6 Health Hacks to Level Up Your Wellness

Dear Shadow Tribe,

 

The best way to avoid the expense, and the control, of the health system is to need it as little as possible. I’m not a doctor, but I’ve seen the healthcare system up close. My mom beat breast cancer, my sister fought MS, I survived colon and skin cancer, and I’ve been managing type 2 diabetes for a decade. Here’s what I’ve learned: your habits shape your health. These six hacks are practical ways to boost your healing and feel your best.

1. Quit Sabotaging Yourself

If you’re in a hole, stop digging. Your body isn’t built to be sick, but bad habits pile up. Smoking, excessive alcohol, sugar binges, skimping on sleep, stressing out, eating junk, or avoiding exercise are all shovels digging your hole of bad health. Ask yourself: What am I doing that’s hurting me? Be honest with yourself, then stop doing those things. You can’t heal if you keep breaking yourself.

2. Prioritize Sleep

Ever feel like a good night’s sleep could fix everything? You’re not wrong. Your immune system and healing powers peak when you’re asleep. Skimp on shut-eye, and you’re robbing your body of much needed repair time. Aim for 7 to 9 hours a night consistently. "Catching up" on the weekend doesn't count.

3. Chill Out

Stress is a silent killer. Traffic, long commutes, toxic coworkers, problem neighbors, endless notifications... It all adds up, jacking up blood pressure and stress hormones that mess with your body. Chronic stress can spiral into bigger issues like anxiety or depression. Fight back with meditation, deep breathing, prayer, or low-key hobbies like reading, walking, yoga, or gaming. If your job or commute is a nightmare, consider a change. Can’t shake the stress? Talk to a close friend or trusted family member. Resources like the Anxiety and Depression Association (adaa.org) or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988lifeline.org or dial 988) are there if you need them.

4. Move Your Body

Sitting all day is a health trap. Scientific studies link lack of exercise to chronic diseases. Regular movement, such as walking, biking, dancing, gardening, or hiking, cuts stress, boosts energy, lowers blood pressure, and helps manage weight. It even raises testosterone and strengthens bones. Start small, like a 15-minute walk, and build from there. Consistency is key to success.

5. Fuel Smart

Your body needs quality fuel to heal. Nutrition is tricky with all the noise out there, but here’s what works for me: Real food. Load up on healthy fats (salmon or other fatty fish, eggs, avocado, nuts, olive oil) and proteins (beef, chicken, turkey, lean fish), and low-carb veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, leafy-greens) and fruit ( especially berries). Ditch bread, white potatoes, and sugary drinks (even fruit juice). Water and unsweetened tea are your friends. Experiment to find what makes you feel good, have more energy, and better focus. Note: I am doing my best to avoid GMOs and lab-grown meats. 

6. Track Your Progress

Grab a notebook or app and log your health journey. Write down what you eat, how you move, sleep, and feel. Note your stress levels, energy, or metrics like blood sugar or weight. Over time, you’ll spot patterns. Foods and bad habits that tank your energy, or what workouts make you thrive, will become obvious. Knowledge is power.

Pro Tip: Don’t Skip the Doc

These hacks complement, not replace, professional care. Regular checkups catch issues early, saving you bigger headaches later.

Bonus Resources

For emergencies, check out The Survival Medicine Handbook (Amazon link) by Dr. Joseph and Amy Alton. It is a great guide for handling health crises when doctors aren’t around. 

 

I am a big fan of Dr. William Li and his ideas for eating to beat disease and promote health. Check out his book Eat to Beat Disease: The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself  (Amazon link). 

 

Everyone should know first aid: ACEP First Aid Manual 5th Edition: The Step-by-Step Guide for Everyone  (Amazon link) is a great starting point. Get good training. Have easy access to a real first aid kit (RM affiliate link for 10% off of kits at checkout).  

Stay proactive, experiment, and own your health. 

Between Shadows and Light, 

   Cade Shadowlight ☠ 

 

Please subscribe for free! Just click here. 

Support Dystopian Survival: Fuel our mission to foster survival and independence in a technocratic age of control. Tip us at buymeacoffee.com/CadeShadowlight and keep the fight alive! 

