Are Toxins Waking You Up with Chelsie Ward
Do you often find yourself staring at the ceiling, longing for sleep to whisk you away? Or perhaps you're jolted awake in the dead of night, your mind racing and your body restless. If these sleep struggles feel all too familiar, you're not alone. And according to Chelsie Ward, a seasoned nurse, and holistic health expert, toxins might be the sneaky culprits sabotaging your sleep quality
In a recent episode of the Sleep Like a Boss podcast, Chelsie shared her wealth of knowledge gleaned from over 20 years of studying the connection between the human mind, body, and toxins. With a diverse background in Applied Behavior Analysis, nursing, and Functional Diagnostic Nutrition (FDN), she is on a mission to empower women to reclaim their health and vitality.
Chelsie’s own journey, marked by years of grappling with digestive woes, hormone imbalances, and early perimenopause, ignited her passion for understanding the role of toxins in our bodies aka the silent intruders wreaking havoc on our health and sleep.
The Danger of Toxins and Its Impact on Our Sleep
In our conversation, Chelsie unveiled the startling truth: we encounter a staggering 2.3 pounds of toxins every single day. And these insidious substances overwhelm our body's natural detoxification mechanisms.
Many of us may not be aware of the extent to which toxins infiltrate our daily lives. Chronic exposure to toxins can significantly disrupt the body's natural detoxification processes, which are crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being. These toxins can come from various sources, including pesticides in food, pollutants in the air, and chemicals in everyday products. When the body is constantly exposed to these toxins, it can overwhelm its detoxification pathways, leading to a buildup of harmful substances.
One area where this disruption is particularly evident is in sleep patterns. The body relies on sleep as a time for rest, repair, and detoxification. During sleep, the brain and body undergo essential processes to remove waste products, repair damaged tissues, and regulate hormone levels. However, when toxins interfere with these processes, it can lead to a range of sleep disturbances.
Inflammation is one of the primary ways in which toxins can impact sleep. Chronic exposure to toxins can trigger an inflammatory response in the body, leading to increased levels of inflammation throughout the system. This inflammation can disrupt normal sleep patterns and contribute to conditions such as insomnia and restless sleep.
Additionally, toxins can disrupt hormone levels in the body, including those that regulate sleep-wake cycles. Hormones such as cortisol, melatonin, and thyroid hormones play crucial roles in maintaining healthy sleep patterns. However, exposure to toxins can disrupt the production and regulation of these hormones, leading to disturbances in circadian rhythms and sleep-wake cycles.
Insomnia, frequent waking during the night, and disturbances in circadian rhythms are common manifestations of these disruptions. Individuals may find it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or achieve restful sleep due to the impact of toxins on their body's natural processes. Over time, these sleep disturbances can contribute to a range of health issues, including fatigue, cognitive impairment, and mood disorders.
How to Limit Your Exposure to Toxins in Your Everyday Life
Sadly, we cannot avoid toxins altogether but we can limit our exposure. Minimizing exposure to toxins through lifestyle changes can help reduce the burden on the body's detoxification pathways.
Here are some practical ways that you can do that, according to Chelsie:
Air and Water Filters: Investing in high-quality air and water filtration systems can significantly reduce exposure to airborne pollutants and contaminants in drinking water. Air filters remove particles such as dust, pollen, and mold spores, while water filters can eliminate harmful chemicals like chlorine, heavy metals, and pesticides. By ensuring clean air and water supply, these filters help reduce the toxic burden on the body's detoxification organs, such as the lungs and kidneys.
Consuming Organic Foods: Choosing organic foods can minimize exposure to synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) commonly found in conventionally grown produce. Organic farming practices prioritize soil health and biodiversity, resulting in fruits, vegetables, and grains that are free from harmful chemicals. By opting for organic options, individuals can support their body's natural detoxification processes and reduce the intake of toxins present in food.
Minimizing Exposure to Toxic Chemicals: Limiting exposure to toxic chemicals in everyday products is crucial for reducing toxin levels in the body. Many household cleaners, personal care products, and cosmetics contain harmful ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. Choosing natural, eco-friendly alternatives or making homemade cleaning and beauty products can help minimize exposure to these toxins. Additionally, avoiding plastic food containers and opting for glass or stainless steel alternatives can reduce exposure to harmful chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates.
Supporting Liver Health: The liver plays a central role in detoxifying the body by metabolizing toxins and eliminating waste products. Supporting liver health through proper nutrition and supplementation can enhance its detoxification functions. Foods rich in antioxidants, such as fruits, vegetables, and herbs like turmeric and milk thistle, can help protect the liver from oxidative stress and promote detoxification. Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated also supports liver function by facilitating the elimination of toxins through urine.
“We encounter a staggering 2.3 pounds of toxins every single day. And these insidious substances overwhelm our body’s natural detoxification mechanisms. ”
Practicing Sauna Therapy: Saunas offer a natural detoxification method by promoting sweating, which helps eliminate toxins through the skin. Sweating helps release heavy metals, environmental pollutants, and other toxins stored in fat cells, providing a gentle yet effective detoxification process. Infrared saunas, in particular, penetrate deeper into the skin, promoting detoxification at the cellular level and supporting overall health and well-being. As many of us don’t have an indoor sauna, one thing that can help you get these results is an infrared sauna blanket.
Exercise: Regular physical activity is another powerful detoxification strategy that promotes the elimination of toxins from the body. When we exercise, we increase blood circulation and lymphatic flow, which helps transport toxins to the liver and kidneys for elimination. Sweating during exercise also helps release toxins through the skin, further aiding in detoxification. Engaging in activities like cardio, strength training, yoga, or even brisk walking can support overall health and enhance the body's natural detoxification processes. By making exercise a regular part of your routine, you can boost your body's ability to remove toxins and improve your overall well-being.
If you’d like to know more about Chelsie and her work, make sure you visit her website and connect with her on Instagram and Facebook. Also, make sure you get a copy of her book Healed His Way and download her FREE Nutrition Guide.
