Whether or not you buy into the term “superfood,” I’m so glad you are taking the time to read this post.
I’m not going to be rambling on and on about kale, chia seeds, goji berries, raw cacao, or coconut oil (although they are pretty awesome). I’m going to be throwing around a few nutrients that are way more powerful.
Grab a pen and paper to jot down a few notes so you remember to get your dose of these Superfoods each day!
1 Sun
As I’m sure you know, Vitamin D is produced by the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D has been shown to be extremely effective in treating and protecting against a long list of physical and psychological ailments, including depression, osteoporosis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, just to name a few. It boosts the immune system, increases energy, and improves overall well-being. Roll up your sleeves, step outside and soak up some rays – it will definitely brighten up your day and your health! (Don’t forget UV sunglasses!)
2 Oxygen
Just breathe!!!! Deep breathing stimulates the relaxation response, which lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, balances energy and metabolism, and increases alertness and mental clarity. Exercise boosts oxygen intake and delivery to muscles and the brain. Oxygen is especially plentiful in nature, as it is released from trees and plants.
Consider this: watch a baby breathe. His or her belly goes in and out. This is called belly breathing and adults forget how to do it. (Many adults take shallow breaths, which is associated with increased anxiety, less oxygen transport throughout the body, and foggy thinking.) By filling your entire abdomen with oxygen, your diaphragm rises, lungs fully stretch, and your entire body feels calmer.
3. Water
Every time you drink a glass of water, it bathes your cells, carrying away built-up toxins. If you are dehydrated, it can cause you to overeat (misinterpreting hunger for thirst), cause sluggishness, brain fog, irritability, and dull-looking skin. By simply consuming water throughout the day, you can rejuvenate your body and mind and create a beautiful glow to your skin!
Water drinking tips: drink a glass of water upon rising, 30 minutes before a meal (to get your metabolism running), 20 minutes after a meal, and periodically throughout the day. Don’t chug water during a meal, because this will interfere with digestive enzymes, which need an acidic environment to work best. Instead, sip on some warm tea or a little bit of water with lemon if you enjoy it! In terms of quality, spring or filtered water is best. If water is too bland for your taste buds, try sparkling water or fruit-infused water for some pizaz!
4. Touch
Newborn babies need touch in order to calm, to grow, and to develop and thrive. This need for touch does not end in infancy. We all need touch every day. It is comforting, stimulating, and healthy for the nervous system. Whether or not you are a ‘hugging’ type, physical touch is so powerful. Get a massage, exfoliate your skin, give 3 extra hugs, and cuddle with a loved one. It is so therapeutic and emerging scientific studies agree!
5 Spirituality and Love
Spirituality can bring purpose, perspective, motivation, unity, acceptance, perseverance, joy, and gratitude to any situation in life. In my opinion it is the single most powerful superfood. My personal faith has strengthened and guided me in ways beyond my human comprehension. I love sharing my faith journey because it is such a beautiful story.
Spirituality may take on a different meaning for each person and that is completely alright. The one aspect that can hopefully unite each person’s experience with spirituality is a profound sense of gratitude – a gratitude for being alive and a gratitude for opportunities presented to us at the beginning of each day.
Joshua Rosenthal, the founder of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, often discusses Vitamin L – love. We need it every day. How are you giving and receiving love? Sometimes the thing you are craving is the thing you can get by giving. I’ll say it a different way: in order to get a friend, be a friend. To be the recipient of love, be the giver of love. To find laughter, first give someone a reason to laugh.
Heather that was fantastic. Luckily I already get most of those. Of course I could always use more of each. So….. I don’t have to eat kale? Karen
Hahaha, you are definitely good at getting your dose of most of these Superfoods!
As far as the kale, I think any appetizing green veggie would be a Superfood for you 😉 …Although it is still my personal challenge to prepare kale in a way that strikes your fancy!
Thank you for your feedback!!
Great blog!