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Herbalists Reveal 10 Useful Treatments for Post Nasal Drip

August 6, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Remember some of the classic commercials on tv for over-the-counter cold and sinus medications? In one, the cartoon lady had a leaky faucet in place of her nose, and she stated, “Drip, Drip, Drip,” wearily with every drop. Although it’s a whimsical advertisement, nothing could illustrate the aggravation of post nasal drip better.

When your nose and sinuses are stopped up, the painful pressure can make you miserable. The sickness is often exacerbated when the excess mucus overflows and constantly drips from your nose and down your throat. You get a sore and inflamed nose from wiping with so many tissues, but your throat becomes raw and painful from the drainage.

What Causes Post Nasal Drip?

What can be more disturbing than that familiar tickling sensation in your throat that makes you cough, and you know that sickness may be brewing. Post nasal drip is a common symptom of colds, viral infections, sinus infections, and allergies. Your nose starts dripping with excess mucus, which creates problems of its own.

Yes, mucus is disgusting, and it drives you crazy when it’s clogging your nose and impeding your breathing. However, it is a vital source of lubrication and protection for your entire respiratory system. Specialized cells in the lining of your sinuses, air passageways, and lungs secrete thin layers of mucus that keep them moist and trap irritants and harmful microbes.

As your respiratory system’s first line of defense, mucus thickens around the trapped irritants like dust, dander, pollen, and bacteria. It can be expelled by blowing your nose or through your digestive system. Tiny hair called cilia act like miniature brooms and keep your lungs free of excess mucus and particles. Infections and allergies can temporarily paralyze your cilia, causing the mucus to back up in your bronchial tubes and sinuses.

Your initial reaction is that tell-tale tickle in your throat, which leads to a nagging cough, sore throat, and a runny nose. Typically, these classic symptoms only last the duration of the illness, and the dripping stops. How do you tolerate the steady post nasal drip while you are recovering?

Treatments for a Running Nose

In some cases, primary healthcare providers recommend over-the-counter medications to remedy your symptoms. More severe cases may call for antibiotics or other prescription drugs. If you want some natural relief for your post nasal drip, try these ten home remedies.

1. Try a Neti Pot

The neti pot is an ingenious invention that uses a warm saline solution to clear excess mucus from your sinuses and throat. The word neti comes from the Sanskrit word for nose cleaning and maybe one of the earliest nasal cleansing techniques recorded in ancient Ayurvedic history. Other early cultures around the world developed similar ways to clear their stuffy noses.

You can find these pots inexpensively in most pharmacies and online. Use it, simply fill the pot with warm, sterile saline solution, snuff it up one nostril, and lean your head so it will run out the opposite nostril. The heated saltwater will soothe irritated nasal passages, but it can also reduce swelling and allow excess mucus to drain correctly.

If you want to save a little money, you can easily make a solution at home. Here’s what you need:

One teaspoon fine sea salt
1/3 teaspoon baking soda
One cup of warm purified water (not hot)

In a small bowl, mix salt, baking soda, and water until dry ingredients are completely dissolved. Pour it into your nasal cleansing pot and use it as directed. If you don’t have one of these, you can substitute by using a sizeable sterile syringe.

2. Avoid Dairy Products

Of course, you may crave a cold glass of milk or a comforting cup of ice-cream when your throat is raw from a runny nose and coughing. However, certain natural chemicals in milk and dairy products can encourage mucus production and make it thicker, which is not what you need when it’s a problem anyway.

If you want something refreshing and soothing for your throat, try chilled fruit juices or popsicles. You may also try non-dairy ice cream if you wish for that creamy taste and sensation. Consider almond or rice milk on your cereal or in your coffee until you have recovered.

3. Avoid Eating Spicy Foods

Are you a fan of all cuisines hot and spicy? The minute you bite into a fiery pepper or taste those piquant spices, your eyes, and nose water, and you feel like a fire-breathing dragon. While you are having a snack of your favorite spicy foods, they boost your mucus production, because your body thinks it’s being attacked by the spicy heat.

Do yourself a favor and avoid eating spicy and hot foods while you have post nasal drip and other symptoms. If you crave a little zesty flavor without the infernal heat, try milder spices and sweet peppers. You can enjoy the flaming foods and spices you love soon.

4. Use a Humidifier

Did you know that cold, dry air can make your body more prone to colds, flu, and other respiratory infections? Constant coughing and steady post nasal drip can irritate your nose and throat, making them feel parched and sore.

When you sleep, consider using a humidifier in your room. The gentle steam will help loosen your clogged airways so you can breathe better. It will also soothe the dryness in your sinuses and throat. For an extra boost, add a few drops of pure menthol or eucalyptus oil.

5. Try Essential Oils

Aromatherapy is an ideal way to remedy your post nasal drip problem. Essential oils like lavender, rosemary, and lemon are naturally antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal. Use them with carrier oils to rub externally on your throat and under your nose.

You can also put your oils in a diffuser and still enjoy their benefits. Consider using a small roll-on tube to rub on your skin as needed. Add these aromatic oils to sachets or simmering potpourri to open your sinuses and make your house smell heavenly.

6. Drink Water

How many times have you read that everyone needs to drink at least 6-8 glasses of water today? Yet, you find disturbing studies that say at least 75 percent of Americans are dehydrated. When you are sick and have a runny nose, you are losing fluids in your body, and you need to replenish them with plenty of cool water.

Fill up a container of cold water and keep it close to you during the day. Sip on it when you feel thirsty or have that nagging tickle in your throat that makes you cough. Aim to get at least 48 ounces of water a day, or more according to your weight.

7. Use Non-medicated Saline Nasal Spray

Maybe you avoid medicated nasal sprays because you’ve studied about the rebound effect, which means they can often make your post-nasal drip and sinus conditions worse, and you can become addicted to the spray. You needn’t worry if you use a non-medicated saline nasal spray. The sterile saline solution can thin built-up mucus and soothe your irritated nose.

8. Get Some Exercise

It stands to reason that your respiratory tract can build up more mucus if your body is resting. As much as you feel like it, try to get some moderate exercise while recovering from colds or other ailments. The gentle movement will energize your body and get your sluggish cilia to work on that excess mucus.

9. Bundle Up in Cold Weather

Here’s another example where your parents’ wisdom comes in handy. Remember how they told you to bundle up when the temperature is chilly outside? Although it’s a common misperception, cold air can’t give you colds or other illnesses, but it can weaken your immune system and make you more prone to them.

Cold, dry air is also the enemy of your sinuses and air passages, causing them to be dry and irritated. It creates the perfect habitat for allergens and germs to wreak havoc on your respiratory system. Remember to keep warm and keep runny noses and other maladies at bay.

10. Drink Herbal Tea

When your nose doesn’t quit dripping, you’re constantly coughing, and your throat feels like you’ve swallowed crushed glass, it’s time for tea. Brew yourself a comforting cup of herbal tea and enjoy the benefits it offers. Try soothing herbs like chamomile, lavender, rosemary, sage, or catnip.

These herbs can naturally fight infections and help to heal the irritations caused by coughing and mucus buildup. A bonus is the warm, comforting steam from the tea that can open your sinuses and breathing passages. Avoid teas with caffeine, as they can make your symptoms worse.

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Final Thoughts on When to Seek Medical Treatment for Post Nasal Drip

These home remedies are useful when your symptoms are mild to moderate, and you see them fade within 10-14 days. If you are running a fever or notice a yellow infectious discharge in your mucus, you should contact your primary healthcare provider as soon as possible.

For people who have allergies or other respiratory problems, every season is a game for fighting the symptoms of coughing, sore throat, and persistent post nasal drip. These natural remedies may be the thing you need to stop the drip and make you feel better.

