A healthy habit is any behavior that benefits your physical, mental, and emotional health.
I think we often think of healthy habits as only those that effect our physical health, such as exercise and eating a healthy diet. These are so important for your whole health, but do you ever consider your mental and emotional health and the things that affect them?
What kinds of things do you do to improve your mental health? Eating right of course is great for mental health, but there is so much more you can do.
Here are some great things to put into practice today to improve your mental health.
- Practice positive thinking. Research shows that how you think can have a powerful effect on how you feel. Try to pay attention to those running thoughts that are always playing in the back of your mind. When you think something negative, stop! Make yourself change it to something positive.
- Take time to relax and do something you enjoy. You will feel so much better if you can spend some time every week doing something you enjoy doing.
- Make someone else’s day. Even if it’s as simple as giving out a compliment. Making someone else happy can make you happy too. You know that feeling…
- Get a good night’s sleep. I don’t know about you but if I am sleep deprived, I tend to be crabby. And when I’ve had good sleep, I wake up feeling much happier.
- Start a daily gratitude journal. I took a class at the beginning of 2020 and she had us write down 10 things everyday that we were thankful for. At first I struggled with ten, but as I got going it got easier. There are so many things to be thankful for even when you are struggling. Like at the beginning of all the changes we have encountered since March. Even the little things like waking up to see a new day! Try it you might be surprised. Start with just 3 things you are grateful for.
For more ways to start your day out right check out this blog post here.
Happy Oiling,
Anna
Why Water? Here are 5 health benefits of drinking water.
Did you know your body is made up of 60% water? It is so important for all the systems in our bodies.
Here are 5 health benefits of drinking water and what it can do for you.
- It lubricates your joints which can help with joint pain.
- It helps deliver oxygen throughout your body, which in turn helps with energy!
- It’s great for skin health. Water flushes out toxins which in turn improves your complexion.
- It can reduce headaches that are due to dehydration. Have you ever noticed if you don’t get enough water it gives you a headache?
- Your digestive system depends on it. Increase your water intake to help you to stay regular.
How much do you need? There is debate over how much water we need and it depends on other factors such as exercise, the climate, if you are sick. But the general recommendation is eight 8 ounce glasses per day. To get a better idea of how much your body needs you can go here and calculate it according to your weight.
I love water but I know people who don’t care for it so they struggle to get enough. So how do you make sure you are drinking enough. Here are some suggestions.
- Carry a water bottle with you wherever you go. This also helps you to keep track of exactly how much you are drinking.
- Add some flair to your water by adding your favorite fruits such as strawberries, lemons, or blueberries.
- Eat foods high in water content. These include watermelon, spinach, cucumbers, green peppers, berries, cauliflower, radishes, and celery.
Young Living just recently came out with Vitality drops. There are two flavor options. Grapefruit Bergamot and Lavender Lemon. They are formulated with naturally occurring electrolytes from the Great Salt Lake and all-natural flavors. No sugar or artificial colors. They are an excellent choice if you are not a water lover. My favorite is the Grapefruit Bergamot. The Lavender Lemon tastes similar to Lemon aide.
In this weeks member page on face book we are focusing on water. Why? I believe it is a great base to begin any wellness journey. Would you like to join us? Click here to join our community.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and anything I say is not meant to treat cure or diagnose any illness.
There are some really fun things for kids using essential oils. I wanted to share some recipes I found that can help you're kids have fun and relax at the same time!
Some great oils to choose when you are making these recipes are
Lavender for it's calming properties.
Frankincense because it helps with focus
Lemon for it's uplifting scent
Keep in mind I only use Young Living Essential oils and cannot guarantee the purity of any other oils.
A fun activity for kids is sensory rice.
Take about 3 cups of rice and add to a freezer bag together with a few drops of food coloring if you'd like, a few drops of vinegar (the vinegar helps to bring out the color of the dye) and a drop or two of lavender essential oil. Shake until it's all mixed up and pour into a baking dish or something similar that is easy for your child to play in.
Cloud Dough
8 cups flour
1 cup vegetable oil
5-7 drops essential oil of choice
Optional: powdered tempura paint to color
Mix all ingredients in a container. If you don’t have tempura paint you can crush sidewalk chalk and color with that. Store in an airtight container.
Here is one recipe for play dough, you can also find many recipes on pinterest and just add your favorite oils!
Essential oils scented Bubbles
1/2 cup dish soap( thieves works)
5 cups water
2 TBSP glycerin
10 drops essential oil of choice
Hope you and your children enjoy these recipes.
Happy Oiling,
Anna
I love Spring, it is one of my favorite seasons!
Spring is a time for renewal. When everything starts turning green, the flowers bloom, you can hear the birds outside your window!
It also is a time when I start feeling the need to open all the windows and clean my entire house from top to bottom! I love letting the outside world come in!
What is your favorite thing about Spring?
I also love to clean with products that make me feel good and that are not making my body have to fight to stay healthy when I use them. That is why I use the cleaners I use. Here are some of my favorite recipes for cleaning in my home.
Heavy duty Scrubbing!
3 cups Baking Soda
¾ cup of Thieves Household Cleaner
1 Tbs of Distilled White Vinegar
30 drops of Young Living Lemon essential oil
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. It will be the texture of a paste. Store in an air-tight container or jar. Best if used within three months.
DIY All Natural Whitener
When life gives you lemons, you make an all-natural whitener. =) Skip the harsh chemicals and make this safe and effective whitener. Use it in your laundry, the bathtub, and any other surface that needs a little brightening.
Ingredients
3/4 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup lemon juice
10-15 drops Young Living Lemon essential oil
3/4 cup baking soda
7 cups water
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a container capable of holding 1/2 gallon or more.
Shake well before use.
Use one cup per load and wash with hot water for best results.
Furniture Polish
Glass Spray Bottle
3 parts Olive Oil
15 drops Lemon Essential Oil
1 Part White Vinegar
Shake before using and store in a cool dark place.
Most things I just use the Thieves Household cleaner, 1 capful in a Spray bottle. If its heavy grease I will mix it much stronger. For my shower I always go in and spray it down and leave it while I do something else. Then I go back in and spray again and scrub with a scrubber or wipe down depending on how long since my last cleaning!
Happy Oiling,
Anna
Making a new batch of laundry soap today. I make it in a 5 gallon bucket so it goes a long way, then I pour some in this jar I found at Goodwill. I love making my own products and knowing that what I am using is not harmful for us. All the products I use are gentle and safe for everyone in the family! If you'd like the recipe let me know and I'll send it to you!
Blessings,
Anna
