As a holistic mom, you know the importance of looking after your heart health. But did you know that certain herbs are excellent for supporting cardiovascular wellness? From garlic to hawthorn, many herbs are known for their healing properties and positive effects on the heart. Let’s explore some of the best herbs for heart health and how they can help you in your quest for holistic wellbeing.
Garlic
Garlic is one of the most potent natural remedies available, and its benefits extend far beyond repelling vampires! Garlic is an anti-inflammatory agent, making it great for reducing inflammation in the body that can lead to hypertension or other cardiovascular issues. It contains high levels of sulfur-containing compounds called allicin, which are thought to be largely responsible for its medicinal properties. Allicin also helps reduce cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
Hawthorn
Hawthorn is a shrub native to Europe and Asia that has been used as a medicinal herb since ancient times. Studies have shown that hawthorn extract can help strengthen the heart muscle, boost circulation, and improve overall heart health by supporting healthy blood pressure levels. It may also help reduce stress-induced arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). For best results, try taking hawthorn extract daily as part of a holistic heart health regimen.
Ginger
Ginger is another popular herbal remedy that has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Studies have found that consuming ginger root can help reduce bad cholesterol levels while increasing good cholesterol levels. Ginger can also help lower blood pressure and improve circulation throughout the body, both of which are important factors when it comes to maintaining cardiovascular health. You can add fresh ginger root to your diet in small amounts or take ginger supplements as recommended by your doctor or naturopath.
Taking care of our hearts is essential if we want to maintain good physical and mental wellbeing! Fortunately, there are many herbs out there that offer wonderful benefits when it comes to heart health support—from garlic to ginger, these natural remedies pack quite a punch when it comes to improving cardiovascular wellness! Add them into your diet today and start reaping the rewards for yourself! Good luck on your journey towards holistic heart health!
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Being a stay-at-home mom is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding, yet exhausting jobs you can have. Whether you are new to being a stay-at-home mom or have been doing it for years, chances are that you’ve experienced the physical and emotional exhaustion that comes with the job. Let’s take a deeper look into why being a stay-at-home mom can be so exhausting.
The Physical Exhaustion
Being a stay-at-home mom means that your entire day revolves around taking care of others—your kids, your spouse, and even your extended family. From waking up early to get breakfast ready for everyone in the house to making sure all activities are taken care of throughout the day and still having energy left to put the kids to bed at night, staying at home with your kids can be physically draining. When you have infants and toddlers, there is a lot of bending, lifting, and carrying, and that is all in addition to burning the candle at both ends when they are up at night. Even if you don’t need to leave the house during the day, there is still plenty of physical labor involved in running a household such as laundry and cleaning. In addition, if you do decide to go out in public with children in tow, there will likely be extra running around—literally!
The Emotional Exhaustion
In addition to all the physical labor involved in caring for your family as a stay at home mom, there is also an emotional toll that can come with it. No matter how much you love being home with your children and family members, it can still be emotionally taxing because of all the demands placed on you every day. Not only must you provide food and shelter for your family but also make sure their emotional needs are taken care of as well. This means constantly checking in on them emotionally and finding ways to bring joy into each day no matter how exhausted you may feel yourself.
It can also be emotionally draining when trying to figure out what works best for each member of your family—every person has different needs and wants which means that finding ways to meet those needs without sacrificing too much of yourself takes time and effort. And let’s not forget about trying to find time for yourself! Taking breaks away from parenting duties often gets pushed aside due to exhaustion or lack of time or resources but carving out “me time” is just as important as taking care of everyone else!
Being a stay-at-home mom certainly isn't easy but it can absolutely be worth it when done right! Although it's impossible (and unhealthy) not to experience any exhaustion while raising children at home full time, understanding why this feeling comes up can help us combat it more effectively by finding ways to better manage our time and prioritize our own needs alongside those of our families. With some self reflection and simple lifestyle changes we can make sure we take care of ourselves both physically and mentally so that we can enjoy our journey as moms even more!
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As a holistic mom, you know that self-care is an important part of living a healthy, balanced life. But what about self-advocacy? It’s an often overlooked but essential piece of the puzzle when it comes to maintaining your health. Let’s take a look at what self-advocacy means and how it can help keep you and your family healthy.
What is Self Advocacy in Health?
Self-advocacy in health involves having the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about your own health care. This means caring for yourself at home in ways that support your health and prevent health issues. This means researching treatment options and advocating for yourself when dealing with doctors, insurance companies, or other healthcare providers. It also means knowing when to seek out additional opinions or seek out alternative treatments.
Why Is Self Advocacy Important?
Having the ability to advocate for your own health is important because it allows you to take control of your own medical care instead of relying on someone else to make decisions for you. Self-advocacy can help ensure that you get the best possible care by allowing you to make informed decisions based on all available information and resources. It also empowers you to ask questions and speak up if something doesn’t feel right or if a diagnosis doesn’t seem correct.
By advocating for yourself, you are more likely to receive better quality care that meets your individual needs rather than just agreeing with what your healthcare professional tells you without question. This can lead to better outcomes since they aren’t always 100% accurate with their diagnoses or treatments, and you know your body better than anyone else.
How Can You Do It?
