Several years ago I had a dream that changed my entire health journey. Among other things, spirit showed me that mitochondrial health was an important factor in my recovery and sustaining long term results. At the time I didn’t know much about mitochondria. I remembered they were the powerhouse of the cell and that was about it. So, I do what I usually do when I want to know more about something, I began researching it, day and night, and then experimenting with what I found. One of the first places I went for information was the handy dandy internet where I googled words like “mitochondria and chronic conditions” and “mitochondrial health and dysautonomia.” These searches led me to a man by the name of Dave Asprey. He is the founder of Bulletproof and the information he shares with the world changed my life.

I’ll never forget the first Bulletproof podcast I heard. He was talking with someone about water and mitochondria. This was especially interesting to me because I have been told for years to drink excessive amounts of water (and to eat a lot of salt) due to my dysautonomia diagnosis. However, experience had taught me that drinking 100 ounces of water or more in a day sometimes still wasn’t enough, even if I hadn’t been crazy active, had a few too many drinks the night before, or been in extreme heat (all triggers for dehydration). So, intuitively I knew there was more to the equation than water + salt = increased energy. In his podcast I remember Dave and his guest speaking about the movement of water and how it charges the mitochondria. A lightbulb went off. I wasn’t crazy. There was more to it than the amount of water I was taking in.

From there I listened to podcast after podcast, read books and articles, and did a lot of meditation and experimenting with the guidance I was receiving. Let me tell you, I did, and still do, some crazy stuff and most of it has worked! For instance, while I didn’t have a Bulletproof vibe (and sadly still don’t) I started shaking my body when I felt like I needed a recharge. I had learned about EZ water and charging our cells with vibration, so why not give it a whirl? Sound crazy? There’s more. I started putting my face in cold water and walking barefoot in the snow. I’m telling you, it was wild! But guess what? I learned so much and I wanted to keep going, which is exactly what I did. As a result I have more energy, less episodes, and a vibrant life I can now partake in rather than watching it pass me by from bed. That’s why I want to share these strategies with you. Whether you’re mostly bed ridden like I was or just want to have a little more energy in your day to day these tips are for you.

Cold is your friend. Having EDS and Raynaud’s I typically avoid cold like the plague. However, I’ve learned to leverage small doses for the mitochondria boosting benefits without the negative impacts that sometimes come with these conditions. For instance, I walk barefoot in the snow for 30 to 45 seconds then immediately wrap my feet in warm towels. In the winter, rather than finishing my shower on all the way cold water, I turn it to 3/4 cold. Instead of staying inside on a cold day I purposely get outside, even if just for a 10 or 15 minute walk in my coat. The brisk air still feels great on my face and my legs get a little jolt of cold too. Oh and don’t forget to splash cold water on your face every morning. It wakes you up and boosts mitochondrial function. You can even put your face in a bowl of ice water if you’re brave enough.
Be a sun goddess or god. Mitochondria are light sensitive. They especially love sunlight. Besides this, we get a lot of key nutrients from the sun. For whatever reason, over the last decade or two, we’ve created a sun-fearing culture and I believe 1) we’re causing more health issues than what we’re helping and 2) the science doesn’t back the extreme fear that’s being spread. We all need an adequate amount of sunlight to feel our best. Depending on genetics our magic numbers vary. In our family we practice awareness and only use mineral based sunscreen if we’re going to be in the sun for an extended period of time. I aim to get at least 15 minutes of sunshine a day. That means I’m outside, if possible. Otherwise you can find me inside, with a window open, gazing in the general direction of the sun (not directly into it). We have the most dense population of mitochondrial light receptors in our eyes, chest, and back, so make sure those body parts are exposed as much as possible. If you are going to spend time outdoors, don’t forget to hydrate! As a side note, please don’t use chemical sunscreen. It causes more harm than good, damaging both us and the ecosystem. There are plenty of affordable, healthy sunscreens out there. Choose one.
Limit exposure to LED and fluorescent lights. Because mitochondria are light sensitive we need to be aware of the kind of light we are feeding them. Too much blue light takes more energy for mitochondria to process, exactly what we don’t want. Blue light affects almost everything, including circadian rhythm, so choose wisely. In our home we use almost all halogen bulbs. The lights that are LED, we don’t use once the sun goes down. This ensures our mitochondria aren’t getting overexposed to blue light and signals to our bodies that it’s time to prepare for sleep. One of my favorite evening rituals is to light candles around dusk and turn on a few low wattage halogen lamps. It supports melatonin production and sets a sexy mood (bonus!). If you are exposed to a lot of LED and fluorescent lights you can always purchase blue light blocking glasses to reduce the load on your system. Also, don’t forget that planes are full of junk light! Wear sunglasses and hats in flight as well as long sleeves and pants since skin is light sensitive. If you have dysautonomia hot flashes may mean you have to expose some skin for a bit. Don’t sweat it! Dress in layers, removing and adding as needed.
Get moving. Movement boosts mitochondria and we feel it in the form of more energy and mental clarity. The key here is to do the right kind of movement at the right intensity. The most important thing for me is to make sure I don’t overdo it. I want to support energy production, not exhaust myself. That means most days my movement consists of walking, yoga, and resistance bands. Other days I may hit the bike for a longer ride or, if I’m really feeling up to it, I do interval running. Dave Asprey’s Head Strong has a great section for detailed workout advice, all scientifically tested.

What are your favorite ways to boost mitochondria? I’d love to hear! Drop me a line in the comments below or hit me up on social media.