Five wellness things I liked lately - August
Here are 5 health & wellness things I’ve loved lately.
This incredible conversation between Jack Kornfield and Tim Ferris that feels like a masterclass on love. Jack shares useful tools for addressing anxiety specifically, but his teachings go deeper and wider than that, made even more enjoyable by the humor and irreverence with which he speaks. At one point, he shares a story about guru Nisargadatta Maharaj which ends with words I wish I could embed in my brain:
Wisdom tells me I am nothing. Love tells me I am everything. And between the two my life flows.
The 3x4 DNA test that gives you personalized recommendations for lifestyle interventions based on your genetic profile. I actually took this test about 18 months ago, but I keep coming back to the results whenever I want to tweak something in my routine. The 3x4 test looks at hundreds of gene SNPs and based on my results, I know that I have a very high risk for neurotransmitter imbalances related to anxiety and depression, poor detoxification pathways and a high risk for elevated blood sugar and metabolic dysfunction.
If you know me, you also know that I love having as many data points about my body as possible - I don’t subscribe to the belief that you can ever know “too much” when it comes to your health. So this data doesn’t make me go “oh shit, it’s all genetic and I am doomed”. But rather, it helps me acknowledge that while I might struggle in some areas, it’s also within my power to double down on the lifestyle practices and tools that will improve those outcomes.
Speaking of data, I’ve always enjoyed eating an early dinner because of its effect on my sleep and blood sugar levels. Every time I leave at least 4-5 hours between my last meal and going to bed, I wake up the following morning to these improved metrics: 10-15% more deep sleep, 10-15 points higher HRV (which is huge) and 10-15 points lower fasting blood sugar (also huge). All these combined make me feel better and perform better, but also contribute toward my long-term health. There are now a number of great studies that show how shifting your feeding window to the first 8-10 hours of the day can lead to improved health outcomes for blood sugar levels, hunger and appetite modulation, weight loss, and cardiometabolic function. Yes, eating dinner at 4pm will interfere with your social life, but I believe it is worth experimenting with it at least a few times a week to see how it makes you feel.
These electrolytes by Pique. I always get asked about my skincare routine and while I’ve been blessed with the same “glow” that my mom has, I actually have insanely sensitive skin that’s prone to irritation, acne and all sorts of barrier-related problems, so the products I use are mostly prescription and very minimal. But I’ve always been extra diligent with hydration - I drink 2-3 liters of water every single day - and can confidently attribute some of my skin’s appearance to drinking tons of water. Since adding these electrolytes, however, I’ve noticed even more hydration and better skin texture & tone.
This egg & kimchi toast recipe that I’ve been making as an afternoon snack when I get tired in-between meetings. I sub regular bread for my favorite gluten free toast and skip the scallion to avoid heartburn (garlic and onion can be problematic for those with autoimmune and gut issues).
Note: I have no affiliation with any of these products or brands. These are simply things that I tested for a long enough period of time to be able to see a clear health benefit.
As always, let me know what kind of recommendations you’d like to receive in this newsletter. Which one of the above was your favorite? You can reach me on Instagram, Twitter or at sabina@kahla.com
Have a great weekend
Sabina