The first step in self-advocating for your health is educating yourself about different treatments and diagnoses so that you can make informed decisions about which ones are best for you and your family. You should also keep track of all medical records, test results, alternative treatments, medications, etc., so that they are easily accessible if needed. Additionally, it’s important to develop relationships with trusted healthcare providers who will listen to your concerns and answer any questions that you have. Finally, don’t be afraid to speak up if something doesn’t feel right or if a diagnosis doesn’t seem correct—it could save your life!
Self-advocacy is incredibly important when it comes to managing one's health as well as your family's health; however, many people don't realize its importance until they find themselves in need of its benefits! Educating yourself on different treatments and diagnoses will enable you to make informed decisions regarding the healthcare course of action best suited for yourself or those close to you. Additionally, having strong relationships with trusted healthcare providers who listen intently will go a long way in making sure nothing slips through the cracks during diagnosis or treatment processes - potentially saving lives! Be sure not to be afraid to speak up if something does not feel right - this could prove invaluable in emergency situations! In short, self-advocacy is key when it comes to caring for one's well-being!
This is something I had to learn the hard way when a doctor broke my back. I was afraid to speak up after he had laughed at my concerns. Read more about that here.
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When I was 21, I had my first child. After having an epidural, I experienced a lot of back pain and went to a back specialist. He offered to adjust my back as he felt my hips were misaligned. He had adjusted my back a few times before, but when I told family members that I was getting my back adjusted, they warned me to be careful of being adjusted because early onset osteoporosis runs in my family. I expressed my concerns to the doctor, and he literally laughed in my face, saying it wasn't possible to have osteoporosis at my age. His tone was derisive and scornful.
Looking back now, I should have walked out of the office right then. He was so disrespectful and didn't even offer to check with an X-ray or bone density test. But hindsight is 20/20. I didn't have the confidence at that point to stand up for myself. I didn't have all the information I needed. I had a deeply held respect for authority and the belief that doctors knew best. As he wielded his "I know better than you" card, I shrank and felt so dumb for even bringing up the possibility that he dismissed so completely. I felt so embarrassed that I didn't even think to ask to be tested.
I humbly climbed up on the table. He proceeded to crack up, up, up my spine until I heard a crunch and felt pain. I yelped. As I stood up, that pain was still there. I twisted and stretched and told him it hurt, and he brushed it off, saying adjustments are sometimes uncomfortable and it would work itself out. The pain didn't go away that day, and the next morning, that one spot on my spine was throbbing. I was traveling for the weekend and sat in a car all day while the pain worsened. My trip was physically excruciating and miserable, although I tried to smile through the pain.
When I returned, I went back and demanded an X-ray. I told him the pain started when he adjusted my back before my trip and only got worse each day. Sure enough, I had a compression fracture. He and I both knew exactly what had happened. I was also diagnosed with osteopenia, the precursor to osteoporosis, which was clear from looking at the X-ray. He was wrong.
Doctors can be wrong. They are often wrong! Much of what they do is guesswork. And they hurt patients because of it! Many of them are so full of themselves that they won't listen when a patient expresses concerns. Many of them think they are infallible and don't bother looking into things further when they should. This is a huge problem!
But another problem is that patients trust too much as I did. They don't advocate for themselves or walk out when they should. Patients don't do their own research and aren't armed with the knowledge that builds confidence to stand up for themselves. This can be corrected! This is one of the biggest reasons I created this website. I am arming moms with knowledge and confidence to advocate for their own health, both at home and at the doctor's office.
Read how I got through this time with an infant and a broken back here.
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Missed Part 1? See it here.
As moms, we are often so focused on caring for our families and taking care of responsibilities that we forget to take care of ourselves. But if you want to stay healthy and balanced, it is important to practice self care every day. Here are three of the best daily self care rituals for moms that can help you feel more centered and energized.
Meditation/Prayer.
Taking a few moments out of your day to engage in prayer or meditation can help you clear your head, reduce stress and anxiety, and find inner peace. Prayer is a powerful way to connect with something greater than yourself and draw strength from the divine source. And meditation can be an effective tool in calming your mind while also allowing you to tap into your inner wisdom. I always recommend journaling along with meditation and prayer to process your thoughts and inspiration.
Essential Oils
Essential oils have been used for centuries as a holistic remedy for many ailments, but they can also be used as part of a daily self-care ritual. A few drops of essential oil on the wrist or neck can provide aromatherapy benefits that bring about relaxation, reduce stress levels, and even boost mental clarity. Additionally, essential oils can be diffused throughout the day to create a calm atmosphere in your home.
Exercise
Exercise is not only good for physical health; it’s great for mental health too! Studies have shown that regular exercise can lead to improved cognitive functioning, better moods, improved sleep quality, reduced stress levels, increased energy levels, and improved overall wellbeing. My favorite is dance fitness/zumba - I love to rock it out! Taking just 30 minutes out of your day to go for a walk or jog or do some yoga or stretching exercises can make all the difference!
Self care rituals don't have to be complicated or time consuming; they just need to be meaningful enough so that they become habitual practices within your daily routine. Meditation/prayer, essential oils, and exercise are all great ways to find balance in life as a mom – even if it’s just 10 minutes each day devoted solely towards taking care of yourself! When we take time out for ourselves every day – no matter how small – it helps us show up as our best selves for our families and ourselves!
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