Tag: wellness

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Favorite Healthy Date Spots in Manhattan

I get asked all of the time for places I recommend for healthy eating & for those with dietary restrictions. Below you can find some of my go-to date night spots (can be for with friend, family member or significant other). FAVORITES

@candle79 & @candlecafe – Vegan. Candle 79 is a little fancier, better for a weekend date whereas Candle Cafe is more casual but still a nice ambiance for weeknights.

@plantfoodandwine – Vegetarian/Vegan

@peacefoodnyc – Vegan . Upper west seems a bit more casual vibe than the EV location.

@divyaskitchennyc – Vegetarian Ayurvedic (first one in NYC). They have a great selection of herbal teas!

@thebutchersdaughter_official- Plant Based & GF. Great for brunch.

@risotteriamelottinyc – Gluten Free. Mainly risotto dishes, so is great for those of you that are gluten free. It’s the cutest spot, making you feel as if you are in Italy.

@abcvnyc – Flatiron, Vegetarian/Vegan.

@caravanofdreams405 – East Village, Vegan. A bit more low key than the above, but still a good date night spot. They also have live Jazz!

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MORE CASUAL – 👇🏼. Still so delicious for lunch or a weeknight quick dinner.

@le_botaniste – Vegetarian

@hukitchen – Paleo

@eatbychloe – Vegan & Gluten Free

@beyondsushinyc -Vegan

@bareburger – Sustainable, 50% Vegan with GF Options. On their menu, Bareburger details exactly where their food comes from, which farms etc. ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ If you are going with someone who is new to the “healthy”, food space, my go-to spots to ease someone into it out of this list are @risotteriamelottinyc , @eatbychloe & @bareburger

You can check out my “NYC Eats” story highlight which includes videos of the food/ambiance for some of these locations.

⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ What are some of your favorites?!

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Personalized Stretching at LYMBR

I was able to get in a stretch session at LYMBR’s new Hamptons location LYMBR Hamptons located in Bridgehampton at The BARN Soul Cycle

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The space is serene with an outdoor seating area to relax or hangout before/after a session. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀

During my session, we stretched out my neck. This was the area I wanted to focus on. Because we only did my neck, I sat in the chair the whole session. They also have a table to lay on for other areas of the body. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀

I have been stretching out my neck a lot on my own recently and have been getting some relief from my neck pain by doing so. In order to get relief, I need a really deep stretch that can be painful and which I have to put a lot of effort on my own. It was really helpful to have Cesar (who was great btw) hold my shoulder in place while pulling my arm or neck in the other direction. Having someone stretch me really hits certain spots where I need it the most and can get into certain areas I wouldn’t be able to get into on my own. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀

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The movements LYMBR uses are designed to:

▫️increase flexibility

▫️improve range of motion ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ▫️expand myofascial pathways for greater oxygenation & circulation.

The guided stretches are performed in multiple repetitions and only held for a few seconds. Sessions are 30 or 60 min. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀

I felt some relief after the session, although I know it will take many more sessions for me to get more permanent relief. I did feel more relaxed and lighter after my session which was an added benefit. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀

I am a more recent proponent of stretching, working it into my routine, where I now stretch my full body a few times a week. I have noticed for me, it is necessary for injury prevention, helps maximize my strength and relaxes my mind. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀

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Photobiomodulation Therapy

I tried out Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT), also known as Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) at Lemon Light Lounge three times within a week in March. They are located in downtown New York City. Photobiomodulation is a bed with photos of LED lights (UV-free lights.) This is the first step in their 3 step detox process. ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀

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After getting out of this full body machine for the first time, I noticed that my face looked more clear, as if I had been in the sun for 15 minutes but I didn’t have any added color/tan. I also have been getting compliments on my skin the past few days from people in person when I have no makeup on. It seems like the combination of this and the infrared sauna (the 3rd step) have helped. ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀

I also felt like my mood and energy levels significantly got better right after this. I definitely have the “winter blues” and am in a better mood/happier during the warmer weather. Laying in the machine for the allotted time, really felt like I was getting some much needed sun in the middle of March and my increased mood stayed with my for that day and the next few days.

