Essential Oils

About Essential Oils

• Essential oils are not really oils. They do not contain the fatty acids that constitute what we would consider an actual oil. Valerie Gennari Cooksley, author of Aromatherapy: Soothing Remedies to Restore, Rejuvenate and Heal defines essential oils as “highly concentrated plant constituents possessing potent medicinal and cosmetic qualities.” However, I think Stephanie Tourles nailed it in Organic Body Care recipes when she said, “I consider essential oils the life force or the soul of the plant.” 
• Most essential oils are high in antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties: This makes them an excellent addition to your homemade cleaning preparations. Oils that are best for cleaning are: Lemon, grapefruit, eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, lavender, and rosemary.
• Essential oils are miniscule in molecular size, which means they are absorbed well by the skin – making them perfect ingredients in personal care items intended to heal, soften, and nourish. However, they do not accumulate in the body over time – they simply offer up their healing properties and then pass on through.
• Scientific studies have shown that rosemary essential oil helps your brain perform. Specifically, smelling rosemary essential oil helps memory recall and performance on tests. Interestingly, this study also showed that groups that inhaled either rosemary or lavender essential oil felt much more relaxed than those who inhaled no odor at all. (I always keep it next to me..smells great and always clears the sinuses:)
• Fragrance oils and essential oils are NOT the same thing. As a rule of thumb, if you see the word “fragrance” or “fragrance oil” or even “perfume” on anything, you can assume this is synthetic and NOT natural. (Even if it says natural fragrance.)
• Essential oils are wholly natural and cannot be patented; which means that you’ll never see an essential oil in a pharmaceutical drug. As such, you can expect that the vast majority of mainstream healthcare practitioners will never recommend essential oils as therapeutic alternatives to drugs. More importantly, because essential oils cannot be patented, drug companies will not waste money studying them. This limits our scientific knowledge of essential oils GREATLY, and the majority of what we know about them are things that have been passed down through thousands of years of personal use and experimentation.
• Enormous amounts of plants are needed to produce essential oil. In fact, on the extreme end, it takes 4000 pounds of Bulgarian roses to produce 1 pound of essential oil. Other plants like lavender only take 100 pounds of plant material to produce a pound of essential oil. Still, can you imagine how concentrated essential oils must be, in light of how many plants are used to produce them?

• Most essential oils should never be used undiluted on the skin. Instead, they should be combined with “real” oils (called carrier oils), waxes, butters, alcohols, or other diluting measures. Because they’re so concentrated, if you don’t dilute, you may end up with an unfortunate reaction (and unhappy skin).
• There are a few essential oils that are generally recognized as safe to use undiluted. Of course, there has to be a few exceptions to the rule. Again, in Organic Body Care Recipes, the author points out that the only essential oils that are widely acknowledged as safe to use undiluted (sparingly) are: lavender, German chamomile, tea tree, sandalwood, and rose geranium.
• Never use an undiluted essential oil on a baby or child. Children have much thinner, more delicate skin than adults have, and tend to be very sensitive to the potency of essential oils. In fact, even if you do use essential oil in a recipe for children, only use half of the essential oil recommended in the recipe. That’s all they’ll need, anyway. (Here is a list of 19 essential oils that are safe for babies and children.)
• Avoid the following essential oils while pregnant or nursing (and skip EOs completely in your first trimester): Aniseed, cedarwood, chamomile, cinnamon, clary sage, clove, ginger, jasmine, lemon, nutmeg, rosemary, sage (this is only a partial list of some of the more common essential oils – view the full one here).
• To test if you’re sensitive to an essential oil (which is probably best to do before using it in a skincare preparation): Combine one drop of essential oil with 1/2 tsp carrier oil (like olive, jojoba, or sweet almond). Rub this on the inside, upper portion of your arm and wait a few hours. If no redness or itching develops, you’re most likely not sensitive to that essential oil.
• Keep all essential oils out of the reach of children – and avoid contact with your eyes. This is just standard safety precautions, but must be mentioned.
• Do not take essential oils internally, especially oils like wintergreen and eucalyptus. While some essential oils may be used well-diluted in something like toothpaste with safety, it’s generally recognized that there’s no need to take essential oils internally. In fact, there are several toxic essential oils that should be avoided even through skin contact. Luckily, these are NOT common essential oils, and most of them you’ll never find in the store.

