Sara Novak – EcoSalon

11 Ways You Can Protect Endangered Sea Turtles Without Stepping Foot in the Ocean

Sara Novak — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 07:00:02 +0000

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From loggerheads to leatherbacks, turtles are ancient mariners that have survived the test of time. But now more than ever, human activities are testing their ability to survive. Today, nearly all species of sea turtles are endangered as a result of habitat destruction, climate change, poaching, and accidental entanglement. But there are a number of steps that you can take to protect these stunning creatures.

According to Kelly Thorvalson, the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Rescue Program Manager, historically the biggest threats to sea turtles have been commercial fisheries and habitat destruction along the coast, but in recent years, other threats are becoming more of an issue.

“Ocean pollution is at its highest ever and more and more turtles are turning up with plastic in their guts,” says Thorvalson. “Rising sea levels are also becoming a threat as is ocean acidification which may thin the shells of crustaceans that turtles feed on.”

If you love sea turtles as much as we do, why not take some simple steps to protect them?

1. Cut out the plastic

Sea turtles can’t tell the difference between a plastic bag and a jelly fish, one of their favorite foods. As a result they end up eating plastic bags, which can injure or kill them.

“We’re producing an insane amount of waste which ends up in our oceans,” says Thorvalson.

Plastic does not decompose, it just breaks down to smaller pieces which can be ingested or can entangle sea turtles. One of the simplest means of protecting sea turtles is by cutting out the plastic that threatens their very survival.

2. Use biodegradable cleaners

Toxic cleaners can pollute water systems and kill marine life. Dispose of your chemicals properly and then switch to biodegradable cleaners that are safe for marine life.

3. Turn out lights visible from the beach

Baby sea turtles use the light of the moon to find their way to the ocean. If you live by the beach and keep your home lights bright at night, you could confuse the little guys, which can cause them to more easily get lost or become the victim of predators. Artificial light in homes can also discourage female turtles from nesting. If you do keep your lights on, close your blinds to reduce the glare as much as possible.

4. Avoid nesting sites

In populated areas, sea turtle nesting sites may often be roped off to avoid human interference. But either way, avoid sea turtle nesting sites. Be aware of where the nesting sites are so you can avoid trampling on them. When female turtles emerge from the ocean looking for a place to nest, do not disturb them. If you do encounter a sea turtle, remain calm and quiet and avoid them. If you frighten a female sea turtle, she may end up trying to escape back into the ocean instead of nesting on the beach.

5. Clean up the beach

Trash often ends up on our beaches where it confuses baby sea turtles trying to make their way to the ocean. Whether you participate in group beach clean-ups periodically or you walk the beach every so often to help clean up, remove trash that can be destructive to a sea turtle’s habitat.

6. Fill in beach holes

The goal is to avoid any sort of beach obstacle course for turtles. When baby sea turtles hatch from their eggs on the beach, you want them to make it to the ocean without becoming confused or getting caught in an ocean hole. If you dig a hole in the sand, fill it in before you go home. If you build a sand castle, knock it down before leaving the beach.

7. Remove beach furniture and umbrellas

Beach chairs, umbrellas, and tents are another hindrance that can keep baby sea turtles from making their way to the ocean when it’s time to start swimming. Remove them at the end of the day, fill in the holes, and never leave them on the beach overnight when the little guys may be making their journey to the ocean.

8. Don’t construct beach fires during hatching season

Sea turtles are known for being attracted to light. Sadly, in some cases, they can crawl into the fire. It’s just not worth the risk during hatching season. The loggerhead sea turtle nesting season is from May to October in South Carolina, but it varies from place to place.

9. Leave turtle tracks untouched

If you see what you think may be turtle tracks on the beach, don’t touch them. Turtle tracks are a great way for researchers to conduct population research, which has become very important because so many species are classified as endangered.

10. Be alert when boating

When you’re boating, be alert. Be particularly careful not to run aground near the marsh where collision is more likely. Stay in channels and avoid dropping anchors by coral reefs. According to Thorvalson, in South Carolina boat strikes are the biggest immediate threat to sea turtles.

11. Reduce your carbon footprint

Thorvalson says that rising sea levels are set to take a serious toll on sea turtles. Reducing your carbon footprint is the single biggest way you can help them. Sea level rise and storm surge both negatively impact the lives of turtles. Take personal responsibility for the amount of carbon that you produce. Here’s how you can start reducing your carbon footprint today.

What are you doing to reduce your carbon footprint? What about celebrating Earth Day? Are you protecting endangered sea turtles? We want to know! Drop us a line via Twitter @EcoSalon.

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The Unexpected Results of My First Cranial Sacral Therapy Session

Sara Novak — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 08:00:23 +0000

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Massage therapy is one of the strongest antidotes to my stress and anxiety levels. Once or twice a month, I try and fit in a session. Last month I experimented with lymphatic drainage massage, a technique with an unfortunate name, but numerous benefits. This month I tried cranial sacral therapy, another light touch massage with unexpected benefits.

What is Cranial Sacral Therapy?

Cranial sacral therapy is a light touch massage that restores the natural positioning of the bones so that the cerebral fluid can flow without hindrance throughout the body. It can be done as part of a massage session or as its own session. It’s based on the belief that the body knows how to heal itself when given the opportunity.