Below are some more benefits according to Lemon Light Lounge and dozens of studies. ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ 🔹Improve tissue repair / speeds wound healing

🔹Reduce pain and inflammation ⠀⠀

🔹Cognition: Cognitive benefits have shown that Near Infrared light can improve and restore

brain function in cases of TBI, CTE, Alzheimer’s and Dementia. ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀

🔹Skin benefits: improved wound healing, increased collagen formation and tightening of the elastin layer. Green light seems to be beneficial for dermal wound healing, as well as hyperpigmentation, acne, MRSA and similar surface issues.

🔹 Cellular Benefits: improved circulation, improves mitochondrial function (energy or ATP), increased detoxification of waste and free radicals.

I also included some more information provided by Lemon Light Lounge below.

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Organic Tinted Moisturizer

My new skincare addiction is Organic Tinted Moisturizer by Sanre Organic Skinfood.⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Why I love it:

🔹 Its all natural and organic (for real) ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀

🔹It makes my skin glow in the off summer months

🔹It doesn’t clog my pores or make me break out (my skin is sensitive to breakouts) ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀

🔹I can continue to use it into the spring/summer, get a nice glow without overexposing myself to the sun ⠀

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I got this product a few weeks ago after trying a sample tinted moisturizer from a non-natural company and loving the way it made my skin look. The problem was, after using it for a week long, my pores started to clog with the toxic ingredients in the product. This was another reason (in addition to always looking for more natural products) to look for something with more pure ingredients. ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀

I’ve been putting the tinted moisturizer from Sanre Organic on my face as a lotion during the daytime to test it out everyday over the past week and a half. After, I’ve been putting on the hibiscus tea on my checks (the trick I showed in my video 2 posts ago). When doing this, I’ve had people comment on my “tan, glow, Caribbean tan”! I even went out to dinner last night and used the same process INSTEAD of using foundation/bronzer/blush on my face and did my (eyes/lips) as per usual & it looked great. ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀

The Ingredients are ALL ORGANIC (except for the iron oxide & titanium dioxide)

INGREDIENTS: Safflower Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Purified Water, Beeswax, Aloe Vera Gel, Iron Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Citrus Extract, Essential Oils of Lavender, Rosemary, Jasmine Absolute, Sweet Orange, Thyme, Patchouli, Hyssop

I also have been using their products for a few years now and really love them. Their ingredients are the real deal- all natural and organic and not just marketed that way. I feel so comfortable knowing I can trust this brand when I use it.

Two of my other favorites by them are:

C-LOVE . I love this for my neck, chest and eyes or for face if I’m super dry. It smells AMAZING

Footsie Fiesta. I’ve never been one to use foot lotion, but I was very impressed with this. The texture and smell is perfect for the feet, locking in moisture and helps to relax.

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Hibiscus Tea Bags As Natural Blush

🌺HIBISCUS TEA BAGS AS NATURAL BLUSH🌺Missing my tan/sunkissed look from Colombia. I started using Hibiscus tea bags to get a natural sunkissed look on days I am not putting face makeup on. I really look so different when I have a healthy tan or glow vs when I haven’t seen the sun in months. I only wear makeup a few times a week, mainly when I go out. I mainly just put some lipstick/stain on and recently like to also add the hibiscus to make my face look more lively. ⠀ ⠀

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I was going for a subtle look, but you can also achieve a more red color if desired. This has been staying on super well for me! ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀

You can also freeze the tea bags prior to. The frozen tea bags wakes up the skin and the hibiscus tighters and gives a natural flush ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀

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Other benefits of hibiscus for your skin:

🌺Helps with age spots

🌺Encourage an all round fresher, younger, smoother looking complexion. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀

🌺The natural acids present in Hibiscus help to purify the skin by breaking down dead skin and increasing cell turnover & can help to control acne breakouts.

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Sunbathing & Natural Sunscreen

☀️When I was younger, I would bake out in the sun for HOURS at a time seeking a dark tan & didn’t use sunscreen. After learning about how many chemicals are in synthetic sunblock, I am not sure if loading up on the sunscreen would have caused more harm than good? ⠀⠀⠀⠀

Now, I have a whole different approach around sunbathing. I allow myself to get sun when I am walking around/in the ocean for about an hour or less & put a natural sunscreen on, or nothing on if I have a base tan. When I am not being “active”, I seek shade and also love using a hat & coverup to cover my chest/shoulders. ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀

The sun IS good for us in healthy doses. I am Vitamin D deficient in winter months & it really affects my mood a TON. After being in the ocean/sun, my friends commented on my increased energy levels & overall mood change. There are also many studies that show that Vitamin D is super important for bone health. ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀

I really loved @moonandbloom post from the other week. She is a Registered Herbalist. I share the same thoughts as her relating to ☀️. She recommends: “Exposing one’s eyes to the sun (safely in moderation) activates the pineal gland quite markedly, as we know from ancient practice of sun gazing. It’s so good for skin disorders and healing, and cleans & oxygenates the blood.