• Not all essential oils are created equally, nor does more expensive necessarily mean “better.” There are certain brands I will use in a less therapeutic fashion (like for cleaning), because they’re far less expensive than their counterparts. When you see a wide fluctuation in price between, say, lavender essential oils, you can bet that the far less expensive one is likely lower in quality. However, a small variation in price differences on the higher end will NOT mean a better essential oil. It will just mean a higher price. (A little birdie also told me that there are also only a handful of essential oil distilleries in the world, which means that most essential oils come from the exact same places – thus there is little difference in quality between the more “typically priced” EOs.) What I’m saying here is: Understand that you DO have to pay for quality, but that if you’re just using essential oils in non-therapeutic fashions, it’s okay to use less expensive oils (like the Beeyoutiful ones pictured at the top of this post, or NOW brand essential oils). But if you want high quality, I suggest using Mountain Rose Herbs or another ethical supplier that offers organic essential oils (grown without pesticides or toxic fertilizers). Others include Young Living, duTerra or Plant Therapy.
• To test your essential oil to see how “pure” it is, put a single drop of it on a piece of construction paper. If it evaporates quickly and leaves no noticeable ring, it is pure. If you have a ring left, then it is likely diluted by the manufacturer with an oil of some sort (this test will not work for myrrh, patchouli, and absolutes).
• Essential oils will last for at least 5 years (if not 10), so one bottle could literally last you a decade. Hopefully that thought will help mitigate the cost involved in purchasing some essential oils. Because they are SO concentrated and only a tiny amount is needed in anything you do, they’ll last you a very, very long time. The only exception to this rule is citrus oils, which will see a reduction in potency after a year or two.
• Store your essential oils in dark glass bottles (which they were probably packaged in) and out of direct sunlight. This is simply to help preserve their potency.
• Remember that what you’re allergic to in food, you will be allergic to in essential oils. So if, for some reason, you can’t eat sage without breaking out in a rash, steer clear of sage essential oil (or any product containing it).
• USE ESSENTIAL OILS TO HELP YOUR MOOD. Lavender, peppermint, grapefruit, chamomile, lemon, ylang-ylang all help produce happy, joyous moods. Clary sage helps with PMS (although there have been reports that overuse of clary sage can lead to intoxication). Rosemary increases focus and concentration. Don’t forget the mood benefits of essential oils. Here’s an information packed aromatherapy reference chart to refer to.
• The recommended usage of many essential oils is hotly contested throughout the aromatherapy profession. The majority of oils you find in the supermarket are absolutely safe (though you should research them before using them); however, once you start digging into the world of essential oils, you’ll find that professionals – even within the same organization – debate extensively over the use of certain oils. If you’re ever unsure about an oil or its use, do the research you can, and if you still cannot make up your mind as to its safety – avoid it. But, by all means, do NOT be afraid of essential oils. Just use them with care and respect, and all will be fine.

Recommended Essential Oils to Get You Started

Here are 7 essential oils to consider when starting to use them in your personal care products or homemade cleaning supplies.

• Peppermint (good for lip balms, oily/acneic skin, and cleaning products)
• Rosemary (good for hair preparations, oily/acneic skin, and cleaning products)
• Sweet orange (good for all skin types and very soothing in room sprays for children)
• Rose geranium (good for all skin types, creating perfumes, and for use in homemade moisturizers)
• Tea tree (great for healing, getting rid of dandruff, oily/acneic skin, and cleaning products)
• Lavender (great for all skin types, for relaxation, hair preparations, and cleaning products)
• Lemon (great for lifting moods, cleaning preparations, and sparingly in toners and products for oily skin)

All of these essential oils also happen to be some of the least expensive and easiest to find. Bonus!

Want to Learn More About Aromatherapy and Essential Oils?

Here are some favorite references for learning more about how to safely and effectively use essential oils in skincare, aromatherapy, and cleaning products.

