Happy October

Last night we had a pretty massive windstorm. Tree branches down, lighting, even some thunder (no rain, not one drop) … but the amazing thing was that the temps dropped. Overnight we actually had 69°, windows open, wind blowing, A/C not running constantly. Whew, made it thru another Arizona summer!! I checked the forecast this morning, and not a triple digit in sight!

Heat stresses the body, but functions, like sweating are absolutely necessary for your health. Heat stress can result in heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rashes. (we don’t want any of that), and frankly most of us avoid sweating. When we do sweat, we usually make a great effort to conceal it. Don’t get me started on the use of mass produced deodorant/antiperspirant. Yet sweating is vital to our health.

Ritual sweating was also used for therapeutic and cleansing purposes and for spiritual and emotional healing. Celtic vapor baths, North American sweat lodges, and Scandinavian saunas are all traditions from long ago that have been adapted in modern times for their health and healing benefits. Our skin, which is the largest organ, is essentially our third kidney. Sweat glands help our skin filter toxins out of the body, which in turn boosts our immune system. Sweating also cools our body and maintains proper body temperature. When we do sweat all over, as with intense exercise, good things happen to our body:

• circulation increases throughout our organs, muscles, and tissue
• our skin releases certain toxins and waste products, to help our bodies detoxify
• the elimination of salt from the body can help prevent kidney stones from forming

In winter, we still need to sweat, so working out, doing a more intense yoga practice, taking your dog for a nice walk around the neighborhood, even taking hot baths is super beneficial to our bodies. 

Here are a coupla facts that might be too much TMI, but here we go. On days I am not planning on working out or frankly being around people, I skip the deodorant. Those chemicals are not good, and your armpits are so near your lymph system. I also use essential oils at times, again skipping the commercial nonsense of antiperspirant and/or deodorant. Sometimes I sit in the hot car for an extra five minutes, to get the sweat on. My doctor’s office has a sauna where you can go and sweat and then take a cool shower, most gyms have sauna’s as well. Instead of thinking how gross it is to be sweating, thank your body for the increased circulation, releasing of toxins and for functioning the way that it should!

However you choose to bring up your heart rate, and get your sweat on, Enjoy!