Down To Earth 🌎
Estimated read time: 6 minutes and 34 seconds
Another beautiful day on Earth, am I right?
As I’m writing this, I’m at the airport heading back to Seattle from Boise—and man, I had such a good time soaking in that Boise weather.
Also, I don’t know why, but I love watching planes take off. Something about it is just so incredibly fascinating to me.
But more importantly, I had a big realization this week that I hope you can take something from too.
I’ve noticed that I often treat life as a series of end goals instead of approaching it with a curiosity mindset.
It’s like everything I do has to lead to some result… but maybe that’s been the wrong approach all along.
What if it's less about outcomes—and more about the journey, the experiments, and the curiosity we bring to the process?
Life’s never going to go exactly how you want it to. But if you can approach things with, “Let me try this because I’m genuinely curious,” then no matter the result, you’ll learn and grow.
That mindset just feels better. But is it actually doable?
I’m curious—does that resonate with you?
Hit reply and let me know. I've been writing Down To Earth for over a year now, and honestly, the reason I keep going is because of your responses.
So don’t be shy—I'd love to hear how you’re feeling.
Let’s jump in!
- 🧠 Gut-Skin-Brain Axis!
- 🎷 Why Your Heart’s Offbeat Matters
- 🍳 Is Your Stovetop Secretly Sabotaging Your Skin?
- 🐟 Why This Fish Is Safer Than Salmon
🧠 Gut-Skin-Brain Axis!
Believe it or not, your brain and skin are chatting all the time through this cool thing called the gut-skin-brain axis.
Think of it as a 3-way group text where your gut, skin, and brain exchange calls about your health, mood, and how you’re glowing (literally).
Now, why does this matter? 🧐
Because this connection helps protect and boost your mitochondria—the tiny powerhouse organelles inside your cells.
Mitochondria make the energy your cells need to live and function.
When these little guys are happy, your skin looks radiant and your brain stays sharp. 💥
Let’s talk nutrients—your skin and brain’s BFFs! 💪🥦
-
Plant-derived omega-3 (ALA):
- This omega-3 is essential, meaning your body can’t make it—you gotta eat it!
- It helps keep your skin happy by fighting off those pesky free radicals, the molecular bullies that cause damage and aging (hello, wrinkles!).
- Bonus: It equips your skin to better handle UV rays from the sun, which usually cause oxidative stress (fancy talk for cell damage). ☀️🛡️
-
Vitamin D:
- Known as the “sunshine vitamin” because your skin actually makes it when you catch some rays.
- But here’s the catch: Sun exposure can damage your skin (hello, sunburn and skin cancer risk), so relying solely on sun to get your vitamin D is risky.
- Plus, MANY people (looking at you, Americans 🇺🇸) don’t get enough vitamin D through diet or sun—leading to dryness, because vitamin D helps keep the skin hydrated and moisturized.
- Supplements to the rescue! They’re a safe, effective way to get your needed dose without turning into a lobster.
Why care? Here’s your quick science takeaway:
Your skin isn’t just a shell—it’s a living, breathing organ tightly linked to your brain and gut health.
By feeding your body essential nutrients like omega-3 ALA and vitamin D, you:
- Protect your cells’ power plants (mitochondria).
- Help your skin fight off age and damage-causing free radicals.
- Maintain hydrated, supple skin that actually looks good and feels good.
Actionable Tips to Glow-Brain Boost:
- Include plant-based omega-3 sources like flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts in your diet every day.
- Get your vitamin D levels tested, especially if you’re not spending much time outdoors.
- Consider a high-quality vitamin D supplement (talk to your doc for the right dose).
- Protect your skin from UV damage with sunscreen rather than relying on sun for vitamin D.
Article Link
🎷 Why Your Heart’s Offbeat Matters
You know your heart beats—it’s basic biology 101.
But did you know the time between each heartbeat actually changes? That’s Heart Rate Variability, or HRV—the cool, not-so-obvious heartbeat dance! 🎶
What is HRV?
HRV measures the tiny differences in time between one heartbeat and the next.
Your heart isn’t a metronome ticking evenly; it subtly speeds up and slows down in response to your body’s needs. This variability means your autonomic nervous system (ANS)—the boss behind the scenes controlling involuntary stuff like breathing and stress response—is working well. Think of the ANS as a skilled air traffic controller, smoothly adjusting your heart’s tempo. 🛩️
Why does HRV matter?
A higher HRV = your body’s stress-response system is flexible and balanced.
A lower HRV = your system might be overwhelmed by stress, illness, or fatigue. It’s like the difference between a jazz band improvising effortlessly (high HRV) versus them just playing the same boring note on repeat (low HRV). 🎷😬
What can you do with this info?
Knowing your HRV helps you:
- Identify if stress or poor habits are nerfing your heart’s groove
- See how exercise, sleep, and diet improve your heart’s rhythm
- Stay motivated to keep your body’s “air traffic control” sharp!
