The Revitive Medical device is an excellent product, and it’s capable of affecting change throughout the entire body.
One reason the device is effective is that it’s powerful.
–> To read about how and why the Revitive is so effective, check out the article: The Body is Electric.
And, with any powerful device, it’s important to use it wisely — to both achieve maximum results and avoid setbacks. How to use the Revitive depends, mostly, on you — and your body.
Generally speaking, you’re probably one of two types of people:
you’re not very sensitive to most things
you’re quite sensitive to many things
Do you know which type of person you are? If so, great! This will help you know what to expect from the Revitive.
Let’s explore how you should get started using the Revitive?
Establishing a Baseline
What does the Revitive User Manual recommend?
The Revitive user manual recommends 1-2 sessions per day, with an upper limit of “up to six (30-minute) sessions per day.”
The manual recommends an intensity setting of 40 and above.
It also recommends that you drink water before and/or after each session.
These recommendations are pretty general — and they’re not going to apply to everyone.
Remember, the Revitive is really, really powerful — and these recommendations will almost certainly be too intense for many, if not most people.
If you’ve been dealing with any long-term chronic health issues, especially ones that interfere with your body’s homeostasis, it’s almost certain that you will need to start more gently.
So how do we begin using the Revitive more gently?
How should you start using the Revitive if you’re sensitive?
If you might be sensitive, only do one or two sessions per day, to begin.
Then find the intensity setting that feels comfortable. For some that might be 50 and above. For others, that might be closer to 7-20. For a few, it might be all the way down below 4.
There is no wrong setting to use the Revitive! At every intensity, the device delivers powerful free electrons to the body. It appears that even the lowest setting delivers quite a bit more electricity than grounding on the Earth.
There’s also no wrong duration to use the Revitive. Of course, more is better because more electricity is delivered to the body, which results in more benefits.
But if your body is overwhelmed by the sudden influx of energy, the only thing that matters is that you reduce the duration to the point that you can tolerate it.
When reducing the duration of your sessions, reduce significantly if needed. The goal is to feel good afterward. A pleasant sense of energy and calm is the goal. Find the duration (and intensity) that meets this goal.
You may find that you can use the Revitive for longer sessions if you lower the intensity. This is highly recommended. It’s almost certainly better to favor a longer session at lower intensity than the other way around.
Thus, if you can only tolerate the Revitive on level 2 — for five minutes at a time — that’s okay! I suggest doing exactly that (level 2 / five minutes) each day.
Once you’ve found your comfort zone, over a few days or weeks, see if you can raise the duration by a few minutes — before increasing the intensity.
Over time, you’ll probably find your tolerance improves, as well as the benefits as you increase usage of the device.
Do you tolerate the Revitive easily?
Most people will tolerate the Revitive with zero problems. These people can use the Revitive 4-6 sessions per day with no issues.
So, if you tolerate Revitive’s electrical current, I recommend 4-6 sessions per day for optimal effect.
This is the sweet spot where you will see the most benefits.
Not matter how you tolerate the intensity, it’s a good idea to work up to four (or more) 30-minute sessions per day.
Next, find the instensity level that works for you! Many folks tolerate somewhere between 40 and 60. If you’re higher or lower than that, that’s great. All that matters is that you’re getting as many free electrons as you can each day!
What if you’re very sensitive?
The Revitive is incredibly gentle in its effects — but some with chronic health conditions may notice a few interesting phenomena after use.
Keep in mind, the effects from this device on the body are due to the introduction of new electricity into the biological system — and much change happens when new energy enters tissues.
This has a great effect on the body! Both the metabolism and immunity will likely be boosted.
With these changes — especially in a state of chronic health struggles — we see the body’s homeostasis shift, sometimes rapidly. Homeostasis just means balance; the body’s balance is shifted — especially its fluid balance.
1
A chronically ill/aging body is constantly dehydrated.
This influx of beneficial electricity will spur biological activity that tends to use more water — as part of the increased metabolic and immune function.
Therefore, more water is needed to meet the dehydration initiated by the new free electrons in the body.
2
The chronically ill body is depleted of minerals.
As the body’s water demands rise, more minerals & electrolytes will also be required.
Therefore, additional electrolytes (minerals) will be needed to aide in restoring hydration.
The Revitive’s “boosting” effect will cause both immediate and long-term effects on the body.
In the immediate, the metabolic and immune boost will use up nutrients and water — leading to symptoms of dehydration.
But over time, if we supplement those nutrients (especially minerals) and drink more water, the heightened metabolism and immunity will work together so that the body is healthier — resulting in better nutrient stores and hydration of cells.
In other words, the root causes of chronic dehydration (as a result of illness/aging) are being addressed by the free electrons.
It’s important to consider that the chronically ill/aging body is depleted of most nutrients, not just water and minerals. When the Revitive boosts metabolism, there may not be many nutrients available to use. This is a temporary depletion of nutrients as they are used up.
What the Revitive does, though, is address the root cause of nutrient depletion — which is inflammation. Over time, the body will be in a better place to be able to absorb those nutrients, and hydrate more properly.
Therefore, as long as you hydrate (drink water + minerals) after using the Revitive, the body should become healthier and healthier, more nutritionally sound, and better hydrated.
Think of it this way: In chronic illness/aging, water “goes right through us,” but when we are healing, the opposite happens. We stop wasting nutrients, and begin absorbing them, deeply into cells.
Free electrons — whether from the Earth, a pool, or the Revitive — calm the inflammation that blunts nutrient absorption, allowing for true hydration of cells.
3
Sometimes, the metabolic boost from this device will create a more acute need for calories.
This will especially be true if you tend to undereat, or have a long history of poor gut health and high inflammation.
Therefore, along with needing more water or minerals, additional calories might be needed to bring out the maximum benefits of a Revitive session and to reduce symptoms of dehydration.
Signs of being over-stimulated by the Revitive will nearly always present as symptoms of dehydration or low blood sugar.
These symptoms are very similar to the effects of a sauna, or any other energy-boosting hack (such as light therapy, sunbathing, or even taking thyroid hormone).
These symptoms are usually very easy to balance out yourself, simply by drinking water, taking needed minerals, or eating some food.
Concerning hydration, you could be amazed how much water you’ll need after a more intense session (or multiple sessions in a row) with the Revitive. This is a good thing. In my experience, the body will now better utilize the water you drink.
Keep in mind that a healthy body requires lots of water. As you heal, you might begin needing more water, too. This is also a very good sign. You’ll know your water is hydrating you if you feel hydrated after drinking — if your thirst is “never ending,” this is a sign of high inflammation that needs to be corrected. Free electrons can counteract the inflammation that causes endless thirst.
We’ve mentioned how powerful the Revitive is, yet this methodology — receiving free electrons from the Earth or a device — is still one of the most gentle and holistic approaches we have.
Only those who are quite sensitive to environmental and dietary variables will experience much sensitivity to the Revitive.
But for those of us who are sensitive, drinking more water and replenishing electrolytes is the way to both enjoy the myriad benefits of the Revitive, and mitigate any minor discomfort along the way to better health.
The benefits of the Revitive.
Personally, I require about 3-4 sessions per day to notice the majority of Revitive’s benefits.
This is easy to achieve, as I can generally find an hour or two to sit down and enjoy the Revitive each day. My favorite time to use the device is while I work, but also when I wake up and before bed.