While the whole synthetic sunblock industry is WAY toxic to humans, animals, and the Earth, there are numerous plant oils with natural SPF. All skin types have their own unique thresholds for sun that can vary with age and genetics. When the sun is really strong, I like a blend of St. Johnswort oil (approx SPF 8), Sea Buckthorn oil (approx spf 30) & coconut oil (approx spf 4-6). Watch the amounts- the Sea Buckthorn & Johnswort will dye your skin orange.” ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀

Face: I used a sunscreen by Naturopathica for my face for the first time & loved it! On the Think Dirty app it is rated as a 1 out of 10 toxicity level.

Body: I used a natural sunscreen I bought in Costa Rica and really like! See below for ingredients.

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Kadampa Meditation and Compassion

I attended a class yesterday evening at Kadampa in Chelsea, New York City.  The class started off with a 10 minute conversation about meditation led by the instructor, Taz. Taz then led the class into a 25 minute meditation- both guided with some moments of silence. The theme of the class was compassion- self compassion and compassion for others. ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀

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After meditating, the instructor read some parts of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s book, Modern Buddhism. It is the distillation of Geshe Kelsang’s life’s work of bringing Kadampa Buddhism to the contemporary world in practical and modern way. Taz read through some of the book and then would reflect on the concepts to help us integrate methods of Buddhism into our lives, continuing with the theme of compassion. She spoke about having a headache and how in that moment how irritating a headache could be. When thinking about how many people in the world have headaches, the headache’s annoyance could then dissipate. ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀

This reminded me of many concepts from one of my favorite books by Pema Chodron , “When Things Fall Apart.” Below are a few excerpts from the book that came to mind during class. ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀

🔹”Unwise selfish people think only of themselves, and they result is confusion and pain. Wise selfish people know that the best thing they can do for themselves is to be there for others. As a result, they experience joy.”⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀

🔹Tonglen is a practice to awaken our compassion. Whenever we encounter suffering in any form, the tonglen instruction is the breathe it in with the wish that everyone can be free of pain. Whenever we encounter happiness in any form, the instruction is to breathe it out, send it out, with the wish that everyone could feel joy. It is a practice that allows people to feel less burdened, a practice that shows us how to love without conditions.

Taz gave us a short homework exercise to do before next week’s class- to breathe in the pain/stress of someone we knew, then as we breathe out, to send happiness and joy their way.

The class was from 5:30-6:30 for only $10. They also have $5, 30 minute classes during lunch and after work during weekdays. I really liked this class and definitely recommend. It was really nice to go to a class that incorporated learning about Buddhism, meditation as well as self reflection.

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Copal for Energy Purification

Burning Copal. Copal incense is a natural incense that is used to purify the energy of spaces, places and objects. One of the best uses is to clear away negative energy and make positive changes. It is a great incense to use during the Full Blood Moon Eclipse for tonight/tomorrow, clearing the past and beginning a new chapter. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀

I first learned about Copal during my time at Pachamama in Guanacaste Costa Rica. They used it during their daily meditation sessions and with other mindful practices. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀

Since ancient times, Copal incense has been considered sacred to the people of Mexico, as well as South and Central America. Copal resin comes from trees in the Buresa family, which is considered a medicinal tree to the Mayas in southern Mexico

Copal incense is a good energy tool to use during meditations: ⠀

  • It is linked with the crown chakra, which helps deepen ones awareness and encourages pure thoughts during meditation. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀
  • Helps clear negative energies, connects us with the our higher consciousness and surrounds us with high vibrations.
  • Removes energy blockages. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀
  • Helps you to shift ones mindset and helps in times of stress or depression.
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Floating

Saturday I floated in a tank at Floating Lotus in Midtown Manhattan with hundreds of pounds of epsom salt for an hour with full sensory deprivation – no lights or sound.