8 Outcomes of Parents Using Guilt Instead of Positivity on Their Kids

August 6, 2020 by Power of Positivity

It’s no secret that communicating with kids can be difficult. Indeed, it can make a parent downright nutty at times. It shouldn’t be a surprise that parents try different methods of getting their kids to do things, but not all of these methods may not be a great choice.

Using guilt is one of those “not so great” choices. Many counselors explain what happens when parents use guilt trips on their children, and usually, the explanation is not one to be proud of. Sure, this tactic may work in the short term, and the outcome may even benefit the child in the short run. However, guilt-tripping kids is something that can have lasting negative consequences that you can’t see right away.

In this article, counselors explain what happens when parents use guilt trips on their children. Keep reading to find out more.

What is Guilt Tripping?

Using guilt, aka guilt-tripping is the process of making someone feel guilty about something, usually in an attempt to manipulate them in some way. The definition of guilt-tripping sounds malicious, and in many ways, it is. It’s essentially a bully. That’s why it’s not good to use this negative thinking on your kids.

It’s essential to recognize that helping your child to understand guilt is not the same as making them feel to blame for an event. Teaching your child about guilty feelings, right from wrong, and other moral life lessons will lead to a healthy, compassionate adult with excellent morals and values.

A lesson about guilt crosses over into guilt trip territory when the guilt tripper is attempting to gain something from another person. It’s not always money or other tangible items. It could be something simple like a nap so the parent can take a break from child duties for a while. However, as counselors explain what happens when parents use guilt trips on their children, it becomes evident that it’s still manipulation, which is bad for young minds.

Why Parents Would Use Guilt Trips on Their Kids

There can be many reasons why a parent would guilt-trip their kids. On the surface, it’s because they want their kid to do something or behave a certain way, but counselors believe that it goes deeper than that.

Shaming and blaming people, from the guilt tripper’s perspective, is less about the guilt and more about the manipulation. Psychologists agree that many people who often use manipulation has had a rocky past. The manipulation is almost like a survival method, and the manipulator may not even be fully aware of their participation in it.

Manipulators often have a past filled with instances of competition for love, affection, or acceptance. They may have had a history filled with a struggle to be accepted into specific groups or lifestyles, and manipulation was the way they accomplished this.

When the abused kids grow up and become parents, the manipulation can continue in the form of shaming their kids. It may be the only way they’re capable of showing any type of parenting skills. Unfortunately, people with this type of past doesn’t get the help they need because their problems can transfer over to their children. This impact becomes evident as counselors explain what happens when parents use guilt trips on their children.

Counselors Explain What Happens When Parents Use Guilt Trips on Their Children

Guilt-tripping is essentially a way to cause psychological damage to a kid. Even if the parent isn’t intending to be malicious and merely using it as a way to get their kids to do the right thing, it can have serious consequences later in life.

Here are eight problems that shifting these guilty feelings will cause in kids.

1. Loss of Self-Confidence

When kids are constantly feeling guilty about something, they can experience a loss of self-confidence. They may feel like they can’t do anything right. While they grow up, they’ll often question their choices, and they may not be successful in life simply because they have low self-esteem.

2. Inability to Maintain Healthy Relationships

When children are victims of constant guilt trips, it can affect how they interact with others. We’ve already established that their self-confidence takes a hit, so it’s no surprise that they may be shy and withdrawn from people. They’ll be so afraid of being judged that they can’t interact with people regularly.

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3. They’ll Resent Their Parents

No one likes to be manipulated. Children, especially teenagers, may begin to resent their parents. This disconnect can cause them to “act out” or misbehave. They may become disrespectful to their parents and possibly even other siblings in the home. The relationship between the parents and their children will degrade, rendering the guilt-tripping pointless since the child won’t listen to the parent anymore.

4. They’ll Have Rocky Romantic Relationships in Adulthood

While they struggle with relationships during childhood, that struggle will continue into adulthood. They may have the inability to trust or show love. This outcome is a recipe for disaster in romantic relationships.

5. They’ll Struggle in School

For the same reasons they’ll struggle with social relationships, they’ll struggle with maintaining their grades in school. It could be from a lack of interest, or it could be that they can’t concentrate. They may not wholly fail but might be an average student who doesn’t have the confidence to try to reach their full potential.

6. They May Give Into Peer Pressure Easily

Being subjected to constant shaming tactics from parents sets kids up to be a target of guilt-tripping from peers. They won’t have the understanding or skills to stand up to peer pressure. To please their friends and keep from feeling even guiltier, they may just give in so they’ll fit in and make everyone happy.

7. They May Feel Obligated to Stay with People Who Mistreat Them

Guilt-tripping children is, in essence, teaching them to cater to someone who makes them feel bad. They’ll begin to feel like it’s their fault that the other person feels bad and that they’re responsible for fixing the situation. This can lead to your child being the victim of a bully in their school years, and in an abusive relationship during their adult years.

8. They May Exhibit Bizarre Behavior During Childhood

Children don’t know how to handle emotions as adults do. If a parent causes shame or embarrassment in their child repeatedly, the child may begin to deal with all those unhealthy feelings of guilt through bizarre or dangerous actions. If the abuse continues and the child doesn’t get help, it can cause all kinds of mental and emotional issues as the child grows up.

Two Excellent Alternatives to Guilt for Parenting Your Kids

After reading how counselors explain what happens when parents use guilt trips on their children, it’s only natural to wonder about alternative ways to get kids to do the right thing. A lot of parents who guilt-trip their kids aren’t doing it to be harmful. Indeed, they may not even realize that what they’re doing is dangerous.

In many cases, parents are just trying to communicate with their kids in the best way they know-how. However, there are alternative ways to communicate with your kids. Two of those ways are teaching them why a particular action or behavior is right, and another is through the use of incentives.

1 – Teach Them

Teaching children the correct way to behave and the right things to do is the best way to communicate with them. It builds trust between the parents and kids, and they learn how to navigate life healthily. More importantly, they’ll feel good about themselves as they learn and achieve lessons.

2 – Incentives

Some kids may need a little “push” in the right direction. A positive way to do this is through the use of incentives. The good thing about this is that the incentives don’t have to be elaborate. Kids get excited about something as simple as recognition. However, a small reward such as allowance money for chores, or an ice cream shop day for good grades goes a long way. Incentives are a lot better than guilt trips.

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Final Thoughts on Parents Guilt Tripping Their Kids

Even though counselors explain what happens when parents use guilt trips on their children, it still happens quite often. It’s important to realize that most parents don’t guilt-trip their kids to cause harm. Many counselors agree that it’s a learned parenting behavior once considered okay because it produces results.

Despite this, parents must recognize and change the bully behavior early. The psychological trauma it can leave on a kid may not always be evident until they grow up. If you’re a parent who recognizes that you may have been guilt-tripping your child, don’t be afraid to make a change and use the two suggested alternatives.

After practicing them for a while, they’ll become a habit. This will allow you to have a positive flow of communication with your child, leading to a happier and healthier life for both of you.

10 Healthy Benefits of Burning Sage in Your Home

August 6, 2020 by Power of Positivity

In the rich history of herbs and roots, sage remains the queen of the garden. When you think of sage, you probably think of the quintessential seasoning for Thanksgiving turkey and dressing. For centuries, various species of sage have been used for culinary, medicinal, and spiritual reasons.

What is Sage?

Culinary sage, Salvia officinalis, is the recognizable species that you’ll find in your spice rack. It is a perennial woody herb native to the Mediterranean region. Because sage has a historical reputation as a powerful medicinal herb, it was given the Latin name salvia, which means healing.

Origins of Burning Sage

White sage, Salvia apiana, is a species that is native to the western part of the United States. For many Native American cultures, white sage is considered a sacred herb used for cleansing and spiritual ceremonies. For generations, some indigenous Americans dried white sage, tied it into small bundles, and burned it a service called smudging.

