My highest speed clocked was 30 mph that day. Dust powdered my cheeks like earth's natural bronzer. My teeth sparkled with dirt from the smile of checking my adrenaline rush box while downhill mountain biking last week. My form in the berms and on the jumps was more honed in than ever before. My momentum, carrying me through the joys of my favorite sport, in the mountains, was enough to keep me coming back for more. Until . . . I hit the dirt really really hard.
There was a split second in the air where I processed: "I'm going to hit my head really hard in a moment. Thank God I bought this full-face helmet last week." BAM. Earth and body collide in a not-so-graceful way. The sky goes dark for a moment. Light comes back just in time to get my bike and self out of the middle of the jump-filled path and to warn my friends to "SLOW DOWN because the lip will take you out!"
The route was called "Sparkle" and we joked once we got to the bottom that we all didn't necessarily shine on the run, but we sure did sparkle. Even if it was with deeply ingrained dirt in crevices of my body that I would still find a week later.
Pictured: Us before any dents, scrapes & dirt sparkles
I inspected my helmet for any blatant damage, dusted myself off and pushed through a migraine to keep riding (in a very conservative manner) until the end of the day. I didn't think much of my fall - just another crash on my bike that I could luckily walk away from.
But the next day and the mornings of the week to follow, I kept waking up with a worsening migraine. Head pounding, shoulder throbbing, nerves screaming. My arms and legs even started to go in and out of feeling of numbness and tingling. Three days after the accident, I thought I might finally wake up feeling better. But to my suprise, this was the worse day yet. Feeling like I could hardly hold up the weight of my own head, I limped around trying to be a human and found that it was nearly impossible. My pain was a 10 out 10. The worst that I have ever experienced. And boy, did this take a toll on me - both physically and mentally.
I reached for my wellness toolkit . . .
I reached for nearly every tool in my wellness toolkit:
Pure USP grade aspirin to help with the inflammation
Red light therapy twice a day for 20 minutes
Castor oil packs wrapped around my neck & shoulder
Arnica drops in my water & sips every 15 minutes
Arnica lotion directly on my skin
Acupuncture & cupping
And yes, I even finally reached for the Excedrin because I just needed some relief
It's now a week and couple days later and my headache and nerve pain are still come and go. But today, finally was a huge epiphany for me.
Float Therapy For the Win!
Sensory deprivation float therapy has been a potent tool in my wellness toolkit for years - whether I just need an environment for my body and mind to slow down, if I need some meditative time to process some thoughts or emotions, and if I need some deep muscular relaxation stimulated by the soaking in of gallons of magnesium-rich salts.
Today, upon my toes dipping into the tank, I instantly felt the deep relaxation calm my body. Once I was fully in, it was like the Magnesium soak was giving my body (and soul) a giant, comforting hug. Even my heart, which had been a bit erratic this week - slowed instantly to a strong, healthy rate.
Pictured: The peaceful ambience from my favorite float spa: Healing One in Reno, NV
MAGNESIUM! Boy, am I thankful for you.
As I lay there in peace - finally separate from the aches and pains of my "Sparkle-y" crash - my mind was able to find some clarity again. My muscles were able to soak up the goodness. And I thought to myself . . . "DUH . . . why didn't you reach for magnesium in the first place, Lexie?!" It was one of those moments where I was so focused on the pain, I forgot to reach for one of the tools that I PREACH from the rooftops all the time.
How could I forget about one of the most valuable minerals?!
Magical Magnesium
Magnesium is the first mineral that our body resorts to in times of stress. Whether it's emotional, physical, environmental - all stress impacts Magnesium stores in the body.
Magnesium is required for >1000 enzymatic reactions in the body (depending on which source you are looking at the number will be different). Regardless of the "correct" number, it's safe to say that Magnesium is vital for human life. The necessary reactions that generate energy, healing and life within us wouldn't be possible without Magnesium.
It is the 8th most common element in the crust of the Earth - comprising the mountains around us and the depths of the seas.
