Life 101 - Manage Stress or Suffer the Consequences

It has been a crazy couple of days around my house…..well I am sure it has but I wasn't here to witness.  I spent those days in the hospital.  This is truly not a post I really want to write but I am sure I am not alone in this little adventure we call life.

Last week it all started.  Well to be perfectly honest, this has all been building for some time now.  My stress level.  On top of my jobs as Mom and doTERRA Wellness Advocate, I also work full time.  Lately, that full time job has had an overwhelming schedule.  

I have missed so many of my kids events, dinners with my family, weekends, good sleep, convsersations with my husband, time with my friends etc etc.  This is nothing new for a typical working family but I have not been handling it well.  

Back to the events leading to the hospital…..I laid down to go to bed after telling my husband I was exhausted.  Major right side body cramp from ear to ankle.  It hurt but I was too tired and not really willing to deal with the issue.  I fell asleep.  Next night…..a slightly lighter repeat only this time I asked my husband for some help.

Then I worked over the weekend…yes on Easter I went to work.  Like I said, crazy schedule.  Finally, Tuesday night my sister came to visit and said I didn't look right and she thought I needed to go to the ER.  My right eye looked droopy or puffy in her opinion.

If you don't know the signs of a stroke…you should!  This is a big one!

So off I go to the ER….extremely scared, with a massive headache and arm weakness.  Not a good combo if you ask me.

The doctors were quite mad at me for waiting so long to get checked out.  If you suspect stroke, you need to be in the ER in less than 4 hours they told me.  Test after test showed I was normal which made the doctors very happy but complicated the diagnosis.  One of the doctors finally said, I think this is a complex migraine.  A term I have never heard.  After, looking into this term I remember the news reporter who everyone thought was having a stroke on live tv. Actually, she was having a complex migraine.  Dr. Oz references her here.  

Luckily, the neurologist thinks this is what I had but just a really intense migraine brought on by stress.  He is suggesting more Physical Therapy than drugs.  I like a doctor who thinks like that, especially if this type of Physical Therapy includes more a massage type thing.  

Now, here is the time where my loyal blog readers will tell me…..you did a blog on stress…don't you listen to your own advice.  To which I humbly say, apparently not very well.  

Although, I have faithfully used my oils to help keep all things in check, I obviously was not doing the other things to relieve stress….good exercise, good diet and good sleep.  My Fitbit does not lie!  Also, a balancing of my thyroid is very much in needed so hopefully my doctor will help me a bit more in this area.

Some things I have learned from this little thing….

1.  The drugs in the hospital helped relieve the pain but at a price of intense sweating and extreme drowsiness.  It is no way to live.  I prefer my oil recipes over their choices any day.

2.  My own bed and pillows are the best thing on the planet!

3.  I am not a superhero who can do it all.  I am human and I have to call "Uncle" before I break.  AND not feel guilty afterwards.  More Cassia for the courage to say no.  More Bergamot to keep guilt out of the picture.  And a whole lotta Balance!!! 

Keep in mind there are many options and everyone will react differently to the oils.  If you are in need of some Mood Management there are great blends….Elevation and Serenity will become more prominent in my life as well.

Here is to a happier, more balanced life!  

Emotion Commotion

Essential oils have been used for aromatherapy for centuries.  It wasn't until the 20th century that the term was adopted.  Most people are familiar with Lavender oil and it's calming properties.  But, the oils are extremely versatile for many other emotional issues.  Today's entry is just a few combos I have found helpful.

Lavender….it is a lovely scent and really can help you sleep better.  Why do you think there are so many nighttime lotions scented with it?  If you are like me, those lotions didn't do much for you.  Why?  Because they are using synthetic lavender and it lacks many of the natural properties to calm and soothe.  For the most effective use, you need pure essential oil.

Emotionally, lavender can help you be more verbally expressive by helping your body calm those pesky insecurities you might have.  Unlock your true self, release tension and be more honest in your own thoughts.  All this from one little oil.  How wonderful.

What can you mix Lavender?