Using the rhythm of the cerebral spinal fluid encased in the spine, licensed cranial sacral therapists are able to pinpoint restrictions that could be causing physical, emotional, and spiritual symptoms. It’s similar to acupuncture in that it’s meant to unlock blockages in the body. However, unlike acupuncture, no needles are used.

What are the Benefits of Cranial Sacral Therapy?

Cranial sacral therapy can work on any number of conditions. The most common reasons why people seek the therapy are headache, neurological disorders, neck and back pain, and other chronic pain. The therapy may help you release tension so chronic that you don’t even notice it until it’s gone. For example, my shoulders and jaw become so tight when I’m on deadline that I don’t even notice. But after I left the session it was as if a weight had been lifted.

Also, you might not realize that you have muscles on the scalp that are responsible for your facial expressions. Massaging the head, which is often an important aspect of cranial sacral therapy, can be tremendously relaxing to those muscles.

Is it Safe for Children and Pregnant Women?

Yes, it’s completely safe if you see a licensed practitioner. Again, cranial sacral therapy is a light touch massage, and like acupuncture and reiki, is very intuitive. Getting cranial sacral therapy while you’re pregnant can bring relief for moms-to-be that suffer from lower back pain, sciatica, or even morning sickness. If your baby in positioned in the womb such that he’s stepping on a nerve, the therapy can help reduce any resulting discomfort.

Cranial sacral therapy is also safe for children. The therapy may be effective for digestive issues, constipation, or even some neurological issues. But you should talk to your doctor beforehand.

What Goes Into a Cranial Sacral Session?

My cranial sacral session was part of a larger massage but it can also be a stand alone treatment. Your therapist may start at the head (or sometimes the feet) looking for imbalances in your body’s cerebral fluid.

Just like in acupuncture, a pain in the knee may be the result of an imbalance in some other part of the body. When the body releases blockages it can manifest in a number of ways. For example, there could heat, or you may feel tingling, a slight vibration, or a feeling of letting go. A memory may pop into your mind or even a sensation that you’re not quite sure how to describe. Your therapist may ask you to describe your experiences in real time.

Why My Cranial Sacral Therapy Session Surprised Me

My session was different than I expected because it was so light, yet I did feel a significant release of tension. I expect only deep tissue massage to accomplish this. My therapist started at my neck checking its alignment and looking for places of tension. She then went to my feet and moved my legs back and forth looking at my range of motion. At one point, my therapist made adjustments to my neck without even putting on any pressure. It was surprisingly effective. In my case, the session was mostly deeply relaxing and highly enjoyable. I’m hooked and can’t wait to try it again.

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9 Ways to Tackle Your Insecurity and Embrace the Imperfections in Everyone

Sara Novak — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 07:00:14 +0000

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We’re all a little insecure sometimes. It’s not just you. While some of us may have different insecurities than others and some may hide it better than others, it’s there. Thinking you’re the only one in the world that feels insecure sometimes is just another manifestation of your own insecurity. By being honest about your own insecurities and empathetic to others, you can build your own self esteem and stop brooding about what ails you.

1. Be empathetic

We’re all a little insecure sometimes–and we’re all insecure about different things. What’s more, some of us are better able to let go of our hang-ups than others. It’s all about being empathetic to those around us and understanding that insecurities, even if they’re completely inaccurate, hurt us. Be understanding of other people’s struggles.

2. Notice manifestations

An important step in dealing with your own insecurities is noticing when they come up. Insecurities can come up in so many different ways. I have a friend that thinks she didn’t go to a good enough college, so she’s silent around those she deems too intellectual. In my own case, since elementary school, I’ve always been concerned with popularity. And even today, I’m embarrassed to admit, my heart hurts when I feel I’ve been left out of a social activity.

3. Feel the weight of it

When we feel the discomfort of insecurity, we tend to react to it, rather than actually dealing with it. For example, I have a friend that reacts to her insecurity by gossiping about others and another friend that buys items she doesn’t need when she feels bad about herself. In my case, I brood in my mind about the same issues over and over again and have trouble letting go. The best way to deal with your insecurities is to feel the weight of them. Feel how they make your heart hurt when they arise and look deeply at the pain. It won’t go away unless you look at its root, where it came from, and why it still bothers you today. I can’t say that I’ve move passed my insecurities, but I know when they arise and I can be honest about them.

4. Notice the negative self talk

Insecurities come with negative self talk. It’s when we start treating ourselves worse than we would our worst enemy that we’re really in trouble. Notice your insecurities without beating yourself up for having them. And take a rational look at what you think they say about you. Be honest about the implications of saying you’re stupid, fat, or ugly. Not only are these statements inaccurate, they’re damaging. Words have weight even if they’re never said aloud.

5. Give yourself the advice you would give others

What would you tell a friend if they came to you with the same insecurities? You would probably be more skeptical about their accuracy. Think about the advice you would give your best friend.

6. Take a compliment

Instead of saying “thank you” when we get a compliment, women tend to shrug it off or disagree. If someone says “how did you get that flat stomach?” we’re more likely to respond with “it’s not flat, I have a jelly roll,” rather than saying thank you and moving on. It’s like we’re embarrassed. The next time someone pays you a compliment, say thank you and leave it at that. No follow up statements.

7. Let it go

It’s easier said than done, but at some point you have to let things go. Don’t be defined by who you were in the past or about events that led you to the insecurity you feel today. That’s the beauty in being honest about your insecurities, they allow you to let them go faster. Sitting in meditation when insecurities arise is a great way to learn to let go as well. Watch what comes up during meditation and keep breathing through it.

