Winds of Change
Wind: moving air, especially as a force of nature.
Breeze, draft, gust – each with its own experience and application to both the weather and our lives.
The wind is a force of nature that has always fascinated human beings, in fact in the traditions and customs of many ancient and modern societies it has often assumed a symbolic and mythological meaning. It has been a constant presence in human culture and history, inspiring art, literature, technology and science, representing a mysterious, useful and precious force. The wind has been a faithful companion for the humans, pushing them towards new discoveries and opportunities, but it has also represented a challenge to be faced and overcome given its power.
In literature, the wind has been described as a symbol of strength and freedom, but also of change and uncertainty. In many poems, the wind has been described as a wild and uncontrollable force, as well as a beneficial force that cleanses the air and brings freshness. Most commonly known in Hawaiian as makani, it has so many more names to describe it in all its forms from soft breezes to howling winds, from salty sea air to cool mountain air.
For me the wind is the breath and voices of ancestors letting me know they are near. Paying attention to the wind is a lesson in listening to not just what is outside, the physical manifestations, but to what is inside yourself, the spiritual awakenings.
Winds also reflect the change in seasons, both externally and internally. As we move towards the Autumn Equinox we are reminded of those seasonal changes. For many, the winds of autumn make us think of cool, crisp air with the winds picking up intensity and blowing leaves off of trees or bringing storms, but also of retreating from the cold to warmer environments. We then begin to anticipate the winds of winter – harsher and colder, requiring more layers of protection if we dare to venture out. Or perhaps those winter winds bring wetter weather which also requires a different type of protection. Eventually we can begin to feel the cold winds getting warmer and we see new life appearing in nature. A sign that we too can begin again after the storms in our lives. And then we come back to the heated winds of summer – if there are winds at all. A time for us to pause and reflect on the winds of change in our lives.
Here are a few ways to move with the winds of change:
Learn to embrace change, to understand that it is a constant in life.
Shift your outlook by making small changes to your daily habits.
Cultivate a growth mindset to foster a more holistic, productive, and happier life.
Know that the changes of the “winds” of life are often creating the possibilities you are looking for to become your best self.
“Sometimes in the winds of change we find our true direction”. ~ Unknown
Not sure where to begin? Contact me to schedule a free 30 minute Discovery Call to explore your next steps.
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Refresh, Renew, Reset
Have you heard of or experienced a cold water/ice plunge? For some that seems a bit extreme so perhaps there are other ways we can experience some of the benefits of cold water therapy. Let’s explore…..
Taking cold showers may:
Bolster your immunity to common colds
Going from a hot to cold shower — even for a couple of minutes — might protect you from circulating viruses. The shock of cold water can stimulate the blood cells that fight off infection (leukocytes). One study in the Netherlands found that people who switched to cold showers for 30, 60, or 90 seconds for 90 days called out sick from work 29% less than people who didn’t switch to cold showers.
Combat symptoms of depression
Limited research is available about the effects of cold water therapy on depression. But the research that exists shows some positive results. In one clinical study, participants who took daily cold showers for several months reported decreased depression symptoms. Additional research suggests that cold water may boost your mood and decrease anxiety.
Improve circulation
Cold water strains your body — it goes into “survival mode,” working hard to maintain its core temperature. This stimulates your body to increase blood flow circulation.Over time, your circulatory system may become more efficient and move blood through the body more quickly — helpful for anyone with high blood pressure or diabetes.
Increase metabolism
Your body expends energy trying to stay warm in a cold shower. The result may be a small amount of calorie burn and increased metabolism. But don’t plan to throw your healthy eating and exercise plan out just yet, the research on this benefit is limited.
Reduce inflammation and prevent muscle soreness
Cold temps make your blood vessels tighten up. When that happens, blood moves to your body’s core and vital organs. The blood naturally becomes oxygen and nutrient rich during the process. As your body heats up again, the blood vessels expand, bringing that oxygenated blood back to your tissues. As it flows back, it helps to flush out inflammation which can be a cause of delayed-onset muscle soreness, which can occur a couple of days after exercise.
Relieve localized pain
Cold therapy alleviates pain by reducing inflammation. But it also interferes with your brain’s perception of the pain. It dulls the nerve transmission sent to your brain.
How to use your shower as cold therapy:
There’s no evidence suggesting how often someone should take a cold shower. But it is often recommended to use cold therapy in response to your athletic endeavors — if you work out daily, it’s OK to take a cold shower every day.
Tips for taking cold showers include:
Keep the water below 60 degrees: In a typical home shower, make the shower as cold as it can go.
Take it slow: Start with 30 seconds of cold water. Work up to a minute and progress until you take a cold shower for two to three minutes.
Alternate hot and cold: UCLA Health athletic trainers often recommend a contrast shower post-workout. It involves a hot shower for three minutes, followed by a cold shower for one minute. Repeat the pattern three times and always end with the cold.
