Environmentally Responsible Water Filtration
Nikken considered fundamental aspects for its water systems including application of the types of plastics used for water filtration and storage to provide clean healthy water free of pollutants found in bottled water
“Water and air, the two essential fluids on which all life depends, have become global garbage cans.”
Global Concern
One of mine and many others concern is plastic pollution not only for our planet but also for our bodies.
Last October the European Parliament overwhelmingly approved a ban on single-use plastics such as straws, plates, cutlery and cotton-swab sticks in Europe by 2021, joining a global shift as environmentalists emphasize the urgency of halting the use of materials that are detrimental to the planet. Single-use plastic items such as plates, cutlery, straws, balloon sticks or cotton buds, will be banned in the EU. These products, which constitute over 70% of marine litter, will be banned from the EU market from 2021, under draft plans approved by Parliament.
While plastic has many valuable uses, we have become addicted to single-use or disposable plastic with severe environmental consequences. Up to 5 trillion single-use plastic bags are used worldwide every year. There are over 100 million plastic bottles used each day globally and nearly 80% of these end up in our landfills. This means that only 20% are recycled. Approximately 1500 bottles end up in landfills and the ocean every second accounting for 2 million tons of plastic bottles that are landfilled each year. It takes 700 years before plastic bottles start to decompose and can take up to 1000 years to fully decompose. Plastic waste is now so ubiquitous in the natural environment that scientists have even suggested it could serve as a geological indicator of the Anthropocene era.
In lieu of legislation, there are simple things we all can do to help with this problem.
Five Easy ways to reduce your plastic waste.
1. Bring your own shopping bags.
2. Bring your own thermos to the coffee shop.
3. Say no to straws.
4. Choose cardboard over plastic bags and bottles for packaged items.
5. Stop buying bottled water.
Many people are aware of the negative health and environmental impacts associated with plastic bottled water and we have blogged about this before.
When we consume bottled water, we pay far too much for it in terms of expense to our health and the health of our planet. Skipping the bottle is one step toward Being Healthy by Choice.
One thing that I have always appreciated about what we do in Nikken is to make people aware of a problem and then offer them a solution.
The Solution that is a Healthy Choice for our Bodies and our Planet.
Nikken water products are the perfect solution for this problem. Many times, when demonstrating the Nikken Waterfall or Sports bottle the person, I am meeting with, points out that our products have plastics. Yes, they do but they are of very different composition to those used in most bottled waters and other products.
Nikken considered fundamental aspects for its water systems including application of the types of plastics used for water filtration and storage to provide clean healthy water free of pollutants found in bottled water and many other types of water filtration units. Equally important to our mission and philosophy is to reduce pollution by contributing to the reduction of consumption of plastic bottles in the world.
Nikken water products contain safe, environmentally responsible materials. The PiMag Waterfall is environmentally responsible. It is manufactured using recyclable biodegradable materials, including a polymer that contains no bisphenols or phthalates and does not leach chemicals into water. These materials include:
PiMag Waterfall from Nikken
SAN - Styrene Acryl Nitrile
SAN is used for the filling and storage tanks of the Nikken PiMag® Waterfall. These kinds of plastics are stable and don't leach toxins. They are used to make a variety of dinnerware and unlike polycarbonate, these plastics are, and always have been, BPA-free.
ABS - Acrylic Nitrile Butadiene Styrene
ABS is the plastic used for the base and caps of Pi Water, PiMag® Waterfall. An Eco-friendly plastic, ABS is a recycled plastic compound that is itself entirely recyclable. ABS is commonly considered to be a more durable, longer lasting, and an easily recyclable plastic.
Resin K
Is used in the filter cartridges of Nikken water systems. It is a thermoplastic polymer based on styrene and butadiene. It stands out for its transparency and hardness. Its development is the result of efforts to find a material that was not toxic.
When we consume bottled water, we pay far too much for it in terms of expense to our health and the health of our planet.
Be Heatlthy by Choice
How Can I Balance Meals the Healthy Way?
We introduce what we call Kenzen Wellness Core nutrition. We also talk about how you can save some money and time.
Not only did I FALL OFF the Diet Wagon, I DRAGGED it into the Woods, SET it on FIRE, and used the insurance money to buy cupcakes.
Eating healthy, balanced meals is a daily struggle. In this “The Impetus” vlog we talk about some ways you can supplement your diet with Whole Food, kosher, vegan, and organic nutrition. We introduce what we call Kenzen Wellness Core nutrition. We also talk about how you can save some money and time.
Take a look at the product labels here:
Kenzen Vital Balance Meal Replacement Mix label:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dqL-r13J-j0LdI_cxjFU9O7XaZQDM00V/view?usp=sharing
Kenzen Jade GreenZymes label: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lbwN9EgtjgbNswo8QOWoAJ0A05A1S704/view?usp=sharing
Kenzen Super Ciaga label:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UlsIT0CmYxUOhbJuE1r5pkGKAoEmpW9h/view?usp=sharing
Kenzen Omega Green + DHA label:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wqP9UStlUUx8PT0S_0xSUiwnu1Z0fPcu/view?usp=sharing
Be Healthy by Choice, Not by Chance!
Everyone Needs a Wellness Home
Dr. Gary Lindner addresses the 5 vital elements necessary for human life and how we can keep these 5 vital elements healthy in our own homes.
H O M E:
(HOM) noun
A place where you are always welcome and surrounded by those who love you.
If you follow the news you know that “Climate Change” is a hot topic and is usually coupled with the toxins industrial nations have been polluting our planet with for decades. There is good news. We are more aware and education regarding the subject of environmental toxins is more comprehensive and readily available. There is a growing global movement to “clean up” and go green but what can you do to safeguard yourself and your loved ones?
Dr. Gary Lindner addresses the 5 vital elements necessary for human life and how we can keep these 5 vital elements healthy in our own homes.
Be Healthy by Choice, Not by Chance!
New Year Resolution Solution
Happy New Year. Heather and I wish you the best for a happy and healthy 2022. If you're looking to turn over a new leaf in 2022, you're not alone. In order to accomplish this, our bodies have certain vital requirements. Our bodies require the natural energies of the earth, the sun, and the wind. You are probably thinking, this all sounds simple and straightforward. But there is a problem... and solutions.
Solutions for the New Year
Happy New Year. Heather and I wish you the best for a happy and healthy 2022. If you're looking to turn over a new leaf in 2022, you're not alone. In a recent survey from YouGov, the online polling firm, nearly 50% of people said they were making New Year's resolutions to set themselves new goals for the coming 12 months. As to what resolutions Americans are making, losing weight or improving their health top the list, followed by improving their finances. For nearly 47 years Nikken has been founded on living a balanced life and promoting and inspiring well-being and entrepreneurship.
Just recently I had the honor of speaking to a group of entrepreneurs that asked me to talk about being healthy by choice. My topic was centered on what our bodies require for life. Let’s keep this conversation simple and straightforward and start with the basics.
As a physiologist, I have always appreciated how amazing our bodies are. For example, we have 50,000,000,000 cells, that is 50 trillion cells, in our body. Of these 10 trillion are what we call somatic cells or the cells that comprise our body. The other 40 trillion make up our body’s microbiome.
We all start as one cell, and as we develop these cells multiply, differentiate, and form tissues that organize into organs that in turn make up physiological systems that need to work in harmony with each other. Our body’s process of cellular renewal is continual. We replace 6 billion cells a day. In the time I just wrote this, we all replaced nearly 50 million cells. We replace our largest organ, our skin every 27 days, our entire skeletal system every 10 years, or about 7 to 8 times in our lifetime. Our liver tissue and lung lining are renewed every 6 weeks and our intestinal lining in just 7 days. In order to accomplish this, our bodies have certain vital requirements. Let’s talk about them in order of importance for life.
If we choose to be healthy, we want these vital requirements the way
nature intended them to be.
Air
We all breathe approximately 20,000 times a day and for good reason, we can survive for only three minutes without oxygen.
Water
We are nearly 70% water and water is vital for every physiological process and our survival is limited to three days without water.
Sleep
Like breathing and drinking water, sleep is a fundamental human requirement. It has even been said that one could survive for three times as long without food as one could without sleep. It is physically impossible to stay awake for days at a time because your brain will essentially force you to fall asleep. Severe physical, mental incapacities happen in just a day or two and hallucinations shortly after.
Food
We need to fuel our bodies with nutritious foods. We can survive for two to three months without food if we stay well hydrated.
Natural Energies
Our bodies require the natural energies of the earth, the sun, and the wind. You are probably thinking, this all sounds simple and straightforward. But there is a problem.
The Problem
To understand the problem, we need to ask the question, how do these vital requirements exist in our modern world? Our air and water are polluted and contaminated with chemicals and toxins. We average 6.5 hours of sleep each night, well below the required 8 hours per night. Over processed, high caloric under-nourishing food with excess sugar, chemicals and preservatives are prevalent in our food choices.
We need the energy of the earth, the sun, and the wind. These are natural energies that we often do not get enough of due to being blocked by our modern world and technologies. I suggest looking at Dave Balzer’s presentation on “Principles of Nature and Nikken Technologies” to further elucidate the importance and efficacy of these natural energies.
The Solution
If we choose to be healthy, we want these vital requirements the way nature intended them to be. Clean, healthy air and water. Quality, restful, and rejuvenating sleep. Nutritious whole food and the vital energies of the earth, sun, and wind. These are the foundations for the Nikken Wellness Home.
Nikken is best known for using science and technology to replicate nature. A principle is known as biomimicry. We use this approach in the active wellness products and technologies in the Nikken Wellness Home. We have many blogs and recorded classes on this website for healthy air, healthy water, quality sleep, whole food nutrition, and the natural energies of the earth, sun, and wind. The Nikken Wellness Home has been described as a greenhouse for humans to provide our bodies with the vital elements we require the way nature intended, not just to survive, but to thrive. For more information on this, you can access our recent recording on the Wellness Home.
Nikken is a successful and recognized brand in the field of wellness. not by mere chance but because many of us have chosen it to be part of our lives and have shared its benefits with hundreds of thousands of people.
As outlined by our Global President and CEO, Mr. Luis Kasuga, Nikken’s Vision 2025 is founded on three principles.
1. Society Welfare- the good or well-being of a group of people, accomplished by providing accurate information and creating awareness to improve the general well-being of a community.
2. Economic Viability- an overall positive net economic contribution to individuals founded on the ability to generate income and create sources for a collaborative economy while having a positive impact on Society and Nature.
3. Being in Harmony with Nature- a global commitment for the sustainability of the environment of our lives and Planet Earth. Mother nature knows best, and we need our planet to be healthy by choice too. That’s our responsibility. To this end, we are all proud to say that Nikken is a proactive participant, using renewable resources for its products and packaging and developing and using polymers instead of plastics that pollute our planet.