8. Meet your goals

People that meet goals (small or large) or much more likely to feel secure with themselves than those who do not. Start by setting small goals for things that you want to change in your life and chip away at them one day at a time. Once you meet your goals, set new goals and keep going. On the other hand, if you set grand, unreachable goals without any steps in between, you’re much less likely to meet your goals, leaving you feeling disappointed in yourself when you fall short. Be realistic and strategic in your goal setting.

9. Look your best

While it may seem cliche, looking good makes you feel good. Grooming yourself makes you feel better, leaving you with fewer low confidence days. Of course, it doesn’t mean becoming obsessed with appearance, but a shower, blow-dry, and your favorite pair of jeans goes a long way.

What are you insecure about? Does it manifest often? Do you notice when the negative self talk rolls in? We want to hear about it! Drop us a line via Twitter @EcoSalon.

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Should You Skip Breakfast to Lose Weight?

Sara Novak — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 08:00:00 +0000

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Everyone always says that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And if you want to lose weight, starting your day with a hearty meal is crucial. I’m here to dispute this claim. In fact, once I started skipping breakfast, I started losing weight and it’s definitely not because I was starving myself.

How Hungry are You Today?

Please don’t just eat breakfast first thing in the morning because you think you should. Eat breakfast because you’re hungry. The early morning is a great time to let your digestive system do its work from the night before. Especially if you tend to eat a later, heavier dinner. While you might not want to skip breakfast entirely, why not wait a few minutes after you wake up until you feel hungry?

If you do wake up starving, consider starting your day by drinking 16 to 24 ounces of water. This can increase your metabolism by as much as 24 percent, according to some experts. Water also helps the body detox from the night before while giving the colon a cleanse and revving up the digestive system if necessary. Not to mention that drinking water first thing in the morning also makes your skin glow. What’s not to like?

The Benefits of Intermittent Fasting

More research is being done on the benefits of intermittent fasting. The least painful and most effective time to fit in a short fast (around 15 hours) is between dinner and breakfast. That means that if you eat dinner around 7 pm than you should wait at least until 10 am the next day to eat your next meal. For some of us, this isn’t realistic, but you can take baby steps that make a big difference. For example, don’t snack after dinner. Try and drink a glass water before your first meal. But if you can fit in a mini fast, it’s worth it and the first part of the day is the easiest time to accomplish it. Here’s why:

1. It reduces insulin

A study published in the January 2005 edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that on days of mini fasts fat oxidation increased, making fasting an effective tool for weight loss among participants. Reduced insulin is also important for staving off type-2 diabetes.

2. It increases human growth hormone

One study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found that mini fasts increased the production of the human growth hormone (GH) in the body. GH is responsible for increased fat burning and metabolism in the body.

3. It reduces belly fat and increases metabolism

Intermittent fasting has been shown to reduce belly fat and increase metabolism by
as much as three to eight percent over a 24-week period. A study published in the January 1990 edition of the Journal of Physiology found that fasting for 48 hours at a time increased the basal metabolism in normal weight individuals. Another study published in the July 2011 edition of Obesity Reviews found that fasting decreases body fat and mass.

4. It prevents oxidative stress

Other research has shown that intermittent fasting can help the body with cellular waste removal. As mentioned above, much of the body’s digestion and detoxing is done over night. If you give food a rest after your last meal of the day, you’re giving your body more time to detoxify. More specifically, a study published in the August 2010 issue of Autophagy found that fasting is usually a safe, inexpensive, and useful means of reducing oxidative stress.

5. It helps with hormone regulation

According to Dr. Axe, fasting can help with hormone regulation. Specifically, it helps with the regulation of leptin, the hormone in the body that tells you when you’re hungry and when you’re satiated. When leptin is off in the body, it makes it difficult to stop eating, which is obviously problematic for weight loss. It’s been shown that fat people have high levels of leptin in their systems.

When Skipping Breakfast is Not a Good Idea

Skipping breakfast or intermittent fasting in general is not a good idea for everyone. And many doctors note the importance of a healthy breakfast to get your metabolism rolling. For some people, a healthy breakfast like this Vegan Peanut Butter Granola Recipe or this Protein-Packed Tofu Scramble makes a lot more sense. These individuals should abstain from fasting:

1. Pregnant women

When you’re pregnant, fasting for any period of time has been shown to produce ketone bodies, molecules produced by the liver during periods of low food intake that can negatively impact the fetus. Dehydration is especially dangerous during pregnancy because it can cause preterm delivery. Pregnancy is never a good time to abstain from food.

2. Breastfeeding women

Women who are breastfeeding should not skip breakfast. First and foremost, you’re super hungry when you’re breastfeeding, so just try not to eat! But even if you could bear it, over a long period of time, it could impact milk production. Save fasts for after you’ve finished breastfeeding, especially within the first year when breastmilk is still a major component of your baby’s diet.

3. Athletes

If you work out hard first thing in the morning, fasting could impact your performance. For some of us, working out in the morning is essential to fitting it in. Especially if you’re training for a race or you’re an athlete. You may need the fuel to get your body going in the morning. If this is the case with you, fasting in general may not be the best idea.

