holiday

The holiday season is a time for moms to create magical experiences for their families, but it's important not to forget about self-care. To avoid burnout, it's crucial to get the support we need. This can be as simple as asking for help from family and friends with holiday to-dos like meal prep and shopping. Hiring a cleaning service, even for a one-time deep clean, can also take a load off your shoulders. Don't forget to take a break and schedule time for yourself to recharge. Joining a support group, either online or in-person, can provide a safe space to connect with other moms who understand the challenges. Finally, remember to savor each moment and express gratitude as you enjoy the holiday season with your loved ones. Happy holidays from Young Living!

The holidays are a time for family, friends, and fun. But they can also be a time of stress. There's the pressure to find the perfect gifts, make everything just right, and please everyone. Not to mention all the end-of-year deadlines at work. It's no wonder that so many people dread the holiday season! 

But it doesn't have to be that way. With a little planning and some creativity, you can take the stress out of the holidays and make them joyful and fun for everyone. Here are some of the best family activities to make your holiday season merry and bright.

1. Get outside and get active. There's nothing like some good old-fashioned fresh air to clear your head and boost your mood. And when you're cooped up inside all day, it's easy to get cabin fever. So go for a hike, build a snowman, or just take a walk around the block. You'll come back feeling refreshed and ready to face whatever the holidays throw your way.  We just went to the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Pacific Grove, CA.  It was a beautiful day and was great to be outside observing those fascinating insects!

2. Make homemade presents. One of the best ways to save money and reduce stress during the holidays is to make your own gifts. Not only will you save money, but you'll also Avoid dealing with crowds at malls and stores. And your friends and family will appreciate the thoughtfulness of a handmade gift. Just be sure to start early so you don't end up rushing at the last minute!

 3. Bake holiday treats together. What better way to spread holiday cheer than by making delicious treats? Get your kids involved in the kitchen by having them help you bake cookies, gingerbread houses (try to leave these up for a few days at least before eating them!), or other festive snacks. Not only will you create some great memories (and maybe even new traditions), but you'll also have something tasty to eat when you're done!

5. Give back to others in need. The holidays are about more than just receiving gifts—they're also about giving back to those less fortunate than us. Seeing firsthand how much we have to be thankful for can help put our own problems into perspective. And what better way to teach our children the true meaning of the season? There are many ways to give back, so find one that suits your family's interests and abilities. You could volunteer at a soup kitchen, help decorate a senior citizens' home, or collect toys for children in need. Whatever you do, spreading holiday cheer is sure to make everyone in your family feel good!

The holiday season should be a time for joy—not stress! By taking some simple steps and getting creative, you can make sure that your holidays are fun for everyone in your family. So get outside, make homemade presents, bake festive treats together, have a movie marathon night, and give back to those less fortunate. With these tips, you're sure to have a holiday season that's merry and bright!

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.

The holidays are a time for family, friends, and fun. If you're looking for some fun family activities to do during the holidays, look no further. Here are some of the best activities to get everyone in on the holiday spirit.

1. Baking treats!   Baking cookies together is a great way to spend some quality time with your loved ones. Not to mention, you'll have a delicious treat to enjoy and share afterwards!  Baking and decorating gingerbread houses together is not only fun, but it also results in a beautiful decoration that you can display proudly.

2.  Another great way to get everyone in the holiday spirit is by caroling.  Whether you go just with your family, or with a group of friends, this is sure to bring a smile to your face, and brighten the lives of those you bless with your songs!  We love caroling to our neighbors and local nursing homes.  

3. What would the holidays be without watching some festive movies together? Pop some popcorn, snuggle up under a blanket, and enjoy quality time with your family while watching classics like "Miracle on 34th Street" or "It's A Wonderful Life." For my family, "A Christmas Carol" is our favorite and we watch multiple renditions every year!

4. One of my personal favorite holiday activities is going for a walk or a drive to look at Christmas lights together. Walking is a great way to get some fresh air and appreciate all of the hard work that people put into making their houses look beautiful during the holidays.  Driving is a wonderful time to blast the Christmas music and enjoy the lights outside your neighborhood.  It's super fun to see the homes that have their lights set to music!

5. Last but not least, another great way to spend time with your loved ones during the holidays is by attending holiday concerts, ballets, or plays together. This is a great way to get into the festive spirit and enjoy some amazing holiday-themed entertainment.  "The Nutcracker" is one we see often, "Messiah" sing-a-longs will exercise your vocal cords, and local churches and schools have concerts that are quite enjoyable.  It's a fabulous experience to be a part of these events, too!

The holidays are a wonderful time of year to spend with family and friends. If you're looking for some fun family activities to do during the holidays, consider baking cookies or decorating gingerbread houses together, caroling, watching festive movies, going for walks to look at Christmas lights, or attending holiday concerts or plays. Whatever you end up doing, quality time with your loved ones is what will truly make your holiday season special.

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!