The goal of Vision 2025 is to create 10 million new Wellness Homes in our global marketplace. For the entrepreneurial-minded, this creates an unprecedented opportunity to be part of Nikken’s Global Wellness Community and Vision 2025. For those looking to improve their health, the Nikken Wellness Home is an answer to many of our problems. If you are like many others wanting to improve their finances for 2022 the Nikken business may have the answer you are searching for.
Heather and I wish you and your family a very happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year. A great way to start is to subscribe to our newsletter and get healthy choices in your inbox.
Two Simple Self Care Activities for Better Health
“What are the two most important things a person can do to improve their health?”. The interviewer was shocked at my answer after I gave it, and responded that she thought…
“What price can you place on your own health?”
Two Your Health
In a recent interview, I was asked, “What are the two most important things a person can do to improve their health?”. The interviewer was shocked at my answer after I gave it, and responded that she thought that diet and exercise would have been my response. For decades we have been taught that the keys to good health are diet and exercise. These are important but in comparison to other self-care modalities, their importance becomes less significant.
My advice to someone wanting to improve their health is to stay well hydrated and get a good quality night’s sleep.
Water Matters
Water is not just a beverage choice, it is an essential nutrient. We have been saying this for years and the reason why is we tend to choose just about everything else to drink other than water. That is the main reason why over 75% of us walk around dehydrated every day. Water is quantitatively our most important nutrient. In the past, scientific interest regarding water metabolism was mainly directed toward the extremes of severe dehydration and water intoxication. There is increasing evidence, however, that mild dehydration may also account for many morbidities.
We lose 10 cups a day of water through normal physiological processes, such as respiration, excretion, and perspiration. Failure to drink sufficient water has been linked to fatigue, joint problems, weight gain, type2 diabetes, headaches, ulcers, high blood pressure, and kidney disease.
Gina Bria, cultural anthropologist states, “Dehydration is the mother of all epidemics and is the first step we need to take in addressing chronic disease”.
My recommendation is to drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily. Keep water with you as you go through your day and sip frequently. When we experience thirst, we are already dehydrated. Good hydration is the first step to good health. Also, everything else we do in our self-care regimen is more effective if we are well hydrated.
Sleep Matters
When we think of what we need for survival and good health, our first responses would be air, water, and food. However, sleep, like food, water, and the air is essential for survival and good health. We have known about the importance of sleep for a long time and have also become aware of health ramifications when we don’t receive optimal sleep. Poor quality or lack of sleep has been linked to many conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems and poor sleep health resulting in sleep deprivation, which has a high correlation to depression, obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, neurocognitive disease, and even cancer. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has pointed to a “global epidemic of sleeplessness” with roughly two-thirds of adults sleeping less than 8 hours a night.
Sleep is often considered an unproductive part of our day and we often forgo sleep in favor of other activities. According to the World Health Organization, you are likely part of the “sleep loss epidemic”. There has been a global rise in sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea, but also, those who have the capacity to sleep well just aren't sleeping enough.
Sleep is the single activity that we spend the most time doing in our lifetimes. We spend one-third of our lives asleep and for good reason. William C. Dement, M.D., Ph.D., Stanford University, is one of the world's leading authorities on sleep. He is sometimes referred to as the father of sleep medicine. To quote Dr. Dement, “Healthy sleep has been empirically proven to be the most single important determinant on predicting longevity, more important than diet, exercise, and heredity.”
My advice is to make sleep a priority, schedule it as you would any other important activity in your day, and get eight hours of quality sleep per night. We have blogged about tips for a better night’s sleep and links can be found at Selfcarehub.com. Sleep Matters discusses the health ramifications of poor or inadequate sleep and offers tips for a healthy, rejuvenating quality sleep.
“Dehydration is the mother of all epidemics and is the first step we need to take in addressing chronic disease”.
- Gina Bria, cultural anthropologist
The Nikken Wellness Home
Quality Sleep
A Wellness Home is the healthiest and safest place for you and your family. It utilizes Nikken Active Wellness products and technologies that address specific areas of concern.
We need sleep to be healthy, happy, and productive. Without it, we suffer consequences both physically and mentally. Sleep is the most important determinant to being healthy by choice, so, choose to get enough quality sleep.
Sleep is not only about how many hours we sleep, but more importantly about the quality of sleep that we are receiving. A significant component of sleep quality is dependent on our sleep environment. For that reason, the foundation of the Nikken Wellness Home and our personal choice is the Nikken Kenko Naturest Fit Sleep System. It uses natural materials and simple principles to create Adaptive Sleep Technology. This includes self-regulating temperature control, advanced magnetic technology, and passive massage to provide a natural, relaxing sleep environment for a deeply restful, rejuvenating sleep. For an excellent review of the Nikken Kenko Naturest Fit visit The Nikken Kenko Naturest Fit, Nurture Your Nature.
Healthy Water
One of the most important aspects of the Wellness Home is to provide ourselves and our families with clean, healthy water. This has been discussed frequently and more information can be accessed at Water Matters.
Filtering our tap water is convenient, cost-effective, and the best way to provide ourselves and our families with healthy water. Our personal choice for water filtration is the Nikken PiMag Waterfall. Imagine if we could create fresh spring water in our own home or office? This is the strategy behind the Nikken Waterfall. The Nikken Waterfall System is an advanced, technically sophisticated, well-designed countertop home filtration system that converts tap water into fresh spring-like water. Using a multi-stage filtration process that cleans, alkalizes, mineralizes, ionizes, energizes, and oxygenates the water, the Waterfall produces a light, velvety fresh-tasting water which is highly absorbable and healthy.
Put simply, the Waterfall produces water the way nature intended water to be. Free of contaminants but maintaining an alkaline pH with minerals that are added back after the filtration process. The water is run through a magnetic field that provides a water structure as it occurs in nature.
The PiMag Waterfall has a modern, compact profile and fits conveniently into most kitchen environments. All Nikken water products are designed to the highest standards, using recyclable non-leaching polymers, and free of BPA and other estrogenic chemicals.
As a self-care advocate and a proponent of the Nikken Wellness Home for nearly 24 years, I recommend Nikken’s PiMag Waterfall and the Nikken Naturest KenkoFit sleep system. Stay well hydrated and get at least eight hours of quality sleep per night and
BE HEALTHY BY CHOICE, NOT BY CHANCE.
Then and Now; A Self-Care Journey
Chronic disease is a normal part of life. We think being healthy is difficult when it's uncomplicated if we make the right choices. Our health, good or bad, is about...
““One does not simply walk away from wellness.””
Journeys Begin
In a recent interview with a prominent selfcare supporter and podcast host she asked me why I became such a passionate advocate for selfcare. There are certain moments in each person’s life that can lead to a transformational process. I vividly remember the impetus for my self care advocacy and the subsequent creation of the Selfcarehub.com.
Here is what transpired and the story I related to her. I was preparing a presentation that I was to give at 8am the next morning at a health conference. As I was getting ready to review my presentation, I overheard an advertisement on the television. The advertisement started with this statement, “there are 26 million Americans with diabetes, and 74 million are at risk, don’t worry, we can treat and manage your diabetes, so you can lead a normal productive life”. I almost fell out of my chair when I first heard this commercial. “Don’t worry”, that proportion represents nearly a third of our population and to me that is more than enough to worry about. This is brainwashing, inferring that type 2 diabetes (chronic disease) is a normal part of life. It is not!
Welcome to The Matrix
Many people believe that chronic disease or issues that impact our quality of life are normal. Let me unequivocally state, chronic disease is not a normal part of life. How many times have we heard someone say, “That’s just part of getting older”, as if the headaches, joint/back problems, weight gain, blood sugar problems, memory problems (and the list can go on and on) are just a “normal part” of life.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease control (CDC) estimate that as high as 80% of our world’s biggest killers can be prevented. I concur and am of the belief that just a few simple self care principles can lead to a vibrant heathy life and prevent many chronic issues.
The Red Pill
The Self Care Awakening series was designed to bring back common sense and some sanity to what I consider to be an insane notion that chronic disease is a normal part of life. It's not, but if we look at it statistically most of our population has chronic health issues.
For decades we have been taught that the key to a healthy life is primarily based on two modalities, diet and exercise. Of course, what we eat and our level of physical activity are important factors, however, we ignore or don’t pay enough attention to four basic principles.
We think being healthy is difficult when it's uncomplicated if we make the right choices. Our health, good or bad, is about our personal choices. Knowing this, I think it’s safe to say that we would all prefer to be healthy. Our tag line, Be Healthy by Choice, Not by Chance is a simple but empowering statement.
Within the Self Care Awakening, we look at four vital areas that lead to a healthier life. Here are a few links to previous posts and video recordings of recent Healthy by Choice Masterclasses.
Water Matters discusses the importance of hydration and what happens if we don’t drink enough water. Proper hydration is essential to a healthy life. Water comprises over two-thirds of our body weight and is one of the most essential elements to maintaining well-being. The fact is that most of us live our lives in a state of chronic dehydration. Water Matters discusses the importance of hydration and provides simple everyday solutions for you and your family’s hydration needs that are healthy, cost-effective, and eco-friendly.
Sleep Matters addresses the fact that many of us walk around every day sleep-deprived. Sleep is considered by many of us to be an unproductive endeavor when it is our most productive physiological activity. The average adult gets less than 7 hours of sleep each night. To quote Dr. William C. Dement, considered to be the father of sleep medicine, “Healthy sleep has been empirically proven to be the most single important determinant on predicting longevity, more important than diet, exercise, and heredity.” Sleep Matters discusses the health ramifications of poor or inadequate sleep and offers tips for a healthy, rejuvenating quality sleep.
Weight Matters concerns itself with one of our biggest health challenges. This video discusses why we have the problem and what we can do to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. To achieve a goal, it is important to become aware of all the factors that may affect your outcome. When trying to achieve a healthy weight keep in mind that more is involved than just what we eat and physical activity. Weight Matters discusses self-care principles and offers simple solutions that go far beyond diet and exercise that can help us achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Environmental toxicity and our body burden “the pollution in people” and what we can do personally to limit our toxic exposures and reduce our body burden of toxic chemicals. There is no such thing as a pristine environment. Toxins are in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat and represent a major health challenge. The term body burden was first coined in the early 2000s. Although we as individuals may not have a big say in the chemicals in our environment, we do have control over those which we may ingest, breathe, or absorb. Body Burden Matters gives insight into ways we can reduce the pollution in our bodies and what we can do to turn our personal environments into wellness environments.
These four concepts are easy to understand but are vital for our health. Self Care is a practical and simple way of Being Healthy by Choice and not leaving our Health to Chance. The reality is, if we leave our health to chance, chances are that we are not going to be healthy. The major impetus for the Self Care Awakening is to bring this and other aspects of good health to light.
Be Healthy by Choice
Creating Your Sleep Sanctuary
Creating a bedroom environment that is conducive for falling asleep and staying asleep is a key part of sleep quality. Studies have shown people sleep better when their bedroom is optimized for light and noise levels, temperature, and comfort. Given that sleep quality and duration are directly related to other aspects of human health, a bedroom environment that promotes...
