By Halcyon

In response to another chatter request, we’re launching a series that’s all about helping you be the best you that you can be, and to start us off right, Halcyon is going to talk with us about approaching health and beauty from a holistic perspective! Please remember that it’s always advised to discuss changes in your regimen with your doctor or other health care provider, as he or she will be in the best position to address your personal needs and special concerns – however, if you’re interested in holistic care, we hope this article will provide you with some opening discussion points!

ho•lis•tic:

ho’listik
adjective
Philosophy
adjective:
1. characterized by comprehension of the parts of something as intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole.

In recent years, I have seen a jump in the awareness of the mind/body connection. Being an avid yogi, homeopath, wild herbalist, and Wiccan, it has been heartwarming to witness. I have tried a lot of “natural” and “organic” products with both positive and negative results. I think for the most part, this wave towards products that are less chemically toxic and better for the environment is a step in the right direction, but often the cost of these “greener” and “better for you” products come with a steep price tag. So because of my background, I decided to embark on a DIY journey, with the end goal being less expensive, but still good-for-you ways to maintain happy skin, happy hair, a peaceful mind, and a healthy body. Maybe some of these ideas will help spur your own journey into the sometimes murky waters of homeopathic/holistic care.

I decided to cover four parts of a holistic integrated lifestyle, which includes skin, hair, mind and body. The ideas encompassed within the scope of this article are meant to touch the surface of what I think could be a long journey into discovering ways to be good to yourself. Who doesn’t want to feel better, be healthier and have more peace in their lives? The rewards are too good to pass up, and when you feel better, there is a domino effect that spills over into the lives of those around you. So let’s take the plunge!

Five Secrets to Great Skin

The first step to Holistic Beauty starts with the skin. Here are six ways to start you on the right path.

• Beauty Sleep

This is not just for Sleeping Beauty, girls. We are busy woman, between work and play, families, or whatever you have going on in your life. So late nights and early mornings will reflect in your skin, and you’ll notice a tired appearance, dark circles under eyes, and that you might experience more break outs that are difficult to banish. This is important.

If any of these apply to you, sleep therapy may be something to consider:

* You get 8hrs of sleep but it’s not near the magic hours of 10pm – 6am.
* You get less then 8hrs on a regular basis and you try to make it up on the weekends.
* You sleep more than 8hrs because you feel you need more.

According to Ayurvedic Principles:

* The most healing effects of sleep occurs between the hours of 10pm – 2am. So getting beauty sleep truly improves the health and beauty of your skin.

• Get Your Sweat On!

So many possibilities! But seriously speaking, exercise is excellent for your skin because of the sweating. You have extra blood flow and oxygenation going on during vigorous exercise, increasing circulation throughout the entire body, which improves the shape of skin cells and keeps them at optimal functioning level. Sweating will not only improve your skin but you’ll feel better and have more energy.

• Your Skin Is Your Temple!

Keeping this in mind, treat your body with respect and be mindful of what you use. Using a cleanser made primarily of chemicals is a disservice. Most of these over the counter agents will use different acids and chemicals to trick you into thinking you have clean skin, but you end up causing breakouts and damaging your skin in the process. By using an all natural cleanser, whether store bought or homemade, you’re getting rid of one problem without causing another.

The second part to this regime is toner. As toner helps soothe skin, you don’t want to use a store bought toner that is not made from natural ingredients. The best end results come from products made with natural fruit and vegetable extracts that will nourish your skin instead of wearing it out. Stay away from toners with harsh chemicals meant to be used as an astringent. They will often leave your skin red, dry, and uncomfortable!

• Oooh, the Moisture!

Have you ever taken a look at the vast amounts of moisturizing products lining the shelves of your local drugstore? Most of these have a ton of ingredients that you can’t even pronounce. A good rule of thumb, girls: If you can’t pronounce an ingredient, it’s most likely a chemical and does not belong on your face. Look for natural ingredients, the sorts that you’d like to eat. Skin is super absorbent, so when you’re slathering on a moisturizer, you want something that won’t be harmful to you. Remember – your skin is the largest organ and it’s important to take care of it.

• Hail Hydration!

While keeping hydrated has a number of excellent benefits, from making you more energetic to giving you a slimmer appearance, it will also provide your skin with the moisture it needs to look and feel its best. Though there’s a bit of controversy, the best calculation thus far to determine how much water you should be drinking is to take your weight and divide it in half, and that number is what you should be consuming in ounces.^1,2 It may seem like a lot of water, but the benefits will astound you.

Note: If you’ve been dehydrated for a long time, increase your water intake gradually to give your body time to adjust, or you will feel bloated and uncomfortable.

This is just the beginning of the journey into holistic beauty and health! There is so much to share and I am hoping that there might be a way to embark on a few experiments together, chronicling our progress and sharing things that worked and things that did not. I haven’t worked out the details yet, so stay tuned, because there’s more to come! For now, I hope this has been a helpful start into what could be a whole new way of taking care of you.

(1) Chek, P. (2004). How to eat, move and be healthy!. San Diego, CA: C.H.E.K. Institute

(2) Editor’s note: While proper hydration is a must no matter your care regimen, many people aren’t aware that too much water can be as dangerous as too little. “Water intoxication” is a medical emergency caused by the intake of excessive amounts of water in a short period of time. It alters the natural balance of electrolytes in the body and can result in cellular swelling, damage to the central nervous system, and even death. The calculation suggested in this article is meant to correspond with what you’ll drink over the course of an entire day, and not the amount that should be consumed in one or two sittings. We can’t stress enough that the best way to determine what’s right for you is to consult with your physician!