Have a huge tension headache?  1 drop Lavender and 1 drop Peppermint rubbed on your forehead and the back of your neck will.  It works fast and effectively.  Bonus, you smell nice! 

I mentioned Peppermint.  Peppermint is a pick me up.  Just think of how the smell of candy canes can bring a smile to your face.  The scent can bring about joy, help overcome depression or pessimistic thoughts, and give you that boost you might need to get stuff done.   Both of these oils are included in the Intro to Oils kit.  Convenient!

A great mixture I love to diffuse:  Peppermint and Wild Orange.  I put 3 drops of each oil in a diffuser and as Peter Pan says, "Think happy thoughts."  Now, will you be off and flying to Neverland….probably not but you might get your house cleaned quicker!  This is also a great one for the back of your neck if you cannot diffuse. 

For a few weeks now, I will admit my level of frustration has been up.  Sometimes being a  work outside the home mother of 3 who is struggling to lose baby weight gets me.  And gets me GOOD!  When I am feeling completely done with it all, I have found Roman Chamomile and Geranium will do the trick.

Roman Chamomile helps to soften things.  Again, there is a reason calming teas sold everywhere are usually Chamomile based.  The scent is floral and lovely.  Add that to Geranium which has a rose like scent and you will feel the frustration wash away.  Geranium is great for restore goodness and trust in yourself and others.  

I apply this mixture to my chest and neck area.  

A book I have found to be quite helpful in my managment of emotions is in fact called Emotions & Essential Oils.  You can find the book on a number of sites.

For those of you not looking to stock up on a ton of oils just to blend for the occasional emotional outburst, doTERRA offers many blends.  The oils of the Mood Matrix is a great place to start.  If you have read this blog at all, you know my admiration of Elevation.

My sister and her family have recently made a huge move.  The stress of moving and the unknown of a new area have all been issues.  My sister admitted to me that without Balance and Serenity, she might not have stayed sane.  She did not want a drug like Xanax because of the many side effects.  Instead she used her natural "Liquid Xanax". Potent and pleasant smelling.

With holiday stress just a week away from overtaking our lives, arm yourself with natural alternatives.  Having just a few select oils can really help you remain calm, find the joy and keep your anxiety and stress down.  You have the power to enjoy your life!

To hear more about how essential oils can transform your healthcare, register to listen to the free webinar.  

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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Mighty Max & Melissa

It has been a whirlwind of a weekend around my house.  We celebrated a 4th birthday, first dance recital and loads of family in town to experience it all with us.  It was fantastic!  Oh, and I taught an oil class on Friday with a bit of help from my family.  You should come to one!  Really!  

With so much going on, I felt stressed and didn't get the right amount of sleep.  Pair that with the fact I am nursing a 6 week old and it is amazing that I was not a zombie the entire time.  I only went on 2 cups of coffee per day as well and no sweet tea!  "Scarlet, I do declare!"

What saved me this weekend?  Mito2 Max  

The official description from doTERRA is:

dōTERRA’s Mito2Max is a proprietary formula of standardized plant extracts and metabolic cofactors of cellular energy. Mito2Max supports healthy mitochondrial function and aerobic capacity, and improves stamina naturally without the use of harmful stimulants. Use Mito2Max as a healthy long-term alternative to caffeinated drinks and supplements for increased energy and vitality.*

My definition.....the amazing life saver!

Saturday was the busiest day.  We had the birthday party with about 30 adults and children that morning.  My idea of a bounce house was fantastic if I might say so.   It was just sad the opening of the bounce house was so small.  Sorry parents!  That afternoon was The Wizard of Oz presented by some really cute and awesome dancers.  

I decided since Friday night was long, Saturday would be a 2 dose Mito 2 Max kind of day.  You can take up to 4 per day but I have only ever needed 1 per day.  The 2nd pill was just what I needed.  I ended my day feeling tired but not exhausted.  Since I am nursing, caffiene really wasn't an option I wanted to risk.  Mito  2 Max is safe for nursing mothers so I thought heck ya!  This is my new go to energy sustainer.  I never felt "buzzed" or jittery.  Just calm, sustained energy.  