““Healthy Sleep has been empirically proven to be the single most important determinant in predicting longevity. More important than diet, exercise, or heredity”.”
Creating a conducive sleep environment.
Adequate, restful sleep is one of the most, if not the most important aspect of self-care for a healthy life. Dr. William C. Dement, the father of sleep medicine, explains, “Healthy Sleep has been empirically proven to be the single most important determinant in predicting longevity. More important than diet, exercise, or heredity”.
Sleep loss impairs task performance and post-physical activity recovery, cognitive performance, and mood heightens fatigue, decreases vigor, and impairs decision-making. Lack of sleep has also been associated as a major risk factor for many chronic diseases such as heart disease, weight gain, diabetes, anxiety, stroke, kidney disease, and cancer.
We each need seven and a half to eight hours of deep restful sleep each night. Creating a bedroom environment that is conducive for falling asleep and staying asleep is a key part of sleep quality. Cultivating a relaxing ambiance for sleep involves both visual design and practical setup, including lighting, sound, and smell.
Creating a bedroom environment that is conducive for FALLING ASLEEP and STAYING ASLEEP is a KEY PART of sleep quality.
Studies have shown people sleep better when their bedroom is optimized for light and noise levels, temperature, and comfort. Given that sleep quality and duration are directly related to other aspects of human health, a bedroom environment that promotes sleep can also improve how you feel while you're awake. The ideal sleep environment is cool, quiet, and dark. Even shift workers can maintain such an environment with enough effort. Avoid light from computers or televisions close to bedtime and a 30- to 60-minute "wind-down" period may also enhance sleep.
Let There be Dark
Light is the most important environmental factor affecting sleep. Our bodies follow circadian rhythms, which signal waking hours (when it’s light) and sleep time (when it’s dark). When ambient light is bright, melatonin levels are minimal, and you stay more alert. Darkness triggers the brain to slow down and promotes melatonin, a crucial hormone for sleep.
To enhance darkness, use dimmer switches in your bedroom or nightlights. If you need to get up in the middle of the night, avoid turning on any lights because your brain will think daytime has arrived. A nightlight in the bathroom is a great way to avoid having to turn on your main light.
What color light helps you sleep? Warm light is better for sleep because the eyes are less sensitive to the longer wavelengths in warm light. Light bulbs with a yellow or red hue and are best for bedside lamps. Blue light, on the other hand, is the worst for sleep, which is why reading on electronic devices and TV should be avoided while going through your pre-sleep routine. Limit televisions and other digital devices, which bring unwanted light to the bedroom. Charge your phone in another room and use blue light–blocking filters on devices to limit your exposure in the evening. If you usually use your phone to set an alarm, buying an alarm clock can be a great alternative.
You can use a sleep mask or consider blackout curtains to block out bright light. Remember, even a small sliver of light shining through can interfere with your sleep.
Mama Bear Had It Just Right
The temperature of your bedroom can make a significant difference to your sleep quality. A National Sleep Foundation poll found that cool room temperature was one of the most important factors in getting a good night’s sleep, with as many as four out of five respondents saying this was important to them. The best bedroom temperature for sleep is approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 degrees Celsius). This may vary by a few degrees from person to person, but most health professionals recommend keeping the thermostat set between 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 to 19.4 degrees Celsius) for the most comfortable sleep.
Skin temperature, rapid temperature change, and sweating during sleep can significantly reduce sleep quality. Hence, the thermal properties of bedding and sleepwear are important factors.
The ideal sleep environment varies with the individual. Obviously, it should be comfortable. Each person should determine his or her sleeping environment considering the temperature.
Tune Out
It is no surprise that a quieter bedroom is better for sleep than a louder one. Loud noise disturbances can cause severe sleep fragmentation and disruption, which in turn can have negative impacts on your physical and mental health. Research suggests that noise, even at low levels can cause you to shift to a lighter sleep stage or wake up intermittently.
You should strive to keep your bedroom as quiet as possible by blocking outside noises. The whir of a fan or a soothing white noise machine can effectively mask other sounds and help you fall asleep. Some people also enjoy listening to music when they go to bed. Ambient sounds or soothing music, which may also alleviate anxiety and ease discomfort. Noise-blocking curtains are also widely available. The use of earplugs has helped many blocks out sleep disruptive noises.
Keep It Cozy
Your bedroom can play a very significant role in healthy sleep. Make sure your bedroom is decluttered and a place of sanctuary in your house. Your bedding should also cocoon you in natural fibers that help to release heat and maintain a comfortable temperature. A pillow and pillowcase that incorporates ceramic reflective technology to help keep your head a couple of degrees cooler than the rest of your body is essential for a good night’s sleep. Our favorite mattress topper is Nikken’s Kenko Naturest® Fit. The Naturest combines advanced scientific technology and natural materials, in a design that does the work for you in promoting healthy and refreshing sleep. The Naturest features advanced sleep innovations — including a radical new design in magnetic technology, bio-ceramic reflective materials for temperature regulation, and renewable materials that are not only environmentally responsible but help you sleep soundly and wake to feel relaxed and energized.
We need sleep to be healthy, happy, and productive. Without it, we suffer consequences both physically and mentally. Sleep is the most important determinant to being healthy by choice, so, choose to get enough quality sleep. Sleep Matters.
Be Healthy by Choice.
The Nikken Kenko Naturest Fit, Nurture Your Nature
I am so very pleased to introduce you to the very latest Nikken sleep innovation and it is truly my favorite, the Nikken Kenko Naturest Fit.
How can I sleep better, healthier, non-toxic?
The average adult gets less than 7 hours of sleep each night. How much sleep do you get? To quote Dr. William C. Dement, considered to be the father of sleep medicine, “Healthy sleep has been empirically proven to be the most single important determinant on predicting longevity, more important than diet, exercise, and heredity.”
How do you feel after a good night's rest? How long has it been since you have had a good night's rest? If you have been around Nikken for a while you know that healthy, natural, sleep is something Nikken constantly innovates to bring you a great night's sleep.
I am so very pleased to introduce you to the very latest Nikken sleep innovation and it is truly my favorite, the Nikken Kenko Naturest Fit. I have waited to share this product with you because I wanted to experience it first. I have slept on the Kenko Fit for 7 days and it honestly feels like I am floating. The massage nodules are divine and I sleep through the night without getting up to go to the restroom.
“I’m sleeping better than ever with the new fit!”
- Sherri D.
Nikken Kenko Naturest Fit
What's new? The Kenko Naturest Fit is a mattress pad that fits easily over your mattress. This makes it affordable, portable, and you don't have to worry about firmness. You can watch an unboxing video here: https://youtu.be/n0dcXqJhpes
The Kenko Naturest Fit contains 800 gauss magnets, ceramic reflective fibers for temperature control, and tourmaline which when exposed to pressure, heat, or motion gives off electrons which can help create a calming effect. The materials used in construction are Rubberthane and natural latex (folks allergic to latex are normally allergic to synthetic latex.)
Here is what folks are saying:
“Our first set of guests slept on the bed with the Kenko Fit pad. They slept 👍great.
The first day they slept till 9 am! Kathy was shocked.
Mark only got up once to go to the potty...usually 3-4 times.”
-Pam B.
“Had my first night on my Kenko Fit ... OMG‼️ Do yourself a favor - get it ASAP.”
- Mike D.
I am sleeping very soundly and wake up with a lot less stiffness in my shoulders and upper back. It just feels soooo good!
-Sue G.
The Kenko Naturest Fit slips easily over your current mattress. Place the tag at the foot of your bed. The Kenko Naturest Fit is easy to clean. Use a damp sponge or cloth in circular motions with a solution of 5% soap and 95% water.
Just the Facts Ma’am
Download the datasheet for the Kenko Naturest Fit here. Kenko Naturest Fit Datasheet
Presenting the Kenko Naturest Fit
Kenko Naturest Fit unboxing video I filmed.
The Results Are In
After sleeping on the Kenko Naturest Fit for 10 days I still sleep really well. I don’t get up at night and I wake up more alert and ready for my day. This product has been such an overwhelming success the Kenko Naturest Fit twin and queen sizes are already on backorder but soon to be back in inventory. Before you invest in a new mattress I suggest you take a look at the Kenko Naturest Fit.
Be Healthy by Choice
About Heather N. Abbott:
Heather is the COO at “Self Care Awakening.” Heather is an IIN Certified Health Coach. "I create a sacred space for you to become your best self."
Use the Contact/Book an Appointment page to schedule a free consult.
Heather is a founding member of Ladies Leading Ladies a group dedicated to training and empowering current and future Wellness business leaders.
I am a Wellness Business Builder. I work with a team of consultants. I nurture client relationships. I love building new relationships. Let’s connect. I enjoy working from home and gaming with my family.
Let's Socialize: @LadySelfCare
Why is an Air Purification System Important?
Americans, on average, spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, where the concentrations of some pollutants are often 2 to 5 times higher than typical outdoor concentrations. Unlike typical air filters…
“I’ve got to keep breathing it will be my worst business mistake if I don’t.”
To Breathe is to live!
Americans, on average, spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, where the concentrations of some pollutants are often 2 to 5 times higher than typical outdoor concentrations. People who are often most susceptible to the adverse effects of pollution (e.g., the very young, older adults, the infirm, and people with the cardiovascular or respiratory disease) tend to spend even more time indoors.
Indoor air pollution has increased in recent decades due to various factors. These include an increase in the use of synthetic building materials and furnishings, and the proliferation of chemically-based personal care products, pesticides, and household cleaners. Airborne allergies can affect people all year round and are particularly prevalent in spring and summer, when there is an influx of pollen in the air, but also in autumn with an increase in dampness and molds, and in the winter when we spend the most time indoors in housing which is well-sealed for energy efficiency, reducing ventilation.
Health effects associated with indoor air pollutants include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, respiratory diseases, heart disease, and cancer. Tobacco smoke, insect droppings, dust mites, mold, pet dander, artificial fragrances, carpeting fumes, and more can cause serious health problems. Respiratory ailments can range from sneezing to full-on asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and COPD.
“Cleaning up the air we breathe prevents non-communicable diseases as well as reduces disease risks among women and vulnerable groups, including children and the elderly...”, says Dr. Flavia Bustreo, WHO Assistant Director-General Family, Women, and Children’s Health.
Air as nature intended.
Air in natural settings such as forests, waterfalls, and the ocean has a soothing, relaxing sensation. In forests, the Japanese call this ‘Shinrin-yoku’ or “forest bathing”. This feeling in part is caused by the abundant negative ions found in natural environments. Negative ions are particles in the air that carry a net negative electrical charge. Research suggests that negative ions contribute to the sense of well-being that we get from breathing fresh, clean air.
Better for you, better for our environment.