Burning sage or other herbs has become a popular tradition in New Age and other spiritual practices. Many cultures around the world have observed some form of this cleansing ceremony. If you watch any television shows about physics or paranormal investigations, you’ll often see spiritual practitioners burning sage to clear the area of harmful or malevolent energies.

How to Burn Sage in Your Home

It isn’t challenging to perform a sage purification ceremony in or around your house. You can do the service alone or with your family. The critical thing to remember is to do it with respect and with positive intentions.

Supplies Needed for Smudging

• A bundle of white sage: Salvia apiana is available in New Age retail shops, which carry products like crystals and singing bowls.

Be sure that your purchase is from ethical and sustainable sources, such as native growers and gatherers. In the west, the white sage harvest is often depleted because of improper cutting techniques and over-picking. It’s important to know your source before buying.

It’s better if you grow white sage in your garden. This plant is exceptionally adaptable in most areas and doesn’t require a lot of care. You can plant it in an outdoor herb garden or grow it in attractive pots indoors.

• An original container for the ashes, such as an abalone shell, wooden bowl, or clay pottery. The ceremony becomes more personal if your vessel is something that you or a loved one handmade.

• A long feather for fanning the smoke: Only use feathers that are legally and ethically obtained. If you object to using feathers on moral grounds, you can use a decorative fan or your hand too.

• Wooden matches

How to Smudge:

• Strike the match and light one end of the sage bundle until it is barely smoldering. You don’t want it to catch fire, so blow out any flame quickly.

• As the leaves burn, it will produce a cloud of thick smoke. Now, use the feather to fan it around yourself and every corner of the space you’re cleansing. Visualize the smoke wiping your area clean of all negative energy.

• Let the sage ashes slowly collect in the shell or other vessel. After the smudge ceremony, release the ashes outside to the wind as symbolism for the negativity blowing away.

Possible Benefits of Practicing Sage Burning

Sage burning ceremonies can be as simple or elaborate as you wish. Not only can you reap spiritual benefits, but you can also gain practical advantages. For safety reasons, never get smoldering sage around flammable materials, and you must make sure the ashes are completely cold before discarding.

Are you ready to see how this mystical practice can help you? It may be something that you can incorporate into your spiritual rituals and journey. Here are ten benefits of burning sage for you to consider.

1. Purify Your Air

Underlying most ancient spiritual practices is usually a physical and scientific principal. Burning sage can purify the air around you, just as native practitioners have claimed. White sage is a natural insect repellent, antibacterial, and antifungal.

When you smudge, smoke from the burning herb creates negative ions that attack allergens in the air like pollen, animal dander, mold, and dust. Do you have asthma or other allergies? A sage cleansing ceremony may clean the air you breathe to minimize your symptoms.

2. Provide Aromatherapy to Calm Your Stress

Have the stresses of life built up in your space to where it’s unbearable? The mesmerizing fragrance of burning sage may be the stress reliever you need. Scientific reports about using sage as aromatherapy suggest that the scent reacts with parts of the brain to produce a calm and feeling of well-being.

3. Boost Your Mood

Everybody has a bad day occasionally that puts a damper on their mood. Did you know that a sage burning ceremony may help lift depression, ease anxiety, and give your mood a much-needed boost? As with stress, the smoke’s gentle fragrance works with your brain to put you in a peaceful, happy atmosphere.

4. Help You Get a Good Night’s Sleep

It makes sense that if your bedroom is charged with negative energy, it will disrupt your sleep. Many people find relief from occasional insomnia by using sage in their room before bedtime. After the sage embers have died into cool ash, the smoke lingers in a soothing perfume that can help you relax, fall asleep, and awaken refreshed.

5. Pump Up Your Energy Levels

When your living or working space is teeming with positive energy, your body reacts with the same vibrancy and positive power. As the positively charged smoke from a sage burning clears the area of negative charges, you may notice that you feel recharged, inspired, and able to do more things than you usually do.

6. Can Boost Your Brain Power

Are you studying for a test or working on a project and need some more enthusiasm from your brain? Try performing a simple sage burning ceremony in the space where you are working or studying. Some scientific research on burning sage suggests positive correlations between the herb and a boost in cognition and creativity.

7. May Dispel Residual Negativity of the Past

Have you ever walked into a room that you’ve never visited before and felt a heaviness you couldn’t explain? Some spiritual practitioners believe that apartments, houses, and even land can harbor negative energy from past traumatic events. Maybe you’ve experienced trauma or other negative experiences, and it still lingers in your shadow.

Burning sage in this spiritually heavy room may dispel residual negativity and replace it with a positive glow. Along with the smudge, the ceremony must come to the positive intentions and affirmations that your cleansing ceremony will work to your good. It may be a tool to cleanse your heart and spirit from past hurts and open your eyes to the beauty of the present.

8. Can Cleanse Objects

We know from high school science classes and Einstein’s theory that matter has energy. Everything in the universe is vibrating at different levels and can produce positive or negative charges. So, it stands to reason that objects in your home or office are energized and can carry negative residual energy from the past.

Before you bring anything into your home, especially things that may have been used in a spiritual ceremony, consider cleansing them first with a smudging ritual. Use your feather to gently waft the smoke around the object and visualize any harmful or detrimental energy vanishing.

9. Might be a Tool for Spiritual Practices

For many indigenous cultures of America, sage has had cultural and spiritual significance. It has often been used to enhance spiritual awareness, open the mind’s sixth sense, or to encourage psychic dreams. A sage burning ceremony usually coincides with services for healing and dedication.

Along with the spiritual experience comes some scientific evidence. Many cultivars of sage, including white sage, contains a chemical called thujone that has trace psychoactive properties. While it certainly isn’t like a psychedelic herb, sage can bring mild feelings of well-being and improved intuition.

10. Enjoy a Natural Air Freshener

Your house is filled with things that can make it smell less than appealing. From the kitchen to the kids’ rooms to the bathrooms, you may have an arsenal of scented candles, potpourri, and sprays to kill the odors. However, most of these synthetic air fresheners only mask the smells and can have chemicals that are hazardous to your family and pets.

Instead, why not freshen the air in your home naturally with a sage burning ceremony. White sage and other varieties have a distinct verdant and woodsy smell that most people find pleasant and relaxing. Burn sage throughout each room that harbors odors, especially the kitchen and bathroom.

Final Thoughts on Taking Advantage of the Healthy Benefits of Burning Sage

There is no magic involved in smudging. While it’s important to use visualization and clear intentions, many attributes of this ancient ceremony have some basis in science. No matter how you plan to practice, do so with respect for the service and those who created it.

15 Ways to Beat Pessimism and Regain Your Happiness

August 6, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Do you walk around with a frown as if you’re always waiting for the sky to fall? Are you a person that seems to see the glass half empty rather than half full? Don’t worry, as many people tend to have a negative outlook, manifested by pessimism.

The world you live in is a scary place these days, and there are plenty of reasons to dwell on the negative aspects of your life rather than focusing on the positive ones. Pessimism is not something that just comes naturally to many people; it’s a mindset that you must work hard to achieve.

No one wants to be negative, but they often feel that life has handed them so many lemons they don’t even begin to know what to do with them. How do you go about clearing the overwhelming negativity from your life, well here are a few tips to beat your pessimistic outlook once and for all?

15 Ways to Kick Pessimism Out of Your Life and Feel Happier

Here are the techniques that can banish negativity and bring more joy back into your life.

1. Get Rid of Toxic People

The first thing you need to do to start thinking positively is to get rid of the toxic people holding you back. Maybe you are involved in a relationship that has more storms than sunny weather. It’s time to take control of your life.

