Have you ever found yourself feeling hungry all the time, no matter how much or how often you eat? Have you noticed other symptoms like fatigue, weakness, shakiness, headaches, stomach fluttering or cramping? Do you get irritable if you don't eat often? Do you feel sluggish after eating? You may be experiencing what is called toxic hunger. Keep reading to find out why this happens and how to make some simple changes to help these symptoms disappear.
Toxic hunger is a common issue that many people face regardless of their age. It's an unhealthy form of hunger that can lead to overeating and cause weight issues as well as other health concerns like fatigue and irritability. One of the main causes of toxic hunger is the body's lack of proper nutrition. This comes from eating nutrient depleted foods, like processed or fast foods. Since our bodies are constantly in need of nutrients, when they don't get enough they start craving more food in order to make up for it. This type of hunger can also be caused by stress, lack of sleep, hormonal imbalances or even certain medications.
Another major factor in causing toxic hunger is poor eating habits. Eating too quickly or not chewing your food thoroughly can lead to indigestion and cause your body to crave more food in order to make up for what it has lost due to poor digestion. This type of hunger can also be caused by drinking sugary beverages or eating processed foods with high amounts of sugar and artificial sweeteners which spike blood sugar levels then leave us feeling unsatisfied afterwards.
Finally, emotional issues such as depression or anxiety can also contribute to toxic hunger because we use food as a way to cope with uncomfortable feelings or deal with stressful situations. We may turn to comfort foods when we are feeling stressed out or lonely which only serves to increase our cravings even more!
Toxic hunger is a real problem that many people face on a daily basis and it can lead to a variety of health issues if left untreated. The good news is that there are several things you can do right now in order to help reduce those cravings and get back on track with your health goals! Start by focusing on getting proper nutrition through healthy whole foods as well as drinking plenty of water throughout the day so that your body gets all the nutrients it needs without having to resorting to overeating. Additionally, practice mindful eating techniques such as chewing your food slowly and paying attention while you eat so that you enjoy each bite instead of mindlessly stuffing yourself with food when stressed out or bored! Finally, take some time for yourself each day in order to reduce stress levels and process any emotions that might be contributingto your cravings in the first place - this will go a long way towards helping those pesky toxic hungers disappear! With just a few simple changes, you'll be able to experience better health and wellbeing-no matter where life takes you!
For another cause of toxic hunger- check out Toxic Hunger and Food Addiction: Taming the Beast
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My grandmother died recently, and although she was 101 and in hospice, so we knew she wasn't well, if threw me off. Life can throw unexpected things our way, making it difficult to stay on top of our mental, physical and emotional health. When we are thrown off by the unexpected, we often get overwhelmed. Our emotions can show up in many different ways. This time, for me, I didn't really want to do anything and had low energy.
I've learned over the years that it's ok to take time to feel your emotions. It is ok to take a break. So I did. Here are a few things that are helping me get through. Looking at holistic approaches to combat the stressors of everyday life can be extremely beneficial!
Here are some holistic options to use when life happens:
- Essential Oils - Studies suggest that essential oils can help reduce stress and improve sleep. Try diffusing calming scents like lavender or orange in your bedroom or living room for a calming aroma and a sense of comfort.
- Prayer & Meditation - Taking time for prayer and/or meditation every day is an incredibly powerful way to start and end each day on a positive note, as well as helping you stay connected with God and yourself on a spiritual level. Even just five minutes of uninterrupted time spent in stillness can make all the difference!
- Get Support From Friends & Family - When life throws you curveballs, having people around us who truly understand us can be invaluable in reducing stress and anxiety levels; why not call a friend or family member for a chat when things get tough? And getting physical hugs from loved ones can be a miracle worker when we need it, so let yourself melt into a hug and feel the comfort it brings.
- Be Mindful Of Your Diet - Eating nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains provides the body with essential vitamins, minerals and healthy fats needed for proper functioning — so try to swap processed foods with healthier alternatives wherever possible! These can often be quick and easy to prepare, and they make you feel so much better overall.
- Find Time For Self-Care - When times are hard it’s important to remember that taking care of ourselves should always remain a priority — so make sure you schedule in ‘me-time’ regularly; take a nap, go for a walk, go out for lunch with friends or take an hour off to enjoy your favorite hobby!
Life happens to all of us, and can throw us out of our groove. Adopting these holistic practices into your daily routine may seem daunting at first– but stick with them and you’ll likely notice a positive shift in your wellbeing soon enough!
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Our sleep cycles are incredibly important — and getting enough restful sleep can make the world of difference when it comes to our energy levels! But with the pressures of modern life such as work, family and social commitments piling up, hitting the proverbial pillow at a regular hour is becoming an increasingly distant dream.
The thing is — without proper sleep, our productivity and well-being take a serious hit. So, what do our sleep cycles have to do with all this?
When we’re asleep, we go through different stages of being awake or being in deep restorative slumber. These stages are known as Non-REM (rapid eye movement) and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep cycles and they each play their own vital role in replenishing the body’s energy reserves.
During Non-REM sleep, which makes up about 75 percent of one's entire sleeping time, heart rate and breathing slow down significantly; meaning that cells can properly regenerate during this time. Furthermore, proper tissue growth in muscles and bones occurs during Non-REM sleep — making it key for athletes or anyone who requires physical strength for their job! On top of that, hormones like HGH (human growth hormone) are released during Non-REM; helping us stay leaner longer!