I feel improved mental clarity, reduced inflammation, and more energy.
This reduced inflammation seems to help digestion and produce deeper sleep at night.
With the increased mental clarity seems to come more creativity and sharper analysis in my day to day work.
I also noticed two lingering sports injuries that I’ve been neglecting for months, one in my wrist and another in my ankle, seemed spontaneously heal up. The ankle was 100% better with days (truly astounding), while the wrist improved each week until better. It also seems like my teeth feel more strong and smooth than before. This is something I will continue to monitor.
I also seem to function much better on inadequate sleep than I formerly did. I’ve been unofficially testing this out lately — sleeping less — and I’m shocked how good I’ll feel on 6 hours of sleep. That would have severely impacted me before the Revitive. Make no mistake, 7-8 hours is still much better than 6, Revitive or not. And why not stack multiple variables in our favor?
In the first few months of use, multiple clients have described positive benefits from the Revitive, including better sleep and better skin. One client mentioned it is better than their grounding mat. Another client said they recommend it highly. Another client reported better digestion, and better tolerance of various gut supplements while using the Revitive.
Take advantage of the TENS pads
The Revitive can also power TENS pads, to be used around the body.
My favorite way to use them is on the palms of my hands — one on each palm.
I only use this method on an intensity setting of just 1, or 2.
This allows for a bit more electrical flow to the upper body, especially the hands and arms, but also, potentially the brain.
The Revitive‘s benefits are holistic
The Revitive’s benefits are derived from its supply of free electrons.
This is the energy that powers the entire body and all of its biological functions, the same energy the body extracts from food.
Therefore, it is entirely reasonable that we find benefits virtually everywhere, all over and throughout the body, as the result of the electrical flow from the device.
As we discuss in The Body Electric article, there are numerous published studies on PubMed showing dramatic improvements in many basic biomarkers of health — simply from standing on the Earth with bare feet. The Revitive takes that concept and amps it up several notches — significantly providing new free electrons to your entire body.
How well you take advantage of these free electrons is up to you! Any signs of dehydration are the result of something good: more energy in the body. You’ll just need to know what to do in response to the increased energy. The answer is usually more water, more minerals, and possibly more food (if you’ve been undereating).
As with all our endeavors, a strong, balanced foundation will enable you to make more dramatic (and lasting) changes in your health — so don’t forget the pillars of health such as: nutrition, sleep, food, & gut health.
Every now and then, a product comes along that could potentially shift how you feel — across your entire body.
Let’s back up though.
First, consider this:
All animal bodies move and function via electricity.
We are no different. Every activity is performed electrically — breathing, moving your limbs, brain function, & immunity.
In other words, life functions using a currency of energy… of electricity.
And real, legitimate scientific research is now demonstrating something super unusual:
Touching the earth puts you in contact with small currents of electricity. Your body then does something with the energy it gains.
What happens in the body with that electricity? A lot.
Multi-disciplinary research has revealed that electrically conductive contact of the human body with the surface of the Earth(grounding or earthing) produces intriguing effects on physiology and health. Such effects relate to inflammation, immune responses, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Free electrons (electricity) can do a lot in the body. Consider one major role:
Free electrons are antioxidant
How is electricity anti-oxidant?
Consider what happens when an object — say a wrench, or chain — is oxidized.
Outdoors, metal oxidizes — mostly due to oxygen and moisture. This oxidation is what happens when metals rust.
This rust — or oxidization — means the surface of the object is losing its electrons.
Oxidation = to remove electrons.
Instead of removing, free electrons (from the Earth) add electrons.
So, providing your body with extra (free) electrons quite substantially counteracts all the oxidative stress in your body.
This is why anti-oxidants are so lauded these days. As we age and suffer poor health, our bodies become unbalanced, with high oxidative stress — not a healthy state. Antioxidants help us detox, and protect our tissues and volatile nutrients from oxidation.
And as research is showing, free electrons — from the earth — can help the body in ways that dietary antioxidants cannot.
But wait, there’s more — regarding the food we eat.
Our metabolism — how we generate energy from food — is a very specific type of metabolism. Care to guess which type?
That’s right — oxidative metabolism.
What does that mean? It means the body uses oxygen (when we breathe in) to literally steal electrons from food, so we can use it as our body’s energy. (Cellular respiration is another term for this).
We oxidize food — just like that rusty chain left outside — to get electricity.
Thus, all energy from food comes via electricity.
Yes — the energy that powers your brain, fights off pathogenic invaders, pumps your heart, moves your limbs, opens your mouth and eyelids — it’s all electricity taken from food.
…energy from food and, perhaps, from the Earth.
Or, it used to be.
Humans used to touch the Earth constantly.
Throughout history, we walked barefoot more, constantly absorbing small amounts of electricity from the ground.
Shoes had leather soles — which conduct electricity when moist. People often slept directly on the ground at night, on wool blankets that are conductive when moist.
Round the clock, this intimate contact with the Earth provided us free energy, helping us be more healthy, less inflammed, and more energized — to fight diseases better, to sleep more deeply.
It’s plausible to suggest that historic humans were supplementing free electrons nearly all day.
Ancient humans were never far from the earth’s electrical supply.
As a result of less inflammation, deeper sleep, and more efficient metabolism, it’s likely they were able to maintain energetic homeostasis with slightly lower food requirements .
Nowadays, we almost never touch the earth — and subsequently, never receive any electricity from it.
That is, unless, we dip in the ocean, or walk barefoot on the beach or in the grass. That’s when we get electricity from the earth.
Q: How is the body so electrically conductive?
Great question! Here’s how:
The body is made of semiconductive tissues.
Collagen and other structural proteinsare semiconductors.
Water plays crucial roles inenzymatic activities and semi-conduction.
Hydrated proteinsactuallyare semiconductors, and have become important components in the global microelectronics industry.
In recent studies, given awards by the Materials Research Society in both Europe and the USA, scientists from Israel made flexible biodegradable semiconductor systems using proteins from human blood, milk, and mucus.
Yes! Your entire body is made of water, minerals (electrolytes), hydrated proteins, and collagen. Your entire body is made of semi-conductors!
You are incredible — and electrical.
More evidence that you’re a walking, semi-conducting battery.
Check out fivefascinating facts about how our electrical body works:
Fact #1
The whole body has a semiconductor network
Moreover, research in cell biology and biophysics reveals the human body is equipped with a system-wide collagenous, liquid–crystallinesemiconductor networkknown as the living matrix,31 or in other terms, a ground regulation system32,33 or tissue tensegrity matrix system (Figure 11).34
This network delivers electricity to the whole body
This electricity protects the body from stress and injury
This body-wide network can deliver mobile electrons to any part of the body and thereby routinely protect all cells, tissues, and organs from oxidative stress or in the event of injury.23,31
The living matrix includes the extracellular and connective tissue matrices as well as the cytoskeletons of all cells.31 Integrins at cell surfaces are thought to allow for semi-conduction of electrons to the cell interior, and links across the nuclear envelope enable the nuclear matrix and genetic material to be part of the circuitry
Reconnection with the Earth’s electrons has been found to promote intriguing physiological changes and subjective reports of well-being.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28987038/
There’s a “surprisingly positive” effect on health.