You have the power to decrease your inner circle. Be incredibly careful about who you let into your life. These negative Nellies can have a dramatic impact on your thought processes. If you’re always hanging around with a “Debbie Downer,” then you will have a hard time having a good outlook.

Alter your relationships for the better and watch the negativity drift away. You are known by the company you keep, and as your grandmother probably said, “Birds of a feather flock together.” So, be careful who you let into your flock.

2. Count Your Blessings

It’s easy to look at those around you and think of all the things that you don’t have. Who doesn’t want to keep up with the neighbors? However, you must learn to count your blessings as they are many.

If you got up this morning to a heated or cooled home, then you are blessed. If there was food on your table, people that love you, and a job that provides income, then you are blessed beyond measure. Stop looking at all the things you don’t have, and you must start focusing on the things that you do have.

3. Try Meditation

Meditation is an excellent way to get rid of all the negative juju that you pick up during the day. How many times do you wish that you could shake off the workday when you come home to be with your family? If you’re in a high-stress environment, it has an impact on you.

Meditation is a great way to clear your mind, body, and spirit. You can let go of the negativity that is holding you back. Did you know that being consistently negative can have a dramatic effect on your health? You must get rid of the pessimism immediately.

4. Change Your Diet

Now, you may think that your diet and pessimism are not even closely related. However, you will be shocked to discover that your gut and brain have a direct link. Plant-based foods have been proven to be what’s best for your system.

Diets high in carbohydrates and meat can have a dramatic effect on your body. Have you ever eaten healthy for a few days in a diet attempt and felt great? The sad part was when you fell off the wagon how miserable you felt.

The key to remember is how horrible your lackluster eating habits made you feel. It’s easy to roll in the pessimism when you feel awful. So, changing your eating habits can have a dramatic influence on how you think.

5. Smile

Smiling sounds like a simple solution, but you will be amazed at how much it helps you. It’s hard to feel sad when you have a smile on your face. Try it and see how it changes your life.

Rather than walking through your job looking at the floor, you should hold your head up high and smile. Others around you will notice, and you will feel better. It’s hard to be involved in pessimism when your optimism takes over.

6. Give Back

You know that you need to count your blessings, but you also need to give back. Helping those that are less fortunate will help you to put your complaints into perspective. It’s hard to think that your life is terrible when you see people living on the streets begging for meals.

Doing something beautiful for people who aren’t expecting it and truly need it will change your life. It truly is better to give to others than to receive something for yourself.

7. Utilize Aromatherapy

Nature is one of the best cures for what ails you. Part of changing your mindset can be improving your atmosphere. If you are drowning in pessimism, try having some lavender or lemon balm wafting about.

You will be surprised how these essential oils can improve your mood and put a bounce in your step. There are tons for you to explore and see which ones work best for your needs.

8. Don’t Take on More Than You Can Handle

One of the reasons people feel so burdened and negative is that they take on more than they can handle. Learn to say no to people when they ask you to do things.

You are under no obligation to jam your schedule with things that you can’t possibly do. There is power in learning to use the word “no.”

9. Practice Positivity

It’s going to take you some time to change your mindset. If you’ve always been a fan of pessimism, then getting your mind retrained to see things differently is challenging. Stop yourself when you start spewing negativity and refocus yourself to look on the sunny side of things.

10. Use Positive Affirmations

One way to stop the pessimism is to use positive affirmations. Try saying a few things like this in the mornings:

I am going to have a great day.
I am worthy of love.
I’m thankful for my blessings.
I will make something amazing out of my life.
I refuse to let stress dictate my attitude.

When you start programming yourself for greatness every day, then you will have a whole new outlook.

11. Use Good Posture

Your mind and body are linked, and they both impact each other significantly. If you can’t seem to be optimistic, then use your body to get your brain where it needs to go. For starters, keep your head held high, stand up straight, and keep your shoulders back.

It’s fascinating to think that your posture can be positive, but studies show that you can control your energy and the way you feel from your positive stance.

12. Journal Writing

Journaling is a tactic encouraged by psychologists to help you put your thoughts in writing. The key is it releases things and puts it out into the atmosphere. Once it’s exposed, it can’t eat you up inside.

Try using your journal to get rid of your negativity. Be sure to make it a journal of gratitude too. Take time to write all the things you are thankful for that day and the ones you will conquer tomorrow.

13. Take Time for You

Life is chaotic, and many people don’t devote enough time to their needs. One of the best things you can do to keep your mindset right is to have alone time. You can take a bubble bath or hang with the guys. Just make sure that you have time in your schedule to do the things you love.

14. Use Humor Everyday

Did you know that most comedians use their humor as a coping skill for their past? Look at some greats like Robin Williams, Roseanne Barr, Ellen DeGeneres, and Richard Pryor. These people all used the stage to tackle their demons.

While you don’t need to get rid of negativity on a stage, you will be surprised how much better you feel when you laugh. There’s even medical evidence to prove that laughter is one of the best medicines around.

15. Get a Pet

It’s hard to stay mad or cynical when you have a pet bringing so much joy into your life. If you have a pet, try spending some quality time with them. Did you know that the National Institute of Health found that having a pet can lower your stress and make you a happier person?

Final Thoughts on Beating Pessimism and Becoming a Happier You

If you want to beat pessimism once and for all, you need to incorporate a few of these things into life. There’s no reason to have an attitude of doom and gloom when you can put on a smile and enjoy the life you’ve been given.

15 Things That Make You Stop And Realize That Life Is Beautiful

August 6, 2020 by Power of Positivity

While we have to deal with our fair share of obstacles and pitfalls in our time on planet Earth, life is beautiful. Perhaps it takes going through turmoil and pain to garner an appreciation for all the beauty life offers us each day. Most of us have been abundantly blessed with excellent opportunities, family, friends, health, and material comforts.

Of course, much of the planet still deal with problems that the Western world doesn’t face, such as poverty and poor living conditions. However, if you travel to third world countries, you often see that people still find a reason to smile despite the struggles they face each day. Perhaps they value what little they do have because their societies don’t place as much emphasis on accumulating material items to find happiness. As long as these families have food to eat, clean water, shelter, and family, they don’t need anything more than that.

Maybe we should adopt this same concept, especially in westernized countries. By looking at all the simple things that make life beautiful, we can find peace and joy in our hearts, as well as the strength to keep moving forward.

Here are 15 things that make you realize that life is beautiful:

Family

In the hardest times, no one will support you like your family. No matter how far you fall, your family will reach into the depths and pull you back up. We all need a support system to get anywhere in life because we weren’t meant to go through struggles and triumphs alone. Even if all your friends leave you, you lose your job, or your relationship turns sour, your family will still welcome you back home with open arms.

Life is beautiful because of the people who stand by our side no matter what – family.

Exercise is one vital part of living a beautiful life.

Friends

Second, to our families comes friends – they listen to our problems, give us a shoulder to cry on, and make fond, beautiful memories with us. Whether they get us into trouble during a wild night on the town or sit with us in a deep conversation for hours, good friends make life worth living. Sometimes you tell your friends things that you wouldn’t feel comfortable sharing with family, so they play an essential role in our lives.

Nothing lasts forever

Because life doesn’t go on forever, or at least this life, we can have a particular appreciation for its impermanence. If it lasted for an eternity, we would start to take things for granted and grow downright bored with our experience. The fact that no pain or pleasure goes on forever should make us realize that life is beautiful in the short time we do get to experience it. Treasure the good things in your life and learn the lessons from unfortunate situations.

We get to choose our destiny.

Some people believe in fate, but we should have an appreciation for the fact that no matter our circumstances, we can choose to write a different story. We all are born into different situations, but by the power of our consciousness, we accept our actions. Of course, we can’t always know where these actions will lead us. However, we at least make our own decisions and not let our circumstances hold us back from achieving our goals.