4. Caffeine addicts

Additionally, don’t fast by drinking a bunch of caffeine to keep you from eating. Caffeine without food can leave you feeling jittery. If you crave caffeine in the morning but you’re not a fan of anxiety, add a tablespoon or two of coconut oil or grassfed butter to your coffee to balance out your caffeine with some good fats.

5. Breakfast lovers

Some of us relish the morning ritual of breakfast. Orange juice, oatmeal, and eggs–what’s not to like? If you’re not willing to give up this ritual, maybe consider dropping in a mini-fast periodically in another part of the day instead.

6. Smaller meal lovers

The point is NOT to starve yourself. An intermittent fast in the morning is all about giving your system a break and then enjoying moderate meals throughout the rest of the day. If it feels like you’re starving yourself and then overeating at lunch and dinner, this is not for you. We’re all different and we all respond differently to food.

Do you skip breakfast? Have you found that it’s helpful for weight loss? We want to know! Drop us a line via Twitter @EcoSalon.

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Your Kitchen Better Be a Freaking Sanctuary

Sara Novak — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 08:00:56 +0000

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I spend a whole lot of time in my kitchen. Making breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a family of three takes a good portion of the day. Whether I’m whipping up kale and eggs for breakfast, chopping sweet potatoes for dinner, or just heating up leftovers from the night before, the vibe in my favorite space matters. If you’re like me and you spend much of your day chopping, whipping, or sautéing, why not make the most utilized room in your home a sanctuary?

Why a Peaceful Kitchen Matters

According to author of “Organically Raised,” Anni Daulter, “When you start cooking with a sense of the sacred in mind, you begin to see how your love for everything wells up in your heart. When you cook like this, every stew is special and every grain of rice is a miracle.”

Additionally, in yogic philosophy, it’s clear that prana or life force is present in all living things, including food. This means that you energetically impact the foods you prepare. Therefore, a cooking space should be similar to where you meditate, a peaceful place where you feel calm and focused. Not to mention that if you don’t cook often enough, an inviting kitchen may remind you why cooking is so fulfilling.

Remain Mindful While You Cook

Take some time before entering your kitchen to center. Breathe deeply for a few minutes or close your eyes for a short meditation. Visualize producing tasty, healthy, fresh fare for you or your family. While you’re cooking, try and remain mindful of the meal you’re preparing. Make meal preparation a meditation and every time your mind wanders, allow it to return back to the activity you’re doing. Don’t do anything else besides meal preparation. For example, jumping to other tasks like laundry, cleaning dishes, or straightening up the house.

How to Make Your Kitchen a Sanctuary

Transforming your kitchen into a place of refuge is easier than you think. These steps can help you make your kitchen a place where you’re excited to create tasty, fresh meals.

1. Cut the clutter

First of all, get all the junk out of your kitchen so you have room to maneuver. Less clutter is calming and peaceful. You don’t have to declutter all at once. Take your time and move drawer to drawer, pulling out what you no longer need. Got two versions of the same tool? Time to say goodbye to one of them (preferably the cheaper one). Never used that garlic crusher? Why not give it to someone who might? Every item in your kitchen should have meaning. Don’t let a stack of papers build up on the kitchen counter, either. Every so often go through and trash what you no longer need.

2. Give it a scrub down

Now that you’ve cleared the clutter, it’s time to give it a scrub down. Throw together a simple, chemical-free cleaner made with half water and half white vinegar with about ten drops of lemon essential oil. Take everything off the counters and wipe them down. Wipe down all of the appliances, inside and out. Wipe up any food remnants from the floor.

3. Make it foot-friendly

If you’re standing on your feet chopping, slicing, baking, or just reading recipes, it can get tiring. Treat yourself to some foot support. Consider the casa pura Anti Fatigue Mat ($33) or the NewLife by GelPro Professional Grade Anti-Fatigue Mat ($72). Both mats provide the support you need so that your back and your feet don’t take a beating in the kitchen.

4. Add in some tunes

Nothing feels quite as nice as cooking to some good tunes. Of course, it depends on what you’re in the mood for, but keep the tunes as calming as possible. Instead of watching television or listening to the news, choose some music that keeps you mindful.

5. Make a kitchen shrine

Make a kitchen shrine filled with sacred items. Add some shelving to the wall in your kitchen to present your favorite items. Choose soothing candles, images of special people, vases of flowers, incense, or whatever moves you.

6. Add an herb garden

You can’t get much fresher than growing food right in your kitchen. And what better way to amp up your cuisine than with the help of fresh herbs? A small kitchen garden also adds life to your kitchen (literally!) and prana to the food you’re preparing. It doesn’t have to be difficult. Just choose a sunny spot and plant a few herbs that you use often.

7. Organize your pantry

Take some time to organize your pantry so you can get to everything you use regularly. Go to a craft store and purchase some mason jars to store your essentials like flour, sugar, nuts, seeds, etc. Make sure all your favorite staples are properly marked and sealed so they last a long time.

8. Clean out your fridge

Cleaning out your fridge isn’t the most fun, but it’s essential to a peaceful space. Remove all the items from your fridge and wipe down everything with warm soap and water. Check all the expiration dates on condiments before placing them back on the shelf.

9. Dump super old leftovers

In yogic philosophy, foods that aren’t fresh and alive don’t contain prana, or life force. After a day or two, leftovers also lose their life force. The bottom line is to make sure that all the foods you serve are as fresh as possible. Processed, junk foods are also worth avoiding for the same reasons.