Before getting in, I put in ear plugs and then rinsed off in the shower. Then, I got into the tank, laid down and hit a button on the wall to shut the light off.

When I first laid down in the water that is set to the same temperature as our body, I felt an irritation in the lower part of my back. I cracked my back and it was then fine. Apparently, its common for aches and pains to arise in the water and for our bodies to become more aware of them while floating.

The women at the front desk, Noah was very informative and mentioned how floating was a meditative state between being awake and being asleep. In my first few moments of floating, it felt exactly like this. I had a similar feeling as when I seldom dream at night of flying. It felt as if my body was being elevated and that I was caught between an awake and sleeping state of being. There is no gravity pulling you down in the tank, so the sense of euphoria/freedom I felt made sense

For a while after, my mind started racing about my plans for the rest of the day. I tried to calm it down by focusing on my breath. I do like meditating, but I usually meditate with a a guided meditation or a sound meditation with intense noise. I was told that flotation this has higher benefits and gets “easier” the more often you do it (like anything else, right?). When my hour was up, the light turned on. I got out and showered. There was a noticeable difference in my anxiety levels. I felt relatively anxious earlier that day and felt a noticeable difference in my mood after floating. I felt very calm and relaxed and ready for my day!

Some other benefits according to Floating Lotus include:

Mental Benefits

🔹Stimulates left/right brain synchronization

🔹Creates mental clarity, alertness

🔹Increases creativity, problem solving

🔹Heightens visualization

🔹Deepens meditation

Physical Benefits

🔹Decreases the production of cortisol, ACTH, lactic acid and adrenaline

🔹Increases production of endorphins

🔹Speeds up rehabilitation and recovery

🔹Relieves pain

For more, check out my Instagram at simply11.made

 

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Chromotherapy/Color Therapy

How appealing does this Infrared Sauna look right now in this cold April New York weather? Have you ever heard of Color Therapy or Chromotherapy? Chromotherapy is used in NAO Wellness’s Infrared Saunas in order for users to reap benefits of both the sauna and chromotherapy at the same time. NAO Wellness is a wellness sanctuary located on a beautiful street in the West Village. They offer nutrition counseling and food intolerance testing, reiki, chiropractic care, host wellness workshops and events, have infrared saunas and are currently working on a room for sound healing and other holistic services. IMG-2851

There are so many benefits of using an Infrared Sauna alone including detoxification, muscle and joint pain relief, increase of circulation, reduce inflammation, lowering of blood pressure, weight loss and skin purification. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of Infrared Saunas  you can check out my previous post here.

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Chromotherapy is a method of treatment that uses the colors of electromagnetic radiation to cure diseases. It has health, emotional and cosmetic benefits.

Ancient observation chromotherapy is a centuries-old concept. It was practiced in ancient Egypt, Greece, China and by the Mayans. The Egyptians utilized sunlight as well as color for healing. Color has been investigated as medicine since 2000 BC.

Color psychology and medicine were substantially tested by Robert Gerard, Ph.D., of UCLA in the 1950’s. He analyzed the area of light, color and their psychophysiological imprints. He tested the reactions of the entire body with colored light beamed onto the skin of the subject. Gerard’s data showed that all colors affect the human both psychologically and physiologically.

Warm colors: Warm colors showed a consistently pronounced pattern of stimulation. Warm colors helped those with reactive depression or neurasthenia. They increased muscle tone or blood pressure in hypertensive individuals.  Exposure to warm colors increased respiratory movements, frequency of eye blinks, cortical activation and palmar conductance (arousal of the autonomic nervous system).

Cool colors:  Cool colors showed a consistent pattern of relaxation.  Anxious subjects were calmed by these cooler colors, lowering blood pressure, providing relief from tension, alleviating muscle spasms and reducing eye blink frequency. They also proved to be an aid for insomnia.

If you are interested in reading more about the specific light color benefits, check out the image below. In the sauna, you have the choice to choose a color to stick with or you can have the light system rotating automatically through each color during your session.

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For more, check out my Instagram @dshamptonorganics

References:

Azeemi, Samina T. Yousuf, and Mohsin Raza. “A Critical Analysis of Chromotherapy and Its Scientific Evolution.” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2, no. 4, 2 Dec. 2005, pp. 481–488., doi:10.1093/ecam/neh137.

NAO Wellness. “Infrared Sauna.” NAO Wellness, naowellness.com/.