 

Guide to Junk Silver

Dear Shadow Tribe,

 

Junk silver offers a tangible, time-tested asset to preserve wealth and to facilitate trade when paper currency fails. While other storehouses of wealth like gold or land have their place, junk silver’s unique accessibility and divisibility make it a critical tool for economic resilience. 

 

Why Junk Silver? A Hedge Against Chaos

 

Precious metals like silver and gold have served as currency for millennia, their value rooted in scarcity and universal recognition. Unlike fiat money, which governments can print into oblivion, silver cannot be devalued by policy or inflation. Even if authorities attempt to ban its use, silver’s historical role as currency ensures a robust black market, making it a steadfast hedge against inflation and a viable alternative during economic collapse.

Junk silver is ideal for smaller transactions in a crisis. While gold suits large purchases (think buying a house or land), its high value makes it impractical for everyday needs like food or fuel.

What Is Junk Silver?

 

The term junk silver is misleading. These coins are far from junk. It refers to circulated U.S. coins, primarily pre-1965 dimes, quarters, and halves, containing 90% silver with little to no collectible premium above their metal content.

Unlike rare coins, key dates, or high-grade collectibles, junk silver’s value lies in its silver, not numismatic appeal. Post-1965 coins generally lack silver, with a few exceptions noted in the chart below.

Calculating Junk Silver’s Value

Silver prices fluctuate daily, so check financial websites or coinflation.com for current rates. To determine the cost per ounce of silver in 90% junk silver coins, use the .715 rule: there’s approximately 0.715 troy ounces of silver per $1 face value of 90% silver coins. 

 

Note: The .715 rule doesn’t apply to war nickels, 40% Kennedy halves, 40% Eisenhower dollars, or Silver Eagles, as their silver content differs. 

When selling to dealers, expect offers of 60–90% of melt value, depending on demand and coin type. If the offer feels low, negotiate or try another dealer. 

 

Why Junk Silver for Generational Wealth?

 

Junk silver isn’t just a crisis currency, it’s a storehouse of wealth that can endure across generations. Unlike stocks or bonds, which can vanish in a market crash, silver’s intrinsic value persists. Its physical nature protects it from digital disruptions, and its divisibility makes it versatile for trade.

How Much Junk Silver Do You Need?

 

The amount depends on your circumstances, concerns, and budget. Prioritize prepping basics (food, water, supplies, and paying down debt and building an emergency fund) before acquiring silver, and never go into debt for it. A modest stash of dimes, quarters, and halves can provide security without overextending your finances.

Which Coins to Choose?

Stick with 90% silver U.S. dimes, quarters, and halves for their recognizability and lack of collectible premium. Morgan and Peace dollars are viable but less familiar to the public. Avoid foreign or commemorative coins, as they’re less likely to be accepted in trade. Silver Eagles, while valuable and recognizable, often carry a premium and aren’t true junk silver.

Where to Find Junk Silver

1. Check Your Change: Silver coins occasionally surface in pocket change or coin jars.
2. Coin Roll Hunting: Buy rolls from banks, search for silver, and return non-silver coins at face value. Watch YouTube for “coin roll hunting” tips.
3. Local Coin Dealers: Expect a slight premium over melt value, but dealers offer reliable stock.
4. eBay: Search “junk silver,” but stick to reputable sellers with high feedback scores. Start with small purchases to test dealers.
5. Flea Markets & Yard Sales: Non-dealers may offer bargains, unaware of silver’s daily value.
6. Gold & Silver Brokers: Large brokers, often advertised on radio or TV, usually sell junk silver, though premiums may be higher.

Investment or Insurance?

 

Junk silver isn’t primarily an investment. Instead, it is insurance against economic chaos and a storehouse of wealth. Its value lies in preserving purchasing power, not chasing profits. By holding junk silver, you’re preparing for a future where the dollar may falter, ensuring you and your family have a resilient, tangible asset to weather the storm. 

 

Between Shadows and Light, 

   Cade Shadowlight ☠ 

 

Please subscribe for free! Just click here. 

 

Collecting coins as a hobby or an investment?  Protect your coins in Coin Snap Holders and Coin Tubes. Various sizes of both are available on Amazon. Just click the links or pictures to go there (and help this website, which is an Amazon affiliate).