Honing in a bit more on it's specific mechanisms of action in the body, Magnesium has a variety of integral roles including but not limited to:
working in a delicate balance with Calcium for absorption, reabsorption, cellular energy production, & inflammation
converting Vitamin D from the sun into usable forms of Vitamin D within the body
utilizing glucose, synthesizing fat and protein to be used for energy
stimulating muscle contraction and relaxation, simulating nerve impulses
converting essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients into usable forms (methylation)
pacing the heart
forming bones
AND SO. MUCH. MORE.
When we don't have enough Magnesium in our body, our system weakens, minerals get out of ratio, our overall ability to handle stress decreases drastically, and our vitality plummets. I was in DEEP need of extra Magnesium today.
A Population Starved of Magnesium
My clients who have started to incorporate supplemental Magnesium into their lives have noted significant changes such as improved sleep, sleeping through their alarm for the first time in years, waking up refreshed, having dreams for the first time in a long time, better muscular recovery, regular bowel movements & more! The personal testaments are enough to convince me of Magnesium's case. Not to mention, my own personal experiences.
In a world inundated with stressors, toxins, and pharmaceuticals being handed out like candy, our bodies have become starved for the comfort and life-giving powers of Magnesium.
When our Magnesium becomes ultra-depleted it's not uncommon to experience symptoms such as:
decreased ability to handle stress
brain fog
poor muscular function & recovery
malabsorption as the body isn't getting all the nutrients it should from the food consumed
vitamin, mineral & nutrient deficiencies
poor energy
poor sleep
hormone & thyroid imbalances
blood sugar dysregulation
& many more of the common ailments that we see in the health epidemic today.
I was feeling this extra amount of inflammation this week and finally realized that I needed to mega dose the Magnesium to replenish all that I had lost through the emotional & physical stress of the crash.
Magnesium "Hugs" for All!
I believe everyone needs a Magnesium hug!
Magnesium truly is an incredible mineral. Since there are so many different forms of Magnesium, supplementing can be catered to the individuals' wants, needs and desires!
For example, if I have a client that isn't keen to taking many more supplements in the form of pills, I can offer suggestions for Magnesium including, but not limited to:
Magnesium Chloride Flakes for Foot Soaks & Baths
Magnesium Bicarbonate added to juice or smoothies
Sensory deprivation float therapy
For the individuals who have tried taking some basic Magnesium supplement and have had terrible experiences (likely magnesium citrate if bought from the local drug store), I can offer suggestions of high-quality brands that are well-tolerated. These blends are usually more biologically appropriate - offering an array of Magnesium forms that agree with most tummmies and are bioavailable for quick utilization in the body! My personal favorites are:
Not to mention, there are so many incredible food sources of Magnesium that we can prioritize as well. A simple google search of "Magnesium-rich Foods" will give you plenty of inspiration to get started!
And for myself, I like to combine a handful of these so I can get different forms of Magnesium in different ways. A little bit here, a little bit there. The great news is, the body is great at regulating stores of Magnesium - so in the off chance I overdo it with the supplementation, I will pee out the excess or my tummy will be sure to let me know.
All in all, we can truly support our body's health by focusing on our Magnesium intake. Whether you are experiencing an acute inury like me, or chronic health conditions, it may be valuable to work with a practitioner, get your mineral levels tested and come up with a plan to support your body's energy production!
Afterall, we could all use the comforting "hug" from Magnesium.
I'm off to go replenish my Magnesium supplements, but I'd love to know: what's your experience been with magnesium? Let me know in the comments below!
Cheers to health,
Lex
Resources
If you would like to learn more about Magnesium, here are some of my beloved resources:
Learn about all of the different forms of Magnesium in the Haren Holistics Mag Guide
Read some scholarly articles on Magnesium's role in the body:
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis Testing: The Haren Holistics Service & Booking Guide
**None of the information in this post is medical advice & should not be used to diagnose, treat or cure medical conditions. Work with a qualified practitioner to address any medical concerns. Some links may be affiliate links where Lexie receives a small payout from a company for sharing about their products. Lexie only shares about products that she personally uses & has done extensive reserach on. Thanks for choosing to support her & her small business by purchasing through her links!
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