• Aromaweb is the best source for all things aromatherapy on the internet
• Wavelengths Natural Health has an abundance of information on essential oil profiles and aromatherapy
• All of the essential oil profiles on Mountain Rose Herbs contain descriptions, usage, and precautions (so it’s my favorite place to look up a single essential oil)
• The book Aromatherapy: Soothing Remedies to Restore, Rejuvenate, and Heal contains an incredible amount of level-headed knowledge and recipes using essential oils
• The Essential Oils Book by Colleen K. Dodt is small, but chock full of great info
• And The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy is one last book to look for when learning more (and for more great recipes)

Transdermal Salt & Magnesium Soak

Why and How To Do A Transdermal Salt and Magnesium Soak

 

Posted by Victoria May Khaze 

Why do a Salt Soak?

It’s been long called the body’s largest organ: the skin. Skin has the amazing ability to absorb and deliver nutrients to the body while filtering toxins.  Often the skin shows signs like rashes, dry/oily skin, acne and other problems as the tell sign of other deeper problems.  Your skin is both the window to understanding and the door to repairing your body’s health.

If you’ve ever been to a coastal region or any metropolitan city, you’re likely to have seen spas offering a variety of treatments to clean and benefit the body and skin.  Magnesium and Salt Soak or Bath is one that definitely shouldn’t be allowed to pass under the radar.

Salt and sea salt have long been used medicinally for their easy absorption into the body and high mineral content. It was Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, who firths noticed injured fishermen soaking in sea water.

Hippocrates noticed that they seemed to have fewer infections after the soaks. It was then that he created the first sea salt soak called thalassotherapy (in Greek, thalassa means sea) by encouraging his patients to bathe in warmed seawater.

Why add magnesium?

Since then we’ve learned more about the nutrients and minerals our bodies need. Many suffer from a variety of mineral deficiencies.  The USA population has been studied and found to have severe Magnesium deficiency in over 57% of the population. (Read more about ionic magnesium.)

Magnesium is important for bone health, muscle strength, vitamin assimilation, and is helpful in other functions like aiding weight loss, sleep and balanced blood pressure. Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult to absorb orally if you have a damaged stomach lining or intestines, a weak stomach, or a delicate pallet. That’s why many suggest adding magnesium to your salt soak.

 

What are the benefits of a Magnesium and Salt Soak?

•          Stress & headache relief
•          Muscle ache & joint pain relief
•          Increasing insulin sensitivity
•          Improving circulation
•          Better nutrient absorption
•          Can speeding up healing of wounds or broken bones
•          For acne, eczema or other skin problems
•          Improving skin hydration

How to make your own Magnesium and Salt Soak:

Amounts vary depending on your preference/tub size.

Prep time: 5-10 minutes
1-2 cup of Halite Salt Soak Crystals
1/2 cup Himalayan Sea Salt (Fine ground dissolves better but coarse ground can be used to message your feet in the bath)
5 Tbsp Pure Magnesium Oil
10-15 drops of essential oil of choice

Add the ingredients above to warm bath water as the bath is filling. The moving warm water will mix and dissolve the salts while the steam lifts the scent of your favorite oils into the air causing you to relax as you take in the aroma.

Let yourself relax and flow with the natural movement of the water while you soak for 20 to 40 minutes. Once you’re done soaking, use a towel to sit and softly pat yourself dry. While the water drains, the steam will slowly dissipate. Follow up with cool (not cold) lotion or oil to help lock in the moisture and minerals while closing your pores.

You’re now calm, clean and refreshed!

How to Meditate

Series of videos on how to practice meditation without the requirement of religious dogma or spiritual mumbo-jumbo. This video discusses both the meaning of meditation and the foundations of meditation practice.

Treating Migraines With Lavender

 

 by Michael Greger M.D.

Lavender has been studied recently for several purposes, including treatment of mood and anxiety disorders (see, for example, the video I profiled in my last post, Lavender for Generalized Anxiety Disorder). Though it’s better known for its analgesic (pain-killing) properties, there hasn’t been a single documented clinical trial on lavender for the treatment of migraine headaches, which affect tens of millions of Americans every year. That is, until now: “Lavender Essential Oil in the Treatment of Migraine Headache: A Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.”
Migraine sufferers were asked—at the early signs of headache—to rub two to three drops of lavender essential oil onto their upper lip and inhale its vapor for a 15-min period, then score the severity of their headache for the next two hours. In the control group they did the same thing, but with drops of unscented liquid wax instead. Neither group was allowed to use any painkillers. In the lavender group 74 percent of patients had an improvement in their symptoms—significantly better than placebo.

