Relax. 

Warning:

This week will require a purchase (albeit a small one). And that is either:

Epsom salts

(it always shocks me how inexpensive these are considering what a HUGE relaxation impact they have)

OR

Magnesium powder

Yup this week we are going for relaxation. Ahhhhh.

After an adjustment, your Nervous System continues to process for about 24 hours (as you’ve heard me say many times no doubt).

What’s interesting is that it takes a fair amount of energy to do this. I always think of it like a new workout for your Nervous System and you know how you feel when you start a new workout….

Tired. (in a way that doesn’t feel great but is great)

And as your body adapts, you feel:

  • less tired

  • stronger

  • more balanced

  • healthier.

  • (in all the ways that feel great and are great)

This new workout vibe for your Nervous System with Tonal Adjustments is why it’s not uncommon, or worrisome, to see a Corescore drop at your first Progress Exam. It’s a lot of work rewiring neural patterns and releasing stuck patterns.

I liken it to cleaning out your closet. You have to create some messy-looking chaos in order to reorganize and restructure.

If someone were to walk in at that moment when there are piles of clothes everywhere they’d think what a mess!

That can be like your first progress exam. Not always but it is very common.

But you know there’s a plan and everything will end up being much more functional when you get through the messy middle with your closet. And I know the same when it comes to the balance and function of your Nervous System.

“Week 8 you’re cozying up on adjustment days with Magnesium”

2 ways to benefit from Magnesium

On days you get adjusted, you can:

(1) Have an Epsom Salt Bath

These things are magic, right up there with unicorns if you ask me. They not only help flush lactic acid out of your body.

(lactic acid is the bummer that causes muscle soreness after a workout)

They also provide magnesium for your body to soak in (more about why we heart magnesium in a mo)

(2) Magnesium Powder

After dinner, I make a magnesium powder ‘tea’. In essence, I put the powder in a nice mug and add warm water. Fancy. True story: I’m drinking one right now.

Magnesium powder is great if you fall into the category of:

  • can’t get into a bath

  • don’t have a bath

  • think baths are gross (this one always surprises me because yes you technically ARE sitting in your own ‘dirty’ water but just how dirty do you think you are? rhetorical. please don’t answer.)

Either way, you’re going to get Magnesium in your body so dealer’s choice.

And WHY do you want this?

A little love for Magnesium

As if its relaxation superpowers and the 300 functions it has in your body aren’t enough, studies show that Magnesium:

(1) May strengthen bones and protect against osteoporosis

Magnesium is involved in bone formation through its influence on bone turnover, as well as its role in activating Vitamin D.

(2) May help with depression and anxiety

Magnesium has been shown to have a mood-improving effect (which kind of makes sense with being more relaxed and all). Magnesium can be beneficial in balancing the neurotransmitters Glutamate and GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). Glutamate is excitatory and GABA is calming and relies on magnesium for its receptors to function properly.

(3) May lower blood pressure

Magnesium may help regulate blood pressure. There are also wider cardiovascular benefits, including potentially decreasing your risk of stroke.

(4) May alleviate headaches/migraines

Magnesium deficiency may play a part in migraines and headaches.

(5) May improve sleep

Magnesium may also be a useful sleep aid because it helps to calm the Nervous System creating a calm and relaxed state to help with sleep. It also helps with muscle cramps and twitching muscles which can interfere with sleep.

(6) May alleviate pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)

Interesting studies suggest magnesium alone and in combination with vitamin B6 may help alleviate some of these symptoms.

and lastly, an important benefit that comes with a warning:

(7) For Constipation, Magnesium Can (ahem) Get Things Going Again

Magnesium can help reestablish normal bowel movements sooooooo if you are starting with Magnesium powder start sloooooow. Like really slow. I recommend 1/4 of the recommended scoop because if you have too much … well, I’m sure you can figure it out.

You may notice there are a few different kinds of Magnesium out there. I use this one called Calm, and I honestly had no idea what kind of Magnesium it contained. (I like to live on the edge sometimes like that)

In case you want to be more specific I would highly recommend asking your Naturopath which one might be best for you but generally here’s the scoop:

Magnesium Citrate 

best for general relaxation and constipation

Magnesium Oxide 

also good for constipation

Magnesium Threonate

stress, mood, or sleep issues, because it can cross the blood-brain barrier

Magnesium Glycinate 

well absorbed and good for muscle cramping or twitching, used for sleep concerns

Magnesium Lactate 

often recommended for indigestion or heartburn take it with food to lessen the chance of side effects like diarrhea, and talk to your Naturopath if you have a heart or kidney condition

Magnesium Sulfate 

This form of magnesium is also known as Epsom salt used as a soak for muscles and relaxation. Don’t ingest these please.

“We will be more successful in all our endeavors if we can let go of the habit of running all the time, and take little pauses to relax and re-center ourselves. And we'll also have a lot more joy in living.”

~ Thich Nhat Hanh