Essential Oils

With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it can be difficult to stay positive when faced with a difficult situation. Many moms feel like they are thrown from one dumpster fire to another as they try to juggle all their responsibilities. Though it may seem like an impossible task, there are ways that moms can take a holistic approach to dealing with difficult situations. Let’s explore how you can approach these moments in a way that helps you get through them successfully. 

Having the right attitude is key in any difficult situation. It’s easy to allow your emotions to take over and feel overwhelmed by a certain problem or issue. But if you can focus on staying calm, then you will be better equipped to handle whatever comes your way. There are several ways that natural moms can develop the right attitude when faced with something challenging. First, remember to be mindful of your thoughts and feelings. Instead of letting emotions control your decisions and reactions, choose to think logically and objectively about what is happening in front of you. Additionally, try to keep an open mind and practice patience—these two elements will help immensely when facing tough times. And using tools like prayer, deep breathing, and essential oils like Lavender, Stress Away, or Peace & Calming when things are crazy really helps diffuse stressful situations. 

Problem solving is also essential for getting through difficult situations. Having a plan or strategy (ahead of time) for tackling the problem head-on is crucial for finding a resolution quickly and efficiently. When problem-solving as a natural mom, it’s important to consider both short-term solutions that provide immediate relief as well as long-term strategies that enable you to prevent similar issues from occurring down the line. And consider the effects of each item you try.  Read* and research to find answers, and seek help when needed—there are so many resources available online or in person that can offer valuable insight into how best to handle challenging moments in life. Holistic Super Moms Face Book Group is an excellent place to problem solve with other moms.  

Finally, instead of viewing difficult situations as only negative experiences, try looking at them as learning opportunities as well! Ask yourself "What can I learn from this?  What can I do differently in the future?  What can I express gratitude for in this situation?" Journaling is a great way to get these thoughts out on paper.  Every challenging moment has something valuable hidden within it—all you have to do is look deeply enough and seek out what it has taught you about yourself or how you operate in certain scenarios. By taking this perspective, natural moms can gain invaluable knowledge while simultaneously developing their own personal power along the journey!  

 All in all, taking a holistic approach when dealing with difficult situations makes all the difference for natural moms who want to remain calm yet powerful during challenging times! Developing the right attitude paired with active problem solving and seeing each challenge as an opportunity for growth are essential components of success in any situation—whether big or small! So don't forget these three tips next time difficulty arises--you'll be glad you did!

*If you are looking for a good read, or have moved recently, check out Homesick:  Finding Home Wherever You Are.  I contributed a chapter to the book and many of the stories in it share tips on dealing with the difficulties of moving and all the nuances that come with it.  

The holidays are a time for family, friends, and loved ones. But for some, the holidays can be a time of sadness and grief. Whether you are grieving the loss of a loved one or struggling with infertility, the holiday season can be a difficult time. I know the pain of loss during this season, and it can be extremely difficult, especially when it seems everyone around you is happy. Here are the five stages of grief during the holidays and how to cope with them.

1. Denial: This is the stage where you try to pretend that everything is normal. You may put on a brave face and act like everything is fine, even though inside you are dying.   Many times, you fill your life with busy activities so you don't have to think about your loss. This is not sustainable and will only make you feel worse in the long run. It is important to allow yourself to feel your emotions and grieve in your own way.  Find a safe person and place and express your feelings.  

2. Anger: This is the stage where you may lash out at those around you. You may be angry at God, the world, or yourself. It is important to express your anger in a healthy way, such as through journaling, talking to a therapist or another safe person, or prayer. Don't bottle up your emotions; they will only come out in negative ways.  Make sure your family knows you love them and talk about the anger you feel.  Purification is an oil that helps me let go of anger.  I apply it on my liver.

3. Bargaining: This is the stage where you try to make deals with God or the universe. You may find yourself praying or making promises in an attempt to change the situation. Unfortunately, this stage will not change anything; it is only an attempt to delay the inevitable.  Realize there are some things you can change, and there are some things you cannot change no matter what you do.  

4. Depression: This is the stage where you may feel hopeless and helpless. You may withdraw from friends and family and isolate yourself. You will not feel like doing anything at all, so support is crucial.   It is crucial to reach out for help during this stage; talking to a therapist or clergy member,  or joining a support group can be very beneficial.    Yoga is also restorative.  (I love Yoga with Adriene!).  And essential oils are known for their uplifting qualities.  Some of my favorites are Joy, Orange, and Peace & Calming.  If you are really low and need to talk with the suicide hotline, that number is 988.  They will listen, provide support, and connect you with resources in your local area if needed.

