Natural and Powerful Ways to Recover and Restore Your Body

Rest and recovery have become an afterthought for many people engaged in the corporate world. In our result-oriented society and digital culture, often often productivity and self-growth is valued above all. We also need to be recovery-oriented. Often times the best solution to a lack of inspiration, a creative block, and general slumps in performance and desire to work, is simply an extended break. 

If you're ever feeling jaded, burnt out, and consistently fatigued, make sure you're doing all of the following on a daily basis. Unless you're very lucky, no one can do self-care for you, so make sure you're blocking out time every week to spend some time deliberately relaxing and recovering. For an added boost of restoration, try involving terpenes in these acts of self-care! 

Stay Hydrated!

Dehydration shouldn’t be a problem, given that nearly every American has ready access to a source of clean water. Yet remarkably, an estimated 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. Without enough fluids, your body will not function to its full potential. In fact, it’ll affect you in numerous ways. For instance, your body’s natural process of bone and tissue regeneration will begin to slow down. This means you will not be able to recover from injuries as quickly. Similarly, your immune system isn’t as robust when you’re dehydrated, making you more prone to infection. You should go grab a tall glass of ice water. 

Every part and function of your body requires water, so make sure you’re giving it what it needs. We all love the taste of coffee, tea, juice, or sports drinks, but there’s no substitute for good ol' water. There are plenty of suggestions for how much water you should drink each day. Eight 8-ounce glasses is a popular one, but that may not be enough for your particular body. Instead, think of it this way. You should drink half your body weight in ounces of water every day. For example, if you weigh 180 pounds, you’ll want to drink 90 ounces of water each day. 

For an added kick of zest and flavor, try infusing a drop or two of limonene in an 16 oz (or larger) glass of water! 

Limonene also has a profound impact on those suffering from depression. Studies have demonstrated diffusing limonene, at low levels, into rooms with depressed patients and their depression levels are measured on what is called a Hamilton Depression Score. Almost universally, their scores lowered, showing an improvement in their ailment. Depression is reported as the largest health concern of the 21st Century, afflicting roughly 350 million people globally, and while the terpene will obviously not cure the disease, it can certainly ease the symptoms and provide momentary relief. Limonene directly affects serotonin pathways and may be used as a substitute for or in conjunction with antidepressant medication. 

Watch What You Eat

Thanks to the proliferation of fast food and convenience meals, making healthy eating decisions can be challenging. But good nutrition is a crucial part of maintaining your health. It should go without saying, but your next run to the grocery should lead to a cart full of fresh fruits and vegetables. Nuts and seeds are great sources of protein and healthy fats and make for a great snack alternative to chips or sugar-coated granola bars. Whole grain bread offers your body more nutrients than a white bread alternative.

By avoiding pre-packaged foods, you’re also avoiding the litany of questionable preservatives and hard-to-pronounce ingredients that can have a negative impact on your health.

Move Your Body

Exercise should be a consistent part of your self-care routine. Even a little more exercise than your getting each day can have a marked impact on your overall health. At a minimum, you should try and get 30 minutes of exercise a few times a week. Start with stretching or yoga, and build up to something more and more strenuous. 

More than just helping you look your best, you’ll also feel your best. Research has shown that regular exercise can help to alleviate the symptoms of depression and anxiety. It helps with feelings of self-worth and self-esteem. Exercise is just plain good for your mental and physical health.

Studies have shown even a ten-minute walk is shown to have significant impact on the brain - logical reasoning, executive decision making, and other cognitive metrics are shown to have increase with just a simple walk! So get out and move your body!

RELATED: 10 CANNABIS STRAINS & TERPENE PROFILES FOR EXERCISING

Under the Sun

In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, we've recently realized how crucial sunlight is for our overall health. It helps us get better sleep, process stress, and supports and protects our immune system. 

Exposure to sunlight can help improve your mental health. If you’re feeling blue or down, even as little as 15 minutes of sunshine can help to make you feel better. Daily doses of sunlight can even help you sleep better at night. It helps your body produce melatonin, which leads to deeper, more restful sleep.

Sunlight also stimulates the production of vitamin D. This vital vitamin helps your body in a number of ways. You’ll support your heart health, maintain strong bones, and even boost your immune system. Indeed, your hormonal health can also benefit from some extra sunshine each day. This ensures that your body works in harmony and functions normally.

Get Some Fresh Air

You don't realize the effects of breathing recycled air most of your day until you go somewhere where the air is fresh and crisp. Every cell in your body will thank you, upon taking a deep breath of pollutant-free air. Go somewhere where the air is fresh, the ocean, the forest, far away from roads, buildings, and people. 

Take a deep breath. Steady, controlled breathing is a great way to center yourself in the face of stress. But the kind and quality of air you’re breathing makes an impact on your health. As people spend more and more time indoors, the need for fresh air grows all the more important. That’s because the EPA has found that the quality of air inside is many times worse than outside. That’s because our homes are packed with volatile organic compounds that break down and release pollutants into our homes. Outside, these pollutants do not build up in the same way they do in our tightly sealed homes.

If you live in a densely populated city and fresh air is scarce, bring it to you! Buy some plants and they will filter the air and provide a sense of life and energy to your home. Your lungs and your spirit will thank you.

Consider using terpenes to recreate the ocean or forest air. Interacting with the terpenes found in the ocean air and forest air will provide a similar feeling and physiological effect. You can place them into an air diffuser or put them in a homemade candle.

Face Masks (or a whole Spa Day)!

A homemade face mask is an excellent way to relax after a long day. They’re easy to apply, fun to use, and are great at delivering results. The right face mask can hydrate skin and help improve the appearance of your pores. They’re also an excellent way to pull out impurities, plus wearing the mask provides you with the feeling of being pampered like you’re at a spa from the comfort of your home. Oils can be substituted for desired scent and benefits.

For a relaxing mask use:

◊ 1 tablespoon honey

◊ 1 tablespoon lemon juice

◊ 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg

◊ 1 tablespoon powdered cinnamon

◊ 2 drops lavender oil or linalool

Lavender and linalool (the terpenes found in lavender) are great for face masks as they provide a cooling, calming, and relaxing effect once it is placed on the skin. 

Whether you’re looking for new ways to unwind or just a way to recharge, we’re here for you. Inca Trail offers products that easily integrate into your current health and wellness routines. Browse our expansive selection of terpene oils, isolates, strains, and profiles to find the perfect match for your mood and your needs. Find your terpenes for sale online and order today.

Be on the lookout for our future terpene-infused products, aimed to help people interact with terpenes in a more streamlined and convenient way.

NEXT: Delta 8 & Terpenes!

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