Although lavender wasn’t directly compared to more conventional treatments and outcome measures differed, as you can see in the associated video Lavender for Migraine Headaches, lavender appears to stack up pretty well against typical migraine drugs. Lavender helped about three quarters of the time; high dose Tylenol may only work about half the time; and Ibuprofen 57% of the time. The top prescription drug, generic Imitrex, is effective 59% of the time, and the hardcore treatment they use in emergency rooms where they inject you under the skin works 70% of the time. Fortunately all of these work better than the original migraine therapy, known as trepanning, where doctors drilled holes in our head to let the evil spirits escape!

The lavender researchers concluded that the results of the study suggest that inhalation of lavender essential oil may be an effective and safe treatment modality in acute management of migraine headaches.

Migraine sufferers may also want to experiment with avoiding potential triggers such as aspartame (see my video Diet Soda and Preterm Birth). Saffron may also help with headaches (Saffron for the Treatment of PMS) as well may the avoidance of certain parasites (Pork Tapeworms on the Brain and Avoiding Epilepsy Through Diet). A note of caution, though: Pregnant migraine sufferers seeking natural remedies should be wary of advice they may get (Dangerous Advice From Health Food Store Employees).

What’s better than treating your pain with natural remedies? Not having pain in the first place! Those eating healthy diets are less likely to be on pain medications in general (Say No to Drugs by Saying Yes to More Plants). See, for example:

• Cholesterol and Lower Back Pain
• Potassium and Autoimmune Disease
• Fibromyalgia vs. Vegetarian & Raw Vegan Diets
• Fibromyalgia vs. Mostly Raw & Mostly Vegetarian Diets

-Michael Greger, M.D.

Doga = Dogs + Yoga

Dogs + Yoga = Doga: Turn Your Pooch into a Barking Buddha

Posted by Michelle

 

Downward facing dog is no longer just for humans. Whether you’re an avid yoga practitioner or an amateur, self-proclaimed yogi, you may be compelled to try out a new trend in the world of exercising: Doga. Doga combines dogs and, well, yoga, to make for a relaxing health routine for humans and canines alike. Never done yoga with Spot before? No problem. There are multiple at-home workout DVD’s on the market that will teach you the ins and outs of doga, or, if you’re feeling really determined, enrolling your pup and yourself in a doga class may be in order.

The doga concept was originated by Suzi Teitelman and her dog Coali. During her at-home yoga sessions, Teitelman noted that Coali seemed to be very intrigued at the practice, prompting Teitelman to work on poses with none other than her four-legged best friend, Coali. The idea escalated from there. Teitelman began conducting doga classes and soon enough, the practice became popular among the poshest of pooches.

Known as ‘dogi’s,’ doga practitioners work with their doggy parents on a variety of poses such as “upward-paw pose,” triangle pose, and balancing stick pose; they also provide pooches with a light stretch and massage. Doga may also include other exercises such as meditation and eye-gazing to enhance the human-canine bond, and because dogs are pack animals, they make the perfect yoga partner for strengthening harmony and unity with others.

Want to try out some doga poses with your own pooch? Try these out!

Flying Dog Pose (Above)

Forget the kennel! Board your dog in a real home with DogVacay.com. Search trusted and insured pet sitters near you starting at $15/night.

How To Express Your Emotion

In this episode, Teal explains that you can only heal emotions that you let yourself feel and express.
Emotions are energy, they have to go somewhere and when they are not allowed to release, they rot you from within. Your physical body begins to deteriorate and so does the world around you. The world around you begins to reflect that suppressed emotion.
In order to feel our emotions we need to be willing to risk being vulnerable.
Vulnerability is the place where healing begins. But many of us equate vulnerability with inevitable hurt; and so it feels like a very scary risk to feel our emotions.
Teal then goes on to explain how we use the model of natural expression to deliberately flush our emotions to the surface.
The five layers of emotional expression are:
1. Anger, resentment, fury, blame, repelling
2. Disappointment, sadness, hurt
3. Insecurity, fear, bad memories, deep wounds,
4. Understanding, empathy, responsibility, regret
5. Love, solutions, wishes, connection

1. Anger, resentment, fury, blame, repelling

I hate it when…

I am so angry that…

I’m fed up with…

I’m filled with rage when…

2. Disappointment, sadness, hurt

I feel so disappointed that…

I feel o sad when…

The thing that hurts me so badly is…

This is why it hurts me so badly…

3. Insecurity, fear, bad memories, deep wounds

I’m afraid that…

What I’m truly afraid of is…

It scares me when..

