Boosting Your Immunity

As we deal with the changes in our everyday lives due to the COVD-19 pandemic, I know we are all reminded how important it is to stay healthy & strong.  While we all need to remain calm, it's an opportunity to step back, and reassess what "wellness" means to us and our families.  What things can we do to stay strong & healthy?

Ultimately, Our body wants to be in balance.  Stress & toxins throw us out of balance.  When we are out of balance, we become rundown & our immune system is depleted, & not able to ward off viruses or disease as well.   

With striving to be in balance, every little bit counts...we've all heard that we should manage stress, buy organic foods, exercise daily & use glass containers instead of plastic.  (This is because there is BPA in our plastic water bottles.....)

But do you know why it's important to choose safer products for soaps, detergents, shampoos, lotions & makeup?   

Here's why~

• Many of our skincare products contain Phthalates, and are generally used as “plasticizers.” Plasticizers are synthetic ingredients used to promote flexibility and durability in plastic found in medical products, floors, and food processing materials.  Phthalates, a family of industrial chemicals used to soften polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic and as solvents in cosmetics and other consumer products, can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs, and reproductive system.Think fragrances...if your products have fragrances, they typically contain phthalates.  

• Another harmful ingredient is Paraben. Parabens are chemicals that have been used since the 1950s to prevent bacteria and act as a preservative in deodorants, lotions, lipsticks, shampoos, scrubs, and more. Parabens are believed to disrupt hormone function by mimicking estrogen. Too much estrogen can trigger an increase in breast cell division and growth of tumors, which is why paraben use has been linked to breast cancer and reproductive issues.  While the most common parabens also have “paraben” in their name—butylparaben, methylparaben, and propylparaben—they can also be listed as Alkyl parahydroxy benzoates.  Use makeup & lotions without parabens.

• Sulfates....Sulfates are effective cleansing and foaming agents that can be found in toothpaste, shampoo, and body washes, among other products.  Sulfates are essentially detergents. When used in soaps, they leave skin feeling clean and refreshed. In shampoos, sulfates create a frothy lather that removes dirt, oil and styling product buildup from the hair and scalp. ... One of the most common sulfates you'll find in cosmetics is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).  Turns out that sulfates can be too effective at washing away oil, which can leave hair or skin feeling a little parched. And if your skin or scalp is particularly sensitive, sulfates can cause irritations like redness or itching. They can cause a number of problems for your hair including drying, irritating your scalp, fading your color, and even hair loss.  If you have skin irritation, it may be caused from sulfates.

Balance in our body is regulated by hormones.  Our hormones guide everything in your body....they control your appetite, sexual function, brain function, fat storage, energy regulation.  

These chemicals are just three things that can disrupt our hormones. 

Unfortunately, we've all been exposed to so many chemicals for most of our lives.  While we cannot control everything that been introduced to us in the past, we do have the opportunity to make better choices now.   

The founders of Beautycounter have done their homework, and all of their products are created without over 1500 harmful ingredients!  You can also go to environmental working group (which stands for "environmental working group") and watch their segment called "skin-deep"  Lastly, there is an APP called "Think Dirty”...where you can quickly learn what harmful ingredients are in your everyday products.  I myself have started using new products over the last two years....

Exercise, nutrition & skincare directly impact our health.  

It's not just about looking good.  We can make better choices today to improve our health tomorrow.  For example, moving daily and eating more greens & protein helps our muscles, brain, skin, & will help us to stay in balance.  And, choosing soaps, shampoos, lotions & detergents without harmful ingredients will also help us to stay in balance.  Every little bit counts.

Let me know if you'd like to talk more about your fitness, nutrition or skincare needs.  I am here for you as a resource for motivation & wellness.:)

Exercise. Nutrition. Skincare.

Let's all keep connected & stay strong....Peace.