The Energy-Boosting Benefits of Kombucha

While Kombucha’s rich history dates back centuries, it’s in its modern-day resurgence that we’ve come to appreciate the remarkable energy-enhancing properties it offers:

1. Sustainable Energy: Unlike sugary energy drinks or caffeine-laden options that provide a short-lived jolt, Kombucha’s energy boost is sustainable. It contains a mild amount of caffeine from the tea it’s brewed with, which can provide a gentle lift in alertness without the subsequent crash. This sustained energy makes it an excellent choice for those looking for a natural, long-lasting vigour.

2. Improved Digestion: Kombucha’s natural effervescence and probiotics can work wonders for digestion. A well-functioning digestive system ensures that your body is efficiently absorbing nutrients from the food you consume, thereby increasing your overall vitality.

3. Detoxification: Kombucha contains detoxifying agents such as gluconic acid, which binds to toxins and assists their elimination from the body. As your body rids itself of waste and harmful substances, you’ll feel more energised and less weighed down by toxins.

4. Antioxidant Boost: Kombucha is a rich source of antioxidants like polyphenols. These antioxidants help combat the free radicals in your body, reducing oxidative stress and the associated fatigue that can come with it.

5. Enhanced Immune Function: A strong immune system is a cornerstone of sustained vitality. Kombucha’s probiotics support a healthy gut microbiome, which, in turn, supports a robust immune system. By keeping illnesses at bay, Kombucha can help you stay energetic and focused.

6. Joint Health: Kombucha contains glucosamine, a compound that promotes joint health. By supporting your joints and reducing discomfort, you’ll find it easier to stay active and maintain your vitality.

The Science Behind Kombucha’s Energising Effects

Understanding the science behind Kombucha’s energy-boosting capabilities can shed light on why this ancient elixir has become a beloved wellness ally.

Kombucha’s fermented nature results from a living culture of bacteria and yeast known as a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast). This SCOBY transforms the sweetened tea into a tangy, effervescent beverage, preserving a myriad of beneficial compounds.

One of the key components of Kombucha’s energy-enhancing properties is its probiotics. These are the beneficial live bacteria and yeast that promote a healthy gut. A well-balanced gut microbiome is crucial for vitality, ensuring that your body absorbs nutrients efficiently and wards off illness. By supporting gut health, Kombucha contributes to overall well-being.

Kombucha also contains antioxidants, notably polyphenols, renowned for their ability to combat harmful free radicals in the body. Reducing oxidative stress and cellular damage is instrumental in maintaining sustained vitality. The antioxidants in Kombucha support this process, leaving you feeling refreshed and energetic.

Moreover, Kombucha’s gentle caffeine content, stemming from the tea it’s brewed with, can provide an alertness boost without the jitters and crashes often associated with highly caffeinated drinks. This mild caffeine content contributes to the sense of being awake and focused without the side effects that can hamper your energy levels.

Incorporating The Benefits of Kombucha Into Your Daily Routine

Adding Kombucha to your daily routine is a simple yet effective way to harness its energy-boosting potential. Here are some tips on how to make the most of this invigorating elixir:

1. Choose Quality: Opt for high-quality, organic Kombucha. Look for options that use real, natural ingredients and are low in added sugars. These varieties are more likely to provide the full spectrum of health benefits.

2. Start Slowly: If you’re new to Kombucha, start with small servings and gradually increase your intake. This will allow your body to adjust to the probiotics and caffeine content.

3. Consistency is Key: To experience the full benefits of Kombucha, consider incorporating it into your daily routine. A glass in the morning or afternoon can be an excellent energy pick-me-up.

4. Experiment with Flavours: Kombucha comes in a variety of flavours, so experiment and find the ones that resonate with your taste buds. The diverse flavour profiles can make your daily ritual more enjoyable.

5. Combine with a Balanced Diet: While Kombucha can provide a boost in energy and well-being, it’s essential to maintain a balanced diet and active lifestyle for sustained vitality.

My Personal Kombucha Journey

After trying Kombucha on and off for some time, I decided to do a month-long experiment to delve deeper into the world of Kombucha and explore its energising potential. I incorporated Kombucha into my daily routine, particularly during those times when I felt a bit fatigued and in need of a natural boost. I tried two fantastic brands across this month trial to explore the benefits of Kombucha: Remedy and Holland & Barrett.

Being someone who always opted for ginger-infused flavours, I decided to change this time. I sampled the latest new flavours to be launched by Remedy, The Berry Blast & Tropical Twist. What an explosion of flavour; both taste delicious and super refreshing. I felt so revitalised by these drinks I have completely converted and have become an advocate for this new drink of choice. The Holland & Barrett’s selection, although not as flavoursome as the Remedy, still gave me that much-needed boost in energy and a newfound feeling of vitality. This one-month trial reaffirmed my belief in the power of Kombucha to revitalise, particularly during those moments when I needed it most. Kombucha has become my trusted companion, offering a refreshing and natural source of energy, reminding me that vitality is just a sip away. Instead of always turning to coffee, I now have other healthier options.

In Conclusion

Kombucha’s journey from ancient traditions to modern wellness rituals reflects its enduring popularity and undeniable benefits. Its energising potential, rooted in science, is an essential part of its allure. By incorporating Kombucha into your daily routine, you can unlock the vitality that this remarkable elixir offers. From its gentle caffeine content to its probiotics and antioxidants, Kombucha has the power to invigorate your life, ensuring that you’re ready to embrace each day with zeal and energy. Cheers to your newfound vitality!

