Grow Your Glow, Part 3: Energy

Health coach Jolene Hart is here with part 3 on how to create a gorgeous glow from within…this week, achieve warmth through the reduction of unneeded stress…

Your gorgeous glow: you know it’s there, but there are some days (weeks, even…) when it feels like it’s playing hard to get. A stressful time, a few too many indulgences, a stretch of weather that leaves you feeling blah — these routine life situations influence the way your skin behaves, and in turn what you see in the mirror.

In this 4-part series you’ll learn to amp up your baseline glow, taking your skin to the next level of healthy and gorgeous. If you missed week 1 on nutrition to grow your glow or week 2 on digestion, be sure to catch up on those for additional tips.

This week, we boost skin glow by reducing the overall stress on your body and creating a healthier internal environment.

Energy to Grow Your Glow

It’s no secret that when you’re healthier on the whole, it shows in your skin. And when your body has abundant energy, you also boost your visible glow. With that in mind, let’s focus on breathing new energy into your cells this week. That extra energy not only adds to your stamina you have to go about your daily tasks, it shows in the radiance of your skin as well.

First, we’ll set you up for steady blood sugar balance, which reduces stress on your body, encourages hormones to regain balance, slows the aging process, and frees up abundant energy that supports your outer glow. One of the best ways to steady your blood sugar is to eat less sugar and refined carbs (like pretzels, crackers and cookies), and instead, at each meal, include healthy fats and a high-quality source of protein (along with a rainbow of vegetables) that burn slowly for prolonged energy. Some of my favorite beauty foods that offer particular support toward blood sugar stability include chia seeds, avocados, cinnamon, and apple cider vinegar. As you lessen the spikes of insulin in your body by following that general plan, you’ll notice skin that’s more radiant and less prone to breakouts along with — a bonus — increased energy, and fewer cravings for sweets and refined carbs.

Next, we’ll support your stress response with adaptogens, helping to enhance your energy and glow as a result. Adaptogens are compounds — often herbs — that promote balance in your body by shifting the way that stress affects you. Adaptogens can alleviate stress on the body and help you to thrive, making a visible, tangible difference in your skin and body. My favorite adaptogens for growing your glow are tulsi, a soothing herb that you can drink as a tea; ashwaganda, which reduces stress and supports your immune system (available in powder form that you can add to smoothies); and the medicinal mushrooms reishi and cordyceps (also in powder form) that boost antioxidant levels, enhance immunity, and lower anxiety and stress. Check with your doctor for dosage amounts: start small, and you’ll feel and see the difference over time.

Don’t miss next week’s post for two more key ways to grow your glow; this time, by supporting healthy, balanced hormones.

BIO:

Jolene Hart, CHC, AADP is a Philadelphia-based health coach and founder of Beauty Is Wellness, a natural beauty and health coaching practice. Her coaching and Eat Pretty book series teaches women to use nutrition and lifestyle choices to look and feel their best from the inside out.

+ See more of the Glow Your Grow series here!