Nikken offers high-quality HEPA air filtration with the KenkoAir Purifier® as part of our Wellness Home strategy. The KenkoAir Purifier® is portable and exceptionally quiet and exceeds the measured efficiency of capturing up to 99.97% of 0.3-micron particles in the air. It is Energy Star qualified, which means it is 35% more efficient than standard models and saves a minimum of 215 kilowatt-hours per year. In addition to replaceable filters, its pre-filter is re-usable, and the unit is made with recyclable materials to further reduce its carbon footprint.
Unlike typical air filters, this advanced system helps generate negative ions like those found in natural environments, such as in forests, waterfalls, or the beach. The KenkoAir® Purifier has built-in ozone fee Negative Ion Technology and releases 2 million negative ions per second. The negative ion generator does not produce ozone as seen with many other air filtration systems on the market.
In a 2010 study, scientists observed the effect of negative ions on physiological and psychological stress during a two-hour computer operation. When monitoring heartbeat during the experiment they found that, where the participants were exposed to negative ions, there was an improved change in heart rate from before and after exposure. There was also a significant reduction in computer-orientated stress and psychological stresses. On the other two test groups – a control group and a placebo group – they did not record any significant change in the parameters tested.
May is National Asthma & Allergy Awareness Month, and Nikken wants to help the Global Wellness Community spread the importance of breathing clean air.
To help clean up indoor air, Nikken is offering the KenkoAir® Purifier at a huge 30% discount from May 3 through 31, 2021.
KenkoAir® Purifier, Item #1441, regular price $685
Special May Promotion price $487.94 plus free shipping.
Nikken KenkoAIR
We breathe without even thinking, (approximately 23,000 times a day) as such, air wellness is a simple solution for a huge problem that fits into and compliments the Nikken Wellness Home, allowing us to enjoy a more natural, pollutant-free environment.
Breathing cleaner air is one way we all can be Healthy by Choice. This topic will be discussed in our next Healthy by Choice Master Class. The class will cover the problem of indoor air pollution, the solution, and what and why some choices are healthier than others.
Please join us and invite guests for Air Matters on Tuesday, May 18th at 9 pm Eastern, 6 pm Pacific. Together we can all help anyone Be Healthy by Choice. To join the class, click this link, and follow the prompts, Self Care Awakening Virtual Classroom. You will need to use the password Nikken1 to join the class.
Be Healthy by Choice
The Green List
Less toxic, natural, organic, better for the environment, this is a list of products I have swapped out over a year for more eco-conscious choices.
“It’s not easy being green.”
These are the “green” products I have swapped out over a year for more eco-responsible options. I haven’t included links for all of them due to time but I know my community of eco-warriors love to do their own research. You can use this list as a starting point. Please share some of your favorite eco-friendly products in the comment section below.
The Kitchen
Nikken PiMAG Waterfall. This was my first big switch. Nikken really did their research and I love their company philosophy. Nikken considered fundamental aspects for its water systems including application of the types of plastics used for water filtration and storage to provide clean healthy water free of pollutants found in bottled water. Read more here: Environmentally Responsible Water Filtration Systems.
SF Bay Compostable Coffee Pods. One of my favorite Christmas gifts is still my Keurig Kcafe. It covers all of my coffee needs in minutes, but I was really concerned about the K-cup pods. San Francisco Bay coffee pods are delicious, ethically sourced, and commercially compostable.
Blueland Kitchen Clean Kit + Dish Detergent + Dishwasher Pods. The Blueland Mission is to make it easy to be eco with innovative products in reusable packaging that are convenient, effective, and affordable. They live up to their mission. I have all of their products and one of their stylish soap dispensers in every bathroom and in the kitchen.
Luffa elves Natural sponges. I can’t remember what prompted me to seek these out but natural loofah for scrubbing pots just makes sense to me. I found mine on Amazon.
Swedish Dishcloth Cellulose Sponge Cloths. Eco-friendly just throw them in the washer and reuse clothes. Another Amazon find.
Shark Steam Mop with reusable mop pad. Fill with water and the mop cleans with high-pressure steam. When you are done just throw the pad in the washer and use it again when clean.
WFH Office and Living Space
KenkoAir Purifier. Clean indoor air is always paramount but it feels even more necessary given current conditions. The KenkoAir Purifier is Energy Star qualified: 35% more efficient than standard models and saves a minimum of 215 kilowatt-hours per year. It uses a re-usable prefilter for a reduced carbon footprint and features replaceable filters.
Refillable Fountain Pen. This isn’t perfect but there is less waste when you refill a pen instead of throwing it out. I also buy my ink refills in bulk for less packaging.
Furniture Polish. ECOS Non-Toxic 22 Oz Bottle by Earth Friendly Products, Furniture Polish With Olive Oil. I like the polish but they need to work on their packaging. The good thing is you order 2 at a time reducing packaging. Furniture Polish with Olive Oil is made in the USA using thoughtfully sourced global ingredients. Sustainably produced in California, Washington, Illinois, and New Jersey facilities that are carbon neutral, water neutral, and zero waste.
80% of plastic bottles never get recycled and can take up to 700 years to degrade.
Plastic Pens can take up to 700 years to degrade and the ink can be harmful to the environment.
The Bedroom
Kenko Naturest Bedding. The Naturest bedding is made of Chitocotton and contains chitosan. A magnetic layer completes the cocoon effect with far infrared fibers that help to release heat and maintain a comfortable temperature. Comes in biodegradable packaging.
KenkoAir Purifier. Clean indoor air is always paramount but it feels even more necessary given current conditions. The KenkoAir Purifier is Energy Star qualified: 35% more efficient than standard models and saves a minimum of 215 kilowatt-hours per year. It uses a re-usable prefilter for a reduced carbon footprint and features replaceable filters.
Natural bedding materials can reduce allergens.
Save and reuse your product containers in new ways.
Bamboo is non-toxic, sustainable, natural, and organic. It grows at an accelerated rate.
Bathroom
True Elements Skincare Line. This line balanced my skin for the first time since my teen years. The seaweed species in True Elements are harvested off the coast of Brittany in northwest France, and the harvesting method ensures that the seaweed yields are sustainable.
These skin care preparations are natural, organic, and free from parabens, GMOs, mineral oils, phthalates, phenoxyethanol, PEG, EDTA, synthetic colorings, and fragrances. For men and women, True Elements Skin Care is a complete line of products that cleanse, tone, and moisturize — to enhance, protect and care for your skin using nature’s own secrets.
I make my own soap and body lotion. This was a decision I made to reduce packaging, to know what goes into my skincare, and I like doing it.
Blueland Bathroom Cleaner & Glass/Mirror Cleaner. In the past, eco-conscious cleaners have traditionally not performed as well as toxic cleaners but that is not the case with the Blueland products.
Bamboo Toothbrush and Charcoal floss in a glass bottle. This just makes sense. It is estimated that plastic toothbrushes create 50 million pounds of waste annually. A bamboo toothbrush solves that problem and is just as inexpensive.
Bamboo Reusable Makeup Rounds. These babies reduce waste. Just throw them in the washer and reuse them.
Billie Razor Blade Subscription Purchase. This reduces the handle waste because you only replace the blade. Billie’s packaging for the refills is evolving. I think it is important to work with companies in an effort to reduce, recycle, and find sustainable energy sources.
Beauty
BeautyCounter. What I like about the company BeautyCounter is their effort to regulate the beauty community, their transparency, and their efforts to update their packaging.
DIY Lip Balm. I make this myself to reduce waste and because I can know what goes into it. I buy in bulk organic ingredients for all of my DIY skincare products. I found some refillable natural bamboo lip balm tubes on Amazon.
Wegreeco Bamboo Reusable Sanitary Pads (Stylish Pattern). Just wash and reuse. One of my favorite new products. I found mine on Amazon.
Kjaer Weis Refillable lipsticks. I was attracted to this company because they have led the charge in sustainability since 2010. Here is a quote from company founder Kirsten, "Combining ingredient integrity with innovative packaging, we are committed to sustainability - a key pillar of Kjaer Weis. Our brand celebrates beauty in all of its expressions, including kindness, inclusivity, and the connection to our unique self."
Travel
PiMAG Sport Bottle. I never leave home without it. Mine has been around the world and I never worry about water. Nikken considered fundamental aspects for its water systems including application of the types of plastics used for water filtration and storage to provide clean healthy water free of pollutants found in bottled water. Read more here: https://www.selfcarehub.com/blog/environmentally-responsible
Reusable Straws. Disposable straws like toothbrushes compound to make a very negative environmental impact. There are several reusable options.
In just the U.S. alone, one estimate suggests 500 million straws are used every single day. One study published earlier this year estimated as many as 8.3 billion plastic straws pollute the world's beaches.
National Geographic
A clean environment begins at home. Every small change you make greatly reduces your carbon footprint. Indeed, when I decided to compile this list I did not understand how ambitious this project would be. We are all in this together while we travel on this Spaceship Earth.
Be Healthy by Choice!
About Heather N. Abbott:
Heather is the COO at “Self Care Awakening.” Heather is an IIN Certified Health Coach. "I create a sacred space for you to become your best self."
Use the Contact/Book an Appointment page to schedule a free consult.
Heather is a founding member of Ladies Leading Ladies a group dedicated to training and empowering current and future Wellness business leaders.
I am an Nikken Independent Consultant. I work with a team of consultants. I nurture client relationships. I love building new relationships. Let’s connect. I enjoy working from home.
Let's Socialize: @LadySelfCare
How Can Grounding Help?
How can grounding help? …inflammation, immune responses, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
"Listen to me Coppertop..." Switch. When Switch calls Neo “Coppertop” in the popular movie “The Matrix” she wasn’t exaggerating. The average human, at rest, produces around 100 watts of power. Over periods of a few minutes, humans can comfortably sustain 300-400 watts; and in the case of very short bursts of energy, such as sprinting, some humans can output over 2,000 watts. Stanford, Dec 6, 2014
When I was a computer technician one of my “not so superpowers” was the ability to kill a motherboard with a single touch. To protect that precious board, I would wear a grounding cord so that the electrical charge in my body was transferred somewhere else. Typically, into the frame surrounding the computer components. Every human being shares this ability, so, I ask you how do you discharge your excess electricity?
Your answer may be “why does it matter?” The excessive electrical build-up in the human body can lead to chronic inflammation, therefore, adding to our body burden. There is a well-cited study entitled, *“The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.” The method and the purpose of the study: multi-disciplinary research has revealed that electrically conductive contact of the human body with the surface of the Earth (grounding or earthing) produces intriguing effects on physiology and health. Such effects relate to inflammation, immune responses, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. You can find a link to that study at the end of this post.
…inflammation, immune responses, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
What can you do if contact with the Earth with your bare skin is not convenient or even possible? For example, today is April 22, 2021, and yesterday it was snowing in Colorado. An easy solution is the KenkoGround from Nikken. I use mine all day under my keyboard with my bare wrists touching the pad and the pad connected to a grounded outlet. Here is a collection of amazing KenkoGround stories.
