We humans are creatures of habit and usually feel best with routines. When we forget what gives strength and calm in everyday life, it can pay off with poorer energy.
But new experiences and trying new things every now and then are also good, to broaden your horizons and find new strengthening habits - or return to the old ones!
CYCLIC HABITS
Regardless of age, our nervous systems are mostly in balance when days and weeks are similar - sleeping and eating, moving and recovering regularly. The nervous system controls most things in the body, such as the heart, digestion, many hormones, sleep, thinking and feeling.
In many cases, our basic needs change repeatedly - cyclically - during the day, week, month or year.
Cyclical periods can be:
- the phases of the menstrual cycle
- transition (menopause) and menopause for women
- the changes of the seasons - for everyone
- intermittent fasting or varying the amount of carbohydrates in the diet to optimize metabolism can also be a cyclical routine.
NEEDS OF DIFFERENT AGES
Needs change with age and during transitions:
- for babies during/after developmental leaps
- for teenagers
- for a young woman at menarche – the time of first menstruation
- during pregnancy
- during postpartum – the period after childbirth. Many midwives and nutritional therapists believe that postpartum is at least as long as pregnancy.
Getting older is a slow transition in itself, which may require more attention to both physical and emotional needs.
Starting or changing school or preschool, getting a new job or leaving a job, becoming a pensioner, having grandchildren or moving can cause our needs to change to
- changed sleep needs
- increased need for closeness/comfort
- desire for more contact with loved ones
- engaging tasks
- more peace and quiet
- more exercise.
When you have found the new needs that work and support your energy in everyday life, it is easy to notice when you skip something. It can be experienced as an energy dip or old symptoms.
THE VALUE OF ROUTINES
Here are some thoughts on sticking to good habits, even when everyday conditions change:
- don't turn around the clock just because you're off.
We need daylight in the morning. Getting up early makes the body's hormones and immune system work better. Sleeping in the afternoon can be a better alternative to sleeping long in the morning.
- Make time for your yoga, breathing exercises, barefoot walking, strength training or meditation whenever you can.
- Don't forget the supplements and the food you feel good about. The need for nutrition and which foods work often change with the seasons. During the brightest summer days when you are outside in the middle of the day, cod liver oil may not be needed.
However, the need for antioxidants , which protect the skin from the inside (such as matcha tea, vitamin E, berry powder), may increase. Domestic berries are rich in these substances.
- Minerals and electrolytes, as always. In hot weather, it is important to be able to retain fluid in the body. Mix some electrolyte powder and/or mineral drops (such as Essential Electolytes and Aussie Trace or Ancient Lakes drops) into your water, tea or juice.
Many people drink alcohol to unwind and relax on vacation or in the evenings. But why not try the opposite? Alcohol takes energy from the body and raises blood sugar. Take a white holiday or period and try new recipes for different food and drink - link here to Make your own probiotic drink - you wanted to try but didn't have time.
Good luck with your health-creating routines!