Any tips for how to make your kitchen a sanctuary? Do you spend a lot of time in the kitchen? How do you make it your own? Are you a mindful chef? We want to know! Drop us a line via Twitter @EcoSalon.

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7 Ways to Save More Money for the Exotic Vacay You Totally Need

Sara Novak — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 18:33:02 +0000

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Travel can be expensive. But if it’s important to you–as it should be!–knowing how to save money makes all the difference.

Vacations often seem like a luxury, not a necessity. But the respite a vacation offers, along with the reminder of just how beautiful our planet is, helps to re-center us, make us better global citizens, and can strengthen the bonds of the people we travel with.

Don’t forego these critical moments because you think you can’t afford them. Just tweak a few habits and reap the rewards.

Save Money By Giving Up These Items

1. Coffee/Eating Out

Start by making your own coffee at home instead of stopping by a coffee shop every morning. Buy yourself an awesome reusable coffee cup, some high quality organic beans, and a French press. You’ll save nearly $1,000 annually just by adjusting this costly habit.

Eating out once in a while is a treat, but it doesn’t need to happen every week. Instead of meeting friends out all the time, have friends over to your house. Set a theme and have all your friends bring a meal within that genre. Have cookouts, wine tastings, tapas, and the list goes on of fun and yummy parties you can have at your house.

2. Unplanned Trips to the Grocery Store

You should never go to the grocery store without a plan. First start by planning each individual meal for the week. Then make sure that if you have to buy any out-of-the-ordinary ingredients that you use them in more than one recipe. Choose recipes that you can sub in the ingredients that are on sale. And buy mostly whole ingredients like fruits, vegetables, and protein. Processed foods are the most expensive part of the trip. Once you go to the grocery store for the week, don’t pop in to grab one item, because that’s the easiest way to blow a bunch of unnecessary cash.

3. Gym memberships

Unless you live in Alaska, gym memberships are an unnecessary expense that adds up over time. Instead run or walk outside and buy a few weights for multi-purpose use at the house. If you’re into yoga, consider a membership to Gaia or Yoga Glo where you can take classes online. Or join a running or biking group if you want to workout with people. This can save you around $600 to $1000 per year.

4. Cars

For an average vehicle that’s driven 15,000 miles a year, all costs of ownership added up to $8,698 a year, according to AAA’s 2015 Your Driving Costs study. That’s one heck of a vacation right there. Of course, not everyone lives in a place where it’s possible not to have a car, but if you can avoid them, why not give it a try?

5. Cable Television

Cable is an entirely unnecessary cost, and you could be spending your time in a much more meaningful way. Go for a hike, play Scrabble, read a book, chat with friends. Choose an activity that adds value to your life. Movie nights once a week can be a great activity, but TV doesn’t have to be an everyday occurrence. At a minimum cable will cost you around $700 per year. If you can’t do without the television switch to a streaming service like Netflix.

6. Booze

Alcohol is pricey so if you really want to save money, it’s worth giving it up. Open a nice bottle for a special dinner or when you’re throwing a dinner party, but if you’re trying to budget, it shouldn’t be a daily part of your repertoire.

7. Extra stuff

Learn to minimize your life by making sure every item has a meaningful purpose. Go room to room and start giving away or selling what you no longer need. If you have luxury items you can sell them on sites like the RealReal or more moderate items can be sold on sites like swap.com. Sell to local and online consignment shops or on eBay. And once you’ve gotten rid of what you no longer need, avoid replenishing. Look at every item that you buy and make sure that it adds value to your life.

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Is Your Insomnia Related to the Full Moon?

Sara Novak — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 08:00:17 +0000

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We’ve all heard people complain about being up all night thanks to the full moon. You might have even experienced it in your own life, or at least noticed that you feel wide awake on the night of a full moon. But what’s the truth about the full moon effect? Does a full moon really keep you from being able to get to sleep and can it really have an impact on your mood? The truth may surprise you.

Some Facts About the Full Moon

In ancient times, looking into the sky and seeing a full moon must have been fascinating because we had no idea what caused it. All we knew was that it happened on a very predictable schedule. But today we know scientifically what causes a full moon. In fact, a full moon occurs when one side of the earth is fully illuminated by the moon. It occurs when the sun, moon, and earth are lined up with the earth in the middle. From our perspective, the rays of the sun are fully illuminating the moon, which makes it appear full. As the position of the sun, moon, and earth change, so too does the way we view the moon. Of course, the shape of the moon isn’t changing, just our view of it.

How Does a Full Moon Impact Us Energetically?

If you’ve ever felt more energetic on the night of a full moon, you’re not alone. Or more specifically, you’re not the only member of the animal kingdom to feel this way. A study published in the November 2008 edition of the journal Animal Behavior, found that the “full moon effect” isn’t folklore, at least not when it comes to animals.

The streaked shearwater, a seabird followed in the study, flew for longer periods of time and landed on the water more often on nights when there was a full moon. Since the birds are in the middle of the food chain, it seems that they not only moved more to avoid predators that were also wide awake, they also sought the opportunity to go after their prey, smaller marine animals like squid.

Other research has pointed to the fact that similar to the way the full moon impacts the tides, it could also impact the water in our bodies which could tip the scale toward extreme emotions. While we don’t know this for sure, we do know that many of us feel unsettled on full moon nights. Some police departments, including one in Sussex, England, put more police officers on staff the night of full moons because there seemed to be a correlation between the full moon and violent crime.