Emerging scientific research has revealed a surprisingly positive and overlooked environmental factor on health: direct physical contact with the vast supply of electrons on the surface of the Earth. Modern lifestyle separates humans from such contact. The research suggests that this disconnect may be a major contributor to physiological dysfunction and unwellness.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28987038/
The worst and most prevalent disease — and aging itself — is linked to chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, something free electrons can directly address.
Modern biomedicine has discovered that many of the most debilitating diseases, as well as the aging process itself, are caused by or associated with chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28987038/
Free electrons — rapidly — calm our inflammation, in ways that dietary antioxidants and standard medical care perhaps cannot.
Electrons from the Earth quickly attenuate chronic inflammation not resolved by dietary antioxidants or by standard medical care, including physical therapy (Figure 3).
Grounding reduces pain and alters the numbers of circulating neutrophils and lymphocytes, and also affects various circulating chemical factors related to inflammation.
Free electrons treat both symptoms of inflammation, including swelling, pain, and loss of function.
Grounding reduces or even prevents the cardinal signs of inflammation following injury: redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function (Figures 1 and and2). Rapid resolution of painful chronic inflammation was confirmed in 20 case studies using medical infrared imaging (Figure 3).2,3
Chronicinflammation prevents healing — but free electrons can restore it.
“Classical textbook descriptions also refer to an “inflammatory barricade” that isolates injured tissues to hinder the movement of pathogens and debris from the damaged region into adjacent, healthy tissues.
…This barrier also hinders the movements of antioxidants and regenerative cells into the blocked-off area.
Repair can be incomplete, and this incomplete repair can set up a vicious inflammatory cycle that can persist for a long period of time, leading to so-called silent or smoldering inflammation that in turn, over time, can promote the development of chronic disease.”
All of these benefits — along with those mentioned at the beginning of this article — point to a dramatic potential impact on the body.
Clearly, free electrons from the earth promote health, well-being, cognitive improvement, deeper sleep, better digestion, stronger immunity, more energy, and even improved mood.
So how do we take full advantage of these findings?
How to touch the Earth
and reap the health benefits most optimally
The following recommendations are designed to achieve maximum results — effects that we can notice and feel.
Truly beneficial habits produce excellent results and don’t have to be abandoned later — because we can observe the improvements.
First, let’s identify the best locations for free electrons:
Grass (especially wet grass)
Bare dirt or sand (especially moist)
Concrete (especially wet concrete)
Bodies of water, rivers, & streams
Notice a trend there? Moisture — water — enables electrical flow.
There are two other important variables that matter for optimal results.
#1 — Time spent touching the Earth
#2 — Amount of skin surface area
Variable #1
Time Spent
touching the Earth
The electricity in the earth is definitely there, but it’s gentle. It won’t electrocute you, and it won’t shock you, either.
So, while it’s true that there is a “vast supply of electrons on the surface of the Earth” (source) the amount of electricity in the earth is still relatively low.
Which means that “earthing” takes time — lots of it — spent in contact with the ground to receive these free electrons, and to charge up the human body. Some studies suggest two hours is needed.
Consider the hours spent in nature by prehistoric humans, nearly always in contact with the planet. Our bodies are similar to theirs, and benefit from being connected to this electrical source virtually around the clock.
If we didn’t have technological advances (which we’ll explore below), it would seem logical, then, that we should spend hours per day outside, in nature, touching the ground — certainly not mere minutes.
After all, this is what humans historically benefitted from, constant contact with the Earth.
Remember, though, we’re shooting for substantial health benefits. Without technology, hours spent outside and touching the ground is the best answer.
Now, let’s look at the other important variable:
#2 — Amount of skin surface area
Variable #2
Amountof
Skin Surface Area
touching the Earth
Your skin is quite conductive, but in order to maximize electrical flow, we need to maximize surface area between Earth and your body.
This is for two big reasons:
Skin can only (comfortably) allow a certain amount of electricity at a time in a small area
There’s only so much electrical current available in one small area of Earth
The more skin is touching the earth, the more free electrons can flow into your body.
For example, when we walk barefoot in the grass, only the bottoms of the feet receive electrons.
But if you sit or lay down, more skin can be exposed to the ground. In fact, the entire length of your legs and arms could be in contact with the Earth while sitting — much more surface area.
So, what’s better? Sitting & laying down beats walking — for free electrons. Of course walking is restorative movement, and that’s a major benefit.
But here’s where things get interesting. We’ve been discussing our body posture on dry land. Let’s think about something else: water.
Consider how superior water is as a conductor (particularly when it includes minerals as electrolytes, as it does in nature).
In bodies of water (lakes, rivers, streams) are easily the best locations to ground. These are the most conductive places on the planet.
Actual water is superior for both the bottoms of our feet, alone, but also because they represent an opportunity to submerge more of the body — which drastically exposes more skin to free electrons.
My personal experience indicates that submersion in water is perhaps 10X (or higher) more effective at supplying free electrons than standing on the ground.
Submersion Speeds Up the Process
I’ve found that noticeable positive effects can be achieved in water in much less time, compared to standing on the ground — perhaps 15-30 minutes instead of 2-3 hours.
The Best Methods
to benefit from free electrons
Let’s explore the best ways to receive free electrons — into the body.
Here’s what researchers suggest as a place to start:
Earthing is as simple as routinely walking barefoot outdoors and/or using inexpensive grounding systems indoors while sleeping or sitting, practices that restore a lost and needed electric connection with the Earth.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31831261/
What an easy start!
Routinely walk barefoot outdoors
Use inexpensive grounding systems while indoors
While that is a really good start, but let’s think even bigger. Let’s be interested in clear-cut, superior methods — both the best natural method and what new technology is offering.
Let’s check out three superior options to receive free electrons. If you’re interested in Earthing, these are the best ways to do it.
Option #1
Submersion in Water
This is, hands-down, the best method for receiving free electrons.
In a body of water, virtually the entire body is in contact with electron-abundant water — meaning the entire surface area of your skin becomes a pathway for electricity to enter the body.
Even if you’re only dipping your feet — or your lower legs — in the water, this is still a fantastic source of free electrons, and will always be superior to simple bare feet on the ground.
I have found a therapeutic dose to be much shorter in water — as little as 15 minutes — but, the longer the better. Spending hours in the water is powerful, powerful stuff.
The ocean, pristine lakes and rivers, and streams are all fantastic natural sources of water for free electrons.
Pools, especially those with concrete construction, are also excellent sources of free electrons.
Your only requirement to get started, here, is a body of water nearby. If you can regularly, it’s absolutely, hands-down worth doing.
Consider 1-2 sessions per day, at 30+ minutes per session.
Option #2
Revitive
Medical Device
Every now and then, a product comes along that offers a chance to shift how you feel — through your entire body.
That product is the Revitive.
A souped-up TENS unit — with large electrode foot pads — the Revitive is capable of delivering impressive quantities of free electrons to your body.
Best of all, it feels really, really good while using it.
Electrical pulses stimulate the muscles and tendons in your feet and calves to move and flex, providing an automatic, gentle workout in your feet, ankles and lower legs. This is also great for circulation and muscle/tendon strength.
But the primary benefit, in my mind, is the free electrons — and this device delivers them in droves to the entire body.
I feel a difference even in my cognition after regular use, as well as energy levels, and fluid balance around the body. Inflammation generally feels lower after use.
