What the heck is bio-individuality?Bio-individuality is often times linked to food related stuff. "One man's food is another man's poison." This is often times missed in the hard core Paleo community, as well as other diet's that are limiting certain food groups. For example, some people do great with raw dairy, other's just do not. Or maybe after a serious gut healing diet (example the AIP diet), a person may be able to tolerate many foods that they used to have a poor relationship with. I strongly believe that your body's needs may alter over time. Right now, my bioindividuality cannot tolerate eggs, but hopefully in the future my conglomerate of cells will embrace the positive benefits of this super-food.
What is missing from this food-centric definition of bio-individuality?
Bio-individuality is more than just about feeding your body, but also has tons to do with quenching the thirst of your mind and soul, feeding your lifestyle. Everyone would benefit from figuring out what they require in order to support their existence, and achieve their own goals of living. I am constantly working and re-working my lifestyle modifications to support my bio-individuality.
What are some bio-hacks that I've found to support myself?
I'm going to be detailing some of the lifestyle ideas that I am either experimenting with or currently have found works for me. As with many others, I've had a hard time accepting the way I am, and since I spend a lot of time always looking for answers and other ways I can "improve myself," I'd like to share this message from Louise L. Hay (Author of You can Heal Your Life). I love her work. Even though I've never met her, I am drawn to her motherly wisdom. She advises to "Accept yourself, exactly as you are." Tell yourself, "I am okay as I am, but I can still make changes. I can be okay and still change." This is a really strong message as you investigate hacks for your own bio-individuality.
1. Affirmations
When I can't get out of my own head, I listen to affirmations. I love this one from Louise L. Hay. I often listen to it on the subway as I am commuting to work. It calms me, I love her voice, and it always gives me a better perspective, even though I've listened to it countless times.
2. Journaling
I recently listened to Tim Ferris' podcast and was reminded about how miraculous journaling can be. Ferris is a type A productivity guru, has written multiple books, writes for his blog, and also has a podcast. He does 5 minutes of journaling every morning and describes its strong effectiveness in shaping his life. Check out the podcast here. (Also read about other great podcasts in this prior post.)
3. Simply Being Grateful
There's been some interesting research about gratitude. In one study, participants were asked to write 5 things that they were grateful for in a journal. They could be simple things, such as "I am grateful to have a roof over my head" or "for the air that I breathe". At the end of the study, they found the grateful writers to have more happiness, be more optimistic, have less physical problems, and work out more. Other studies have shown that it allows for deeper, more healing sleep. Which brings me to my next point...
4. Sleep
I am really working on prioritizing sleep in my life, as well as figuring out the best hacks for more restful and restorative sleep. There's been so much on the interweb recently discussing this. The PaleoMom recently wrote an e-book entitle "Go To Bed" with some great research behind the biology of sleep as well as some bio-hacks to ensure better snooze. Check out this video from A Clean Plate's Youtube series, all about sleep.
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| Etsy Sleep Mask |
- Orange tinted glasses: I try to wear them for at least an hour prior to my bedtime, especially if I am watching TV (currently I'm addicted to serial watching episodes of Shameless)
- Magnesium (chelated) supplementation: I take 2 big pills before I go to bed and I sware that they make me a little bit more relaxed. I also believe I wake up less sore in the AM.
- Reduce/eliminate caffeine: I do not drink coffee anymore (sad face) and typically opt for herbal teas. I occasionally have green tea (or matcha). I cut out my after dinner dark chocolate (another sad face).
- Sleep mask: I try to opt for an organic mask and found great ones on etsy including the one pictured from erikarossoart. Since I live in the city, street lamps cut through our blinds. I find that these block the light pretty well, as well as lights from our air conditioner, humidier, or air filter. I am hoping to do some research on black out shades/curtains and figure out which ones to invest in. Just haven't gotten there yet.
- Bedtime ritual: This, I'm working on. I used to just watch TV up until going to bed, but recently I have tried incorporating baths, laid back fiction, or meditation.
5. Sunlight/Nature
I know that my body craves being in nature, or even just getting outside. I've had low vitamin D in the past, so getting sun is important for me. My goal is 20 minutes/day, but this is a goal that I have difficulty with.
6. Mindfulness practice
I've written my thoughts on this in a prior post, so check out my quest to become more mindful.
7. De-stressing
Yup, this is a big one. Not only am I exploring different ways to lower my stress level, but I am also working on ways to change my perceptions of the stress in my life. Most of the other points in this post, naturally lead to a reduction of stress. More sleep= less stress. Being more mindful= less stress, and so on... More recently, I bought an adult coloring book and some colored pencils. This practice allows me to calm the running narrative in my head, as I do something completely unproductive, yet healing and meditative. I've never thought of myself as the creative type (in terms of drawing/painting), so this is a new experience for me. 8. Movement
I aim to walk everyday. Whether it's during my commute or for exercise, I know this is bottom line good for me. Or dance, just because. Right now, this is my favorite song to break it out to. There's something about the animalistic beat that allows you to just move, no perfect steps required.
Occasionally I'll do yoga, I love to rebound, but whatever makes you move, will work for you.
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