Holistic Health Tips for July 2023

Reishi, Eggplant, Belly Breathing, Journaling

ReishiMushroom.jpg

large round mushroom with dark brown center, shades of lighter brown rings, and white edge

Photo by Wendell Smith, Flickr / CC BY 2.0

Reishi mushroom

Reishi - How to use reishi for better energy

Reishi is also called the “mushroom of immortality” because of its use in Asian traditions to promote longevity. It’s an adaptogen, which means it has a balancing effect on the hormones and improves the body’s resilience to stress.

Reishi’s benefits include:

  • High in Antioxidants
  • Supports Mitochondrial Function
  • Helps with Blood Sugar Regulation
  • Balancing for Hormones, including testosterone

For anyone wanting more endurance, mental clarity, and sustained energy, reishi is a great option. It can be taken as a supplement or added as a powder into coffee or tea.

Eggplant - three ways to eat eggplant

Eggplants are a nutrient-dense food, meaning they’re high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber but low in calories. Plus, summer is the season to enjoy fresh eggplant!

Here are some easy ideas:

  1. Grilled – Slice, brush with oil, and grill! Some recommend soaking the slices in salt water for 30 minutes and then patting dry before prepping to grill. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar or pesto!
  2. Sauteed – Slice or cube, season with salt and pepper, and saute in olive oil for an easy eggplant side dish.
  3. Baba Ganoush – Made by blending grilled or roasted eggplant with tahini, lemon juice, and salt—this dip is a great summer alternative to hummus. With all the fresh produce, summer is the perfect time to try adding new foods into your routine.

Belly Breathing

Have ONE minute for an energy boost?

Stop the scroll and try Belly Breathing.

Lots of people don’t even realize their breaths are short and shallow. It’s how we breathe when we’re anxious, but for some it becomes a pattern. Shallow breathing decreases oxygen to the brain and can make you feel tired and distracted.

For a quick energy boost, try taking one minute for intentional belly breathing:

  1. Inhale through your nose for a count of 4. Make sure your belly expands rather than your chest.
  2. Exhale through your mouth for a count of 4.
  3. Repeat for one minute.

Taking action to improve your health and feel better does not need to be hard! Even one minute makes a difference.

Journal Prompts

It really doesn’t have to be complicated.

Sometimes people feel unmotivated and exhausted. All their labs and tests look normal, and there appears to be no physical cause for the fatigue. Sometimes that feeling of being drained is not rooted in the physical but in the mental, caused by boredom, lack of purpose or mindset.

One way to combat fatigue that is driven by the mind is to begin every day with a brief journaling exercise. Grab a notebook and each morning fill in these blanks:

  • Today I want to feel…..
  • Today I want to accomplish….
  • Today I am grateful for….

Simple as that. This exercise will train your brain to focus on what matters most and will give you a sense of purpose.

Revised by Joanne Quinn, PhD; content provided by Wellnesswriter.com.

About the Author

Joanne Quinn

Executive Director of the Foundation for Alternative and Integrative Medicine

Joanne Quinn, Ph.D., R.M.A., has an extensive background in science with a doctorate in holistic nutrition. She has studied both allopathic and alternative approaches to health care, studying alternative therapies since 1989.