Nature

When you look around you at the trees towering above you, sheltering you from the sun or at the birds singing their funny songs, you can’t help but think that life is beautiful. Even on the worst days, the sheer beauty that surrounds us in nature should make us grateful for this human experience. Nature gives us life, so when you wake up tomorrow, give thanks for the sun shining its light on you, and the food you eat nourishes your body, for these allow you to keep enjoying life’s gifts.

Love

Whether you find love in a romantic relationship, a friendship, or your family, love keeps the world spinning. Without love, we would see utter destruction and chaos, and even though those have a place in this reality, love and kindness keep these forces from annihilating the planet. You can find love everywhere – in a smile from a stranger, a baby’s infectious laugh, or a tight hug from a dear friend. Love helps us remember that life is beautiful and to have an appreciation for the people and the beings that share this planet with us.

The opportunity to keep learning

We came to this planet to learn valuable lessons and skills for our soul’s evolution. In today’s world, you can master pretty much any new skill you set your mind to! From musical instruments to coding a website to painting a masterpiece, you can gain new skills in any arena you choose. Don’t let time pass by you without taking up some hobby that brings you joy. With so much to learn on this planet, we have no reason to let boredom or laziness hinder our progress.

Food

This list of what makes life beautiful wouldn’t be complete without listing food! Of course, we should strive to eat food from nature as much as possible, as our bodies need certain nutrients to survive. However, indulging in ice cream or cake every once in a while won’t hurt. With so many different foods to try from various cultures around the world, you could probably live for many long years and still have yet to try it all.

Travel

Seeing new places keeps our spirits high, and our curiosity satisfied. As humans, we naturally want to learn about different cultures and ways of life, and travel allows us to expand our horizons. Earth is an incredibly gorgeous place to live, so we should take advantage of our ability to explore and have an appreciation for different landscapes and cultures around the globe.

The blessing of being able to experience life through our senses

Even the pleasure of having senses at all to witness and experience the world through makes life beautiful. Our full understanding of the world around us couldn’t be possible without being able to think, hear, smell, taste, see, or feel. The ability to touch using your arms and legs to perform tasks is also a blessing because not everyone can do this. Make sure when you wake up every morning to give thanks for the universe, providing you with the ability to experience life as you do each day.

Animals

We couldn’t forget about our furry friends on this list of why life is beautiful! Whether you have a cat, dog, gerbil, bird, or reptile as a pet, I think we can all agree that animals make life so much better. After a hard day of work or school, it just feels fantastic to cuddle up with your best friend and enjoy that special bond between humans and animals. This notion also applies to an appreciation we feel for animals in the wild, because every creature is here for a reason in the circle of life.

You can change your perspective.

As much as we don’t want to hear it sometimes, we get to choose how we feel and think about things. Through positive affirmations and meditation, we can change our mindset to become more open, loving, and peaceful. No matter how negative or cynical you feel, you can alter your consciousness if you choose.

Peace and quiet

After being out and about in the world all day, doesn’t it feel so rejuvenating to sit on the couch, curl in with a good book, and relax? In a world full of noise and chaos, we can always have an appreciation for some rest and decompression in a tranquil place.

Music

Music is an indisputable universal language that brings together all cultures. Whether you like R&B, country, rock, or chill music, researchers have discovered that music releases dopamine and other feel-good hormones. No wonder humans have been drawn to music since we came to this planet!

Our creativity

They say that Earth without art would be “Eh,” and we agree with this statement. Humans have been given creative abilities to make sense of the world around them. Think about how monotonous and bland life would seem without music, art, movies, graphic designs, memes, and every other creative outlet on the planet.

Final thoughts about what makes you realize life is beautiful

Life is beautiful for many reasons, even though it has its fair share of troubles. Without struggles, though, we couldn’t have an appreciation for all the good on this planet. Food, family, friends, travel, nature, love, animals, music, and tranquility all make this experience worth it. Plus, knowing that it doesn’t last forever and that we can always choose a different experience by altering our mindset and intentions makes life a wondrous and rewarding ride. No matter where you are in your life today, we hope this list inspired you to count your blessings!

11 Ways to Recover from a Mentally Abusive Relationship

August 6, 2020 by Power of Positivity

When you have left a mentally abusive relationship, recovering from the damage is essential. It wreaks havoc on your self-esteem, relationships, career, mental health, and your overall well-being. You must leave the abusive relationship to begin your recovery.

If you have already taken that difficult step, then your recovery has already begun. As a huge step, it is sometimes the hardest one to make. Remind yourself that mental abuse is a form of domestic violence, and you don’t deserve to be in that situation.

Once you’ve left the relationship, you will have to put your life back together. Focus on what makes you happy and what keeps you healthy. Focus on your loved ones, your home, and your career, and avoid toxic people at all costs. While you may sometimes miss your abuser, remember that abusers don’t change.

You will recover, even if it doesn’t happen right away. Knowing what to do after you end things helps your recovery happen sooner and more effectively. Through research and observations, therapists have determined the best ways to recover from a mentally abusive relationship.

How to Recover from a Mentally Abusive Relationship

Here are eleven tips on recovering from this abuse.

1 – Acknowledge What Happened

If you want to recover, you can’t pretend the abuse didn’t happen. Instead, acknowledge that you were abused and never downplay what happened. You likely feel negative about the situation, and ignoring it may seem like the easy option, but it won’t help your healing.

Ignoring it will only cause further damage, and the negative emotions you are having will linger. To heal, you have to acknowledge first what happened and face all of the feelings that follow. You will likely feel embarrassed, ashamed, angry, or scared, but it will get better.

It’s important not to downplay what happened to you. Despite what you may think or what others may say, you are not dramatic or out of line. Your reactions are accurate, just as your emotions are real.

Although remembering your experiences may be painful, it is essential to recognize the abuse. Then, you will be able to move on to the next step in recovering.

2 – Remove the Abuser from Your Life

This tip may be hard to do if you love the person, but it is necessary if you want to begin healing. You shouldn’t contact them and should refrain from checking their social media. It’s also essential to remove pictures and mementos of your time with them.

Removing the abuser from your life also means cutting ties with friends who spend time with your abuser. Taking the chance of running into them can trigger many painful feelings and hinder your healing process.

Instead, spend time with people who support you and give you a sense of comfort. Find those who bring you joy and invest your time and energy into those people. Learn to cherish those who cherish you and won’t make you feel the way you did when you were abused.

3 – Find support

As mentioned before, you should cherish the people who bring you positive feelings. Spend your time with them, and seek support from those you trust. This network could be friends, family members, or a licensed therapist.

When you are recovering from a mentally abusive relationship, you may become depressed or anxious. This is when you need a support system the most. So, make sure to find someone who helps you feel validated and supported.

When you have support, you’ll be able to regain your self-esteem. You will realize your genuine worth and know that your abuser’s words and behavior had nothing to do with you. If you choose toxic people instead, your recovery will be impossible.

Your support system shouldn’t be connected to your abuser. If that leaves you with few friends, consider meeting people by joining a team or taking a class. You could also try reconnecting with old friends that you lost touch with.

4 – Focus on Things That Interest You

So, when removing your abuser from your life, you will have to think about how you’ll spend your time. Make this a positive change and focus on things that interest you. Think of the things you’ve always wanted to do and get started on one or two of them.

Maybe this will lead you to take a class or joining a group, which could help you make new friends. By focusing on what you are interested in, you’ll be able to live joyfully and think positively. Plus, being in this environment puts you in the same place as others who share your same interests.

5 – Find a Creative Outlet

You need to have some way to let your feelings out, and doing this creatively helps with healing. There are many creative outlets to express yourself, so the key is finding which art form is best for you. Some options include:

journaling
music
painting
poetry
writing stories or novels

6 – Resume or Develop a Regular Schedule

If you had a schedule that worked for you before the relationship, try to resume that one. If you didn’t have a regular schedule, this is the perfect time to develop one. The routine will help you return to a sense of normal.

