’re actually our greatest teachers. When we look back, it’s often those challenging experiences that shape our true selves and lead us to our best masterpieces.
And just like those old photos we used to take—back when you’d take just one shot and hope for the best— it was the imperfect ones that brought the biggest laughs and had us rolling around in stitches. You remember the ones, right? Someone’s got their eyes closed, or they’re half cut off, or they’re making some silly face. It was those imperfect moments that brought us memorable joys.
Photos are a beautiful reminder that sometimes it’s the negatives that develop into a beautiful print and that those perfectly imperfect snapshots reflect our real selves and life’s joys.
✔️ Action Item – What negatives in your life have transformed into something beautiful? Reflect on those experiences, and let them inspire you to continue creating your own unique story or help you when those tough days come along.
Nature’s Pace
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” Lao Tzu
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