Back to School Wellness

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It’s hard to believe that it is time for most kids to head back to school. Heading back to the classroom can be a great time to establish new wellness habits. Here are some natural back to school wellness basics to help you start the year off on the right foot.

Back to School Wellness Basics

Confidence-Boosting Essential Oils 

Blue spruce, bergamot, frankincense, orange, and ylang ylang are just a few essential oils that can support your kids’ emotions and help them tackle those first-day jitters. Try this DIY Liquid Courage Roll On for added support.

Vitamin B12

In addition to a healthy diet, taking added supplements, such as Vitamin B12, can help boost mood, energy, concentration, mental function.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

There are two fatty acids that are critical for brain health. While most people think of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) as fish oils, they can also be found in nuts, such as walnuts and flaxseeds.

Eat Well

A Healthy Breakfast

The old adage, “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”, is actually true, especially when it

comes to your kids. In fact, this study shows a direct relationship between test scores and a healthy breakfast. Starting your kids’ day with a good meal also gets their metabolism going, which promotes alertness and increased energy and attention span.

Avoid Sugar

Probably my single greatest piece of wellness advice is to stay off sugar. Eating lots of sugar early in life is linked to obesity, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Furthermore, sugar drastically affects cognition in children. Eliminating, or at least limiting, sugar can alleviate and prevent a whole host of problems.

Take Care of Yours and Your Kids’ Eyes

Get Your Eyes Checked

Comprehensive eye exams are a good idea for a few reasons. During an exam, your eye doctor will not only determine your prescription for glasses or contacts, but will also check for common eye diseases and  evaluate your eyes as an indicator of your overall health. If your child is straining to see the whiteboard at school, this can disrupt her developing eyes. Signs of eyestrain include: headaches, neck and back pain, eye dryness and fatigue, blurry vision and difficulty shifting focus to objects at a distance.

Keep an Eye on Time Spent Using Electronics

Children often spend hours a day using various digital devices. Increased computer usage, watching television, playing video games or using tablets and phones may be hurting your child’s eyes. Electronic devices also affect healthy sleep patterns, particularly in children.

Keep track of your child’s screen time and help him establish limits and healthy habits. When screen time is necessary, be sure to encourage your child to take frequent breaks. Lastly, set limits and make sure your child “unplugs” at least an hour or so before bedtime.

Train New Health Habits

Brushing and Flossing

Moms everywhere look forward to a new school year and new structured routines. This is a great time to establish or reestablish healthy habits and life skills.

Tooth decay is one of the most common childhood diseases. It’s never too early to start teaching your children good oral hygiene. Daily brushing and flossing will ensure a clean, healthy smile, fresh breath, and promote a healthy self image.

Sleep Routine

Regardless of age, bedtime routines are important for children. Establishing a regular schedule helps ensure children get adequate sleep. A predictable, consistent routine will help your children fall asleep faster, stay asleep, and wake up rested. Additionally, it may also prevent future sleep problems and disorders.

For an essential oil blend to add to your nighttime routine, check out my Sweet Sleep Roll on!

Give them Some Extra Focus

Check out this recipe for a Focus Roll On.

Liquid Courage Roll-On

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I love the way essential oils support my emotions. Sometimes we need a little extra boost in the self confidence department. There are many essential oils that promote feelings of confidence and a positive outlook. I created this Liquid Courage Roll-On for those times when I just need a little more bravery.

Liquid Courage Roll-On Recipe

The essential oils in this blend work together to calm nerves and promote a sense of courage. Bergamot is noted for relieving anxious feelings. Basil helps with mental fatigue and encourages clarity, while frankincense improves attitude and is uplifting. Ylang ylang further improves mood, increases focus and combats low self esteem.

Ingredients

3 drops basil essential oil

5 drops bergamot essential oil

4 drops frankincense essential oil

2 drops ylang ylang essential oil

Instructions

Combine essential oils in a 10 mL roll-on bottle and bring up to volume with fractionated coconut oil.

Bergamot essential oil can cause photosensitivity, so you should avoid applying it just before going out in the sun. You may also choose to use a patch test just to make sure the oil is comfortable on the skin.

What are your favorite essential oils for courage and confidence? Share your recipe in the comments below.

Love making DIYs to support your emotional health? Come check out this Focus Roll On!

Want even more recipes and oily education? !

Three Tips for a Healthy Liver

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Your liver is one of the largest organs in your body, and it performs many vital metabolic functions. Here is an explanation of its major roles in the body, as well as some practical things you can do to support your liver, including my top three tips for a healthy liver.

What Does the Liver Do?

The liver is responsible for converting nutrients in our diets into substances the body can use, as well as supplying cells what they need. In essence, everything we eat or drink passes through the liver before it can be used by our cells.