This device requires virtually zero effort to use — simply rest your feet on it while you:
work at your desk
relax on the couch
watch TV
read a book
eat meals
chat with friendsorrelatives
before bed
It’s been two years since moving away from regular, daily access to a pool for my grounding. Getting the Revitive has been a complete game-changer for me, and my opinion of it is this:
It is virtually as good as spending hours in a pool each day.
What makes the Revitive so effective? Two things:
the amount of electricity the device delivers
the size of the electrodes
The Revitive provides much more electricity (free electrons) than the Earth provides.
The Earth’s electricity isn’t readily noticeable, and it certainly isn’t enough to make muscles contract. The Revitive is and does — you can feel it (it feels really, really good), and it readily makes muscles contract, enough to increase their strength.
The Revitive also has large electrode pads — they will touch the entire bottom of your feet. By comparison, TENS units (which provide similar amounts of electricity) use pads that are typically only 1-2 inches in size. Your feet are much bigger than that, and therefore, can absorb much more electricity over their surface area — and send many more free electrons into your body.
Comparing the Revitive to the Earth (or a TENS unit)?
On one hand, a TENS unit delivers high amounts of free electrons, but is somewhat limited by the amount it can deliver via small electrode pads.
On the other, the Earth delivers much lower amounts of electrons — which is why scientists recommend 2+ hours per day (or my recommendation to submerse in water) to be powerful and effective for your health.
By contrast, the Revitive can both deliver high amounts of free electrons, while also utilizing a much larger electrode pad than a TENS unit. Two or three (30 min) sessions per day can be similar to spending 30+ minutes in a pool or body of water, in terms of the free electrons provided to the body.
How to Use the Revitive
Revitive recommends up to six 30-minute sessions per day.
For maximum effect, I suggest a minimum of 2-3 sessions (60-90 minutes) daily — though more is certainly even better.
I believe this minimum threshold of 60-90 minutes daily (2-3 sessions) can be surprisingly achievable — it requires no effort, only sitting. You can do anything else while you sit and receive free electrons.
You can also walk away from the Revitive — the device will pause until you return.
Further, Revitive is extremely logical for anyone who is not able to be very active due to health challenges.
This is an excellent option if you can figure out how to make it work for your bedroom.
Remember, the Earth’s free electron supply is quite low. It takes hours of exposure to it — daily — for noticeable effects to occur.
This is why sleeping while grounded is such a fantastic way to touch the earth. You can easily achieve 7-9 hours of grounding occur — without much effort.
Many “grounding” systems exist, for purchase, to help you ground while you sleep. Real research (source, source) supports this as beneficial.
This very simple DIY system involves three components:
A conductive sheet — laid under your bedsheets
An connector cable — that connects this sheet to a “ground” source
A ground source — that is touching the Earth
The conductive/grounding sheet can be purchased here: here. You’ll want to use the HertzCloth™ option.
The connector cable can be purchased here: here. You’ll want to use the “Plug to clamp” item if connecting to your electrical 3-prong outlet, or the “Gator to clamp” item if connecting to a stake outside a window.
The ground source needs to be either 1) the ground wire in your 3-prong electrical system, (purchased here: item #A295-4 or item #A295-12), or 2) a stake driven into the ground outside a window.
First, the Hertzcloth — like all conductive fabrics — are delicate and must be washed by hand, with natural soaps (no detergents), and promptly removed from water to open air dry. This conductive fabric will likely need to be replaced every 18-24 months, if only for sanitary reasons — they cannot be washed normally.
Second, the system is a bit convoluted. It involves a grounding sheet under your normal sheets, so making the bed has an extra step: making sure the grounding sheet is situated. There will also be a wire going from under the bed sheet to either an electrical outlet or out a window (to a stake in the ground). For some people this will be fun, for others it will be worth the trouble, and for others it will look and feel like a mess.
Third, there is a strong argument that grounding like this is not advisable in areas of high EMF. Some areas, especially large cities or close to major power grid stations, have high-powered EMF fields in the ground (near power stations) or in the air (near cell towers). It is debatable whether grounding in these locations is actually helpful; some argue it could be harmful.
All that said, if you can manage this system — it can be highly worthwhile. The steady supply of electrons all night can be a powerful force for healing, energy, sleep, and inflammation-busting. I personally noticed extensive dreaming in my first nights sleeping on a grounded bed.
Touching the Earth & free electrons
Final Thoughts
Receiving electrons directly from the Earth — or from a device like the Revitive — has the potentialy to level-up your journey toward health.
Of course, the business of harvesting free electrons is, mostly, a daily routine — whether being outside with the Earth, or using a Revitive. This routine also will require time spent each day for maximum effect.
Of course, I will always insist that even five minutes of exposure to free electrons is better than nothing. Certainly!
Yet, when done with wisdom — to maximize effectiveness — significant benefits are real and verifiable by research, and anecdotally.
There are other ways to receive free electrons, too — truly fresh air, and water, for instance. We’ll share those methods soon; some of them are perhaps as powerful as intense Earthing.
What happens when the body doesn’t have enough electrons?
A lot happens biologically in an electron deficit!
In fact, this is likely the end result of most diseases: a lack of energy supply — potentially created by pathogens, inflammation, poor sleep, nutrient deficiencies, and gut dysbiosis.
Of course, when the body’s energy supply is undermined, immunity suffers dramatically. This is likely why chronic fatigue, hypothyroidism, aging, and pathogenic activity are so interrelated.
A lack of electrons can also de-saturate the electron transport chains in mitochondria, leading to chronic fatigue and slowing the cellular migrations and other essential activities of the cells of the immune system
Consider, again, that the body steals electrons from food.
What if your gut health is compromised? Electrons cannot be efficiently harvested from the diet, but will instead feed pathogens in the gut (which then release endotoxin into the blood stream, causing chronic inflammation).
Oh, how the weakened body needs pure electricity — free electrons — without the price it pays when it attempts to digest food.
Enter a potential solution: free electrons from the Earth. They enter directly through your skin — you can supply the very energy your body works so hard to extract from food.
This energy the body can receive from the environment — capable of cooling inflammation, rapidly healing the body, boosting immunity, deepening sleep, and making us resilient — is available to you without the toxins and inflammation produced by a dysbiotic gut. Simply by Earthing.
And of course, a steady and strong supply of free electrons will improve the gut microbiome, too — improving gut health and all the biological and metabolic activity that depends on it.
The health implications of accessing the Earth’s free electrons are vast — and apply to the entire population.
For instance, cardiovascular health is of particular importance as we age — cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the US.
Unsurprisingly, free electrons have been shown to improve cardiovascular health, and could even reduce the need for blood thinners like Warfarin:
Grounding increases the surface charge on RBCs and thereby reduces blood viscosity and clumping. Grounding appears to be one of the simplest and yet most profound interventions for helping reduce cardiovascular risk and cardiovascular events.
I’ve done “hacks” such as grounding for nearly fifteen years. I’ve tried some pretty ridiculous ideas!
Many of them, especially when focused on diets and silver bullet theories, were largely fruitless. Unfortunately, some were harmful to my progress, and many distracted me — for much too long — from what matters for health.
Yet, I can unequivocally say that focusing on free electrons — especially when done wisely, to maximize their effect — has been one of the most impactful “hacks” I’ve ever done. Few things come close.