Does the Full Impact Sleep?

People have long reported that the full moon impacts their sleep. But is there any truth to this? The short answer is yes.

A team of researchers at the University of Basel, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, and the Switzerland Centre for Sleep Medicine, followed 32 participants to look at brainwave activity and levels of melatonin in the brain when participants had fallen asleep. The original intent of the research wasn’t to look at the full moon effect, but years later researchers decided to look back at the data and see how the full moon impacted sleep. The findings are published in the July 2013 edition of Current Biology.

The data showed that during the full moon and on the nights surrounding a full moon participants took three or four minutes longer to fall asleep and on average they slept 20 fewer minutes per night.

The reason why is less clear but scientists do have some ideas. It could be because even though we have curtains and homes to block the light of a bright full moon, our circadian rhythms, which evolved over millions of years, are still somehow attached to the lunar cycle. This might be why it impacts us energetically and why one time or another you might have wished you could howl at the moon. The bottom line, you’re not crazy, the full moon could have a noticeable impact on your sleep and maybe even your mood.

What to Do During a Full Moon

That said, this doesn’t mean you can blame extreme shifts in emotion on the moon. While you may notice differences in the way you feel during a full moon, don’t act on those emotions. These tips can help you manage your full moon effect.

1. Don’t make big decisions

Just because you’re sitting up all night digesting your full moon insomnia doesn’t mean you should use that extra time to make big decisions. Save it for another phase of the lunar cycle.

2. Know the lunar cycle

If you find that the full moon effect has a big impact on your life, why not find out a little more about it? Learn the entire cycle of the moon so you can have an idea of what to expect.

3. Write it down

Instead of acting out, let your emotions spill out onto the page of your journal. Journaling can help with the release of emotions. It’s a good habit to get into anyway, so why not give it a try during the next full moon?

4. Meditate daily

This is true of any day of the week really, but meditation can help you both notice patterns in your emotions and even out some of the highs and lows. Regular meditation can also keep you from being so reactionary when it comes to your emotions.

Does the full moon have an effect on you? Does it make it harder for you to fall asleep? What about your emotions? We want to know! Drop us a line via Twitter @EcoSalon.

The post Is Your Insomnia Related to the Full Moon? appeared first on EcoSalon.

Drinking Water First Thing in the Morning is Way More Important Than You Think

Sara Novak — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 08:00:06 +0000

istock/oatawa

How you start your day really has an impact on the way it unfolds. If you drink a carafe of coffee in the am, you can look forward to feeling jittery and then crashing later on. But on the other end of the spectrum, you can take small but significant steps to make your day a whole lot better. In fact, waking up and drinking water can change your life for the better in ways that may surprise you.

Why is Water So Important in the Morning?

Most healthy people drink water throughout the day, but after you wake up, you’ve gone a whopping seven to eight hours without hydration. If you’re not jonesing for some hydration, you should be. Drinking water first thing also gives your metabolism a boost– some estimates say by about 24 percent. Not to mention that it fills you up so you don’t start the day on a super empty stomach.

Drinking a bunch of water before noshing on a healthy breakfast means that your first meal is more likely to hold you over until lunch time without a snack in between. And that’s a good thing for weight loss. Not to mention that water helps your body detox from the junk you may have consumed the night before. It rehydrates the bodily systems that require water for proper function while giving the digestive system a kick in the butt if needed. Water also cleanses the colon and helps the body to better absorb nutrients.

Another benefit of drinking water first thing in the morning is timing. When you start slurping early on in the day, you’re likely to get through your daily allotment before the end of the day. If by noon you haven’t even had a glass, you’ve got a lot more drinking to get to before bedtime. Not to mention that drinking a bunch of water before you hit the hay can disrupt your sleep because you’re left running to the loo throughout the night.

How Much Water Should You Drink?

Starting your day with at least 16 to 24 ounces of water can make a big difference. This is enough liquid to give the entire body a hydration flush, cleansing the body’s systems. Large amounts of water like this can renew the cells and make your skin glow. If at first this seems intimidating, gradually add more water to your mornings.

Additionally, have it handy as you work. When I’m working first thing in the morning, I keep a large bottle of water by my side so I’m sure to get through the necessary quantity before breakfast. I don’t drink my morning tea until I’ve gotten through my bottle of water. For me personally, drinking a full six glasses of water first thing in the morning keeps me from feeling exhausted by mid-afternoon. And for someone that works and chases a toddler around full time, this is an accomplishment.

Is Water with Lemon Any Better?

The benefits of lemon water are often touted, but is it really any better? In some ways, yes. Lemon does contain a potent dose of vitamin C, which benefits the immune system. It contains some potassium. Vitamin C is also important for the production of collagen, which improves the elasticity of the skin. For many people, lemon makes water more palatable.

If you’re like me and lemon water isn’t exactly appealing, consider slicing up cucumbers and mint or a variety of fruits. I’m a huge fan of pineapple and mango water with a hint of mint.

IStock/jenifoto

Room Temperature or Cold?

In Ayurveda, the ancient Indian method of natural healing, it’s thought that cold water douses your digestive fire and room temperature or even warm water is much better for hydrating your body. More specifically, it’s thought that cold water freezes the digestive enzymes in the gut and keeps your stomach from digesting food, which can cause constipation. The bottom line is that ice water makes your body work harder than it needs to. Experiment with leaving your water bottle outside of the fridge at night. Even if you crave cold beverages, try adding room temperature water to your morning routine.