It reminds me of…

4. Understanding, empathy, responsibility, regret

I’m sorry that…

Please forgive me for…

It’s completely understandable that…

I regret that…

I understand that…

5. Love, solutions, wishes, connection

I want to …

I forgive you for…

I hope that…

Thank you for…

I appreciate you because…

I love you because…

5 Tips To Detox Your Life

Spiced Lemon Water

We’ve probably all heard of the warm water with lemon trick, which is a great way to flush our system of impurities in the morning.To kick this morning (or anytime) elixir up a few notches, try adding a dash of cayenne pepper and turmeric powder. Among their plethora of health benefits is the fact that they're digestive and detoxifying agents.If you really want to go crazy, throw in a ginger tea bag and consider yourself de-gunked.

 

I wish I would consume more turmeric, however it does have a very dying effect, so be sure to brush your teeth after to refrain from stains...and don't spill it on clothing or other items that you don't want to turn yellow indefinitely! The cayenne, is a great way to clear up your sinuses as well, and very warming.  

 

Kapalabhati Breathing

This pranayama practice or yogic breathing technique clears congestion in the lungs, sinuses, and the mind! It also boosts circulation and can simultaneously relieve stress and energize your entire being.  How to:

Sit in a comfortable, upright position.

Take two or three deep inhales and exhales through the nose to prepare.Inhale fully, and then exhale sharply through the nose, while drawing your belly in.

Focus on the quick, forceful exhales and the inhales will happen naturally.

Do three rounds of about 10-30 breaths, then take a break with a few natural breaths.

Return to normal breathing at any time if you feel lightheaded.

To be safe, practice conservatively and keep an eye out for any contraindications.

A certified yoga therapist can recommend additional yoga sequences and techniques to address everything from headaches to grief, and will support you in renewing and rebalancing your mind, body, and spirit.

This is a wonderful breathing technique that you will really feel an effect from!
 
 

Dry Brushing

This pre-shower ritual sloughs off dead, dry skin, boosts digestion, circulation, lymphatic drainage and kidney function and ultimately helps the body release toxins.With a natural-bristle brush, simply make long circular sweeping motions all over your bare body. Start at your feet and work your way toward your heart. You’ll be glowing from the inside out and outside in!

 

The moment I learned about all the amazing benefits of dry brushing, I went out and purchased a brush immediately, and attempt to dry brushing my body daily before I hop into the shower (or at least a minimum of 4 days a week). The benefits are amazing...softer, smoother skin, healthier lymphatic system and it feels great! be sure to check out my previous blog video on the correct way to body brush to direct the toxins to flow out to the water lines in your body. 

 

7-Day Food Detox

The change of season is the perfect time to try a cleanse! Instead of doing something drastic like a juice fast, simply eat clean for one week. By cutting out processed foods and common sources of food allergies, you can detoxify your entire system and jump-start your health transformation.The best way to do this is to completely avoid all dairy, soy, wheat, sugar, meat, alcohol, and processed foods (anything in a package with more than ONE ingredient). Trust me, by day six, you’ll befeeling AMAZING!

 

I already eliminate the foods mentioned above. But the month before the summer I like to do some sort of a cleanse. This year I will be doing a liver cleans in May. I look forward to the results! A little nervous about the process:p More on that in future posts. 

 

Mind-Body Detox

Our bodies remember everything: every physical, mental, and emotional moment we have experienced.When those moments are unpleasant or overwhelming, we often fail to process them thoroughly; we gloss over, repress, or disregard and keep on trucking away. This disconnect between the mind, body, and spirit can often manifest as physical pain, chronic stress or illness, fatigue, emotional distress, and even behavioral “bad habits”.Yoga therapy and other mind-body healing practices can release and reintegrate any experiences that may be “stuck” and getting in the way of feeling balanced. With the guide of a trained practioner, you can clear out a lot old subconscious junk and make some space for new possibilities to arise.

