Our nervous system is the control center of our body- every organ can be compelled by nervous system messages. It’s largely responsible for how awake, motivated, focused, excited, or calm we feel. we have a tremendous ability to regulate our nervous system with simple, accessible tools – scroll to see many different methods I use and love.

Over the past several years since living in CO and dealing with wildfires, I’ve experienced increased migraines when the air is so heavy with smoke. So, I wanted to share some of the ways I support my body.

It’s easy to lose sight of ALL that our liver does for us. This list represents a tiny percentage of the tasks the liver helps us with. Let’s look at the final step in liver drainage. The last phase does not involve chemical alteration but transportation of toxins out of the liver cells.

On to phase 2 liver detox, referred to as conjugation which means “to join together.” Toxins from phase 1 are joined with molecules to make them more water-soluble; this makes the toxins less reactive and destructive in the body. Once the toxins are dealt with in phase 2, they can leave the liver and enter the blood or bile ducts to be removed from the body. If the bile ducts are congested, the toxins are often reabsorbed into the bloodstream.

Phase 1 liver detoxification is all about altering the chemical structure of toxins to make them less toxic, and eventually moving them out of the body. Cytochrome P450 enzymes are present in the highest concentration in the liver and facilitate phase 1 detox by converting toxins into smaller substances or making toxins water soluble. This modification of toxic compounds enables the toxins to be dealt with in phase 2: conjugation.

Many people assume that the liver’s only job is to mitigate toxins – alcohol being the most well-known. But the liver does so much more! It regulates cholesterol and glucose, protects against infection, balances hormones, stores Vitamin A, and more. It’s not simply the “filter” of your body (and toxins are not stored in the liver!) A better way to view it would be that of a battery pack or metabolic hub.

People are often unsure of how to cook with functional mushroom extracts, but it’s a lot more simple than you’d think. If you familiarize yourself with the flavor profiles, you can easily add them to recipes you already make!

I work with a lot of people that have been ill for a long time. Even if they haven’t, it’s incredibly discouraging when you don’t feel good and don’t feel like you’re making progress. Remind yourself that symptoms are your body’s way of communicating a need.

I often share how important it is to evaluate your relationship to your health and body- how most of us need to develop more compassion for ourselves, demonstrate less restriction, and pursue more freedom/balance. Showing compassion for yourself doesn’t mean you never have a negative or self-deprecating thought. It also doesn’t mean you don’t challenge yourself or are complacent.

We live in a world obsessed with extremism and intensity: quick results, shortcuts, busy-ness, hacks, diets, etc. But, when we’re seeking sustainable and enriching health, the answer is rarely eliminating more foods, taking more supplements, trying more modalities, or adding more to our schedule.