What’s the Most Hydrating Water?

Alkaline water is supposed to be the most hydrating and in my experience, this is the case. It’s also helpful that alkaline water tastes really good so you’re likely to drink more of it than you would tap water. Advocates claim that they never feel thirsty and that by drinking alkaline water they feel all of the benefits of being constantly hydrated such as supple skin and good digestion.

It’s unclear why alkaline water is more hydrating. However the main difference between alkaline water and other waters is that alkaline water has a higher pH than regular water. Consider other more conscious purchases like buying yourself an alkaline water filter. This 4-Gallon Countertop Water Filter from Zen Water Systems is a good moderate purchase ($100) or this higher end Pure Hydration Alkaline Antioxidant Water Ionizer ($495). Other, more economical options, include this Nano Energy Bottle – Portable Water Ionizer ($24) or this EHM Alkaline Water Pitcher – 3.5L Pure Healthy Water Ionizer – BPA Free & Anti-Bacterial Filter ($40). You can also add mineral powders or drops to your water to make it more alkaline like Trace Minerals Research – Concentrace Trace Mineral Drops ($20) or AlkaZone – Alkaline pH Booster Drops ($45).

What’s your morning routine? Do you drink water first thing in the morning? How does it impact your day? We want to know! Drop us a line via Twitter @EcoSalon.

The post Drinking Water First Thing in the Morning is Way More Important Than You Think appeared first on EcoSalon.

5 Expert-Backed Ways to Increase Serotonin for a Happier Brain

Sara Novak — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 08:00:04 +0000

Istock/AJ_Watts

In the winter time, it can be hard to avoid feeling down in the dumps. Cold temperatures, gray skies, and boredom can all set in, making it difficult to keep your spirits high. And on a biological level, this can cause levels of serotonin to drop. But not to worry, you don’t have to sit by idly–there are steps that you can take to increase the amount of serotonin in your brain.

What is Serotonin?

Serotonin or (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is a chemical that’s found in the body. Known as a neurotransmitter, it carries signals in the brain and is mainly found in the brain, bowels, and blood platelets. It transmits messages throughout the body, but it’s best known for its impact on happiness. The serotonin that’s used in the brain must also be produced by the brain. The chemical is made by combining tryptophan, a component of proteins, with tryptophan hydroxylase, a chemical reactor. A shortage of serotonin in the brain can impact the mood, causing anxiety and depression.

5 Tips for Increasing Serotonin, Naturally

If you have serious anxiety or depression, talk to your doctor. If you just want to gradually improve your mood, these tips may help. Let’s take a closer look.

1. Eat tryptophan-rich foods

A 2007 study published in the Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience found that an increase in tryptophan in the body can increase the amount of serotonin released into the brain. Foods with high tryptophan content include eggs, cheese, tofu, pineapple, salmon, nuts, seeds, and turkey.

2. Exercise consistently

It’s sort of counterintuitive, because when you start to feel depressed all you really want to do is play couch surfer, but here’s the deal: when you’re feeling down, exercise is one of the best things you can do to improve your mood. A 2001 study published in Clinical Psychology Review found that aerobic exercise may have antidepressant effects on the brain by increasing serotonin. In some cases, exercise may work even better than medication.

3. Meditate

To use the tortoise and the hare reference, meditation is definitely the tortoise, and as a result, people can think that it’s not working. Its positive impact is subtle and can happen over years of practice. But according to Dr. Dharma Singh Khalsa, meditation can help the mind heal itself at a deep level. Once this happens, it can regulate the release of serotonin in the brain. The key to a meditation practice is consistency. It’s not that you need to meditate for hours, but in order to see the benefits, you do need to do it daily. Start with ten minutes and increase gradually as you feel comfortable. If you find that you have trouble sitting, a few tips can help: Start first thing in the morning. Find a quiet place to sit up on a pillow. Set a timer, close the eyes, and begin to follow your breath.

4. Get a massage

Regular massage, as often as once or twice a month, can help with the release of serotonin in the brain. When you’re stressed it causes the release of cortisol in the brain also known as the fight or flight reaction. The release of cortisol can help us react when negative things like getting chased by a bear happen. Though it’s unlikely in the modern era that you’ll be chased by a predator, still, our caveman instincts persist. The only problem with cortisol is that when it’s present, stress-reducing chemicals like serotonin are less likely to be released. That’s where massage comes in. Massage reduces the release of cortisol in the body, and, as a result, it increases the release of serotonin in the brain. According to a 2005 study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience, reducing cortisol increases serotonin. So, treat yourself. It can have a lasting impact.

5. Yoga

Generally speaking, yoga has been found to decrease depression for a number of reasons. It calms the body and mind, which can reduce stress and anxiety. Mindful breathing, an important component of the practice, sends a message to the central nervous system, which can also impact your mood. And certain poses, when done regularly, can help with the release of serotonin in the brain. These include shoulder stand and plough pose.

Shoulder Stand

IStock/MichaelSvoboda

1. Start off on your back.

2. Kick both legs over the head and then support the hips with your hands.

3. Move your hands down the back until your legs are vertical. Straighten and raise one leg at a time to point your feet upward.

4. Tuck the chin into the chest.

5. The gaze should be at the toes or if you’d prefer, close your eyes. Either way, follow your breath and try to avoid too much adjustment.