5. Acceptance: This is the final stage of grief where you accept the situation for what it is. You may still feel sad and have days where you struggle, but overall you have made peace with what has happened. This is when healing can begin.   Acceptance doesn't mean you still don't have emotional pain, but you are better able to deal with it.  Acceptance is an essential oil that helps me reset negative emotional thought patterns.

The holiday season can be a difficult time for those who are grieving loss or struggling with infertility. If you find yourself in one of these situations, know that you are not alone and that there are others who understand what you are going through. Allow yourself to grieve in whatever way feels right for you, and reach out for help if you need it.

Inflammation is one of those words that can cause a lot of fear and confusion. We hear it all the time, but what does it actually mean? Simply put, inflammation is your body’s natural response to injury or infection. We all have inflammation to some degree or another.  It can be both beneficial and harmful, depending on how it is managed. In this blog post, we will talk about how to reduce inflammation in the body with holistic tips and techniques. 

There are a variety of factors that can lead to inflammation in the body. The most common causes include stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption, medications, and exposure to environmental toxins like air pollution. All of these things can lead to an increase in inflammation levels in the body which can cause a variety of health issues including joint pain, headaches, fatigue, digestive problems and more.  

 

Fortunately there are many different ways that you can reduce inflammation naturally. Here are some holistic tips for reducing inflammation in your body: 

• Get plenty of sleep: Sleep is essential for reducing stress levels which helps to reduce inflammation in the body. Aim for 7-8 hours per night. This is easier said than done - but creating a bedtime routine is essential for this!  See this video for some tips on sleep!  Sleep Better!

• Eat an anti-inflammatory diet: Eating foods that are rich in antioxidants such as fruits, vegetables and nuts can help reduce inflammation levels in the body. Avoid processed foods, animal products, and sugar since they increase inflammation levels. 

• Exercise regularly: Regular physical activity helps boost circulation throughout your body which helps reduce inflammation levels by flushing out toxins from your system. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise at least 5 days a week if possible.                                     

                                         

 • Take supplements: Certain supplements have been shown to help reduce inflammation such as omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil), turmeric, ginger and probiotics. Talk with a holistic healthcare professional about which supplements may be right for you based on your individual needs. These are what I use with great results!  

 • Reduce stress:  Lowering cortisol levels in the body reduces inflammation.  Stress causes elevated cortisol for extended periods of time.  While we need cortisol, levels should not be high all day every day.  Essential oils like Lavender, Stress Away, RutaVaLa, Peace & Calming, and Chamomile have a calming effect, and can also help relax so you can sleep better.  Also, this is amazing at lowering cortisol levels.  

Inflammation can be beneficial when managed properly but it can also be damaging if left unchecked for too long. Fortunately there are many different ways to manage inflammation holistically without having to resort to medications or other treatments with potentially harmful side effects. By following these simple tips you should be able to easily manage any flare ups of inflammation quickly and effectively so you can live a healthier life!

If you desire to reduce inflammation, send me a message, and I will help support you on your journey!

Staying healthy is one of my top priorities.  The winter season is here, and that means if we haven't already been actively taking care of our health, it's time to start thinking about how to stay well. There are many things we can do to boost our immunity and keep ourselves healthy, from making good food choices to using supplements to being proactive in our health. Here are some tips for staying well this winter season.

One of the best things we can do for our health is to make good food choices. That means eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and nuts and seeds. It also means drinking plenty of water and limiting sugar and processed foods.

 It can be difficult to avoid sugar especially during the holidays, but it makes a huge difference! When we make good food choices, we are giving our bodies the nutrients it needs to function optimally. 

Another great way to boost our immunity and stay well during the winter months is to use supplements. There are many different supplements that can be beneficial, from Vitamins C & D to elderberry syrup to my favorite super juice. The best "weed & feed" supplements I have found are Life 9 & Inner Defense, which weed out the unwanted junk and feed our gut.  Supplements can help fill in the gaps when we are not getting all the nutrients we need from our diet.  I use the items in my Winter Wellness pack throughout the year, but I make sure I have plenty in stock for winter!

Essential oils are another great tool for supporting our immunity and helping us stay well during the winter season. There are many different ways to use essential oils, from diffusing them in our homes to using them topically on our skin. Some great essential oils for immunity include Thieves oil, R. C. oil, Eucalyptus oil, Lemon oil, and Oregano oil. 

Finally, one of the best things we can do for our health is to be proactive in our care. That means getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and managing stress. When we take care of ourselves, we are more likely to stay well during cold and flu season. 

The winter season is a great time to focus on our health. There are many things we can do to support our immunity and keep ourselves healthy, from making good food choices to using supplements to being proactive in our care. By taking these steps, we can increase our chances of staying well throughout the winter season so we have the energy and ability to enjoy all the events and visits with family we have during this time.  Keeping health a top priority during this time will make all the difference in the world!