Enjoyed reading this article? Want to read more from Gina Buckney? Take a read of her article on Energising Beauty Products.

The post Unleash Your Inner Vitality: The Energising Power and Benefits of Kombucha appeared first on Wellbeing Magazine.

“It’s like I’m in the brambles, trying to make my way through.”

How often have you felt you were in the brambles lately? This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, with the theme of Anxiety. My message to everyone this week is to be kind to yourselves and each other; you never know what people are going through behind closed doors.

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to understanding how people might be feeling overwhelmed and stressed by the demands of everyday life. Whether it’s work, family, or personal commitments, it’s common to feel like there needs to be more time in the day to get everything done. However, practising mindfulness can help you manage stress and improve your overall well-being, even with a busy schedule. 

It dawned on me that I had let my practice slip; I was not doing as much yoga, journaling, or even my regular meditation practice; once again, telling myself I was too busy until yesterday, I made a commitment to myself to take that time, so off I went for a swim, a bit of reading, and some mindfulness and visualisation at the pool. Lo and behold this morning, I woke up early, determined to perfect and complete this article for you. My mind was focused and clear once more.

“Living mindfully helps us to live our life on purpose instead of reacting to what is happening in any given moment. It gives space to choose our response. When we are busy and stressed, it sometimes feels that life is something that happens to us, mindfulness practice gives us the awareness to stay on track, reduce distraction and regain control of our mind” – Mark Sidney, Mindful Therapies. 

Here are my top 8 quick mindfulness practices for people feeling overwhelmed and stressed:

1. Take mindful breaths: Taking a few deep breaths throughout the day can help you feel more centred and focused. Simply close your eyes, take a deep breath in through your nose, and slowly exhale through your mouth. Repeat this for a few minutes and notice how your body and mind feel more relaxed and calmer. Many forms of breathwork therapy involve breathing in a conscious and systematic way. These practices have become more popular and have even been featured on TV. For example, check out the Wim Hoff method. 

2. Practice gratitude: It’s easy to get caught up in the stresses of daily life and forget to appreciate the good things around you. Practising gratitude can help you focus on the positive aspects of your life, which can improve your mood and overall well-being. At the end of each day, take a few minutes to reflect on three things you’re grateful for. This can be anything from a kind gesture from a friend to a beautiful sunset. If you need help sticking to a gratitude practice or are trying to figure out where to start, check out my daily gratitude book.

3. Engage your senses: Mindfulness is about being fully present in the moment. One way to do this is by engaging your senses. Take a moment to notice the sights, sounds, smells, and textures around you. For example, if you’re drinking a cup of tea, take a moment to savour the aroma, the warmth of the cup, and the taste of the tea.

4. Take mindful breaks: When you’re busy, it can be tempting to power through your work without taking breaks. However, taking regular breaks can actually improve your productivity and focus. Try taking a few minutes every hour to step away from your work and engage in a mindful activity, such as stretching, meditating, or going for a short walk. I have found this practice to be super important for the desk-based worker whose mind tires easily from the dreaded zoom fatigue of jumping from one conference call to the next with little time to think.

5. Eat mindfully: One of my favourite practices, for obvious reasons, is mindful eating; this involves paying attention to the food you’re eating and the experience of eating it. Instead of eating on autopilot, take a few moments to savour each bite, notice the flavours and textures, and appreciate the nourishment your body is receiving. Eating mindfully can also help you make healthier choices and avoid overeating.

6. Practice yoga: Yoga is a powerful tool for cultivating mindfulness and reducing stress. Practising a few yoga poses can help you feel more grounded and centred even if you only have a few minutes each day. Consider taking a yoga class or following a yoga video online to get started.

 “Yoga has anchored me through challenging, sad and uncertain times. Equally, it has empowered me to appreciate and celebrate life’s wonderful moments, from the everyday little things to the grand life events” –  Tiia Ourila, Lead Instructor at Yoga Kula VC.

7. Schedule in mindfulness: It can be hard to find time for mindfulness when your schedule is packed like mine. However, I find scheduling in time for mindfulness can help you make it a priority. Whether it’s a few minutes of meditation before bed or a mindful walk during your lunch break, setting aside time for mindfulness can help you stay focused and centred throughout the day. The science proves all we need is 10mins a day, so I am making my commitment to schedule this. Can you?

8. Use mindful journaling: If you’re new to mindfulness or struggling to stay consistent with your practice, mindful journaling can be a helpful tool. Take a few minutes each day to reflect on your thoughts and emotions and write down anything that comes to mind. This can help you gain insight into your patterns of thought and behaviour and can also help you release any negative emotions you may be holding onto. Throughout my darkest period, I discovered journaling, and it brought me back to light. As a result, I created a series of journals filled with valuable exercises to help keep our minds healthy and happy. You can find these on Amazon.

 Overall, if you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed, the key is to find a form of mindfulness practice that works for you and fits into your busy schedule. Even just a few minutes of mindfulness each day can have significant benefits for stress reduction and overall wellbeing. I’d love to hear more about your mindfulness journey and practices; stay connected and comment below.

I hope you found this article helpful, sending love – Gina Buckney

Contributors – who have both helped me dearly with my practices and this article – 

Mark Sydney – Mindful Therapies based in Newcastle.

Tiia Ourila – Yoga Kula based in Leeds.

To read more from this author on our site – click here

The post Feeling Overwhelmed And Stressed? 8 Quick Ways To Practice Mindfulness appeared first on Wellbeing Magazine.