My only challenge with sharing this information has been that most people I speak and work with do not have access to nature and free time to pursue touching the Earth — at least not enough to change their lives. This is why I’m so excited to have the Revitive in my own arsenal; it opens the door to share these concepts with a population who will legitimately be able to act on this information.
For years, I’ve personally noticed tremendous improvements in inflammation, muscle strength and endurance, cognition (a major reduction in brain fog), deeper sleep, better digestion, and better vitality overall. These results were not achieved in mere minutes per day — free electrons don’t work that way.
Rather, it’s wise to recognize that 60-90+ minutes (or, two hours per day of Earthing, as the research suggests) is a reasonable threshold for the major, full-body improvements we seek — whether touching the Earth, submersing in bodies of water, or using a device like Revitive.
Down the road, I’m excited to share with you a few other methods I love for receiving free electrons. They, too, have been major boons to my health — propping me up when I lived in sick buildings, and hastening my recovery once in a healthy space.
My hope for you is that you can find the boost you need to hasten your progress — whatever your goals might be, whether they be improved gut health, cooling of chronic inflammation, deeper sleep, pain relief, or a clearing of brain fog.
I believe in you, and I know your body is strong. You can do things that will amaze you, by giving your body what it needs.
Some 20 studies to date have reported intriguing evidence of wide and significant physiological improvements when the body is grounded vs. non-grounded.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31831261/
Multi-disciplinary research has revealed that electrically conductive contact of the human body with the surface of the Earth (grounding or earthing) produces intriguing effects on physiology and health. Such effects relate to inflammation, immune responses, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25848315/
However, emerging scientific research has revealed a surprisingly positive and overlooked environmental factor on health: direct physical contact with the vast supply of electrons on the surface of the Earth. Modern lifestyle separates humans from such contact. The research suggests that this disconnect may be a major contributor to physiological dysfunction and unwellness. Reconnection with the Earth’s electrons has been found to promote intriguing physiological changes and subjective reports of well-being. Earthing (or grounding) refers to the discovery of benefits—including better sleep and reduced pain—from walking barefoot outside or sitting, working, or sleeping indoors connected to conductive systems that transfer the Earth’s electrons from the ground into the body.
This body of research has demonstrated the potential of grounding to be a simple, natural, and accessible clinical strategy against the global epidemic of noncommunicable, degenerative, inflammatory-related diseases.
In the long winter months — or even during summer days — our bodies need healthy, light.
Healthy lighting includes broad-spectrum frequencies of light, in smooth natural output curves.
Clearly, sunlight — as a “blackbody radiator” (it emits a continuous spectrum) — is the best source of natural spectrums of light.
Yet, we don’t want to mimic sunlight perfectly — that would include too much UV and be too intense. After all, sunlight provides roughly 1000 watts of light on our body, alone, often with enough UV to cause serious burns.
Instead, we need indoor lighting to be:
full-spectrum
safely balanced
in reasonable doses
…so that it can encourage:
alertness
hormonal balance
great digestion
thyroid function
circadian alignment
digestive well-being
Let’s quickly explore the components of healthy indoor lighting.
First, blue and red wavelengths need to be balanced, in at least a 1:1 ratio, — if not 2-3x more red than blue.
Incandescents typically have much more red than blue, while fluorescent and LED bulbs are typically the opposite — LEDs have 2-3x the blue of red.
Incandescent bulbs are, therefore, despite poor energy efficiency, a nearly-optimal foundation for healthy indoor lighting. Yes, halogens are a type of incandescent and are thus nearly always a good alternate option, as well.
Second, sunlight produces healing infrared frequencies that are restorative for the human body. Incandescent bulbs produce massive amounts of invisible infrared light.
While this is wasteful from a lighting and efficiency perspective, these frequencies encourage health in the body. LEDs and fluorescents produce very little infrared. Therefore, incandescents are preferable for healthy indoor lighting.
Third, sunlight does not flicker — it is a smooth, continuous source of healing light.
On the other hand, LEDs and fluorescent bulbs flicker several hundred times per second — in part, to save electricity. Half the time during use, these bulbs are entirely or nearly off. LEDs flicker is virtually completely on/off — saving literally half the power required to run the bulb.
This flickering light has been shown to have detrimental effects in humans and other species.
By contrast, incandescent bulbs don’t flicker at all — they mimic sunlight in their smooth, continuous radiative energy. Again, this is more ‘wasteful’ from an energy efficiency perspective, but likely healthier for the humans living and working in a space.
Fourth, sunlight changes throughout the day, based on the amount of atmosphere it must traverse to reach the ground.
Warm reds begin each day, building with greens, and bright blues, and peaking with full UV power at midday.
Thus, using these four characteristics:
red/blue balance
infrared
non-flickering
change throughout the day
…we can successfully recreate sunlight and enjoy the benefits of healthy indoor lighting.
Let’s discuss just how easy it can be.
1
The Foundation
Red + Infrared
The best source of red and infrared light is clearly the traditional incandescent light bulb.
Sadly — at least for human health reasons — incandescents have been phased out around the world, prohibited from being sold as normal light bulbs. However, they are still available in many online retailers, and can often be sold when marketed as “specialty” bulbs.
Clear incandescents are usually best, with no filter to alter their spectral output.
Nearly any wattage can be appropriate — from 15 watts for night-time use, to 40 watts for Zoom call lighting (on the face), to 60 watts for daytime room lighting, to 150-300 watts for strong daytime room lighting or therapeutic dosages.
IncandescentBulb
Best for:
15 watts
Night-time use
40 watts
Zoom call lighting
60 watts
General purpose; Daytime room light
150+ watts
Strong daytime room light; Therapeutic light
Incandescent bulbs are easily screwed into clamp lamps for easy customization of light placement.
15 Watts
Clear Incandescent
(click to view)
40 Watts
Clear Incandescent
(click to view)
60 Watts
Clear Incandescent
(click to view)
150 Watts
Clear Incandescent
(click to view)
(click image to view)
Sometimes, especially in winter, heat lamps can be very appropriate for either room lighting or therapeutic light.
At 125 or 250 watts, they are simply incandescent bulbs on steroids — overloaded with infrared and red, and very limited in the shorter blue spectrum. However, they are missing so much blue that they need supplemental blue frequencies to successfully recreate sunlight.
Bright, clear incandescent bulbs are appropriate from sun-up to sundown.
Lower-powered incandescent bulbs (40w and lower) are safe to use even until an hour or two before bedtime.
The One LED Bulb that can Almost Replace a Clear Incandescent
Consider their SUPERWARM™ 1700K Flicker-Free A19 10W LED Bulb and its spectral output:
The SUPERWARM boasts an incredible amount of red light, with very little blue — creating its warm, 1700K color temperature. An excellent option before bed.
This bulb almost perfectly recreates clear incandescent light, with two differences:
Full-spectrum, red-rich frequencies
Zero flicker
The only downside is this bulb produces zero infrared. However, this may be acceptable in summer, when combined with another infrared-producing bulb, or at night.
In other words, the infrared produced by clear incandescents is extremely valuable to the human body, but the SUPERWARM bulb by Waveform is an incredible substitute.
This bulb’s light is attractive, appealing, and warm. Use wherever incandescents are appropriate. Especially appropriate for morning and evening use.
Just know that, theoretically, this bulb is missing infrared — which would be superior.
2
Add Some Blue
Non-Flickering LED
In reality, most incandescents alone struggle to produce enough blue to mimic sunlight — only the 150w bulbs produce any notable blue.
