A little thing called.....STRESS

Stress, we all have it.  Sometimes it is helpful, sometimes it is not.

Good stress can enhance your performance on tests, help you enjoy the amusement part roller coaster or keep you on the edge of your seat while watching your favorite sport.  Stress helps you change.

But today, I am not talking about the good stress.  I am talking about the bad stress.  The kind where you end up with a horrible headache, fatigue, frustration and generally a horrible mood.

Why?  Well, I had a week of bad stress.  The culprit.......the common one.....work.  Not my work with doTERRA but my other full time job.  Now, don't get me wrong, I love my job but sometimes you just have a day or a week where you ask, "really? are you kidding me?"  This was one of those weeks for me.  Odd schedule, tough tasks, lack of time to eat well led me to feel lousy.

From the Mayo Clinic....

Common effects of stress ...
... On your body	... On your mood	... On your behavior
Headache Muscle tension or pain Chest pain Fatigue Change in sex drive Stomach upset Sleep problems	Anxiety Restlessness Lack of motivation or focus Irritability or anger Sadness or depression	Overeating or undereating Angry outbursts Drug or alcohol abuse Tobacco use Social withdrawal

I had the headache, muscle tension, fatigue, lack of focus by the end of the week and craving sweets in a big way.  

Exercise is a great stress reducer but what happens when you schedule doesn't let you exercise?  This was my dilemma.  But trust me when I say, working out hard is a great way to get the stress and frustration out of your system.

I had my oils to use and I am so happy I did.

For the headache....Past Tense.

Past Tense has a great minty scent from both Peppermint and Wintergreen and cooling effect on your temples.  It took away my headache in minutes.  

Just apply it where it hurts keeping it out of your eyes.  That burns.  Trust me on this one.  

I applied it to my temples and to the back of my head.  The oils don't make your hair oily so don't worry about that.  

Headaches can be triggered by many things.  Past Tense can help.  Other great remedies would be a combo of Lavender and Peppermint.  Add Frank for migraine type headaches.   For sinus issues, use Lavender, Lemon and Peppermint.

But stress can make it hard to sleep.  I know I would lay day last week and my mind was running a million miles a minute.  That only increases the fatigue you feel.  Trust me....I am tired.  

 To get some quality rest, I turned to the every reliable Lavender.  Beautiful Lavender.

Lavender applied to my wrists and my jaw line helped keep me from clenching my teeth and relax my mind.  Just 4 drops provided success.

Now sometimes stomach issue can come with high stress levels.  I was lucky and didn't suffer this but if you do DigestZen will be your new BFF!  

If your stress causes anxiety, meditation can help or grab your bottle of Serenity or Citrus Bliss.  Both have great calming and mood properties.  The oils that make up the Mood Matrix are wonderful.  Balance and Elevation are oils I use daily.   Last week, I felt like I was bathing in Balance!  

Now Chronic Stress can truly lead to major health issues.  Heart disease, depression, high blood pressure, compromised immune systems, etc.  Keep your stress in check naturally with doTERRA essential oils!

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Mother Nature, I shake my fist at you!

Ladies, this one of for you.  Guys, I apologize but think of this post as a way to help the women in your  life.  Just forward this blog to the ladies in your life and don't say another word.  It is for your protection!  Today, we are talking about that time of the month and woes of womanhood.

I am unhappily reporting that my benefits of pregnancy seem to have come to an end.  I have found bruises from bumping into things again.  When I am pregnant I never seem to bruise.  It is a beautiful thing.  Thank goodness for Helichrysum now that superpower has faded.  But this is not about bruising, it is about that dreaded visitor, Aunt Flow.  Despite breastfeeding and pumping my little heart out, my cycles have returned.  It is amazing how a year off can make you forget just how bad cramps, bloating and headaches can suck the life out of you.

I have read on Facebook posts and from fellow oilers that you can get through your time of the month using oils.  So since the time was right, I gave it a shot.  My oils of choice...Citrus Bliss, Past Tense, DigestZen and Solace.

Why?  Glad you asked!

Citrus Bliss makes me happy.  Let's face it, I was pretty darn grumpy at this event taking place just 3 months into breastfeeding.  I mean seriously, the people who keep from getting a period the entire time they breastfeed are probably those who "the weight just fell off."  OK.....BITTER party of one, your table is ready.  I hear  ya!  Moving on.....

I applied a drop to each temple and the back of my neck.  It did help me to feel the more bliss.  I call Citrus Bliss sunshine in a bottle for good reason.

Past Tense helped relief my headache.  I rolled that blend across my forehead.  It has a nice minty smell and really knocks out a headache.  It will help kick a migraine too.  Luckily, I don't need it much but it really does the trick.

DigestZen might be the one that surprises everyone.  They typical use of DigestZen is for tummy trouble and it works great.  After numerous Facebook suggestions, I gave it a try.  I rubbed a couple drops on my abdomen.  You know what?  The cramps went away.  It was amazing.  

Finally, I used the Solace.  Solace is a blend especially designed to help women with all sorts of hormonal issues.  It can help with PMS, hot flashes, cramps, you name it.  I rolled it across my abdomen and soon after I found I just felt better.  Less of the ick feeling I always get.   It will be my go to oil during the next round of monthly ick.  





Although, I was truly hoping not to need any of the oils for quite a bit longer, I am glad I had them on hand.  I made it through without taking any OTC meds.  I felt better since I am still breastfeeding that I only used natural products that will not hurt my little boy.  The oils did not mess with my supply issues either.  They truly are a gift from the earth!  

Need some retail therapy during your time of the month, check out my website!  But contact me so you don't have to pay retail.