In REM sleep meanwhile — we experience vivid dreams due to heightened brainwave activity — which helps keep our brains sharp! Most importantly however — non-REM AND REM gets repeated throughout the night several times over until we finally wake up feeling refreshed and energized.
So chronic lack of the right hours of rest can set off a wave of patterns such as fatigue during the day; hormonal imbalances setting you up for mood swings or weight gain; poor concentration making your work suffer; weakened immunity preventing your body from fighting off disease etc. It is safe to say that getting adequate amounts of quality shuteye is essential for optimal energy levels!
To ensure that you get enough restful sleep every night — establishing a regular bedtime routine is key. Aim to turn off all screens at least an hour before going to bed and start winding down by reading a book or engaging in a light stretching session; relative darkness should be enforced within the bedroom too so opt out from having lights on while trying to snooze if possible. And lastly don’t forget to avoid large meals before hitting the sack as digestion problems might disrupt your slumber!
Need more tips on getting better sleep? Check out: 11 steps to a better night's sleep.
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Read part 1 first.
Let's talk specific laundry ingredients!!! What causes the problems with laundry detergent?
Many of us don’t think twice about the laundry soap we use, but many commercial detergents contain a frightening array of hazardous chemicals that can harm our health. From asthma to skin irritation, it is important to be aware of the toxins lurking in our laundry soaps — and consider safer alternatives.
From endocrine-disrupting compounds to carcinogens, here are some of the common toxins found in laundry soap:
- Phthalates - These have been linked to reproductive problems, developmental problems (with unborn babies) and hormone disruption, as well as heightened risk of asthma and allergies in children.
- Fragrances & Dyes - Common synthetic fragrances like linalool, limonene and ethanol can cause headaches and excessive sneezing when inhaled; while dyes used to give ‘freshness’ may exacerbate skin rashes, respiratory distress, endocrine disruptions, and other reactions. Dyes potentially cause cancer, disrupt the immune system, and can cause hypersensitivity, or hyperactivity.
- Triclocarban & Triclosan - These two preservative ingredients are commonly found in antibacterial soaps, yet are increasingly being added to detergents. They have been associated with antibiotic resistance as well as risks for tumors, endocrine disruption and impaired fetal development.
- Sulfates & Chlorines - Also known as anionic surfactants and bleach respectively, these two substances are known for causing undue skin, lung, and eye damage.
- Ethoxylated Alcohols & Phenols - These synthetic compounds can cling onto fibers during washing processes which could then be absorbed into our bodies via skin contact when wearing clothing washed with them; hence posing a risk for organ damage over time! These persist in our clothes, environment, and our bodies, and the bioaccumulation can cause symptoms of exhaustion, muscle weakness, and pain.
One thing to watch out for is that each of these has many different forms and names. They may appear on the label as something unfamiliar, or they may not appear on the label at all. The word "Fragrance" is a catchall word that protects companies from disclosing their "proprietary" ingredients, and leaves the consumer in the dark.
It is clear that palm-sized bottles of laundry detergents can often be more hazardous than you might think — but thankfully switching out conventional soap for eco-friendly options isn’t too difficult either! Investing in natural products free from parabens, chlorine bleach or artificial fragrances may take a bit more effort than just popping into your local store — but your family’s health makes it more than worth it!
Want to look these up? Google the ingredient + dangers of. Or the ingredient + ewg.org. There are many ways to research, and it can be frustrating to find the truth when companies want it covered up.
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Being a mom can be overwhelming at times, and the hustle and bustle of everyday life can make it difficult to find time for meal planning and preparation. However, with some simple strategies and plant-based nutrition in mind, you can provide your family with nutritious meals even on time-crunched days!
Here are some tips for eating plant-based nutrition when you don’t have much time:
- Stock up on Easily Accessible Plant-Based Foods - Keeping staples like beans, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and frozen fruits & veggies in the house makes it easier to whip up meals quickly without having to grocery shop often. And they won't go bad in the back of the fridge.
- Pre-Cook Larger Portions - Try batch cooking large portions of whole grains such as quinoa or brown rice over the weekend so they’re ready to heat up later in the week. Batch cook more complicated meals and freeze for an easy meal you can time bake on a crazy day. Make several meal portions of bean burgers and freeze to use later. Enjoy them alongside cooked veggies, leafy greens and easy sauces/dressings for flavorful meals that come together in no time!
- Use Convenient Alternatives - If you’re pressed for time, pull out those frozen bean burgers or casseroles! Just pop them into the oven or air fryer before serving with a quick side salad or roasted vegetables.
- Get Creative With Smoothies - Smoothies are an ideal way to get an energy boost during busy mornings; blend together some frozen fruit (even some veggies) with non-dairy milk or yoghurt and add superfoods like chia seeds or flaxseed meal for added nutrients! Kids love these frozen into popsicles, too!
- Prepare Quick Snacks - Healthy snacks like trail mix, kale chips or overnight oats are easy to put together ahead of time. Pre-chop your veggies and fruits and put them in the fridge in individual servings. Just grab them as you head out the door!
Eating plant based nutrition doesn't have to be hard when you're short on time– just remember to keep some healthy staples handy so you can easily create delicious meals that everyone will love!
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