Why specifically the KenkoGround grounding pad?
The KenkoGround contains 20% Silver threading. Silver is known for its ability to kill microbes, wipe out “superbugs” and help burn victims recover.
Happy Earth Day! Remember to ground today and remind your kids to create an awesome mud pie or you could put a KenkoGround across their laps while they play Pokemon Snap.
Be Healthy by Choice.
* The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases
J Inflamm Res. 2015; 8: 83–96.
Published online 2015 Mar 24. doi: 10.2147/JIR.S69656
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4378297/
Accessed: April 22, 2021
About Heather N. Abbott:
Heather is the COO at “Self Care Awakening.” Heather is an IIN Certified Health Coach. "I create a sacred space for you to become your best self."
Use the Contact page to schedule a free consult.
Heather is a founding member of Ladies Leading Ladies a group dedicated to training and empowering current and future Wellness business leaders.
I am an independent Nikken consultant. I work with a team of consultants. I nurture client relationships. I love building new relationships. Let’s connect. I enjoy working from home.
Let's Socialize: @LadySelfCare
What is Earth Day, and Why?
We must restore our earth not just because we care about the natural world, but because we and all living organisms inhabit it. Every one of us requires a healthy planet to support our health, survival, and happiness. What are some simple things we can all do?
“We are all traveling together on this Spaceship Earth. ”
On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans took to the streets all across the country to protest environmental ignorance and demand change for an environment in crisis. The first Earth Day was a pivotal moment in advocating environmental agendas into the mainstream and forcing governments to act. In response to the first Earth Day, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Clean Air, Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act were established. This year marks the 51st anniversary of Earth Day.
Every year on April 22, Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement. Currently, Earth Day is observed in more than 190 countries. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world. For more information and the agenda of events this year visit https://www.earthday.org
This year’s theme for Earth Day 2021 is “Restore the Earth”.
We must restore our earth not just because we care about the natural world, but because we and all living organisms inhabit it. Every one of us requires a healthy planet to support our health, survival, and happiness. A healthy Earth is not just a choice — it is a necessity.
Climate change and other environmental degradation have damaged our planet’s natural systems. While climate change and environmental pollution remind us of the harm we have caused, “Restore Our Earth” reminds us of the many opportunities we can do daily to help restore balance to our precious planet. Make every day Earth Day.
Simple Things to Do to Observe Earth Day.
Plant something.
Plant a tree or a few in your yard. Trees not only cool things down (collectively, they can help decrease a city’s temperature by up to 10 degrees) but they also clean the air and give off oxygen. Plant a garden. Growing your own fruits and vegetables will benefit your health and reduce the amount of fossil fuel emissions by not having to transport the food to stores. As the weather turns to spring, what better time to get outside (in the safety of your own backyards) and plant a flower or vegetable garden.
Get your produce from a local farmer’s market.
Food in the grocery stores travels an average of 1,500 miles to get to your store, resulting in an increase in fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions as opposed to buying local and fresh.
Ride your bike.
Find transportation alternatives that help reduce your carbon footprint but get you moving. The fewer cars on the road, the fewer carbon emissions polluting the air and contributing to global warming. Riding your bike or walking are two of the best options. If you don’t own a bike or know how to ride one, carpooling or public transportation are great options.
Buy reusable bags.
It is estimated that Americans use 100 billion plastic bags a year. The production of those bags requires about 12 million barrels of oil. Not to mention, they take up lots of space in landfills and cause major problems for marine wildlife in our oceans.
Invest in Reusable Straws and Water Bottles.
Just because you recycle your plastic water bottles doesn’t mean they're not hurting the environment. Besides the fact that it takes over 1.5 million barrels of oil to manufacture all of those bottles each year, there are still over two million tons of water bottles that have ended up in U.S. landfills. Buy a reusable bottle, preferably one that has a filter attached to it, so you will be getting healthy water. There are lots of options to choose from when it comes to re-useable straws.
Unsubscribe to catalogs.
Over 100 million trees are cut down each year to produce junk mail including catalogs and they usually end up being thrown away. Sign up for the free opt-out service at catalogchoice.org to help get your name off the mailing lists for all those unwanted pieces of mail.
The recent pandemic has united our world in many ways, reminding us of our connection as a global community and our responsibility to take care of each other, and our planet. Take action this Earth Day and every day to ensure a safe, healthy, and happy future for our planet and its inhabitants.
One of the things that fill me with an appreciation for our Nikken Global Wellness Community is our contribution to our communities and planet every day. As stated in our Vision 2025 our goal is to Live in Harmony with Nature.
Here are Ten ways Nikken’s Global Wellness Community helps protect Planet Earth.
1. Nikken products are made from sustainable resources.
2. Nikken uses recyclable packaging.
3. Nikken promotes a reduced carbon footprint.
4. Nikken sources and utilizes certified organic products whenever possible for our consumable product line. Reducing toxic chemical uses. True Elements, Nikken’s skincare line, is safe for the coral reefs. It is made from sustainable seaweed.
5. Nikken products are made of biodegradable materials, whenever possible.
6. Nikken products reduce and eliminate single-use plastics.
7. Nikken teaches/inspires a Global Community to teach others to reduce the use of plastics.
8. Most of the Nikken products are durable and last a long time so we are not adding to throw-away, disposable consumerism.
9. Less water waste with the Nikken Waterfall over reverse osmosis filtration. Increased consciousness, lifestyle practices, and sharing of the Nikken Purpose and Mission as a “movement” by Global Community members to create a “shift” in the positive direction of the trajectory of not only sustaining but improving Planet Earth.
10. Nikken sources and works with companies that use alternative sources of power. Green power like solar, wind, and water.
So, there are ten ways that Nikken does its part for a healthier planet. I could have added many more. Let me give one good example for clarification. Our PiMag Waterfall and the PiMag Sports bottle are made from biodegradable materials. Most bottled waters use three gallons to produce one gallon of bottled water. Nikken’s water filtration products provide healthy water at a one-to-one ratio, thus conserving one of our most precious resources, water.
Drink Filtered Water to Reduce Bottled Water Use for Earth Wellness
How we recycle and reuse products directly impacts the environment. For example, about 1500 single-use plastic bottles end up in landfills or our ocean every second. Wow, there just went 1500 bottles. By using water filtration devices such as the PiMag Waterfall® and reusable drinking bottles such as the PiMag® Sports Bottle, this contemptible number can be reduced to help sustain our resources and the environment.
Our battle cry, Be Healthy by Choice, Not by Chance applies not only to our personal well-being but also to our planet. Nurture our Nature and the Nature of Our Planet.
Nurture Your Nature, Get Grounded
When you contact the earth, while barefooted or with a grounding device, the electrons are absorbed into the body where they attach to positively charged free radicals that cause chronic inflammation. The key here is…
“RE-WILD your life.”
You’re Grounded
About nine years ago I was speaking at a health conference in San Diego. After my presentation, a gentleman approached me and said that he enjoyed the presentation. He said that he really respected the natural health approach of Self Care and how we can Nurture our Nature with the Nikken Wellness Home. We set up a time to meet the following day to reconnect. We set our appointment for noon to 1 pm at a local restaurant. At about dinner time we were still talking. It turned out this individual had a doctorate degree in engineering physics, was a university professor and research scientist in fusion and plasma physics, biophotons, and biofield science. We spent much of our time talking about grounding, often called earthing. This was my first exposure to grounding. I found the subject fascinating, especially as it was an emerging science that touted simple, easy, and natural ways for better health. He made a statement that got me thinking, he said: “The worst invention ever created was rubber sole shoes”. Not only do we live in an electrical storm all around us, but we also insulate ourselves from the beneficial energies of the earth.
“The worst invention ever created was rubber sole shoes”.
In the Eye of The Storm
The electric energy on the surface of the earth takes the form of a limitless supply of negatively charged particles called electrons. When you contact the earth, while barefooted or with a grounding device, the electrons are absorbed into the body where they attach to positively charged free radicals that cause chronic inflammation. The key here is the effect of chronic inflammation. When you experience an injury or illness there is a normal level of inflammation that is part of the healing process. However, if you have chronic inflammation, tissue can be damaged leading to illness or disease.
Due to our technological world where cell phones, tablets, laptops, and wi-fi-connected devices surround us 24/7; we are constantly bombarded with EMF, electromagnetic frequencies. This exposure has been linked to inflammatory reactions, cancer, sleep disruption, and immune system dysfunction.
If you regularly walk barefoot on grass, dirt, or on the beach you can ground yourself naturally. However, most of us live in urban settings that limit our access to direct contact with the earth. Grounding devices are the best alternative to neutralize the effect of electromagnetic fields and free radicals.
Nikken KenkoGround
The solution is found in the Nikken Wellness Home, the KenkoGround®. The KenkoGround® serves as an indoor and portable way to reconnect with Mother Nature. Simply plug it into a grounded outlet and use it under your feet while working, on your mattress while sleeping, or even draped around your shoulders. Direct contact with the skin is recommended for the best results. Staying home does not mean sacrificing Self Care with the Nikken KenkoGround® and the Nikken Wellness Home.
For more information specifically on the KenkoGround®, I invite you to watch last Tuesday’s Healthy by Choice class, Grounding Matters.
Be Healthy by Choice and Nurture your Nature.
Nurture Your Nature; That's What She Said.
What do we need to “nurture our nature?” Why does wellness matter? Together (Gary and I), hope to holistically cover the subject and hopefully guide you to nurture your own nature and ultimately be healthy by choice.
What do we need to “nurture our nature?” As a mother of 4, the top earner in the household, and eventually the only earner in the household, wellness and my own self-care wasn’t something I even thought about until my children were almost grown, out of the house, and my own health was rapidly declining. If this sounds familiar or something you hope to avoid I sincerely hope I can help.
Dr. Gary Lindner has already blogged on the subject of “Nurture Your Nature” and he covers the basics of what the body needs to maintain balance, to perfection. My approach to the subject came from a different place of what does my whole being needs to feel balanced. Together, we hope to holistically cover the subject and hopefully guide you to nurture your own nature and ultimately be healthy by choice. To this end, we are covering an aspect of this subject each week in our “Self Care Byte” series on Youtube (please like and subscribe) and I have embedded the video below. Please share any comments you have about your wellness journey in the comment section below.
You Are Worth It
Please take whatever time you can afford for yourself to just check-in, ask your self “how do I feel today?” Write down your answer and try to do this for at least a week and track your answers. Remember, it is never too late or too early to begin your wellness journey, and darling, YOU ARE WORTH IT!
P.S. If you haven’t already subscribe to our newsletter below and keep up with what’s new.
About Heather N. Abbott:
Heather is the COO at “Self Care Awakening.” Heather is an IIN Certified Health Coach. "I create a sacred space for you to become your best self."