6. If possible, extend the amount of time you spend in shoulder stand until it’s about five minutes each time you practice.

7. Slowly release the feet down to the ground, or as far toward the ground as they will comfortably go. One vertebrae at a time, release back down to your back and hug the knees into the chest.

Plough Pose

Istock/fizkez

1. You can move into this pose from shoulder stand or start lying on your back with your legs stretched out in front of you.

2. Raise one foot at a time over head. Kick the legs upward, reaching behind your head.

3. You can either place the hands on your lower back or clasp them behind the body.

4. Your feet may not extend all the way to the floor at first, but that’s the goal. Hold and breathe for five to ten breaths.

5. One vertebrae at a time, release back down to your back and hug the knees into the chest.

The post 5 Expert-Backed Ways to Increase Serotonin for a Happier Brain appeared first on EcoSalon.

5 Tips for Perfect Eyebrow Maintenance (Mind the Arch!)

Sara Novak — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 08:00:07 +0000

Istock/Yuri

You may not think about them very often, but no matter your style, eyebrows are a key defining feature. That’s why eyebrow maintenance should be a regular part of your beauty regimen. But you can go too far and end up with an over plucked disaster. If you’re not sure what you’re doing, read this so you don’t make any amateur mistakes.

The Most Common Eyebrow Maintenance Mistakes

Thin, drawn in eyebrows are obviously a thing of the past, but that’s not the only faux pas when it comes to your brows.

1. Attacking your unibrow

Stray hairs tend to pop up between your eyes and plucking them can get addictive. While unibrows can make you look unkept to say the least, you can over pluck. Plucking between your eyebrows can get out of hand and before you know it there’s a gapping hole between your eyes. The start of your eyebrow should be even with your inner eye duct. Once you get to that point, stop plucking.

2. Up close and personal

Don’t get an inch away from the mirror and begin plucking your eyebrows. This can cause you to over pluck because it makes your eyebrows appear larger than they are. Stay close enough to the mirror that you can see what you’re doing but don’t overdo it.

3. Not minding the arch

Some eyebrows have more of an arch than others. But just because your’s isn’t pronounced doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist. Make sure you work to maintain the arch in your eyes because this helps to define your face.

4. Over tweezing

Don’t end up like one of those ladies that has to draw in their entire eyebrow. As you get older over plucked eyebrows begin to look much worse. If you don’t know what you’re doing, have a professional wax or thread your brows and then stick to maintenance. It’s best to avoid tweezing on top of your brow which is much more likely to become overdone. Stick to underneath your eyebrows at home.

How to Maintain Your Brows

Now that you know what you’re doing wrong, let’s fix it. If you get your brows waxed or threaded, this can be done between treatments. If you want to do it yourself, these steps are key:

1. Get a brow brush.

It’s important to get a brow brush to ensure you know the direction that your brows are growing before you start trimming. This is a tool that really changes your brow maintenance game because eyebrow hairs can grow in all sorts of directions making a uniform brow hard to come by.

2. Use scissors.

While you can pluck the pesky hairs that get out of reach, you should trim your entire brow with special scissors. Be conservative and avoid over snipping. Start small and if you need to go back over them, you can. Brush to the very end of your brow and trim the ends as well.

3. Pluck the strays.

If a few stray hairs appear in your brow arch or between your eyes, carefully get rid of them. But again, avoid plucking too much on top of the eye. Less is always more in this arena.

4. Match your color.

For a quick tip, you want your eyebrow color to match your root hair color. Choose a brow pencil that’s the same color as your roots for a more natural look. When you’re done shaping your brows, highlight them with a bit of your brow color.

5. Gel to keep in place.

For some of you this might be a step too far, but it can be helpful. Use an eyebrow gel to hold your brow in the perfect shape once you’ve got everything in place. Eyebrow hairs can have cowlicks which causes them to fall in different directions.

Which is Better: Eyebrow Waxing or Threading?

Waxing and threading are the most common professional tools for eyebrow maintenance. Threading is likely the lesser known of the two, although it’s undoubtedly catching on. It uses very thin threads crossed and knotted to gently and precisely extract hairs from the brow line or anywhere on the face. The practitioner wraps the thread into sort of a bow tie and then controls the extractions with both hands.

Threading is great for those with sensitive skin and it’s done so close to the skin that the hair doesn’t grow back thicker. It’s also fast, usually taking around ten minutes and it’s inexpensive ($10 to $15) depending on where you live. You can learn to thread your own eyebrows, too, if you’re interested.

While many people still wax their eyebrows or have them waxed professionally, there are drawbacks. If you’re on some medications that cause you to have sensitive skin, it can inflame the problem. If you have generally sensitive skin or dry skin, that too can cause problems for waxers. Not to mention that it can be painful.

The Best Brow Tools on the Market

When it comes to brow maintenance, you don’t need much, but there are a few tools that can make your trim fest easier. BrowGal tools are the best. The brow brush is $14 and the brow scissors are $20. The tweezers are a pricey $28, but to be honest, can you think of anything better than having super precise tweezers to remove those pesky hairs?

Do you maintain your own eyebrows? Have you tried threading or do you wax your brows? Have you ever had an eyebrow disaster? We want to know! Drop us a line via Twitter @EcoSalon.

The post 5 Tips for Perfect Eyebrow Maintenance (Mind the Arch!) appeared first on EcoSalon.