I love Thanksgiving, but I gotta say, as a society we have a pretty strange relationship with it.
I am grateful beyond measure for my health, my family, my home, my dogs, my friends, and so, so much more. But isn't it crazy that we have only one day dedicated to giving thanks? Plus, we celebrate it by indulging in food, drinks, treats, and TV. Then the next day, we're back at it with shopping. leftovers, news, and social media. We're loaded with stuff, but are we really loaded with gratitude?
I try to be aware of what I consume. It's not always easy, but taking things slow helps. To avoid overdoing it, I focus on making memories, having experiences, creating things with my hands, and practicing self-care whenever I can.
Since my health is my number one thing to be thankful for, I make sure to show my body some love. Here's a quick list of how I take care of myself when I'm not running, hiking, climbing, or lifting. These always make me feel great.
Dry brush
I've got a long-handled brush hanging outside my shower, and I use it for a full-body brush before hopping in. I don't do it daily, just a few times a month. I could do it more, but I skip it when I'm sweaty after a run. I just do it whenever it makes sense for me. I start brushing from the tops of my feet and work my way up to my shoulders and neck. Those long, gentle brush strokes are great for my blood flow, lymph drainage, skin exfoliation, waking up my body, and giving me an energy boost.
Tongue scrape – Every morning, I grab my stainless-steel tongue scraper before brushing and after gargling. Why do I do it? It really helps get rid of harmful bacteria and toxins. Not only does it keep my breath fresh and my mouth healthy, but good oral hygiene can also help ward off bigger health issues like heart disease and cancer.
Toe separators – I use these at night when I'm winding down before bed. I keep them in my nightstand with some foot lotion. I put on the lotion first, then pop on the separators for about 20 minutes now (had to build up to that). They help undo the squishing from shoes, realign muscles and bones, and improve balance, gait, and posture, plus they ease bunion pain. Our feet aren't meant to be squashed into shoes and ignored. We need them to stay healthy so we can stay healthy.
Lymph massage – Our bodies have lymph nodes everywhere, and they can get a bit clogged sometimes. I like to keep things moving by starting with a gentle massage around my ears, jaw, and neck. Then, I work my way to my collarbone, armpits, belly, where the thigh meets the hip, behind the knees, and finish up at my ankles. Some folks suggest starting from the feet or ankles, but that's not the way to go. Think of it like this: if there's a traffic jam and you start pushing cars from the back, you'll just make things worse. It's the same with lymph. Begin at the front of the line and clear that up before moving on.
Neti pot – People often have strong reactions when I mention this. It’s like pouring a warm saltwater teapot into one nostril and letting it flow out the other. There’s definitely a bit of a learning curve. Trust me, I’ve almost drowned myself doing it. Not fun. But once you nail the head tilt and get the water temperature just right, it’s an awesome way to tackle allergies, ease sinus pressure, and keep healthy during cold and flu season.
Cleaning my house and clothes – I hardly use any store-bought detergents. I like to scrub tubs and sinks using a magic eraser and some baking soda. For my laundry, I go with biodegradable detergent sheets and a bit of white vinegar. The chemicals and fragrances in regular products can really mess with our skin, lungs, and endocrine systems. I love a fresh-smelling house, but I achieve that with a diffuser, some organic essential oils, and a good amount of elbow grease. I aim to actually get rid of dirt, not just mask it. Natural stuff like vinegar, citrus juices, coarse salt, and baking soda are amazing for cleaning.
Maybe some of these things resonate with you, or maybe you've got your own. Care to share? I'd love to hear how you take care of yourself and appreciate your health.
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