Even still, those stronger bulbs don’t produce nearly enough blue light to mimic sunlight.
Enter a new company I discovered earlier in 2021 called Waveform Lighting.
Waveform Lighting specializes in LED bulbs that are flicker-free and full-spectrum.
Just like the SUPERWARM (mentioned above), Waveform also offers bulbs at virtually every color temperature: 1700K, 3000K, 4000K, 5000K — and it makes sense to use one of these in addition to the incandescent. Why? To better mimic sunlight.
Blue light is essential for many biological functions:
informing the body when it’s daytime
suppressing daytime melatonin,
keeping us alert
activating dopamine
and much more
We are certainly exposed to too much isolated blue light in modern environments. But that doesn’t mean blue is unnecessary — we need it to function.
In fact, with a foundation of lots of red/infrared, the body can properly benefit from the right amount of blue.
Therefore, it’s wise to supplement a higher color temperature bulb — such as this non-flickering 4000K daytime LED — with our incandescent bulb.
Click to visit this Waveform Lighting product (no affiliation).
Three options are available from Waveform Lighting — with varying amounts of blue/red:
4000K
CENTRIC DAYLIGHT
A warm, balanced version of daylight.
5000K
CENTRIC DAYLIGHT
A decent amount of blue, some red.
6500K
CENTRIC DAYLIGHT
Lots of blue, little red.
I recommend the 4000K bulb for most situations, but the 5000K and 6500K provide lots of blue — perfect for larger spaces or with higher wattages of incandescent light.
These blue-rich LED bulbs are appropriate to use beginning later in the morning (9 am or so) until about 6 pm.
So far, we’ve added two non-flickering, full spectrum light bulbs:
Incandescents — delivering heaps of red/infrared
Waveform Lighting LEDs — delivering full-spectrum light, including rich blues.
Sunlight also includes UV — should you consider adding this, too? Let’s find out.
3
UV?
Sperti Lamp-vs- ‘Reptile’ Bulbs
UV plays an important role in circadian, hormonal, digestive, immune, and cognitive health.
Many are beginning to champion the critical effects UV has on the body, via Vitamin D3 production and other avenues.
However, caution is advised when it comes to ultraviolet frequencies — less is more. There is no need to ever sunburn.
There are two methods to reap the benefits of indoor UV light:
As a background frequency in work spaces — perhaps for several hours around midday (and mostly for circadian benefiets via the eyes) — by placing a small UV bulb 10+ feet away, and shining away from the body
A therapeutic dose on the full body, at 2 feet away, in only a few minutes per day.
When UV light is present in a workspace, folks often notice better mood, more alertness, and more energy.
Whether aiming for background lighting or a full-body therapeutic dose, it’s best to combine the UV bulb with your red/infrared bulb. The longer frequencies (red/infrared) nourish and help protect skinfrom negative effects of UV — especially before UV exposure.
The tanning bed could be a very natural and simple solution for getting weekly UV exposure — and this works extremely well for many people during during winter months. But tanning salons have become hard to find, and using them safely is complicated. In general, shoot for:
“medium-pressure” beds,
once per week for only 5-6 minutes (for most people).
If using a tanning bed, be sure to get red/infrared therapy before or after the tanning session.
In-Home Therapeutic UV Options
There are two basic options for in-home UV:
the infamous medical device Sperti Lamp
bulbs designed for pet reptiles
Surprisingly, these two are — essentially — the exact same thing, except for one difference:
Reptile bulbs provides 13-26 watts
Sperti Lamp provides 300 watts
Let’s analyze the pros/cons of these two options.
(1) Sperti Fiji
THE SPERTI FIJI LAMP — The Fiji is superior to the standard Sperti due to its higher UVA content, which is still only 3:1. (Amazon) (click to open)
(2) Reptile Bulbs
REPTISUN 5.0 (13 watts) — A better UVA-UVB ratio of 6:1. (PetSmart) (click to open)
REPTISUN 5.0 (26 watts) — Also the better UVA-UVB ratio of 6:1. (Amazon) (click to open)
Which is more appropriate for you?
Most people who buy the Sperti eventually realize two things:
How difficult it can be to expose the entire body to such a small lamp
How powerful it is — it only takes a few minutes to 1) burn, or 2) raise Vit D levels too high
These are real risks with the Sperti. It’s a quality device, for sure, but far too many people buy them, only to have to stop using them.
The biggest problem with the Sperti is its low UVA output. UVA output controls Vitamin D production in the body, too — and too little can cause Vit D levels to rise too high.
Therefore I only recommend a Sperti (even the Fiji device) if you fully understand these risks, how powerful its UVB output is, and are ready to supplement additional UVA.
I’m a bigger fan of the low-key, unassuming reptile bulbs.
They produce very similar light, though these particular ZooMed bulbs (above) produce a better UVA-UVB ratio (6:1). Compared to the Sperti, these bulbs are:
gentler
less likely to cause problems
able to raise Vitamin D levels much more slowly
less likely to burn you
smaller, less in the way
You can dip your toes with the 13 watt bulb, or get the stronger one with 26 watts — it’s stronger than you’d expect. Which demonstrates just how (too) powerful the 300 watt Sperti is.
Consider spending 3-5 minutes per day in front of a reptile bulb, mid-day, preferably after a shower or other exposure to heat and red light. Protect your eyes from UV: don’t look at the bulb while on, and wear eye protection. Alternating days is a great idea; observe how you feel on days on versus days off.
Btw, there are intriguing new LED products coming on the market that will replace mercury-filled fluorescent reptile bulbs.
I plan to try these soon, but in the meantime here is one product I’ve got my eyes on.
4
Additional UVA?
Black lights.
As we’ve mentioned, most bulbs marketed for UV light are primarily designed to deliver UVB — and don’t provide sufficient UVA to mimic sunlight.
This can lead to multiple problems in your body — including Vitamin D regulation — especially with the immensely powerful Sperti lamps (and low-pressure tanning beds).
Let’s first understand what the sun’s UV spectrum looks like. How much UVA does it contain — relative to UVB?
What is the sun’s natural ratio of UVAto UVB?
In space — (20:1 ratio)
Before sunlight travels through the atmosphere — solar radiation contains 20X more UVA (than UVB).
On earth — (500+:1 ratio)
UVB is filtered out by the atmosphere.
Typical sunlight, on earth, has 500-100,000X more UVA than UVB — for much of the year, and most of the day.
This UVA-rich light what humans are adapted to.
We need much more UVA than we do UVB.
An optimal UVA/UVB ratio keeps Vitamin D levels from rising too high.
Bulbs — (much lower ratios)
Sperti (classic) is 1:1
Sperti (Fiji)is 3:1
ZooMed bulbs I recommend (above) are 6:1.
So do we need moreUVA than most “UV bulbs” provide? We probably do.
It is possible to get UVA during winter! However, this would require exposing lots of skin to sunlight — outside — during potentially cold weather. This can be an option, a very healthy option, for many.
For others, we’ll need a bulb that creates a decent stream of UVA light.
Here is the best option I’ve found so far:
The highest quality UVA light I’ve found. From Waveform Lighting. The 395 nm model is perfect, and better priced. (click to open)
If you get the Waveform realUV black light, you’ll need to stand a minimum of 2 feet away during light therapy, if not a bit further. It’s a strong light. It’s also strong enough to be across the room and immerse the room in quality UVA light — which can be good for health.
