Hello Darkness My Old Friend: Insomnia Meets Its Match 😵‍💫

Featuring a few fun facts that might keep you awake at night.

4 min read

BABY GOT BAC

Gut stuff is having a moment, but I sincerely hope it’s a movement. Keeping gut bacteria in check is critical to not only our digestive health, but for mental and cardiovascular health as well. (Your knee bone is literally connected to your brain bone…) You know soooo much more about probiotics after hanging with me, but that’s only half the story.  Probiotics (aka “good” bacteria) need food in order to work their magic, and their food comes from prebiotics, the best source of which is fiber. Gut math: Prebiotics (Fiber) + Probiotics (Bacteria) = Postbiotics, aka the by-products of that magic combo, which help suppress the “bad” bacteria. Dizzying, I know.  Check out my latest pod with Dr Will Bulsiewicz who breaks it down much more elegantly than I.   Shake that healthy gut.

EWW, WHAT, WHERE? 

While we’re downtown…I don’t know who needs to hear this- actually, I DO know who needs to hear this.  LADIES, they are finding some gnarly sh*t in some scary places. i.e. traces of arsenic and lead in your tampons. 😱😱😱😱😱
I don’t think we need to delve into the health effects of heavy metals (damaging the cardiovascular, nervous and endocrine systems; the liver, kidneys and brain; increasing the risk of dementia and cancer) for you to take notice here. Yes, some of this could be clickbait, but why risk it when there so many options? You can avoid tampons altogether, or if not, at the very least read your labels and choose brands without plastic, fragrance or colorants.

IT’S ME, HI

📣 Brief PSA: I submitted a panel for next year’s SXSW Festival and it's up for consideration.  With enough votes, we'll be selected!  It's Wellness Gone Wild: Where Are We Now? and you can read more about it on the site- it’s an important conversation that IMHO needs some attention.  Voting ends on Sunday! Would you kindly take a moment to create a log-in with this link to cast a vote? It’s free and it will take you one minute.  Please and thank you and hugs! 🤗

HERE’S A TIP, MAKE THE CHANGE

If you’re Googling tampon alternatives at 2am, you’re probably not alone. Let’s refresh: 30% of American adults have insomnia.  That’s a lot of people counting sheep- a method which is adorable for imagery but along with other counting practices, has been shown to prolong sleep onset. Instead, sleep expert Dr Matt Walker recommends taking a “mental walk.” This means going through a very familiar environment in your mind, noting every tiny detail and focusing on each moment. Example: your morning dog walk routine—picking up your keys, putting on your shoes, etc. The attention to detail helps take your mind off itself and lets you drift into sleep. Said another way, the cure for restless dreams indeed seems to be a detailed walk alone, down those narrow streets of cobblestone.

LEAVE THE LIGHT ON

While darkness is your friend for better sleep, a little bit of red light can make all the difference in helping your drift off. I tried this cool little device from Helight to wind down at night and I’m a fan! Simple to use, portable for travel, and it works. 👍🏼
Use the code ATW15 at checkout for 15% off til September 15!

🏮 The red light is on in the VIP room—deals ahead for paid subscribers only! 🏮

FOLKS, HERE’S THE DEAL

A roundup of all the goodies and deals I’ve collected for you, dear upgraded subscriber: 🫶🏻