Use the Contact/Book Appointment link to book a free consult.
Heather is a founding member of Ladies Leading Ladies a group dedicated to training and empowering current and future Wellness business leaders.
I am an independent Nikken consultant. I work with a team of consultants. I nurture client relationships. I love building new relationships. Let’s connect. I enjoy working from home.
Let's Socialize: @LadySelfCare
Put the H (healthy) in Your H₂O
World Water Day was first proposed in 1992 at the United Nations Conference for Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. It went into effect the following year and the first World Water Day was March 22nd, 1993.
Each year a different theme is highlighted to bring awareness to water issues in several different areas. The day is used to advocate for…
““Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.””
Water is Life.
March 22 is World Water Day.
World Water Day was first proposed in 1992 at the United Nations Conference for Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. It went into effect the following year and the first World Water Day was March 22nd, 1993
Each year a different theme is highlighted to bring awareness to water issues in several different areas. The day is used to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.
The theme for World Water Day 2018 was “Nature for Water”, exploring nature-based solutions to the water challenges we face in the 21st century. In 2019, the theme was “Leaving no one behind” to emphasize that as a society, we cannot leave anyone behind as sustainable development progresses. The 2020 theme for World Water Day was “Nature and Climate Change”, which focused on the link between water and climate. This year’s theme is to answer the question, “What water means to you?”.
On this day we are all asked to “Take action, wherever you are and whatever you do on March 22, make it about water and what that means to you” For my part, and as a physiologist, water is life.
We are 65 to 70% water. It is essential for our existence and is vital to all physiological systems in our body. We need to maintain balance in our bodies, what we call homeostasis. To maintain a healthy body, we need to stay well hydrated with pure, healthy water the way nature intended.
We also need to Nurture the Nature of our planet to keep it in a state of balance and health or in other words, environmental homeostasis. Water is the most prevalent compound on earth and safeguarding this vital resource and awareness to act is the paramount goal of World Water Day. We must be diligent and make this part of our day-to-day activities and actions to help safeguard and improve our global water resources.
Here are few examples of simple actions that we can do to help with nurturing the earth’s water resources.
1. Take shorter showers.
The average American showers about 6 times a week for an average time of 8.2 minutes, using 17.2 gallons of water. Over the span of a year, this uses 5,336 gallons of water. Multiply this number to account for the other 328 million Americans and you’ll find the nation uses about 1.8 trillion gallons of water a year showering. This can be significantly reduced by shortening showers to 5 minutes.
2. Meat-free Mondays.
National Geographic calculates the average hamburger takes about 630 gallons of water to produce. Both animals and their feed sources require water, which means the meat has an especially large water consumption footprint, with beef being the highest. By comparison, plants use far less water which is why many environmentalists encourage people to go meatless at least once a week. In fact, Meat-Free Mondays have even become a popular trend among celebrities, chefs, and health advocates as well. Each meatless meal saves nearly 133 gallons of water, so do your part by going meatless at least once a week.
3. Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth and washing dishes.
On average, about two gallons of water flow from a faucet each minute—meaning you can save about three to four gallons of water per day by simply turning off the water while brushing your teeth. In addition, turn off the tap while doing other daily tasks such as shaving and washing dishes. These simple alterations add up, saving thousands of gallons of water each year by simply turning off the tap when you are not directly using it.
4. Filter your water.
Filtering water in your home is one of the best things you can do to help address the water crisis. Not only do you get to enjoy clean, healthy water—but filtering your water at home prevents the need for practices such as “flushing”—in which people run cold tap water for several minutes before drinking it. This process has not only been found to be ineffective, but it also wastes a significant amount of water. Instead, reduce contaminants using a dedicated water filter.
Many people choose bottled water or water delivery services because they do not trust their tap water or they object to the taste or smell of tap water. A filter provides a great way to eliminate those issues at home without the need to buy bottled water. You can eliminate bottled water and enjoy healthy, great-tasting water at home for a fraction of the cost while also making an environmentally conscientious choice.
5. Use your own water bottle.
Did you know that it takes at least twice as much water to produce a plastic water bottle as the amount of water contained in that bottle? Additionally, single-use, plastic water bottles take up to 1000 years to biodegrade and approximately 80% of these water bottles will end up in our landfills and oceans. The manufacture and distribution of single plastic water bottles are also a significant source of carbon emissions. Any way you look at it, bottling water is a tremendous waste as far as resources and a major contributor to the pollution of our planet and wasteful of our most essential nutrient, Water.
Rather than relying on single-use plastic bottles which wastewater in production and have huge environmental impacts, use a reusable water bottle to do your part and help the planet. Filter your water at home and use your favorite bottle of choice or use a water bottle with a built-in filter to reduce contaminants and provide pure, healthy water on the go.
The solution to our global water issues and the plastic pollution of our planet is very complex and people often wonder what they can do as individuals to make a positive impact. One thing we all can do is not to contribute to landfills by filtering tap water rather than purchasing bottled water. In recent blogs, we have talked about the pollution problem with bottled water and about how to choose a water filtration system.
Filtering our tap water is convenient, cost-effective, and the best way to provide ourselves and our families with healthy water. Our personal choice for water filtration is the Nikken Waterfall. Imagine if we could create fresh spring water in our own home or office? This is the strategy behind the Nikken Waterfall. The Nikken Waterfall System is an advanced, technically sophisticated, well-designed countertop home filtration system that converts tap water into fresh spring-like water. It’s as if Mother Nature poured you a glass of water.
For water on the go, the Nikken PiMag Sport Bottle is an excellent choice. Fill from any water fountain or tap and enjoy fresh spring-like water anywhere municipally treated water is available. The PiMag Sport Bottle uses patented nan-filtration and is made from bio-degradable materials. One PiMag Sport Bottle can replace 1400 single-use plastic water bottles per year that pollute our planet and consume our natural resources.
The Solution that is a Healthy Choice for our Bodies and our Planet.
Nikken considered fundamental aspects for its water systems including the application of the types of plastics used for water filtration and storage to provide clean healthy water free of pollutants found in bottled water and many other types of water filtration units. Equally important to our mission and philosophy is to reduce pollution by contributing to the reduction of the consumption of plastic bottles in the world. For more information read Environmentally Responsible Water Filtration.
Be Healthy by Choice
Nurture Your Nature
In order to Nurture our Nature, we must first define our nature.
“There is a great deal of human nature in people.”
Nurture Your Nature
What is our Nature?
In order to Nurture our Nature, we must first define our nature. From a physiological standpoint, our body’s inherent nature is to maintain balance. This is called homeostasis. We contain over 50 trillion cells in our body and of these, 10 trillion are somatic cells (our physical body), the remaining 40 trillion constitute our microbiome. Our cells are grouped into tissues that organize into organs and these into physiological systems. These systems must work in synchrony and balance to achieve homeostasis and maintain health.
Failure to maintain homeostasis can result in many disease conditions and many can be life-threatening.
One example often cited is thermoregulation. When someone is healthy, their body maintains a temperature close to 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius). Humans can increase or decrease temperature internally to keep it at an optimal level. Whether you are enjoying the summer sun or playing in the winter snow, your body temperature only changes by a degree or two. That is an example of homeostasis being maintained. When you get shivery in the cold, or sweat in the summer, that is your body trying to maintain homeostasis.
If your body's homeostasis mechanisms are compromised, you might have a problem producing heat from the food you eat and the air you breathe. If you are exposed to extreme cold, your body temperature could fall, resulting in hypothermia. This can slow organ function, producing confusion and fatigue and for long periods of time, death. In extreme heat, your body might be unable to cool down, which could result in heat stroke or hyperthermia. You might experience muscle cramps and exhaustion. If unabated, hyperthermia can result in seizures, unconsciousness, and death.
Our Amazing Bodies
We replace six billion cells a day, in the time you just read this statement, you have replaced about 50 million cells. This is our nature to stay healthy. An article published in the New York Times stated that regardless of our chronological age, physiologically we are about 10 years old. This viewpoint comes from the fact that we are constantly renewing our cells, tissues, organs, and systems. For example, we replace our largest organ, our skin every 27 days, and our second largest organ, our skeletal system, every 10 years.
To accomplish this are bodies have five vital requirements. We all need air, water, sleep, food, and the natural energies from the earth, sun, and motion.
If we look at the present-day condition of each of these elements, I believe we would all agree, that they have been drastically altered from the way Mother Nature intended them to be. Contaminated, polluted air, water, inadequate or poor-quality sleep, over-processed, under-nourishing food, and we have blocked or altered the natural energies we receive from the earth, sun, and motion.
Here is a quote from Daniel Vitalis, “We’ve become strangers to Nature. The best way to live longer, healthier lives is to re-wild ourselves by returning to Nature whenever we can.”
This may sound inviting but in a practical sense re-wilding as Daniel describes it, is not for everyone.
So how can we provide our bodies with Nature’s five vital elements as Nature intended? Through the process of biomimicry Nikken has developed the solution, the Wellness Home. Where we utilize science and technology to replicate nature in all five vital requirements we need for life.
The Wellness Home brings Nature into your living space with clean healthy air, water, quality sleep, whole food nutrition, and the natural energies of the earth, sun, and motion. It has been called a “Greenhouse for Humans”. It is a home where we can Nurture our Nature and thrive.
Starting a Nikken Wellness Home is a decision to bring these principles of nature to yourself and your loved ones and to live in harmony with Nature. To quote journalist and author Ricard Louv, “The more high-tech our lives become, the more nature we need”. We at Nikken and our Global Wellness Community are transforming the concept of wellness one home at a time.
Be Healthy by Choice
Where the Serotonin Lives
You may be wondering what is a healthy gut microbiome and how do I get one or is my gut already healthy? Let’s unpack this and come up with some strategies…
The Pursuit of Happiness
Do you know where serotonin (the happiness hormone) lives in your body? Your gut microbiome houses 95% of what I call my favorite hormone. So right there in the old bread basket is where your happiness, sex drive, sleep health, and mental health hold space. Maybe that is why comfort food is so comforting. You may be wondering what is a healthy gut microbiome and how do I get one or is my gut already healthy? Let’s unpack this and come up with some strategies for improving or maintaining a healthy gut microbiome.
health·y – adjective- in good health “I feel fit and healthy”
gut – noun- the stomach or belly
mi·cro·bi·ome – noun- the microorganisms in a particular environment (including the body or a part of the body)
A Tale of Two Brains
Healthy is an individual feeling. Its outward appearance can look different from person to person but inwardly it is an overall feeling of well-being. Thousands of years ago Traditional Chinese Medicine doctors recognized the importance of a healthy digestive system to overall health since the production of “Qi” vital energy for the body relies on healthy gut conditions. Western medicine has begun to study the connections between the mind and gut calling gut flora “the second brain.” What are some things we can do daily to nourish our guts?