Additionally, the liver plays a role in regulating blood sugar, breaking down damaged blood cells, and removing toxins from our bodies. Because of these important functions, a sluggish or diseased liver can take its toll on your overall health.

Supporting the Liver

There are many steps you can take to support your liver and ensure its proper function. One of the simplest things you can do is to avoid or limit toxins. This includes alcohol, red meat, prescription medications, and over-the-counter drugs (especially pain relievers). It’s no surprise that our diet also plays a huge role in the health of our liver. Whole grains, fresh vegetables, beans, and miso soup are all good choices to support the liver. Below are some additional liver-loving tips.

Three Tips for a Healthy Liver

Castor Oil Packs

Castor oil has a lipid structure that easily passes through the skin’s surface. As castor oil moves through the lymph system, it stimulates a healthy flow of lymph fluid. This flow is essential to removing waste materials from the body. Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid, which is easily absorbed into the liver. Ricinoleic acid is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that also provides significant pain relief.

Thus, castor oil packs work to promote circulation of the blood and lymphatic drainage. Are you ready to experience the positive health impacts of this natural product? Here is a step-by-step explanation of how to make your own Castor Oil Packs.

Drink Something Sour in the Morning

In Chinese medicine, Qi is your vital life force and is responsible for the harmonious “flow” of energy in our bodies. Because of its role in healthy circulation, the liver is largely responsible for maintaining Qi. Additionally, Chinese medicine believes that the best time to target your liver is early in the morning.

There are studies that show the benefit of consuming sour substances for the liver. Apple cider vinegar has been shown to have a protective effect on the liver and lower oxidative stress. Citrus juices, like lemon, also have benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities.

Drinking these sour drinks can help flush the liver and keep it functioning properly. Drinking them during early morning hours may increase the beneficial effects. Wake up your liver in the morning by adding a couple tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and a squeeze of lemon to a cup of warm water.

Herbs that Support the Liver

  • Herbalists note Oregon Grape Root for its ability to stimulate liver function and relieve congestion. This herb also helps improve the flow of bile through our bodies, which promotes efficient blood cleansing.
  • Beet Root is shown to have protective and anti-carcinogenic benefits for the liver. Beet root is widely available as a powder that can be added to juice or smoothies, or in convenient capsules.
  • Dandelion Root is an herb that has been noted for purifying and protecting the liver from oxidative stress and injury. Enjoy a mild dandelion root tea before bed.
  • Alfalfa Sprouts are vitamin-rich shoots that help to reduce the accumulation of cholesterol in the liver. Alfalfa capsules are a convenient way to add a bit of nutrition to your day.
  • Cichoric acid, found in the herb Echinacea purpurea, has demonstrated promise for its preventive effects liver lipid metabolism disorders in obesity.

Interested in More Natural Ways to Detoxify Your Body? Check out all the benefits of a Coffee Enema.

4 Keys to Essential Oils

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Recently I Was a Given A Gorgeous Necklace

Big shout out to my girls over at Jewel Posse for sending me a round marble necklace and the opportunity to teach 5 Keys to Essential Oils on your Instagram. Love this necklace and love your mission to bring ethical jewelry to minimalist boss babes. So for all you newbies to essential oils, here are 5 key talking points about essential oils that everyone needs to know.

1. What is an essential oil?

Essential oils are the concentrated plant extracts that contain the natural aroma of the plant.

2. How do you use an essential oil?

Essential oils can be used in three different ways: topically or on the skin, aromatically or inhaled through the nose, or ingested via mouth. Each one has risks and benefits, as well as some essential oils that support various body systems.

3. How to use topically.

When we use oils on the skin we support the appearance of the skin. We also can control the appearance of blemishes and moisturize the skin.

Use caution with: cinnamon, clove, thyme, and oregano because these can be hot and irritating to the skin. Peppermint can be cold on the skin. Some people use it to cool the skin, while others don’t like to feel the coolness. If ever an essential oil is hot, causes itching, or redness: always add fatty oil, like coconut or olive, instead of water.

Three oils for topical use: peppermint to cool the skin, Sensation for perfume, or frankincense to support the appearance of the skin.

4. How to use aromatically.

When we use essential oils aromatically, we infuse the environment and our brains with the power of essential oil. When we inhale, odorant molecules flow upward into an ancient portion of our brain called the limbic system. The limbic system is the emotional center of the brain. Here we process memories, process emotions, process reactions to emotions, and have facial recognition and navigational maps. So aromatic use is perfect for helping to support the mood.

You can use essential oils aromatically by inhaling them directly from the bottle, off of your hands, or using a diffuser. Simple.

So What is Your Favorite Way to Use Essential Oils?

For me, it’s all! I use essential oils on the daily aromatically and topically.