Magnesium has long surpassed the buzz and is officially sacrosanct. We can’t function without it— it helps us convert food into energy, helps regulate the nervous system, and plays a major role in hundreds of biochemical reactions in our bodies, just to name a few. And the kicker? Due to modern farming and cultivation, most of our food sources we count on for magnesium are sorely lacking.
For this reason, we rely on our handy-dandy supplements. Luckily, magnesium comes in many forms. We can pop a few capsules, dissolve a powder into some water and down an elixir, rub it on our skin, or soak it up in the bath. Here are a few reasons you should be getting magnesium into your wellness rituals:
Magnesium can help calm and regulate the mind in major ways. This essential mineral helps to regulate our nervous system—which of course is so much more than the mind, but that’s where it starts. It helps modulate neurotransmitters that direct every other function in the body, especially our cognizance. It can help ease anxiety, relax the mind for restorative rest, and even enhance the way we learn and create (and hang on to) memories. This is vital in the here and now but also to prevent age-related cognitive decline.
Because magnesium plays such a major role in our bodies’ energy production, it makes sense that the brain needs us to invite more magnesium in. Our brain, the controller, takes a lot of energy to operate optimally. Also notable is that magnesium regulates the neurotransmitters glutamate and GABA, required for normal brain function, cognition, learning, fighting depression, and anxiety. Hot baths are an incredible way for us to mitigate high levels of cortisol as well. Coupled with some magnesium salts and magnesium oil for a gentle, soothing self-massage afterwards, we can double down on chill mode—from the inside out.
Because magnesium is such a hero mineral for the brain and our energy, its role in the body is just as vital. It helps govern muscle contractions and helps to block calcium so that muscles can relax. This is essential in every part of our day, from fitness to resting, but magnesium can also help immensely with PMS and premenstrual cramps. By helping muscles relax, it’s incredible for workout recovery and boosting performance. And if intense workouts wreck your adrenals, have no fear. Magnesium can also help lower blood pressure, preventing the risk for heart disease or heart attacks, and even prevent migraines.
The aforementioned bathing ritual for stress applies to post-intense workouts as well, because muscle soreness and recovery is a type of stress on the body. However, taking supplements and elixirs rich in magnesium can also help to hydrate and amplify the effects of magnesium on a cellular level.
Magnesium is shown to have anti-inflammatory properties that of course help our brain and body but also support our skin health and glow factor. Lower inflammation can help reduce acne and other skin disorders, but because magnesium also helps us to ease tension and anxiety by lowering cortisol, it can also stabilize hormones and improve cell function. Magnesium can also help stabilize blood sugar for healthy weight management. Take it every night before bed to lock in those quality beauty z’s, and set your cells up for optimal function.
Kourtney x Barker Wellness Calm Magnesium Bath Flakes
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Kourtney x Barker Wellness Rejuvenate Magnesium Bath Flakes
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