 

 I'm a big believer in mind-body self improvement. I try to meditate daily, and recently started the Higher Brain Living program, that I am loving! It addresses both the mind and body (brain). Changing the physiology of our brain and the way we think, towards achieving what we desire to peruse, and become who we want to be, how we want to live, and open up to our limitlessness potential.

10 Things You Can Do to Reduce Stress

10 Things You Can Do to Reduce Stress

 

By Jennifer Johnson We live in a fast-paced world. We can all benefit from incorporating stress reduction into our daily routine in order to nurture and encourage our well being. Stress manifests differently for all of us, but some of the common symptoms of stress include headaches, anxiety, muscle tension or pain, gastrointestinal upsets, insomnia, and depression. Stress also lowers our immunity and leaves us more vulnerable to illness. 

Following are 10 things you can do to reduce stress:

1. Practice extreme self-care. Eat healthily, get adequate sleep, and exercise regularly. Know when your plate is full, and practice saying no. Schedule down time for being instead of always doing.

2. Practice living in the moment. Stay focused on the present moment rather than regretting the past and worrying about the future. The present moment shows up in three aspects of our being: in the physical body through sensations, in the emotional body through feelings, and in the mental body through thoughts.

3. Practice mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness meditation can help you train to live in the present moment. Studies show that it results in increased feelings of peace and well being, decreased stress, increased work productivity, and increased creative thinking.

4. Live intentionally. Create intentions for designing the life that you want, continually put effort toward your intentions, and maintain optimism about creating the life you desire. Decrease the amount of time spent watching TV, surfing the Internet, or other activities that drain your time and energy.

5. Savor the simple pleasures. Find pleasure in the simple things. When you experience a moment of happiness or pleasure, stop to become aware of how you feel in your body, mind, and heart, savor the experience, and then recall the experience several times throughout the day.

6. Maintain a healthy work and life balance. Focus on your personal wellbeing, and take care of yourself so that you remain well. Practice delegating and letting go of expectations for perfection.

7. Eliminate energy drainers. Identify the undone things that are draining your energy and do them, delegate them, or toss them out. Decrease contact with people in your life who drain your energy.

8. Engage in creative effort. Rediscover old creative endeavors or discover new ones. Engage in creative activities that you enjoy and that encourage creative flow.

9. Connect with nature. Find the beauty in the simplicity of the everyday. Get outside and engage with nature with your senses. Enjoy what you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. Rediscover a sense of awe and wonder as you connect with nature.

10. Practice compassion and loving-kindness. Speak to yourself and others with kindness and compassion. Let go of trying to be perfect. Treat yourself as though you were your only child. Approach others with this same attitude.

Tapping - EFT

What You Need To Know About Tapping: A Free & Easy Stress Buster

 

By Jessica Ortner

I’m fully aware that tapping on different points of your body looks a bit… well… weird! The first time I learned Tapping, I couldn’t help but think of a monkey when I had to tap under my arm and on the top of my head!

As strange as it may look, the results have been nothing less than spectacular for me. That’s what led me to create a documentary film about tapping, so we could capture these results and share the technique with others.

EFT stands for Emotional Freedom Techniques. It’s also known as “tapping” because you are literally using your fingers to tap on meridian points. Some people call it “emotional acupuncture without the needles.”

When you focus on what's bothering you while tapping on these acupressure points, you'll find that you can hold the same thought but without the physical anxiety that was attached to it. This allows you to let go of that negative thought and bring in something more empowering.

It’s really how our emotions impact our bodies that holds us back in life. It not only contributes to physical pain and misalignments, but also causes us to limit our own possibilities for growth. Anxiety limits us from living our best life. We don’t go for our dream job, jump on that stage or make a connection with someone we want to meet, because our body starts running the pattern of anxiety and we stop ourselves from moving forward.

By tapping for just a few minutes you can begin to feel a shift. Here's how a basic Meridian Tapping sequence works:

Identify the problem you want to focus on. It can be general anxiety, or it can be a specific situation or issue, which causes you to feel anxious.

Consider the problem or situation. How do you feel about it right now? Rate the intensity level of your anxiety, with zero being the lowest level of anxiety and ten being the highest.

Compose your “setup statement.” Your setup statement should acknowledge the problem you want to deal with; follow this statement with an unconditional affirmation of yourself as a person. For example: "Even though I feel this anxiety, I deeply and completely accept myself."