Health considerations before taking cold showers:
Cold showers are safe and pose no health threat for most healthy people. But consult your primary care physician (PCP) if you have concerns or have been diagnosed with:
Cold urticaria (hives), a skin reaction to cold exposure
Heart disease, since a shock of cold may put added stress on the heart
Raynaud’s syndrome, which causes numbness in your fingers and toes in response to cold temperatures
And here’s a simple way to introduce yourself to cold water therapy – a mini ice-plunge foot bath. Fill a 9”x13”x3” foil pan with just enough water to cover the top of your foot. Then add ice until the water reaches your ankles. Keep your feet submerged until the ice melts. It’s a great pick-me-up on a hot day or to reset midday. For added healing benefits you can add a teaspoon of pink himalayan or Hawaiian rock salt (epson salt can also work.)
Salt is a rather humble mineral found in every kitchen, but holds a profound significance beyond its culinary uses. Beyond its ability to enhance flavors, salt has been associated with spirituality and healing practices across cultures for centuries. Beyond its biological necessity, it embodies symbolic and cultural importance. In ancient civilizations, it represented purity, preservation, and incorruptibility – qualities deemed sacred. The reverence for salt stems from its life-sustaining properties, a vital element for human survival. These salts are thought to cleanse the body, restore energy flow, and provide a sense of overall well-being, making them central to holistic healing practices and spiritual rituals worldwide.
Are you ready to “take the plunge” to better health and wellness? Alaka’i Associates offers a variety of resources and wellness products to help get you started on a new wellness path.
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Whatever the Weather
Alaka’i Associates can help keep you protected in all kinds of weather with our outdoor merchandise!
Stay hydrated!! Wear a hat! And to carry all of those, a drawstring backpack!
Order here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/FamilyRootsSD
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The Alaka’i Bookshelf
This month I wanted to share with you the benefits of reading and a few of my favorite books.
Books? Reading? Who has the time?
Yes, books! For me books have been one of the support systems in my journey. So, let’s start with 5 benefits of reading…
- Reduces stress and helps you relax. When you feel stressed just grab a book and be engrossed in the story lines and allow your mind and body to relax. Reading has an unexpected bonus of increasing your lifespan. A 2016 study published in the Social Science & Medicine journal found that reading for at least 30 minutes a day extended the lifespan of participants by an average two years, with book readers who read more than three hours every week at an advantage over their peers who read magazines and newspapers.
- Improves your concentration and memory. Reading is the best mental exercise for us, as you have to remember different characters, settings, plots, twists, and connections. This will strengthen your memory and concentration because all of your attention is focused on the story.
- Expands vocabulary and strengthens your writing abilities. Reading a well-written book will expose you to more words, and this will help you be a better communicator. Rather than just saying that you are sad or not in the mood to people, you can say you’re anxious, tired, irritated, frustrated, or weary. Because even though all those words can be described as sad, each needs a different solution.
- Enhances your knowledge. When you read recipes, magazines, newspapers, articles, or books, your head will be filled with information. We never know when it will be useful, but having all this information might come in handy in the future.
- Increases your imagination and creativity. Reading sparks imagination and creativity, being immersed in a new world and characters. This will nurture your brain to develop ideas, possibilities, understanding, and be more open to hearing the opinions of others.
I am grateful for books and authors who over the years have given me wisdom, direction, and knowledge, as well as simple enjoyment. Being able to hold a book still provides me with a special sense of connection much more than any digital device. One of the books that really started my journey towards self care and wellness was Simple Abundance, by Sarah Ban Breathnach. It is a year’s journey of introspection and creativity in discovering who you really are.
Then during a big transition point in my life’s journey there were two books that had a significant impact on how I viewed death and grief. The first is The Grief Recovery Handbook, by John W. James. The second, The Year of Magical Thinking, by Joan Didion. It’s healthy and necessary to examine our feelings around these life changing events.
Our journey toward greater awareness should never end and here are two more that have really struck a chord with me. The first one, Thrive, by Arianna Huffington, reminded me of many concepts I have learned before, but have become more relevant to my current path – like the critical importance of sleep. The second is The 5 Second Rule, by Mel Robbins, where a small but powerful exercise can activate your brain to benefit your wellbeing. Both of these helped me set my path forward.
Finally, one that really helped spark my passion and purpose is Ikigai, by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles. This is where Alaka’i Associates found its place and mission.
And, if you are looking for a good book to read, I can recommend Under a Full Moon and a Guiding Star.
Here’s what readers are saying:
“Such an accomplishment! I skimmed it once and cried! Then I read it through properly and felt the love, heartache, growth, wisdom, aloha, karma, connectedness. I am going to read it again to focus on the takeaways and lessons.” ~ Kelly L
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SEPTEMBER SUBSCRIBER SPECIAL DRAWING
This month the subscriber special drawing will be for a new essential oil roll-on of Shinrin-Yoku, inspired by the practice of forest bathing. Forest bathing and forest therapy (or shinrin-yoku) broadly means taking in, in all of one’s senses, the forest atmosphere. Not simply a walk in the woods, it is the conscious and contemplative practice of being immersed in the sights, sounds and smells of the forest.
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New Products Coming in October!
If you are looking to launch, or re-launch your health journey and maintain a healthy weight without drugs, shots, or other pharmaceuticals, stay tuned to my Alaka’i Associates Facebook page for the exciting launch of our new LifeVantage products that turn on your own GLP-1 hormone! You can also find more information on my LifeVantage link.