Developing a regular schedule can also help you in a health aspect. It will help you avoid overeating or oversleeping. Plus, you’ll be less likely to turn to alcohol or drugs for relief from your feelings.

Know the ten warning signs of emotional abuse.

7 – Consider a Support Group

Sometimes the best way to recover is to talk to others who have been through it. You won’t feel like you’re being judged, and you won’t have to explain why you think the way you do. When you feel understood and comfortable, it’ll be easier to process some of your thoughts and feelings.

You will feel validated and become assured that the way you are feeling is justified. The other members of the support can offer empathy and help you with your recovery.

8 – Focus on Your Health

By focusing on your health, you will recognize your own needs instead of thinking about the needs of others. It will remind you daily that you are, indeed, worthy, despite what you have been through. The time and willpower required of this will be worth it when your body becomes nourished.

You should make healthy choices and get the recommended amount of exercise each day. Do this even when you don’t feel like so that you can focus on feeling better and healing. Feeling good and being healthy will make you feel better, giving you a clearer mind to rebuild your life positively.

9 – Show Yourself Compassion

You have to forgive yourself and remember that the abuse wasn’t your fault. Remind yourself that you are healthy and give yourself grace when you feel weak. No matter what your abuser told you, you did not deserve the emotional abuse you encountered.

While you may have felt helpless in that situation, you have control now can begin to heal from those feelings. Since you are currently in charge, give yourself compassion so that you can start to heal. Forgive yourself for the errors you made along the journey, because it is not your fault.

10 – Remember that Their View of You is Not Accurate

When you’ve been in a mentally abusive relationship, you’ll hear many hurtful things about yourself. After some time, you’ll begin to believe all of the things your abuser says about you. Once you’ve left the relationship, however, you have to recognize that those views of you are not accurate.

Mentally abusive people say things to hurt you because they are hurting. They may say something about you that they subconsciously think about themselves. Either way, their views are inaccurate, and you are not what they say you are.

11 – Take Your Time

As with any kind of healing, recovery from a mentally abusive relationship takes time. It won’t happen quickly, and you’ll likely have some setbacks along the way. Keep trying and don’t give in to the negative feelings so you’ll be able to see the good that is coming.

Give yourself some grace and remember that while the healing will come, it may take a while. Keep doing things and seeing people that seem to help you, and avoid any triggers. The more you work at it, the sooner your recovery will happen.

Final Thoughts on Therapists Reveal How to Recover from a Mentally Abusive Relationship

Recovering from a mentally abusive relationship can be trying. It takes time, effort, support, patience, and strength. You will see progress and setbacks, and you have to keep trying every single day.

Focus on what makes you happy, and surround yourself with people who genuinely support you and love you. When you do this, you’ll see your worth and be able to recover more effectively.

If you need more help, you can get free and anonymous support. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can help you any time of the day and any day of the week. You need help to separate yourself from toxic people, so reach out if you don’t have anyone in your life.

5 Social Skills Every Parent Should Teach Their Child

August 6, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Excellent social skills are imperative in life. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to teach your children how to communicate and thrive. The skills you teach your child must be continuously refined as they age. Everyone has a social nature, but you should always look for those little moments to educate and enhance their abilities.

Unfortunately, not all societal skills are quite so simple to master. If your child is a victim of being bullied, then they should know how to handle these complicated situations. They should know when to stand up for themselves when they’re being bullied, but they should also know how to be silent when the teacher reprimands them.

Parenting Requires Teaching Social Adequacies

If your child develops excellent social skills, then they will have no problem building long-lasting relationships. Having stable friendships is suitable for your child’s mental health, and they will be more apt to know how to handle conflict resolution. The goal is to have your child’s social skills at a reasonable level by making it to kindergarten.

A study showed that these children who are already well versed in social adequacies are typically the ones that are successful when they are an adult. Every parent wants to raise well-rounded children. When your kid reaches school age, they will know how to follow the rules, cooperate with the teachers, and share with their peers.

Also, a study done at Penn State University found that children with excellent social skills by the age of five are more likely to go to college and have a great job by the time they reach their mid-20s. On the flip side, socially inept children often have issues with substance abuse, relationships, and a fair share of legal debacles. Additionally, the study found these children are more likely to be on public assistance.

Five Social Skills Every Child Must Learn to Thrive in Today’s World

It’s incredibly stressful when a child doesn’t have the proper skills to interact with others. It puts a strain on them, and their communication skills make matters worse. Additionally, studies have shown that when children know how to socialize, they have a lower cortisol level than those who don’t have these skills. Stress can have a significant impact on your child’s health too.

Thankfully, you can teach your child how to socialize appropriately, and even if they are a little behind, they can catch up. Perhaps, they are already a social butterfly and just need to sharpen their skills. If you wonder what social skills you should be teaching and refining with your children, then here are the recommendations.

1. Following Directions

Following directions is one skill that needs to be taught from a toddler. If children don’t develop this skill by the time they reach school age, then the consequences can be intense. For instance, if they cannot listen to the teacher and follow orders, they will likely miss what they need to do, misbehave, and be in the principal’s office.

Your child must be able to take simple instructions like making their bed, and they should also be open to trainable directives like tips on improving their baseball game. As a parent, you need to learn the proper way to give directions.

Telling your child a long list of things to do may only confuse them. It’s better to give them one task at a time, wait till they complete that task, and then move on to the next item. Another tip is never to ask them if they want to do something as it gives them the chance to say no.

Never use sentences like “Would you, please put your shoes away?” Instead, say something like, “Put your shoes away, please!” You changed it from a question to an expectation, as there is no room for negotiation. Once you’ve given an order, ask them to repeat back what they’ve been told.

Children are easy to distract, act on impulse, and often have a short memory. It’s your job as a parent to point out their errors and show them how they could have done things better.

2. Sharing

There’s nothing worse than a stingy, selfish child. Sadly, children who act this way often grow up to be adults with the same mannerisms. Did you know that when a kid learns to share, it can help them form and keep friendships?

Don’t be too hard on your toddlers as children from ages three to six are often naturally selfish, but it still something that you must correct. It’s often the case that the toy they were fighting to keep from their sibling loses its luster once they won the battle.

By the time your child reaches seven to eight years old, they are more apt to be teachable when it comes to sharing. Children who feel good about themselves and don’t have a need to prove anything, and they often have no problems sharing with others. Some children are stingy because they need to prove themselves and have a hard time expressing themselves effectively.

Parents, you should teach your kid to share even if they don’t want too. Make sure to praise them when they share with their siblings, and you can help build their esteem by pointing out their victories. If your child is an only child, set up play dates and other opportunities for positive social interactions.

3. Listening

It isn’t very pleasant to tell your child something, and they are talking over you the whole time. Teaching communication skills means that you show them how they should listen and how they should absorb what’s being said. When they head to school, their success will depend on the ability to listen.

To succeed academically, a child must learn to hear and absorb what’s being told to them. Beyond school, they must know how to follow instructions from their boss. It’s also beneficial to have excellent communication and listening skills in a relationship.

Communication is something that people must work on even into adulthood. Living in the digital age makes things more difficult. People would rather text, stare at their phone screen, or engage virtually than have a meaningful conversation.

The right way for parents to help their child develop these skills is to pause and ask questions. For instance, if you’re reading a book to your five-year-old, stop and ask them halfway what they have learned. If they’ve missed anything, you can fill in those gaps and continue with the book.

Additionally, teach them that they never interrupt others when they are speaking. It’s always essential for them to wait their turn as what they have to say is just as important as the other person’s concern.