Staying hydrated
This is such a crucial step and one of the easiest to master. It can begin as simple as having a glass of water before you have a cup of coffee in the morning, switching out the diet soda at lunch for a glass of water, to having a glass of water with dinner before you finish with a glass of wine. Water just makes everything work better and you will see results in the quality of your skin, how shiny your hair is, the ease of eliminations, and better sleep.
Eat the Rainbow
Unfortunately, I do not mean the popular hard candy. On your plate make sure there is a variety of colors. A colorful diet can provide adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals as well as fiber, probiotics, and prebiotics.
No Stress, Baby
No stress… even I roll my eyes at this statement but there are several ways to manage stress and managing stress is so very crucial to your overall health. Recently I finished “The Book of Moods” by Lauren Martin, a good read I highly recommend it. Lauren recalled meeting a 70’s something colleague for the first time and marveling at how amazing she looked. Out of this meeting, my takeaway was the way the colleague looked at her to-do list as “things she gets to do not things she has to do.” Let that sink in for a minute while you take some deep breaths in through your nose with the back of your throat open. Breathe deep into your gut and hold it then slowly let it release through your nose. Try this a couple of times and note how you feel. Meditation is also a solid practice for dealing with stress. Find what relaxes you and take time throughout your day to take a moment and de-stress especially when you start to feel a tension in your shoulders. Keep in mind that unless your shorts are on fire there is nothing so pressing that you can’t press the pause button for a couple of minutes for some self-care.
Dailies
Moving your body regularly through exercise really is fundamental. Over the past 3 years, I have tried and failed to prove this statement as false. Exercise had always been a part of my day. As a kid I played, hiked, ran, barefoot in the woods behind my North Carolina home. In high school, I weight trained and became a bodybuilder. In adulthood after the kids went to bed, I would hit the Stairmaster and the exercise ball. In my 40’s I am struggling to find a routine I enjoy that I can stick with and through this struggle, I have watched my overall health decline and my mid-section expand.
We all want to be healthy, fit, feel good in our clothes but physical fitness and the routines designed around it are not one size fits all. Exercise has to be personal and enjoyable. I am a gamer you can follow my gaming life on Twitter @LadyGamerMom. Last Christmas my wonderful family gifted me with a Nintendo Switch. My birthday falls in January and I gifted myself the “Ring Fit Adventure.” I love it! I am gaming and working up a sweat 2 things I love.
The key points are:
· Exercise is crucial to balancing hormones and having more Serotonin.
· Don’t get discouraged keep searching until you find a routine you love.
· Remember we want to be healthy not an Instagram model. Don’t stress this.
Some Suggestions
I have been taking health coach courses from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) and I love it. Below is an excerpt from an IIN Blog post entitled “Four Exercises to Support Your Gut Microbiome” written by Nina Zorfass. Nina holds a bachelor’s in dietetics, nutrition, and food sciences from the University of Vermont and is a graduate of IIN’s Health Coach Training Program.
These are her suggestions for healthy gut exercises. Perhaps you will find something you love.
Four exercises to improve digestion and support gut health
Here are four of the best exercises that support a healthy and well-functioning microbiome. Be sure to check with your healthcare practitioner before starting a new exercise regimen, especially if it’s more vigorous than your previous regimen:
Yoga
Yoga connects breath with movement and is a mind-body practice that encourages you to tune in to how your body feels in space and within the corners of your yoga mat. In general, yoga can be an opportunity to de-stress, which is important for gut health, but there are several specific yoga poses that can promote digestion and detoxification:
Child’s pose – By letting your stomach relax between your legs, this pose can help ease any gut discomfort and can feel very soothing for your gut in general.
Low lunge – Our body is an interconnected system of parts, especially the muscles around our gut that can impact digestion and gut health. According to Kristin McGee, celebrity yoga and Pilates instructor, tight hip flexors can restrict the muscles in the abdomen and thus restrict digestion. A low lunge can stretch the hip flexors and relieve some abdominal discomfort.
Reclined revolved abdominal twist – “This is a great pose to help promote a healthy gut!” says Jacqui Bongiovani, RYT 200 and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. “The twisting action wrings your abdominal muscles, improving circulation to vital organs.” The post is done by lying on your back with your arms in a T and bringing one knee across the body at a time. “The twist rotates your spine to stretch the muscles in your back all while stimulating the digestive tract.”
Seated spinal twist – By gently twisting from left to right, you apply gentle pressure to the organs that facilitate digestion and can stimulate proper motility. Straining during any type of twist will be counterintuitive, though, so be careful not to overdo it.
Tai chi
Similar to yoga, tai chi is also considered a mind-body practice. Rooted in Chinese philosophy, tai chi’s main goal is to improve the flow of qi, or energy, throughout the body while also promoting balance. It’s a low-impact exercise with a multitude of health benefits, such as improving strength, flexibility, balance, and proprioception, our awareness of our body in space, which declines as we age. Tai chi can decrease stress, which can improve immunity and support gut function!
Strength training
While high-impact exercise, such as cycling, running, or high-intensity interval training (HIIT), can actually slow down your digestion, strength training can still provide a cardio boost without negatively affecting your gut motility, the movement of your intestinal tract for proper elimination. High-impact exercise that gets your heart rate up for an extended period is still beneficial for your health, especially heart health, if you’re able to do so. But if you’re experiencing digestive distress, like constipation, low-impact exercise mixed with some strength training may be the way to go.
Breathwork
Breathing is something we likely take for granted – we don’t even have to think about it! – but many of us may not be breathing deeply enough to have a therapeutic effect on our gut. Diaphragmatic breathing, or deep breathing, is a technique that can be used on a daily basis or when you’re experiencing acute discomfort. It involves inhaling to fully expand the belly, then exhaling to contract the belly. This rhythmic breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system (“rest and digest”) and reduces muscle tension, including the muscles responsible for supporting digestion and elimination.
Bonus Content
Sleep is also crucial to a healthy gut microbiome but if you can stick to the suggestions above and develop a good sleep hygiene routine, I think you will find that a good night’s rest will occur naturally.
I hope you have enjoyed this blog and feel like you have some healthy gut tools you can use. If you have other suggestions, please share those in the comments below. Enjoy the rest of your day and remember to be Healthy by Choice.
About Heather N. Abbott:
Heather is the COO at “Self Care Awakening.” Heather is an IIN Certified Health Coach. "I create a sacred space for you to become your best self."
Use the Contact/Book Appointment link to book a free consult.
Heather is a founding member of Ladies Leading Ladies a group dedicated to training and empowering current and future Wellness business leaders.
I am an independent Nikken consultant. I work with a team of consultants. I nurture client relationships. I love building new relationships. Let’s connect. I enjoy working from home.
Let's Socialize: @LadySelfCare
Your Wellness WFH Space
What have you learned after working for almost a year from home? How has your at-home classroom transformed in this time? Has your home transformed from a place where you rest your head at night to your sanctuary? What have we learned from this transformation? Perhaps that we all want our homes to be as healthy as they can be? Our WFH office space and makeshift classrooms to be our daily wellness spaces? What would they look like? How would they feel? I hope to paint a picture for you in 7 easy steps.
“My home is my ‘wellness’ castle.”
What have you learned after working for almost a year from home? How has your at-home classroom transformed in this time? Has your home transformed from a place where you rest your head at night to your sanctuary? What have we learned from this transformation? Perhaps that we all want our homes to be as healthy as they can be? Our WFH office space and makeshift classrooms to be our daily wellness spaces? What would they look like? How would they feel? I hope to paint a picture for you in 7 easy steps.
Breathe of Fresh Air
Air quality is one, if not, the major pathway that toxic chemicals and particulates enter our bodies to cause innumerable health concerns. This is why when we go out we are mandated to wear a mask in public. What about the air quality in our WFH office or classrooms? This is a problematic issue as many times we feel ineffective in helping or improving the problem overall.
One simple solution is air-purifying houseplants. These plants promote air quality as well as beautify your space. Don’t have a green thumb? Try a Golden Pothos or a Snake Plant. These plants are very hardy and easy to propagate.
KenkoAir from Nikken
An air purifying system is an investment in your home and your health that will serve you for years especially when dealing with allergens. Even further, “Cleaning up the air we breathe prevents non-communicable diseases as well as reduces disease risks among women and vulnerable groups, including children and the elderly...”, says Dr. Flavia Bustreo, WHO Assistant Director-General Family, Women, and Children’s Health.
My recommendation is the Kenko Air Purifier from Nikken. The KenkoAir® Purifier is designed to combat allergy and harmful causing particles and enhance the negative ion content of the air we breathe. The KenkoAir® Purifier utilizes an H3 multi-stage Hepa filtration process that eliminates 99.9% of air particles as small as 0.3 microns. The negative ion generator does not produce ozone as seen with many other air filtration systems on the market. The KenkoAir® Purifier and the replacement filters are recyclable making this a sustainable, conscious choice.
Missing the Water Cooler Chats?
PiMAG Waterfall from Nikken
Think of it this way… sitting for an extended period of time has negative effects on our health. Standing up and taking a quick stroll for a glass of water has innumerable health benefits not just physically but also offer a much-needed mental break.
This is a good time to check in with friends, family, or yourself and of course hydrate. Water is vital for the functioning of all of your organs, and it’s a huge part of keeping your immune system functioning at an optimal level,” says Dr. Jyothi Tirumalasetty, assistant professor of medicine at UCLA Health Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergies.
Good quality water is also imperative. I recommend the PiMAG Waterfall from Nikken for several reasons.
· You can enjoy clean, filtered, and enhanced drinking water for a fraction of what bottled water costs.
· The PiMAG Waterfall works without electricity or plumbing, it can be used in any location.
· The PiMAG Waterfall is 3rd Party Validated
· The PiMAG Waterfall is constructed of sustainably sourced materials that are 100% recyclable.
Stay Grounded
KenkoGround from Nikken
As I compose this post I can look out my window at the beautiful, sunny, somewhat blustery Northern California day, however, the central and now east coast of the U.S. are being pelted by a huge winter storm so naturally, we are all spending more time indoors losing our connection to Mother Nature. A simple solution is to get outside, barefoot, or at least touch nature in some way, every day to take in vitamin D, detox EMFs, and increase our overall sense of well-being.
When this is impractical the KenkoGround from Nikken serves as an indoor and portable way to reconnect with Mother Nature. Simply plug it into a grounded outlet (does not use electricity) and use it under your feet while working, I use mine on my desk under my bare wrists, on your mattress while you sleep, or even draped around your shoulders. Direct contact with the skin is recommended for the best results.
Stand and Deliver
Bad back, weight gain, incorrect posture … are some of the things we can eliminate by standing up. I recently heard this thing called the 52:17 rule. You work on a project for 52 minutes then take a 17-minute break. I have been trying this since the new year and love it. I bang away at the keyboard for 52 minutes then I spend 17 on my feet. I unload the dishwasher, dust, clean the floors… just walk. Anything that takes me away from the desk and gets’s me mobile.