Pro tips to boost your HRV:
1. Get regular aerobic exercise—think walking, jogging, or dancing like no one’s watching 🕺
2. Manage stress with mindfulness or deep breathing (bye-bye, deadline panic!) 😌
3. Eat well—whole foods over junk food, your heart’s favorite fuel 🍎
4. Avoid a couch potato life—move regularly, even if it’s just a stretch or two!
Article Link
🍳 Is Your Stovetop Secretly Sabotaging Your Skin?
If you’ve been blaming your dairy, sugar, or hormones for stubborn breakouts, it might be time to blame… your stovetop.
Yep, that sizzling stir fry could be the secret saboteur messing with your skin.
Why?
When you fry food, cooking oils and airborne grease float around like uninvited party guests.
These tiny greasy particles aren’t just hanging around the kitchen—they’re sneaking into your pores, hair, and even your pillows!
Sounds gross, right? But this is a real problem dermatologists like Dr. Helena Watson highlight.
She explains that these oil particles can clog your pores—especially around the jawline and forehead—leading to those annoying breakouts that don’t quit.
Imagine your pores as tiny gates: cooking grease slams them shut, trapping dirt and oil inside, while bacteria crash the party, causing pimples to pop up.
Here’s the science bit:
- Pores are openings in your skin that release oil (sebum) to keep your skin smooth and hydrated.
- But when excess oil from cooking grease settles on your skin and isn’t cleaned off, it mixes with your natural oils and dead skin cells.
- This mix blocks your pores, creating a perfect environment for acne-causing bacteria to thrive.
- Sleeping with this oily layer means the particles get pressed deeper overnight, making breakouts worse.
And here’s a shocker: 63% of people don’t wash their face or hair after cooking, AND 40% skip the extractor fan, letting grease roam free.
That’s like letting oven-smoke settle on your face every night. Yikes.
But don’t worry—the fix is easier than it smells:
Kitchen Skincare Survival Tips:
1. Always use your extractor fan when frying.
It sucks up airborne grease before it crashes your skin party.
2. Wash your face and hairline after cooking.
A quick wipe with micellar water or a gentle cleanser removes that sneaky oil.
3. Change pillowcases more often—ideally 1-2 times a week.
Because greasy pillows = overnight breakout boosters.
Article Link
🐟 Why This Fish Is Safer Than Salmon
If fish were superheroes, herring would be the underrated sidekick stealing the spotlight from fancy salmon and tuna!
Here’s why:
- Omega-3s Galore 🧠💪
A 143-gram fillet of Atlantic herring packs about 2.98 grams of omega-3 fatty acids — that’s even more than an ounce of walnuts (2.5 grams)!
Omega-3s are essential fats your body can’t make on its own.
They help build healthy brain cells (especially DHA), support memory, and keep your heart ticking happily.
- Low in Mercury — a Big Deal! ☠️🚫
Mercury contamination is a sneaky villain in many fish, especially the big predatory ones like shark or swordfish.
Mercury is a heavy metal that damages your kidneys, nervous system, and even your skin by messing with cell function.
Herring contains a tiny 0.078 parts per million (ppm) of mercury — making it one of the safest fish to gobble regularly.
Why does mercury matter?
It accumulates up the food chain (think of a fish eating another fish that ate another fish full of mercury).
This process is called bioaccumulation and explains why bigger fish tend to be more toxic.
- Brain Food — Literally! 🧠✨
Herring isn’t just omega-3s; it’s loaded with:
- DHA (1.6 grams per serving) — critical for building baby brains and maintaining yours.
- Iodine — supports brain development and metabolism.
- Iron (about 11% DV) — important for focus, learning, and movement (think of it as brain fuel!).
- Choline (22% DV) — boosts memory and acts like a brain bodyguard, protecting your neurons from damage.
- More Than Mental Health — Ultimate Heart & Cancer Buddy! ❤️🛡️
Omega-3s do more than keep your brain sharp. They:
- Reduce inflammation (the root of many chronic diseases).
- Improve blood flow and protect your brain’s protective shield (the blood-brain barrier).
- Lower triglycerides (fats in your blood) and relax blood vessels for a happy heart.
- Potentially help slow cancer growth, although research here is still playing catch-up.
Article Link
📚 Ryan's Book Of The Week |
Remember when you used to do things just for fun? Not for productivity. Not for likes. Just because it made you feel alive? Yeah… let’s bring that back.
This week’s book is your permission slip to be curious, to try stuff, to make stuff — even if it’s a little weird. Especially if it’s weird.
💡 Why read it?
- Learn how creativity is secretly a wellness tool (no paint required).
- Ditch perfectionism and rediscover the joy of playing.
- Start creating again — just because you want to.
Whether it’s writing, doodling, rearranging your furniture, or baking oddly shaped cookies — this book helps you find your spark again.
🚀 If you loved today’s tips… imagine how much your best friend, workout buddy, or health-conscious coworker would, too. Forward them this email and make their day!
Until next time,
Ryan Lehman
Your guide to a balanced, healthy life
Received this email from a friend? 🏄 Join the community and subscribe here www.bedownto.earth