4. Respecting Personal Boundaries

Personal boundaries are one of the essential social skills. Some children tend to be clingy by nature, while others are more aloof. It’s one of the main reasons parents tell their kids never to talk to strangers as it’s pushing limits.

You can encourage boundaries by telling them that there is an imaginary bubble around them, and no one can come into this bubble without their permission. Additionally, they must be respectful of the other person’s bubble too. They should also learn that they should knock on doors that are closed and always keep their hands to themselves.

Things like hitting, pushing, or taking something out of someone else’s hand are actions that deserve consequences. Personal space is a big issue throughout life. If your child doesn’t learn about these boundaries early on, they will have problems as they grow.

You’ve probably seen the adults that are too touchy-feely and make you uncomfortable. These are people that never learned appropriate boundaries, and their childish actions have followed them.

5. Making Proper Eye Contact

The eyes are the window to the soul, and looking directly at someone is a social skill that is part of your communication. A shy person will look to the corner or the floor when speaking or being spoken too. However, while they may get by with it in elementary school, their boss may not think too highly of their actions.

Every time you see their eyes wandering, ask them to refocus them back to your eyes. Remind them that it’s essential to look at people. It’s a standard trick for folks to avoid looking someone in the eyes when they’re lying or have been caught in a wrongdoing. Encourage them that eye contact is imperative as they grow.

Final Thoughts on Teaching Social Skills to Your Children

Having the ability to socialize appropriately is an integral part of life. It takes a bit of extra reinforcement from a parent, and then maturity will also do its part. If your child cannot follow social cues and to socialize with their peers, then it can be the sign that there are some medical issues behind this, such as autism or ADHD.

Generally, by the time your child can walk and talk, it’s time to start teaching and training about boundaries and other ways to thrive socially.

Deep Breathing, Infrared Saunas, and Colorful Food for Self-Care

August 6, 2020 by Connie Zack

I look at self-care as a necessary component in achieving my personal mission: to add value and leave a positive impact on those around me. And filling up my self-love bucket is an essential part of paying it forward.

I genuinely believe that to provide value and a positive impact on those you love. You need to love yourself first. Even though I’ve chosen to fill my life to the top every day—which usually results in a packed schedule—I prioritize self-love is a part of my daily routine.

A little background on me:

I am a generous, loving mom to two boys aged 12 and 10, a dedicated and committed wife. And I am a caring daughter to parents (who recently moved to Kansas City, where I am from, to be closer to their grand-kids and for me to help with their periodic struggles with various health issues). Finally, I am a business owner who is extremely passionate about enabling our team to thrive!

If you feel tired even reading this, it’s true: The most straightforward path would be the one of least resistance—to not have a self-care routine. However, I am definitely a better mom, wife, business owner, and daughter when I am feeling healthy, fit, and grounded.

Our mission at Sunlighten, the leading brand of innovative saunas and wellness products that feature personalized infrared light therapy, is to empower others to live the healthiest lives possible. We strive to make a difference in this world and to leave it a healthier place as a result of what we do every day.

Therefore, I feel a sense of responsibility to lead by example and make choices to be the best me possible. When I take care of myself, I make better business decisions. I think more clearly, I have more energy, patience, and empathy to take care of those who I love and adore.

Five Self-care Routines to Adopt Right Away

Now, let’s get to a self-care routine that will make you feel great.

1 – Deep Breathing and Success Visualization

To start the day, before even getting out of bed, I begin with deep breathing and a visualization of what success looks like in the next 24 hours. First step: deep belly breaths, which give me a burst of energy and mental clarity before I start thinking about my day.

Deep breathing increases the intake of oxygen, helping to nourish the brain and body—which helps calm my mind so that the beginning of my day is relaxed and clear.

Then, I visually go through the day and picture the outcome that I would like to see or feel for each aspect. If I have an important presentation, I visualize feeling fulfilled after the submission. If I am nervous about a meeting, I picture being super excited about the results. I imagine everyone around me sharing good news and their success stories.

2 – Hydration as Self-Care: Hot Water with Lemon

I’ve been drinking hot water with lemon for as long as I can remember. Growing up, my mom always started her day drinking warm water with lemon, and she’s always been, my role model. So before I was aware of its benefits for the body, I drank it because I wanted to be like my mom.

Today, my hydration routine is a mandatory element of my daily self-care routine, even on vacation. When I started the method, I only drank hot water with lemon in the morning. Years ago, I switched to drinking hot water with lemon all day. It immediately warms me up in the morning and starts my circulation. It also suppresses my appetite, so I don’t feel like I am” starving.”

I add as much lemon as possible for its vitamin C and antioxidant benefits. When I arrive at work, preparing my hot water with lemon is the first task I complete. I grab my pitcher, fill it up with fresh lemons and warm water, and continue to refill the pitcher throughout the day.

Benefits of hot water with lemon:

Improves digestion
Boosts immunity
Reduces inflammation
Improves hydration – I drink at least three times more hot water with lemon than cold water or water without lemon.

3 – Consistent Sunlighten Infrared 3-in-1 Sessions

Ever since we started Sunlighten, I have included the enjoyment of a Sunlighten session as a method of pampering and self-care. Over the years, I have done it for different reasons and experienced a variety of benefits. The three most consistent over the past 20 years include the following: brain-boosting, pain relief from muscle recovery, and glowing, healthy skin.

The brain-boosting benefit comes from the infrared waves increasing our circulation and detoxifying the body, leaving me feeling more energetic and lighter. I like to say that using the Sunlighten sauna is like “emptying the deleted items on my computer” to allow for more storage space.

After a Sunlighten session, I have more room in my brain to discuss new opportunities, innovate, or take on a new challenge. The pain relief program we have in the Sunlighten mPulse 3-in-1 provides alleviation on all aspects of the body.

The Near-Infrared provides relief in my feet, knees, and back of the neck. The Mid helps my joints and tissues, while the Far heats my core temperature and purifies my body with a deep cellular sweat. The glowing skin benefit is a result of cleansing the body.

When you purify the body, the skin will follow and appear younger and more refreshed. At Sunlighten, we are all “glow getters.”

Taking time for myself inside my Sunlighten 3-in-1 sauna is a must-do! Another benefit is having my kids join me…for priceless quality time.

4 – Exercise

Doing some type of physical activity each day is crucial to my overall well-being. I am the best me when I work out five or six days a week. My go-to exercise, which is also the most fulfilling, is running a 5K with my husband Aaron or with a girlfriend. This allows me to be able to catch up with them while getting the workout in—for the best of both worlds. Exercise gives me the energy I need to take care of everyone else, so I prefer to work out early in the morning before I start my day.

5 – Colorful Food is Self-Care

Aaron and I both LOVE to eat, and we are passionate about good, quality food! One of the ways I take care of myself is by being intentional with the food I put in my body. I focus on “eating the rainbow,” and making sure I get plenty of each color in my meals. Additionally, I enjoy healthy proteins, fruits, and vegetables and stay away from gluten.

I minimize my sugar and dairy intake, but I do like to enjoy a delicious dessert on occasion. My goals are twofold: to make smart choices and drink an abundance of water.

One of my favorite meals to make is avocado toast on gluten-free bread. I find exciting ways to update the avocado spread and add healthy, delicious toppings, such as poached egg, nuts, cucumbers, kale, and roasted beets.

Final Thoughts: Find a Self-Care That Works for Your Needs

In summary, these are some of the items that “fill up my self-care bucket.”

These are what empowers me to have a positive impact on my family, friends, and our Sunlighten community. I hope they’ll inspire you to create your own!

How Rosemary Can Help Relieve Tension and Headaches

August 6, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Headaches are among the most annoying (potentially worst) pain one can handle during the day. The pounding sensations can make you sick to your stomach, light-sensitive, and unable to get out of bed. If you have a recurring problem with headaches, then you need relief. Rosemary might be the missing piece of your puzzle! Research shows that rosemary can help reduce insomnia and also act to relax muscles, which can all help with a headache.