5
Get Started
CREATING A PLAN at Home
You’ve got the components: infrared, red, blue, UV. Now let’s put them together in a way that helps you re-create sunlight.
Let’s begin with a simple light setup at your desk or workspace.
A 40 watt incandescent bulb (clear) with a 4000K Centric Daylight bulb from Waveform Lighting.
First thing in the morning, and when working after dinner, I’ll leave the Daylight bulb off — and use the 40 watt incandescent by itself.
On cold days, you might especially want more heat, infrared, and red light. Turn on a heat lamp, 3-5 feet behind you, to mimic summer sunshine while you work:
Add a heat lamp (125 watt or 250 watts) behind your — or off to the side — to enjoy more warming, restorative infrared/red frequencies.
With the heat lamp, the Daylight bulb (and 40 watt incandescent in front of you), the only frequencies lacking — to recreate sunlight — are in the UV range.
Add in a reptile bulb to introduce some UV into the room.
Being far behind you (and if you’re clothed), this UV will not provide therapeutic light, but instead signal “daytime” to your brain and help keep you alert.
Now add a reptile bulb for UV, off in the background, to fill the room with extremely gentle, UV light.
Finally, if you’d like a more therapeutic, intense dose of these frequencies, utilize two or more heat lamps (250 watts each), a reptile bulb, and a black light.
Keep in mind that real sunlight provides about 1000 watts on the typical human body. This setup provides just over half of that.
Red LED products can be easily added into this setup — taking the place of one heat lamp.
The Joovv Quad 3.0 Kit — $5,645
Where do red light LED products fit into this?
Generally red light LEDs are best used for therapeutic purposes: Intense, full-body light for 10-30 minutes at a time.
Red LEDs do not mimic sunlight, and are inferior to heat lamps.
My Experience
When I was living in sick buildings — and hadn’t realized their detrimental effect yet — I fell in love with light therapy. Recreating sunlight helped me feel wonderful when nothing else could.
Over the years, I worked up to ten 150 watt clear incandescent bulbs and used them for a long time. Impressive was the ability to warm, induce sweat, improve digestion, immunity, and sleep, and energize the mind — even in a sick building.
I’d do a 20 minute session before work, and then a longer session when I got home in the evening. On breaks, I’d go outside for fresh air and sunlight. I wore blue-light reducing glasses inside, under the fluorescent light.
Healthy, restorative light became a big part of my life — and my recovery.
Learn more about light — and receive guidance on your health journey.
Here’s what I’m currently doing to improve my health.
As of: 7-28-19
(check back for updates)
Some Rules I Follow
Try one new idea at a time. Problems almost always arise from trying too many things in too-short of period.
Understand how each component of my health regimen fits together. If I don’t understand it, it’s more risky for me.
Never do something (especially long-term) just because another person is doing it. That person could easily be harming themselves, doing things that only work given their personal challenges, or about to find out that their current regimen creates imbalances.
The food I eat is balanced: carbs and protein and fats — and digestible.
I am now eating food with virtually zero food restrictions.
I do avoid artificial sweeteners and flavors.
I eat mostly whole foods, although I don’t restrict added sugar. I do eat refined grains — in fact, starch is essential for me to feel my best, sleep well, and stay regular.
Macro Ratio
Roughly a 2:1:1 ratio (by calories).
I eat intuitively (I don’t measure calories or macros anymore, although I did for some time). I generally get a feel for where “2:1:1” probably is. If I want a little more protein, or carbs, or fat… I’ll add more. After years of paying attention to this, I can figure out what I want/need.
I think about what my gut will need to digest well… not just what my taste buds want.
I’ve gotten myself into endless conundrums with nonsensical, extreme nutritional supplementation.
Therefore, it’s become a core concept for me to never find myself lost and confused about nutrients, ever again.
Fat Solubles
1-2x/week. I seem to need more Vitamin A than the other Fat Solubles. Therefore, I take this more frequently (daily).
Vitamin A — 1x/day (at night)
Vitamin D — from sunlight, daily.
Vitamin E — 1x/week
Vitamin K — 2x/week
B-Vitamins
The Naturelo multivitamin is an excellent source of balanced B-vitamins.
B1 — 1x/week (allithiamine)
B2 — 1x/week
B6 — 1x/week
Choline — 1x/week
I don’t seem to need more B12 than this supplement provides.
Minerals
Sodium — Moderate intake.
Potassium — Lowish intake (what’s in the Ultima powder and veggies).
Calcium — Moderate/high intake. Mostly from dairy.
Magnesium — 3-6x/week.
Zinc — I avoid zinc. It makes me feel bad. (UPDATE Fall 2019: When I stopped visiting a moldy environment regularly, zinc tolerance improved, and supplemental zinc gave noticeable energy and calmness).
Copper — 1-2x/day. Chlorophyllin. Has long balanced out my high zinc. Consistently makes me feel great.
Iodine — Not needing much right now.
Selenium — About once per week.
Lithium — 1x/week
Strontium — 2x/month
Molybdenum — 1x/week (to lower high sulfur)
Amino Acids
Glycine — currently not taking/(is present in magnesium glycinate)
What might be even more important than the actions I take each day? How I think about my health.
Organizing my thoughts — into important topics — is one of the most important habits I developed as I came back into health.
I stopped viewing everything through a single lens — whether it be the thyroid, the gut, mold, or something else (various diets, perhaps).
Instead, I came to understand these essential topics, each its own standalone pillar of health that matters deeply and universally for all people.
That means I couldn’t simply focus on one area — gut health, or light, or the circadian rhythm — and expect to recover.
Of course, there’s so much overlap between each area — so envisioning these clearly defined “essential topics” helped me delve into health zones without becoming lost in the weeds, or overwhelmed by dozens of ideas.
These days — and for many years now — I don’t worry about doing a million health activities each day. I just think of these essential topics: light, sleep, the gut, food, nutrients, etc.
Often, I keep it super simple: Just make sure I’m doing something for each pillar every day.
I take stock — how I’m doing lately — for each topic. For example: “What’s my therapeutic light been like recently?”
Sometimes, I’ll focus more on one area than another.
Other times, I’ll also take a break from certain areas periodically — to see how doing less affects me.
Viewing these Pillars of Health as “essential topics” also allows me freedom from health-group dogma. I know a given essential topic is important, and I can maintain my focus on it, even as I explore various approaches within that subject — exploring advice from many sources.
This way, I can take or leave advice about, say, the circadian rhythm without changing my appreciation for the topic, itself. I know it’s important.
As I work through different approaches, I keep the best ideas — and weed out those that didn’t help, or those that made me feel worse.
Over time, the way I view these essential topics has become only about the universally-good ideas discovered along the way.
I improved my health dramatically — from near-complete debillitation, brain fog, fatigue, insomnia, hypothyroidism, and gut dysbiosis — to feeling better than ever.
I know you can too! How you think about your health information is the key to utilizing it, rather than it overwhelming you or trapping you.
Instead, build your own approach — one that resonates with your interests and innate wisdom, and thus will provide you sustainable results.
In your future, there is energy, vitality, and freedom. If I can recover my health, you can too.
The immune system needs all the support it can get during a crisis.
