Breathe, Sweat, Move: 7 Stress-Free Habits To Fight Acidity Everyday

we are what we eat, but we are also BUSY. Unfortunately, some of the least healthy, most acidic foods also happen to be the easiest to grab on a high-stress morning.

Eating alkaline-forming foods is crucial for vital health, but did you know that more than just water and green juice are required for alkalinity? Holistic Nutritionist, Kristin Dahl of Dahlhouse Nutrition is breaking down a few non-food-related ways to keep acidity low and those alkaline vibes high (translation: you’ll be feeling great!) and cluing us in about just how valuable these simple self-care rituals can really be for our health…

Alkalizing your body may be one of the key factors in sustaining energy, supporting your body’s natural rhythms and getting that glow. Removing or reducing acid-forming foods like coffee, alcohol and sugar from your diet is a fantastic first step. Adding chlorella to your daily smoothie, sipping lemon water, drinking green juices and supplementing with digestive bitters before meals are all great ways to boost alkalinity.

However, there is more to the picture than just focusing on diet alone; reducing stress and getting your blood flowing are also essential to maintaining alkaline balance.

Here are a few daily habits that create more alkalinity in the body:

TRY OIL PULLING

This ancient ayurvedic practice works to cleanse the mouth and balance acids, eliminating bad breath and unhealthy gums. Try swishing with 1 tablespoon of raw organic coconut oil daily for 15-20 minutes! I love doing this in the shower. It’s so energizing!

BREATHE DEEPLY

Take deep breaths throughout the day. Become aware of how deep or shallow your breathing is. Shallow breathing creates stagnation in the blood. Oxygen is incredibly alkalizing to the body. Yogic breathing also reduces stress and anxiety, which has an alkalizing effect in the body by reducing inflammatory stress hormones.

CHEW WELL

Saliva is alkaline forming so chew every bite! 20 to 40 times is ideal. Remember, digestion begins in the mouth.

SUPPORT YOUR LYMPH

Dry brushing supports lymph flow, which gets more oxygen flowing through the blood. This increases circulation and moves toxins out of the body, increasing oxygen and alkalinity. Dry brushing can be done by simply brushing in an upward sweeping motion towards the heart from the feet. Do this before you shower, and follow with body oil. Massage and acupuncture are other great ways to increase circulation, reduce inflammation and create more alkaline blood flow.

SWEAT IT OUT

The more we sweat, the more toxins we release. The fewer toxins in our systems, the less acidic our bodies are. Infrared sauna session, steam baths, and hot yoga classes are fantastic ways to take your sweating to the next level. I love to soak in an Epsom salt bath a few times a week. One cup of Epsom salts + 10 drops of lavender oil = alkaline bliss.

MOVE YOUR BODY

Exercise regularly to actively move acids out of the body. This keeps the lymph system flowing and creates more alkaline blood. A rebounder is a wonderful tool to get your lymph going. Dancing, running and swimming are also very effective. Exercise also helps to relieve stress and anxiety. Do your best to get moving whenever possible. Restorative practices like Iyengar yoga, yin yoga, or gentle stretching counteract acids that build up from intense activity. Constantly mix up your routine!

SLEEP IT OFF

Stress creates cellular acidity. Always work on bringing yourself back into balance by creating rituals that make you feel good and balance your mind-body connection. Work on getting to bed no later than 11p.m. to support your body’s natural rhythms of melatonin production and balance your body systems by winding down and getting to sleep before 11p.m. Meditate as often as possible, try earthing, take long baths, drink tea, daydream, journal, go for a walk after dinner and do whatever it is that makes you feel centered.