41. Circadian-appropriate Exercise and Why You Should Avoid Blue-lit Gyms with Andreas Christou
Oct 21, 2023
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Andreas Christou, personal trainer specializing in human movement and quantum/circadian health, discusses optimizing training for the light environment, benefits of outdoor exercise and grounding, sprinting for metabolic health, low carb and carnivore diets, holistic nutrition and wellness coaching.
Optimizing training in accordance with circadian biology by exercising outdoors under natural light and avoiding artificial light indoors can significantly improve overall health and well-being.
Creating a healthy light environment by wearing blue light blocking glasses, minimizing exposure to non-native electromagnetic fields, and aligning diet with one's environment can enhance the benefits of exercise for optimal health.
Incorporating regular outdoor exercise not only improves muscle relaxation and blood flow but also promotes a state of calm and relaxation by regulating the body's circadian rhythm and improving nitric oxide production.
Deep dives
Importance of Circadian Health and Light Environment
Maintaining a healthy circadian rhythm and optimizing our light environment is crucial for overall health. Living in sync with nature's light cycles and paying attention to the quality and timing of light we expose ourselves to can have significant impacts on sleep, energy levels, hormonal balance, and overall well-being. Using blue light blocking glasses at night and ensuring exposure to natural light during the day can greatly improve sleep quality and energy levels.
Movement and Circadian Appropriate Exercise
Movement specialist Andreas emphasizes the importance of incorporating circadian-appropriate exercise routines into one's lifestyle. He highlights the negative impacts of constantly training indoors under artificial lighting and surrounded by non-native electromagnetic fields. Andreas recommends taking movement outdoors whenever possible to benefit from the full spectrum of natural light and the grounding effects of being in nature. He also emphasizes the importance of holistic movement, incorporating bodyweight exercises, mobility workouts, and exercises that promote rotation and dynamic movement to enhance mobility and overall fitness.
Addressing Factors Beyond Exercise
Andreas recognizes that exercise alone is not sufficient for optimal health. He emphasizes the need to address other factors such as light exposure, grounding, and diet. Andreas advises individuals to prioritize creating a healthy light environment by wearing blue light blocking glasses and utilizing circadian-friendly lighting solutions. He also highlights the negative effects of non-native electromagnetic fields from devices like fitness trackers and wireless earphones and recommends minimizing their use or opting for wired alternatives. Additionally, Andreas emphasizes the importance of aligning diet with one's environment, taking into account factors such as latitude and metabolic health, and highlights the benefits of a low-carb or carnivore-style diet for individuals with metabolic issues.
Benefits of Exercising Outdoors
Exercising outdoors provides numerous benefits for our overall health. When we are outdoors, we naturally receive beneficial free electrons from the ground, which is important for regulating our circadian rhythm. The electromagnetic fields from the earth play a role in our body's functioning, and being outdoors helps regulate our nervous system and promotes a state of calm and relaxation. Outdoor exercise improves muscle relaxation, allows for better oxygen and blood flow to the body and brain, and helps remove metabolic waste through the lymphatic system. Additionally, being outdoors increases nitric oxide production, which improves blood flow and enhances overall relaxation.
The Importance of Movement and Mobility
Regular movement and mobility exercises are crucial for maintaining optimal health and preventing stiffness. Our bodies are designed for constant micro movements, which keeps us in a ready state and allows for quick transition between parasympathetic and sympathetic states. Sitting for prolonged periods indoors leads to stagnation and stiffness. Coupled with exposure to non-native electromagnetic fields and blue light, this can worsen stiffness and affect the fascia inside our bodies. Practicing mobility exercises can help counteract the negative effects of sedentary lifestyle and improve quality of life. It is important to move and exercise daily to prevent loss of range of motion and overall functionality.
Andreas Chrisou is a personal trainer with a specialty in human movement and quantum/circadian health. He promotes ancestrally-appropriate exercises in outdoor settings that promote mobility and holistic health.
We discuss optimizing training for our light environment, why you avoid exercising inside under artificial light, the benefits of grounding, sprinting, low carb, carnivore and seasonal eating, and much more.
If you are wondering how to optimise your exercise in a way that respects your circadian biology then do not miss this episode!
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