But as with any stressful event in my life, I could feel a tingle on my lip.  I was really not in the mood to deal with some giant sore on my mouth so I called on Melissa.  Oh sweet Melissa.

Melissa Essential Oil 
Melissa officinalis

Our most expensive and rare oil, melissa essential oil has a sweet, fresh, citrus-like fragrance and is steam distilled from the fresh flowering tops, leaves and stems of the Melissa officinalis plant. With a wide range of therapeutic properties, melissa can be used for calming the nerves, addressing stomach discomfort, mood support, and seasonal bugs. Because the Melissa officinalis plant has an oil yield of less than 1/10 of 1%, it is one of the most commonly adulterated oils.

I applied 1 drop twice a day for 3 days...it was a busy weekend....when I felt that tingle.  For anyone who gets a cold sore,  you know what I mean.  By the third day, the tingle was gone and no cold sore has shown up.  Triumph!!!!  I am quite certain that had I applied the ointment I had always used in the past, I would still be applying it to a painful cold sore that woud "have a shortened" life span.  With Melissa, it never really had a life span!  

Melissa is an amazing oil!  

Topically, Aromatically, Internally Oh my!

One of the most common questions I get about the oils is "how do you use them?"  I try to explain that you can take them internally, apply them to your skin topically or diffuse them in the air.  After attending the East Coast Conference and learning and sharing with many others, I thought I might expand on this topic.

Let's take on common oil with hundreds of uses....Lemon oil.  On the doTERRA everyday website they have a link to the 101 Uses of the Intro kit.   The intro kit includes Lemon, Peppermint and Lavender.

Personally, I love the lemon oil in my water.  It is one way I take it internally.  I usually add 2-4 drops to my water for flavoring.  You have different taste buds, so you might want more or less.  But that isn't the only way to take an essential oil.

To get an oil into your system like an IV, place the drops under your tongue.  I do this daily with Frankincense.  No, it isn't the best tasting event of my day but the benefits outweigh the taste for me.

Now if you can't take the taste of some of the oils, there are veggie caps that will allow you to take them in pill form.

Back to lemon oil, you can use it topically.  They oils will absorb into your skin within seconds and enter your bloodstream shortly after.  Many of the citrus oils are great at boosting mood.  Applying it as you would with perfume can help you feel happier.  A few of my friends call Wild Orange their happy juice!  Lemon also works as the best goo gone I have ever seen!

When in doubt on where to put the oils topically, there are basically two things I tell people.  Bottoms of your feet or location location location.  If you have a pain, rub the oil where the pain is located.  Avoid putting the oils IN your eyes and ears though.  TRUST me on the eye one!  OUCH!  Peppermint is hot!

Aroma is the most common way people think to use the oils.  There are lots of ways to do this as well.  Many places sell diffusers.  We have 4 in my house and honestly, they are on a good portion of the time we are at home.  Stressful day, Citrus Bliss can help everyone chill out.  Need better sleep, Serenity it is.  Everyone getting sick......you know it is On Guard.  

By diffusing them, the oils can clean and purify the air.  As you breathe them in, you take those tiny droplets of oils into your body through the nose, skin and mouth.  The room not only smells better, it benefits you health wise.

There are options to wear the oils in jewelry.  They allow you to take the scent with you and be stylish.  Many kids with ADHD and autism have benefited from this method.

What do I do daily?
Topically I apply Lemongrass & Myrrh over my thyroid to help with my hypothyroidism, and Elevation as my perfume.  I swear everyone is nicer to me when I wear it.

Internally, I take 2 drops of Frankincense under my tongue, 10 drops of Grapefruit in a Veggie cap as well as my Long Life Vitality vitamins.

Throughout the morning and evening we often diffuse Citrus Bliss, Serenity, OnGuard and Lavender depending on how everyone in the house is feeling.

In my house I have noticed my family is less stressed, happier (sillier if you are my kids), and less likely to pick up every germ at the daycare.  We invested in our health naturally and I couldn't be happier.