In this uncertain time, strategies to shore up biological weaknesses and nutritional imbalances are at the very top of the list for boosting immunity.
Everything mentioned in this article has been shown to be effective for boosting immunity against viruses and even past coronaviruses in published studies.
We can strengthen the immune system from the ground up — via two avenues foundational to general health: nutrients and lifestyle.
Adults
Suggested Schedule
Multivitamin —Daily.
Vitamin D — Daily**
Vitamin A —Every other day**
Vitamin C —Daily.
Zinc —Daily**
Echinacea —Daily.
Heat — Daily, multiple sessions.
Sunlight —Daily, multiple sessions.
** for duration of illness, then stop.
If you’ve supplemented high doses — of any of these — in the past 6 months, consider skipping them during the illness.
Immune function may be improved by restoring deficient micronutrients to recommended levels, thereby increasing resistance to infection and supporting faster recovery when infected.
A strong multivitamin has A) whole-food based, high-quality ingredients at B) biologically-appropriate, balanced doses — not megadoses, which can create imbalances.
Naturelo’s formulation is well-balanced, absorbable, w/adequate zinc content — the only one of its kind among a vast ocean of subpar multivitamins.
Vitamin D and Vitamin A are partner nutrients which are central to immune function.
Poorly represented in most diets (D is only available from sunlight and A is only available from liver), they are both critical for metabolism, sleep, and hormone production.
A deficiency in these can make you extra susceptible to illnesses.
D
Vitamin D is a hormone produced when the body receives UVB light.
Vitamin D is perhaps the most important immune nutrient.
This is a moderate-to-high dose of Vitamin D3 (the biologically-active form) with a small amount of cofactor Vitamin K2, needed to allow Vitamin D work in the body.
It’s an excellent idea to take absorbable magnesium to support Vitamin D. Magnesium is not readily found in modern food, so it’s a good idea to supplement it daily, anyway.
WHEN SICK, Take 5000IU Vitamin D daily — with a meal.
(Consider avoiding Vit D if supplemented heavily in the past — to avoid overdose).
NOTE — Sunlight is a superior form of Vitamin D, but is only available around midday, in the summer.
A
Vitamin A is the sister hormone to Vitamin D, enabling it to work optimally.
Other antiviral herbs may be viable alternatives to boost immunity during illness. Here’s a list of options:
(click to explore more options)
6
Heat
Heat is incredibly therapeutic for nearly every health condition — especially for supporting the immune system.
Why? In part, because pathogens are severely weakened in high heat. Look no further than what your own body does when sick: It raises the temperature in your tissues, a fever.
Venture Soft Far Infrared Heating Pad
UTK Ultra-Soft Far Infrared Heating Pad
Exposure to warmth is critical when fighting off illness and preventing it. The heat will also help you feel better in the process.
Apply heating pad for 20 minutes on chest, then 20 minutes on the back. Optional: Sit on pad for several hours.
Did you know? Heat is infrared light.
Read more about the stunning health effects of light.
7
Sunlight
If you’re sick, get outside.
UV light is naturally germicidal — especially against viruses. UV frequencies can penetrate into the skin, and can even inactivate viruses that have worked their way into skin tissues.
Morning light is the healthiest light you can get — even without any UV.
Don’t wait until you’re sick to spend time outdoors. Ward off illness — before it arrives — with regular sunshine.
Get outdoors every day — for as long as possible.
8
The immune system activates at night — functioning best when we sleep deeply.
Research is finding that when you sleep is more important than how many hours you sleep. Thus, the circadian rhythm is more important than the total hours of shuteye.
Fix the circadian rhythm to fix sleep. Explore the Sleep section for more.
Read more:
Children
When it comes to children, it’s important to simplify.
Kids are smaller bodies that require smaller doses of nutrients. Children’s health needs are different than an adult’s — they are often more sensitive, and thereby susceptible to harm caused by excessive supplementation.
Multivitamin
Kids need low, balanced doses of high-quality nutrients, too.
Not all children’s multivitamins meet the standards of quality and balanced dosages.
Balancing exercises are some of the most restorative movements you can make — for the mind and body.
This is the reason various mind-body disciplines — such as yoga — have always utilized balancing postures: they synchronize the mental and the physical better than most other activities we can engage in.
Here are some favorite tools to help encourage and take advantage of the benefits of balancing.
By improving your balance — in both lower and upper body — you can improve the health of your entire system.
The BOSU Ball is a staple of the modern gym and training session.
Creating an unstable surface to stand on — by putting the round side face-down (feet standing on the flat side) — the body has to constantly adapt and improve its balance. This strengthen’s the body’s joints (including the ankles, knees, and hips), core muscles, tendons, and leg muscles, while also synchronizing the nervous system.
You can also use this for upper body work, by doing pushups and planks with either hands or feet on the ball. The BOSU Ball is known for being well-built and durable, and is the standard among gym equipment of this type.
The ORIGINAL model was the first of its kind, and still is absolutely perfect for home use.
The PRO model is designed for use in gyms, and is capable of withstanding even higher traffic and use.
The NEXGEN is a new offering, built with supremely high quality and improved grips for more extreme training.
Simply inflate with air, and you’ve got an unstable surface to practice your balances.
This little balance disk is surprisingly helpful for being so cheap.
It’s not super tiny, but it is much more portable than a BOSU ball. It won’t give you nearly the range of possibilities a BOSU ball does, but it could be a quick “warm-up” before you head out the door — or an introduction to balancing.
I recommend the balance disk for beginners, or for experienced movers who want a portable option or variation from other, more challenging balancing tools.
PROs:
Pretty decent amount of stimulation to balance
Smaller, more portable
Well-made, durable
CONs:
Not as versatile or challenging as the BOSU ball
Very portable when deflated — (but re-inflating takes a few minutes)
RATING: 6.2/10
This is amazing as a quick, portable balancing tool. It’s absolutely better than nothing. However, if you can spend more on something more challenging (like a BOSU ball), you should. I enjoy owning both.
3
Lebert Parallettes
(amazon)
Parallete bars are incredible as a movement trainer.
They’re also excellent for building strength in the core and upper body. I consider them an essential component for building your core, shoulders, and entire upper body with balance between all parts.
PROs:
Super high quality
Two color options
Supports up to 400 lbs
CONs:
Smelly rubber feet/end caps.
RATING: 9.3/10.
These would be a 10/10 if the rubber end caps didn’t offgas so much. Remove them and let them offgas in the garage, or outside for a while.
At the time of this posting — the yellow set is quite a bit more affordable than the chrome. They must have had difficulty selling the yellow color.
4
Revolution Balance Board
(amazon)
This board allows you to mimic surfing, as you slide left-to-right, this really takes your balancing skills to the next level. The motion is limited to left-right motion (no forward-back), but nevertheless requires you to incorporate forward-back balancing to avoid falling either direction.
DIY — Make Your Own
You can make your own version of this for very, very cheap with two items from a hardware store: a $7-10 30 inch laminated wooden board (laminated is stronger) and a PVC pipe (they’ll often cut it for you — 16 inches should be about right). You might want to sand down the edges so they don’t scratch the floor.
PROs:
Convenient
Fun
Excellent trainer
CONs:
Pricey
You can make your own for under $20
Won’t last a lifetime
RATING: 8/10
I’d seriously consider making your own for much cheaper. You can always “upgrade” down the road if you really love the concept!