"Even though I'm anxious about my interview, I deeply and completely accept myself and these feelings."

"Even though I'm feeling this anxiety about my financial situation, I deeply and completely accept and forgive myself."

"Even though I panic when I think about ______, I deeply and completely love and accept myself."

Perform the setup. With four fingers on one hand, tap the Karate Chop point on your other hand. The Karate Chop point is on the outer edge of the hand, on the opposite side from the thumb. Repeat the set up statement three times aloud, while simultaneously tapping the Karate Chop point. Now take a deep breath!

Get ready to begin tapping! Here are some tips to help you achieve the right technique:

You should use a firm but gentle pressure, as if you were drumming on the side of your desk or testing a melon for ripeness.

You can use all four fingers, or just the first two (the index and middle fingers). Four fingers are generally used on the top of the head, the collarbone, under the arm... wider areas. On sensitive areas, like around the eyes, you can use just two.

Tap with your fingertips, not your fingernails. The sound will be round and mellow.

Because the meridian lines are symmetrical on either side of your body, it does not mater what side of the body you tap on or with which hand you choose to tap.

Now, tap 5-7 times each on the meridian points in the following sequence. 

• Start of the eyebrow, near the bridge of your nose
• Side of the eye, near your temple
• Under the eye
• Under the nose
• The crease between the chin and lip
• The collarbone
• Underneath the arm
• Top of the head

Tap a few rounds until you feel a release. Take a deep breath and check in with how you feel.

 

8 Tips To Deal With People Who Drive You Nutso

8 Tips To Deal With People Who Drive You Bananas 

Wonderful advise for every day sanity :)  We can all relate, trying to be and stay positive, only to have a negative Nancy throw a wrench in your good vibes and mess things up...well it doesn't have to be that way, it's all a matter of what you allow to affect you, and tools to help you deal with things in the most positive way...no matter how nutso someone may drive you!

By Louise Jensen

In the ideal world (like the one in my imagination) there is no aggression or nastiness. Everyone is fair and kind and love is the driving force, propelling us into a lovely future.
Unfortunately the real world can be very different.

There is one particular person in my circle who is quite unpleasant. Circumstances dictate that this person remains, for the foreseeable future, integrated into my life. 
It has taken me a long time not to take the regular outpouring of venomous words so freaking personally. This is how I did it. 

1. Breathe deeply. 
When I am feeling energetically attacked (and while replaying the memory afterwards), my breathing becomes shallower, or I hold my breath altogether. This in itself is enough to induce feelings of anxiety. 
Deep breathing is one of the best ways to lower stress in the body. It sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax. The brain then sends this message to your body. Heart rate and blood pressure falls and a sense of relaxation will automatically take over.

2. Meditate. (You knew this would make the list!) 
Yes, it always come in somewhere, but that’s because there is no better way to keep you in the now, stop foreseeing future problems and replaying past events.

3. Remember: you don't know what's going on in that person's life. 
If you are met with hostility, it can be easy to judge the other person as nasty but we rarely know what’s going on in someone’s life to make him or her feel hostile. 

4. Drop it. 
Holding on to resentment hurts you more than the other person.  Imagine you are holding on to the back of a moving car; being dragged around and getting hurt. Is it the car that’s hurting you? No it’s you actually holding on to the car that’s allowing you to get hurt. Letting go is freeing.

5. Remember it’s only one person's perception of reality. 
It’s hard to remember when you're being criticized, but understanding this is the other person’s perception of reality was a huge leap forward for me. I am true to myself and other people’s opinions of me are really none of my business. 

6. Try to love them exactly as they are. 
This was a tricky one, but whenever I saw this person I would forget anything that had gone on before and accept them exactly as they are without preconceived ideas or wishing they would change. 

7. Don’t mind read. 
I had a phase when if this person's name was mentioned, I'd assume they had been bad mouthing me and I would start to feel anxious. By guessing what I thought they were thinking, my mind went into overdrive creating a story. I am sure I put more energy into them than they ever did into me. Unless I hear something directly now I don’t assume. 

8. Don’t let one bad incident make you feel you have had a bad day, a bad week or even a bad life! 
For every one negative person I encounter, I have a million more things to be thankful for and I make sure I journal a list every day so the good always outweighs the bad.