Acupuncture Is A Wonderful Way To Lower Cortisol

You will also take a short break from red meat, which can be hard to digest, especially when the digestive system may already be compromised. Your details and action steps for Phase 1 follow. Enjoy one of the following pH tonics between 6 a.m. This is a bit of work to make on your own, but it’s worth it. Not only is this drink tasty, it’s absolutely beautiful. This one is easiest to buy over the counter. I’ve also kept your menu dairy free, which makes digestion easier. Healing your gut should be your primary focus. While you may find the smoothies a little repetitive, you’ll give your gut a much needed chance to rest and repair. Follow the suggestions in your menu. While many women, even Boss Ladies, need some animal protein, red meat is especially tough to digest, and tough to break down in the gut. When healing or trying to repair the gut, pulling out red meat for a short period of time helps to repair the lining and improve the motility or movement of the gut.

Burning Bridges

This is not necessarily something you need to do forever, since many need some red meat for adequate iron intake. Follow these three basic steps to begin your path to balance. You can return to Phase 1 at any point if you feel like you need a simple and easy weeklong detox. You can use the warming tonics to curb appetite and prevent mindless snacking throughout your day, another burden on the gut. I usually depend on 32 ounces of soda in the morning and again in the afternoon. I lost 5 pounds in the first week, and I could tell that my pants were roomier around my belly and legs! Most of the problematic foods are out, so we can build on the success of the first 7 days. While both yogurt and kefir do have dairy, try a nondairy version. Even people with dairy issues will tolerate these gut builders due to the population of helpful bacteria/probiotics. While there is much continued controversy over probiotics, I still find them helpful in regulating digestion and shifting to a healthier gut microbiome. These supplements work to break down your food into smaller particles, making it easier for you to process and to absorb the nutrients from all the great foods you’re eating. I recommend taking one or two caplets of digestive enzymes with your heaviest meal, either lunch or dinner. Take 1 to 2 grams daily, in the morning or at whatever time you can take it most consistently.

In Some Small Way

That means keeping your liver clean and unclogged. Green drinks keep your liver flushed and cleansed by increasing your concentration of glutathione, an antioxidant that is critical in liver detoxification. Consider adding herbs like dandelion greens, parsley, or cilantro to your diet to further help flush and detoxify your liver. While you’ll keep your morning breakfast smoothie and you’ll continue to skip red meat during your second week, you will reintroduce a midday meal. I love the breakfast smoothies and the Liver Lover Smoothie! I notice that I have more energy all day long. Plus, my digestion has improved and my hair is shinier, my skin is clear, and my fingernails are thicker and stronger. You now have the foundation to build and maintain a better gut. This will help you to thrive and feel like you are sailing through life. Fiery, aggressive, almost masculine? A boss lady often hears such labels in regard to her personality when stressed. We have spent the last 2 weeks working on the chemistry of your digestion. This week you’ll shift gears and work on the stress management. If you have any digestive protest or discomfort with red meat, you can substitute one of the chicken or meatless meal recipes from other days of the week.

None But The Brave

Look closely at your face. The telltale crease between the eyebrows is the hallmark of a Boss Lady in overdrive. This corresponds with the liver region in Chinese and medicine, and is also connected closely to the heart region, which sits on the bridge of the nose. If you notice changes here, your fire, passion, and work drive may be burning too hard, taxing your liver and creating the emotion of anger. We want to cool this fire, and there are so many different foods that do this. I’ve incorporated one of the following cooling foods per day into the remainder of your menu. Cooling foods are foods that are often steamed lightly and/or are easy to digest. Use the following chart as a guide. With a little bit of this in my temperament, I can relate to how difficult it is to just calm down or cool down. Here are a few of my favorite tricks to cool my fire. You don’t have to do all of these, but pick a few that resonate with you. Sandalwood and rose essential oils are perfect for cooling your Power Type. Aromas influence the limbic portion of the brain, which increases relaxation and lowers stress. Try applying a small amount to your wrists and temples throughout the day, or use a diffuser in your office or home. For more information, see The Essential Essential Oils. Set aside 10 minutes a day to calm and cool your mind. You can simply sit and focus on your breath, use a guided meditation from an app such as Insight Timer or The Mindfulness, or follow this simple meditation. Like acupuncture, massage has also been shown to reduce stress and protect the immune system. Boss Ladies often benefit from neuromuscular massage to help release tense trigger points exacerbated by stress. By targeting blocked acupuncture points and sluggish meridians, acupuncture is a wonderful way to lower cortisol, manage stress, and rebalance and heal the digestive system. As a licensed acupuncturist, I have seen the benefits of this ancient modality firsthand. For more information, see Build Your Body’s Force Field with Bodywork. The magnesium in Epsom salts is a wonderful way to get the body to calm down and relax.