Wellbeing Products
Over the years I've come across a number of wellbeing products that have enabled me to embrace Lifestyle Medicine (LM) in a richer way. I've either received them as gifts, or purchased them myself.
Below is a grab bag of ideas for you to consider. Enjoy! Carol xxoo
Please support your local, independent stores when making your purchase.
I only recommend resources I love and value and have used myself, so I know you will be in good hands.
My Latest Discovery!
Last year I read a book on the science of grounding... also known as Earthing... and why it's important for us to regularly be in direct contact with our planet, literally. If you are able to walk on grass in bare feet, do a lot of hands on gardening, or walk along a beach, you are grounding yourself - physically connecting with the Earth and discharging a heap of electrons, which contribute to inflammation, tension, stress and more. For the rest of us, our modern lives or living circumstances prevent us from getting healthy doses of grounding with our planet, so a grounding/earthing mat is a great alternative way to do it.
Earthing / Grounding Mat
A grounding mat contains conductive elements and is connected to the grounding pin of an electrical outlet in your house, allowing electrons to be released/grounded from whatever touches the mat. No need to be alarmed... the grounding pin is not a power source, just a grounding element.
This package includes 2 mats, grounding cables and testing unit (to confirm the outlet you are using is properly grounded), along with a book that comprehensively explains the science and benefits of Earthing/Grounding.
I have one of these mats in my bed, in between the sheets, at lower leg level. Sleeping in contact with it for 7+ hours a night gives my body plenty of time to ground, enabling me to reduce inflammation and have deeper, more healing, restful sleep.
The second one is in my office, so I can rest my forearms on it for additional benefits. It's also readily available if I travel - taking up practically no space in the suitcase.
I'm sleeping more deeply and feel more energized in the morning. I've also spent time with the mat to relieve stress..... literally, dumping electrons generated from being all wound up!
Other Products to Enhance Your Wellbeing
Face Mask
Removing all light when we're sleeping is the ideal, but sometimes that's not possible. Poor window shades, street lights, night lights, electronics and more can get in the way.
Something as simple as a face mask can solve the problem - and it's portable, so you can take it anywhere with you when you travel!
This one is particularly comfy - ergonomically designed to relieve pressure on the nose and eyes.
Sweet dreams!
Dry Body Brush
Not familiar with dry brushing? You're in for a treat! Dry skin brushing benefits can include stimulating and draining the lymphatic system, exfoliating the skin, removing toxins, increasing circulation and resetting your body's energy field.
I do it as part of my bedtime routine, helping me to relax before turning the light out. The basic approach is to apply medium pressure (you want to feel it but not have it irritate your skin), starting at the ends of your limbs and working toward the body - long, slow, gentle overlapping strokes.
Bucky
Filled with natural buckwheat kernels (which is how it got its name!) this pillow is a multitasker: It's a neck rest. It can prop up a laptop or book when you're working from the couch. If you're hard of hearing like I am, when lying on your side it creates a gap for your ear so sound can still be accessible while still getting the head support you need.
Finally, in my home my bucky is the favorite pillow for my kittie, he likes to wedge his head into the circled opening!
The Bucky comes with a nifty strap for attaching to your luggage when you travel, so you can have it readily available on the airplane without filling up a carry on.
Wind Chimes
The power of sound to calm and heal us!
Forget ordinary wind chimes.... instead get yourself finely calibrated, musically-tuned, harmonic instruments of sound. Their deeply resonating chime creates a calming, healing affect.
This Music of the Spheres collection comes in different sizes, so take the time to find the pitch that calls to you. I was gifted this Alto set many years ago and it sends chills down my spine when it chimes..... we're clearly on the same frequency! Fabulous way to heal with sound.
Indoor Water Fountain
Another wonderful way to connect with nature and heal through sound is with an indoor water fountain.
A friend gifted me one similar to this... water progressively cascading it's way to the bottom bowl, providing gentle, healing sound. Wonderfully calming to have in your home office, or bedroom while you're sleeping.
Be sure to only run your fountain using DISTILLED WATER so you avoid mineral build up.
Sonos Speakers
Here's another fabulous way to calm and heal with sound!
I have a number of these wireless speakers set up around my home. I then select calming music (I'm particularly fond of unaccompanied relaxing piano music), or nature sounds (whale song, a babbling brook, ocean waves), and without even realizing it, my brain tunes into the sound rather than ruminating - lowering stress.
Exfoliating Gloves
Not only do you exfoliate your skin, you also get to stimulate your lymphatic system when you give yourself a good head to toe invigorating scrub with these fabulous gloves!
I pop the remnants of a bar of soap into each glove and use that to lather things up!
Be sure to work each area of your body for a good 30+ seconds or so to really maximize the benefits.
Epsom Salts
Nothing relieves a stressed out, sore, tired body better than a good 30 minute soak in warm Epsom Salts.
I regularly do this for my feet (have even done it while sitting at my desk working..... gotta keep those feet happy!)
You can also toss some salts into the tub and go for a full body pampering.
I especially love this lavender version.....it has a very soothing/calming scent.
Gel Socks
After a good Epsom Salts soak (see above), massage your feet with your favorite lotion and then put on these socks infused with aloe and lavender. I like to do this in the evenings so I can leave the socks on overnight - aaaaaaaah!