Awakening Our Inner Light
There are 4 core practices that we see as being essential for optimal wellbeing and are FREE courtesy of Nature. These practices are often understated or even labeled as potentially harmful, in the case of sunlight and cold exposure.
Yet, when we look in the human cell we find little tiny energy factories called mitochondria, which have allowed nature to harness light energy in a compressed form to create our complex human biology. The 4 elements (light, air, water & earth) are essential fuel for our mitochondria and for our human bodies to function at their best.
It’s no surprise that as we’ve moved from predominantly living outdoors under full-spectrum sunlight connected to the earth to living indoors under artificial blue light, we’ve seen our human biology suffer manifesting as chronic disease and mental illness at rates we’ve never seen before.
As we lose our connection to the elements that organize and power our human biology our biological light and spiritual light dims. But in this dimming is a our calling and opportunity to reawaken and express our inner light so that we may have the capacity to truly care for our loved ones and the planet.
LIGHT EXPOSURE - Red/Near Infrared Light is essential for optimal cellular function. Our mitochondria produce energy directly from Red Light and Infrared Light charges the water in our cells building Exclusion Zone “EZ” Water. Red/Near Infrared Light also vasodilates (expands) blood vessels reducing the risk of cardiovascular & neurodegenerative diseases.
MINDFUL BREATHING - Taking slow, light & deep breaths through the nose promotes relaxation and increases nitric oxide and C02 (both vasodilators). C02 gets a bad rap but when our breath becomes unnaturally shallow and quick we blow off too much C02 causing our blood vessels to constrict thus putting us in a chronic stress state. C02 also liberates oxygen from hemoglobin in our blood so that oxygen can be released into the tissue.
COLD EXPOSURE - Cold plunging reinvigorates our cells by triggering our mitochondria to release infrared light (heat) to maintain our core body temperature. This light structures the water in our cells in a similar way that sunlight does. More structured EZ Water translates to more energy potential in the cell.
Cold also causes the blood vessels to constrict but unlike shallow breathing this acute vasoconstriction actually strengthens the little tiny muscles in our vascular system making it more efficient and releases nitric oxide causing our blood vessels to dilate after the cold exposure.
EARTHING - Our mitochondria need electrons to produce energy and the earth, being negatively charged, has an abundant flow of free electrons that our cells can use to make energy and build EZ water.
Earthing, which is simply walking barefoot on the earth, also lowers the viscosity of our blood turning is from a consistency of something resembling ketchup to something closer to red wine. This allows blood to flow more easily especially to the deeper parts of the brain and tissue.
A Closer Look Into the 4 Practices - LIGHT EXPOSURE
In our previous post we talked about the benefits of 4 practices that in their essence are about connecting with nature and the 4 Elements: Light, Air, Water & Earth. Now, we will look at the practical aspects of integrating these practices into our daily lives.
LIGHT EXPOSURE
Sunlight is one one of the primary sources of energy for our cells. It also sets our circadian biology, triggers the release of nitric oxide improving blood flow and synthesizes Vitamin D. It’s best to start the day with a few minutes of directly sunlight in the eyes. This wakes us up, sets our circadian rhythm and triggers the production of melatonin.
It’s also recommended to go outside mid day for 10-20 minutes when UV is strongest. Start slow and build time in the sun gradually to avoid burning. This will ensure we get adequate amounts Vitamin D naturally, as nature intended.
For a better sleep avoid artificial blue light an hour or two before sleep so as to not disrupt the natural release of melatonin. The simplest way to avoid blue light at night is to wear blue blocking glasses as soon as the sun goes down in the evening.
Infrared Sauna with Red/Near Infrared Light is also an excellent way to supplement more light and heat which has been shown to help detox our system and improve sleep as well reduce all-cause mortality, heart disease, neurodegenerative diseases.