On a daily basis your body and brain go through so much, whether it be stress, emotional or physical exhaustion and anything that you put into your body.

Stress levels in your body do some major damage, which release actual toxins in your body.  Fortunately we are equipped to handle this and “take out the trash”. A system called our glymphatic system (named for a combination of the brains’ glial cells and the lymphatic system) basically is a functional waste clearance pathway for the BRAIN.

When I found this out I thought it was so interesting because many a time I have had brain fog late at night and have needed to “Sleep on it” for any small or large decisions that I simply could not process.  When your mom gave you that advice when you were young to Sleep on it, she was right.

New studies have shown (read article here) that “during sleep the glymphatic system washes away harmful proteins, including amyloid beta, which may cause Alzheimer’s disease. Brain cells actually shink by 60 percent during sleep, providing more room for fluids to rinse out the toxins.”

Toxins accumulate in our brain during the day anyway and added stress can really up the toxic level you feel. No wonder why stress affects our body so much. The stress hormones increase during moments of anxiety which adversely affects your adrenal glands, packs weight on around your stomach, wears you out, drains your system of B vitamins and raise your blood pressure.  The B vitamins in your body help make up our genetic material – which means hair color, and collagen, therefore a deficiency can lead to early grey hair and excess wrinkles.   Not the beauty regimen I recommend.

Luckily for us while we sleep our glymphatic system washes these toxins away – that is – if we get enough sleep.

So for your well being and the next time you push yourself to stay awake late at night when you really no longer can function, go to bed and take care of your body, and take out the trash!

Take care of yourself, especially at this time during the holiday season when there is extra pressure to get things done before everyone goes on break.

Cut the stress in your life by meditating or taking a long bath or shower.  Cut out negative influences such as pessimistic and energy-sucking people, jobs or situations in your life. Life is way too short to be stressed by outside influences on top of things that will come up naturally in your daily life. If you can prevent or at least minimize it you are doing a great service to your body and your future.

Eat clean, work out, and take care of what you put into your body.  Your body is your temple, not a garbage can so treat it well.

This is the fuel you need to accomplish all the things you dream of so take a deep breath, get 8 hours sleep and refresh!

Hope that inspires you!
Emily