Feeling Blue? Block it.
While research on blue light blocking glasses is very new and inconclusive I find that they help me greatly reduce eye fatigue. These glasses work if you are wearing contacts and work for precious little peepers attending virtual class. I picked mine up on Amazon for around $50. At that price, they are worth a shot.
Level Up Your Tidiness
I am one of those people that have a place for everything and everything must be in its place otherwise I am less productive. For years I worked with a very untidy person (at least by my standards) but it worked for her. Everything had a pile and that pile made sense to her. Tidiness is bio-individual but necessary for productivity. I use those 17 minutes I mentioned earlier to tidy my WFH office and living space. I also find unique accents that are pretty, novel, travel souvenirs, create a unique workspace that is mindful and meaningful to me.
De-Stress
KenkoTouch from Nikken
De-stress your muscles and ease tension with an effective at-home deep-tissue massage. Massage is an effective way to ease aching muscles. A deep-tissue massage can help loosen tight muscles, ease discomfort and relieve stress. A good massage can produce positive results even for those who enjoy excellent health. The KenkoTouch® is a unique advanced pulsating, system that gives you a heightened magnetic massage experience that you can use on your body in your home.
Respiration, hydration, grounding, movement, protection, organization, and relaxation the bare necessities of a wellness WFH office or classroom. Be Healthy by Choice.
What are your favorite wellness WFH tips or products? Please share in the comments below.
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Biomimicry and the Wellness Home
Last week’s Impetus discussed the process of biomimicry where we derive inspiration from nature then imitate nature for designs or processes with the goal of solving human problems. This has been the underlying process that Nikken has…
“Home is a shelter from storms - all sorts of storms. ”
Examples of Biomimicry in the Nikken Wellness Home
Last week’s Impetus discussed the process of biomimicry where we derive inspiration from nature then imitate nature for designs or processes with the goal of solving human problems. This has been the underlying process that Nikken has utilized for over 46 years, even before the term biomimicry was coined. Examples of biomimicry are prevalent in our product line and the Nikken Wellness Home.
Nikken’s first product (introduced in 1975) was the Nikken Magsteps. These shoe insoles use magnetic energy (replicating the earth’s magnetic field) and massage nodules that stimulate reflexology points on the soles of the feet to provide more energy and balance. Nikken’s founder, Isamu Masuda observed that the prevalent use of magnetic products as self-care products in Japan was greatly beneficial and that the massaging effect of nodules on the insoles could replicate the sensation of moving your feet over small pebbles often found in streams and in Japanese baths. Magsteps were a tremendous success and Nikken held many Japanese sales records as a start-up company with just this one product.
This set the stage and direction for many other active wellness products and the creation of the Nikken Wellness Home. The Wellness Home has been described as a greenhouse for humans. It addresses areas of healthy air, healthy water, healthy sleep, whole food nutrition, and the vital energies of nature that we all require from the earth, the sun, and the wind.
One of Nikken’s most popular products is the Nikken PiMag Waterfall and is often the first building block of the Wellness Home. The underlying principles of design and functionality of the Waterfall are to produce water the way nature intended. Healthy, free of contaminants, structured for maximum absorbability, and containing minerals for slightly alkaline water. In addition, and congruent with the principles of biomimicry Nikken PiMag water products are made with recyclable and biodegradable materials, including a polymer that does not leach chemicals into the water or the environment as most plastics do.
Another good example of biomimicry is the Nikken KenkoAir Purifier, inspired by the air quality in pristine areas such as in the forest, beach, or near waterfalls. One characteristic these areas share is that the air contains many more negative ions than the air present in cities and populated areas, where the ions in the air are positively charged. Shinrin-yoku is the term used and coined by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries that translates as forest bathing. To accomplish this example of biomimicry Nikken uses a negative ion generator that does not produce ozone as many other air systems do. When entertaining visitors to our home, one of the first things they say is that there is something different and very relaxing in your home. I point out that they are experiencing forest bathing in our home. For more information, you can visit Air Matters.
The Nikken KenkoAir purifier uses environmentally friendly technology with recyclable materials and a re-usable prefilter for a reduced carbon footprint. The purifier is Energy Star qualified and 35% more efficient than standard models saving a minimum of 215 kilowatt-hours per year.
My last example of biomimicry in the Nikken Wellness Home is the Nikken Sleep System. The sleep system uses the natural technologies of the earth, the sun, and the wind. Advanced magnetic technology, bio-ceramic reflective materials to help regulate temperature and negative ions for relaxation provide a cocoon of comfort for a restful, rejuvenating sleep. Made from sustainable resources it provides another good example of how Nikken uses science and technology to replicate nature. For more information on the Nikken Sleep System visit Sleep Matters.
There are many other examples of biomimicry in the Nikken Wellness Home and I am sure there will be more active wellness products to complement the Wellness Home Program in the future.
For all the challenges we face, nature has a solution and biomimicry is and will play an important role in providing solutions. Never have we been so divorced from nature. According to a study sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American spends 93% of his or her time indoors. Given the current pandemic, we are all spending more time at home. The Nikken Wellness Home is a solution to providing the healthiest environment possible for you and your family, as I said, it is like a greenhouse for humans. For more information on these subjects, Heather and I suggest that you visit Selfcarehub.com. As members of the world’s most influential Global Wellness Community, it is our mission to help you Be Healthy by Choice.
Please join us on February 16th at 6 pm Pacific for our next Healthy by Choice Master Class, “Better Together” in the Self Care Awakening Virtual Classroom. You will need to use the password Nikken1 to join the class.
Biomimicry: Man-Made Nature
In a recent Healthy by Choice MasterClass, I used the term Biomimicry. A few days later several of my colleagues contacted me asking what was that term you used and what does it really mean?
“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. ”
In a recent Healthy by Choice MasterClass, I used the term Biomimicry. A few days later several of my colleagues contacted me asking what was that term you used and what does it really mean? This is a fascinating subject and a methodology that has been used for millennia and recently become popular and highly relevant.
What Is Biomimicry?
The term biomimetics was coined by American biophysicist and inventor Otto Schmitt in the 1950s as the emulation of the models, systems, and elements of nature for the purpose of solving complex human problems.
The term biomimicry appeared as early as 1982. But was popularized by scientist and author Janine Benyus in her 1997 book Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature.
Biomimicry is defined in the book as a "new science that studies nature's models and then imitates or takes inspiration from these designs and processes to solve human problems". Benyus suggests looking to Nature as a "Model, Measure, and Mentor" and emphasizes sustainability as an objective of biomimicry.
Biomimicry is a technological-oriented approach focused on putting nature’s lessons into practice. According to Janine Benyus, biomimicry sees nature as:
A model. It studies nature’s models and imitates them or uses them as inspiration for designs or processes with the goal of solving human problems.
A measure. It uses ecological standards to judge the rightness of human innovations.
A mentor. It is a new way of observing, assessing, and valuing nature.
When we observe nature, we realize there is no such thing as waste, it is an input for another use.
For all the challenges we face, nature has a solution.
We have only studied biomimicry for the past half-century, yet the earth has been developing efficient methods of life for 3.8 billion years. Our planet is the oldest and wisest teacher we could ask for.
A few prominent examples of biomimicry include:
Rock-Cut Architecture
Caves have been used as a shelter since the monolithic era 6000 BCE, so it makes perfect sense that in India, Buddhist temples and shrines were carved into caves and mountainsides. These temples eventually doubled as trade posts on the Silk Road.
Silk: 3000 BCE
Silk is one of the first examples of biomimicry that we see in human history. The use of the material is dated back to 4000 BC, making it one of the first fabrics invented by humans. It is common knowledge that silk comes from silkworms, and the Chinese were the first civilization to learn from the brilliant worm. This invention was the reason that the Silk Road got its name. Silk could be traded for its weight in gold during the times where only the Chinese had the weaving strategy mastered. 6,000 years later we are still using silk all around the world.
Umbrellas
The first Chinese umbrellas were invented 1700 years ago by a man named Lu Ban, who is now revered in Chinese history. The idea for the umbrella sprouted when Lu Ban saw children using lotus leaves to shield themselves from the rain. He decided to mimic the flexibility and effectiveness of the leaf and create a product of his own. The first umbrellas were, in fact, made of silk.
Leonardo Da Vinci
Leonardo Da Vinci was a student of biomimicry. He is one of the most revered and studied figures from the Italian Renaissance. Regarded as an expert scientist, inventor, artist, architect, and mathematician, Leonardo was a man ahead of his time. Thousands of sketches from his notebooks are still sought after and studied today. The part of his work that relates to biomimicry is his study of birds, he was fascinated by flight and drew out schematics for many flying machines that mimicked the bone structure of birds and bats.
A few more recent examples of biomimicry include:
Velcro: 1955
In 1948, while walking in the woods, Swiss engineer Georges de Mestral noticed how cockleburs stuck to his dog's coat. While it was inconvenient, he saw an opportunity. Upon examination of the burs, he noticed that its surface was made up of many tiny hooks. They stick to things by intertwining these hooks into the loose makeup of surfaces like fabric and animal fur. He invented Velcro by mimicking this surface covered in tiny hooks and partnering it with a surface covered in tiny loops. The result? Velcro: a paragon of biomimicry in practice.
Bullet Train: 1990s
In the late 1990s, Japan implemented biomimicry in the form of trains. The bullet trains they had been using were causing problems for all nearby inhabitants. When the trains zoomed through a tunnel, air would compress around the front of the train before releasing a tremendous booming noise once the train exited the tunnel. The chief engineer was able to solve this problem by looking at one of his hobbies: birdwatching. The kingfisher is a small bird with a long beak that dives into the water for its prey. The engineer redesigned the front of the train to be shaped like the kingfisher’s head, resulting in the train slicing the wind rather than trapping it inside the tunnels, fixing the booming sound.
Wind turbines: 2010
One huge flaw in wind turbines is that when placed too close together, turbulence disrupts and lowers the efficiency of horizontal axis wind turbines (the traditional ones). While studying the way schools of fish swam through water so close together, it was observed that how the fish swam complimented each other and none of them missed a beat. This helped solve this wind turbine flaw. When they rotated the axis so it pointed vertical, the turbines could be placed much closer together without disrupting the others. Increasing efficiency by up to ten times over the horizontal axis.
Sharkskin: 2014
Sharkskin has been mimicked for its rough segmented texture. Bacteria do not like landing on the skin of a shark. Engineers have designed materials with a comparable microscopic texture that repel bacteria in a similar way. This material is especially useful in hospitals where it can be used to cover surfaces and door handles to eliminate the spread of bacteria.
There are countless other examples of biomimicry and most scientists, engineers and designers believe that biomimicry will be of great importance in the future.
Next week we will discuss how Nikken has utilized biomimicry for over 46 years to create the Wellness Home, using science and technology to provide vital elements the way nature intended so that we all can be Healthy by Choice.