Prescription medications are abundant that tackle this common problem. However, the side effects profiles of these drugs can be quite severe. You want to get rid of the pain, not cause yourself any further discomfort. Thankfully, Mother Nature provides some great alternatives, and one of them is rosemary.

Also called rosemary, this woody herb is an evergreen shrub that is native to the Mediterranean coast. It’s bold, intoxicating scent and pure flavor is often the star in many cuisines. This herb has a venerable history as a culinary and medicinal aid, and it was commonly cultivated in Medieval monastery gardens.

Easing Tension with Herbs

While it may seem there’s only one way to use this herb medicinally, there are several ways that you can use it to fright those headaches. By exploring all the different uses, you can find methods that allow you to use it on the go or at home. So, here are ten ways to use rosemary to help ease your aches and pains.

1. Put it in a Diffuser

Diffusers are a great way to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy. Put a few drops of essential oil into the vessel and turn on the lamp or allow a tea light to warm the mixture. Many studies show the countless benefits of aromatherapy.

When you have a headache, you probably sit in a dark room with a cold cloth over your head. Add a diffuser to your room and watch the headache dissipate quickly.

2. Add it to Bathwater

Nothing feels better when you’re in pain than a nice hot soak. Add fifteen to twenty drops of rosemary essential oil, sprigs of fresh rosemary, and other herbs to your bathtub to help ease your aches. The water delivers a powerful punch of herbal-treated water to your body, and you can also enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy mixed with steam.

3. Drink a Delicious Herbal Tea

Teas have been used for eras to help ease aches and pains in the body. Historically, it traces back to the 16th century, so its linear significance is undeniable. Yet, in the Western World, folks are beginning to understand how herbal teas can heal ailments.

Studies throughout academia agree across the board. Rosemary is one of the herbs with a substantial anti-inflammatory property that is well used for arthritis and other conditions. Since a dilation of the blood vessels causes migraines, some believe it can be relieved by only drinking a cup of tea.

4. Rub Essential Oil on Your Temples

Essential oils are great to keep with you as you can use them on the go. You will need to use a carrier oil when applying this herb as its strong nature can sting the skin.

Simply rub the oil in a circular motion into your temples and at the base of your neck. You will be surprised how quickly your headache lessens or goes away altogether. Plus, the fragrance is lovely too.

5. Mix it with Other Herbal Blends for a Salve

Have you ever seen the price tag of herb lotions and salves? Treating your ailments naturally can be pretty expensive, but it’s so worth the cost. Fortunately, you can create a balm that you can carry with you or keep at the office.

Anytime one of these headaches begins, you can grab your fragrant lotion to bring relief. If you want to make a healing salve that you can use on the go, here is an excellent recipe for you.

Ingredients:

2 Sprigs of Fresh Rosemary
5 Drops of Rosemary Essential Oil
5 Drops of Lavender Essential Oil
1 Tbsp. Coconut Oil
One Tbsp. Shea butter
1 Tbsp. Local Beeswax

Directions:

Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature. In a small bowl, take the herb, essential oils, shea butter, and beeswax and mix. Make sure the mixture is thoroughly blended and store in an airtight container. Anytime you feel a migraine flaring, apply the balm to your temples and rub in. Not only will it help your migraines, but it can also help with any tension you feel.

6. Add it to a Simmering Potpourri Mix

Since rosemary has lovely green needles like a pine tree and a delicious scent, it’s perfect to use as potpourri in a mixture or on its own. Its fragrance blends well with light fruity and woodsy notes, bringing a fresh ambiance to your whole house.

Soothing Herbal and Citrus Potpourri

Ingredients:

1 Small Bunch of Fresh Rosemary Stems, or Dried if Preferred
3 Large Lemons, Sliced
3 Medium Oranges, Sliced
2 Sticks Cinnamon Bark

Directions:

In a small saucepan over low heat, add enough water to fill the pan three-quarters to the top. Add the herbs, fruit wheels, and cinnamon sticks and allow them to simmer on the stove. Keep an eye on the simmering potpourri throughout the day, and add water as needed.

7. Infuse Your Water

Do you have a throbbing migraine and don’t want to drink plain water? Why not add this healing herb to a cold glass of purified H20. Simply strip a small handful of needles from fresh rosemary sprigs and diffuse them in the water for a few minutes.

8. Add it to a Salad

Of course, this delightful herb is tasty in your favorite Italian dishes, but did you know that fresh rosemary makes a delicious salad ingredient? Try this unique summertime salad recipe with your next meal and watch the smiles across the dinner table.

Ingredients:

¼ C Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 Tbsp. White Vinegar
2 Sprigs Fresh Rosemary, Finely Chopped
1 Small Bunch Fresh Oregano, Finely Chopped
1/8 Tsp. Sea Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper
3 Medium Heirloom Tomatoes, Quartered1-
Quart Multicolored Cherry Tomatoes, Cut in Half

Directions:

In a large bowl, add oil, vinegar, herbs, and whisk until combined. Add tomatoes and toss gently until evenly coated with the vinaigrette. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes for optimal flavor. Season with salt and pepper, toss lightly again, and serve.

9. Take Supplements

If you want the health benefits of rosemary, you can also take it as a supplement. Look for organic Rosmarinus officinalis in the pharmacy or your local health food store. Most of these come in 700 mg and can be taken once a day.

Be sure to talk to your primary healthcare provider before you take this or any other herbal supplement. It’s usually recommended that you take Rosmarinus officinalis simultaneously in the mornings with a bit of food.

This herb is not habit-forming and won’t hurt if you miss a dose. If you take it in the evenings, it may help you sleep better.

10. Flavor your Sandwiches

Would you like a healthy way to boost the flavor on your favorite sandwiches? Fresh or dried rosemary adds the green, peppery touch that’s ideal for dressing cold cuts or any mixed salad sandwich. Here’s a tasty Mediterranean Tuna Salad Sandwich for your family to try.

Ingredients:

4 Cans of Tuna, Drained
1 Cup Whipped Salad Dressing
A Stalk Celery, Finely Diced
One Small Red Onion, Finely Diced
3 Tbsp. Dill Pickle Relish
1 Small Lemon, Juiced
Clove Garlic Minced
1 Small Bunch Fresh Rosemary Sprigs
½ Tsp. Sea Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Directions:

Add tuna, salad dressing, celery, onion, relish, lemon juice, garlic, and rosemary sprigs in a medium bowl. Gently stir until all ingredients are combines. Season with salt and pepper, cover, and allow to chill at least 1 hour or overnight.

To serve, toast 12 slices of fresh bread until golden brown. Place a couple of heaping tablespoons of tuna salad on six slices of toast and cover with the remaining toast. If you like, you can add fresh mixed greens and sliced tomatoes to your sandwiches or eat the tuna salad without bread.

A Word of Caution About Using Home Remedies for Headaches

Just because something is natural and organic doesn’t always mean it’s right for you. Talk to your professional healthcare provider about your medical history, current conditions, and any medications you take before using rosemary. Inform your healthcare professional if you are pregnant, nursing, or plan to become pregnant.

As with any herbal remedy, Rosmarinus officinalis can have side effects, or you may be sensitive to it. As a supplement, talk to your healthcare provider about the right dosage for you. Discontinue use if you notice any adverse reactions and get medical attention as needed.

Final Thoughts on Relieving Headaches with Rosemary

Battling tension and headaches can interrupt your day and make you feel miserable. If you want natural relief with scientific promise, consider using fresh herbal sprigs or topical essential oil. It may be the natural help that you need.

Weekly tips, affirmations, and small actions to feel your best.

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