5/ Sustainable transformation, the ocean's healing power & more...
š From band-aid wellness to sustainable transformation | š§ 5 ways our oceans rejuvenate us
Hey there, welcome to Issue #5!
How can we strike a balance between pushing ourselves and growing sustainably?
This is something I often ask myself, and a topic I discussed with holistic health coach Megan Cooper on the podcast. We discuss why there is an issue with the āband-aidā solutions of modern wellness culture and how real personal growth requires time and lots of self-compassion.
At the same time, growth also requires consistent steps forward, away from our comfort zones. Knowing when to push, and when to slow down in our careers and lives is truly an art. My yoga teachers often say, āYou need to lose balance to find balanceā; finding the right balance is an art, not always easy but always worth it!
In this issue:
Wellness: From band-aid wellness to sustainable transformation | Megan Cooper
Sustainability: 5 ways our oceans rejuvenate us
Product: Ocean Bottle
Inspiration
Thereās a reason we are drawn
to gazing at the ocean.
It is said that the ocean provides
a closer reflection of who
we are than any mirror.
- Rick Rubin, Creative Act
Wellness: From band-aid wellness to sustainable transformation | Megan Cooper
šListen Time: 45 mins
This week, I speak to trauma-informed Holistic Coach and EFT Practitioner Megan Cooper about what why personal development needs to be āsustainableā. On social media, personal growth is often āsimplifiedā into several short steps, creating an illusion that simply following the steps can help us shift our mindsets and subconscious beliefs quickly. Megan says true change comes from self-compassion.
We also talk how to move through obstacles by understanding our different parts, and the importance of making space for joy in our lives.
Overview:
āFeeling stuckā is a coping mechanism
The upper limit problem
Ending self-sabotage requires compassion
Understanding our different āpartsā
Why our āshameā can be trying to help us
Embracing personal transformation in a sustainable way
The importance of joy and play
Moving away from band-aid wellness culture
Find out more about Megan Cooper:
Instagram: higherlove_withmegan
Podcast: Higher Love with Megan
Sustainability: 5 ways our oceans rejuvenate us
š Read time: 3 minutes
In celebration of World Oceanās day on June 8th, this piece explores five ways being in, or close to the ocean rejuvenates us. According to Biologist Wallace J Nichols:
āWe are beginning to learn that our brains are hardwired to react positively to water and that being near it can calm and connect us, increase innovation and insight, and even heal what's broken.ā
1. Salt water contains high levels of magnesium
The high levels of magnesium levels in saltwater is rejuvenating for our skin. When we spend time in saltwater, we absorb nutrients such as magnesium, potassium and zinc, which have anti-bacterial properties. Spending time in water might benefit skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Magnesium is an essential nutrient for many bodily processes; it helps to regulate our muscles and nerve functionality, moderate blood sugar levels and improve our sleep.
2. Water immersion balances hormones
Swimming in the sea can help to increase our blood circulation, especially when we swim in cold water. Research shows that cold water immersion is beneficial for women when it comes to easing PMS / peri-menopause, reducing inflammation and regulating their cycle.
3. Blue is a therapeutic colour
The colour blue has been known to be associated with feelings of calmness, peace and serenity. New research also finds that seeing blue can boost creativity.
4. Ocean sounds are calming
The rhythm of the ocean mimics the slow, steady pace of our breath. This syncrhonisation leads to feelings of relaxation and tranquility. The soft, rhythmic nature of ocean sounds make them ideal as white noise. White noise is a type of noise that has a masking property which can mask āannoying soundsā, like the sound of an aircon or nearby construction.
White noise has a soothing effect that makes it easier for us to fall asleep. Hereās a link to sounds of soothing ocean waves!
5. Humans are drawn to nature
āBiophiliaā is the innate love and connection we feel towards the natural world. The term was popularised by naturalist Edward Oā Wilson, in his 1984 book āBiophiliaā. He suggests that humans are naturally drawn to nature because thatās where we evolved as a species, so itās where we most feel at home!
In Summary
Spending time close to, or in the ocean has multiple physical and mental benefits. On a physical level, our bodies benefit from nutrients in seawater, and on a mental level, the natural rhythm and deep blue of the ocean is soothing for our nervous systems.
Product: Ocean Bottle
This weekās feature product is Ocean Bottle - a reusable water bottle that āactuallyā helps save the ocean. The bottle is made from 90% recycled stainless steel and double wall vacuum insulated material.
The sale of bottle funds the collection of 11.368 kg of ocean-bound plastic (equivalent to 1,000 plastic bottles). Ocean Bottle is also a B-Corp certified brand.
P.S Something I love: The Opposite of a Practice, Steven Pressfield