STOP. DOING. ALL. THE. THINGS. and listen to the whispers of your heart. You were wonderfully and fearfully made, unique and beautiful.
The mantra "self-care is the first step in any relationship" is only HALF right. Why would you "care"? If I asked most of my women friends if they love themselves, I assume most would say No, but they all seem to care about themselves. Almost like a first boyfriend that's not ready for marriage, we don't want to commit.
The real Step 1 in self-care, etc. is to get in the right mind-frame.
- Assess your state of being, physically. Touch is the easiest way to ground yourself and get centered. Both feet on the floor. Become aware of temperature, movement of the surrounding air, clothes on your skin, hair on your head and arms.
- Breathe, even in and out (4 in and 4 out, for example), brings balance and clarity.
- Feel the steady pulse of your heartbeat Take this time to correct posture to allow for the best alignment and blood flow.
- Pay attention to sounds around you while keeping awareness of skin and breath.
- Lastly, take a mouthful of water and hold it for 20-30 seconds.
Now that you are mostly present in your body, listen to what it needs.
Are you tired? Is the tiredness physical or mental? Are you in pain? Hungry? Thirsty? Hot/cold?
What can you do NOW to correct anything that is off? Drink water, stretch, grab a blanket, take a nap.
Next, why are you taking the time to do this? Why do you care? What are your goals for yourself?
Who is counting on you? Who could you help or support if you were able?
Having a purpose and goals keeps the focus on moving forward and positively rewards your brain even before anything is accomplished. This ends up encouraging you to continue to make more goals. Try it!
Day-to-day habits (including self-talk, affirmations, etc.) can significantly improve or destroy our health. You know that true self-care is an everyday activity, not a special occasion. True health is mental and physical well-being. If you are "all-or-nothing", stick with a daily affirmation book, Bible study, 30-minute exercise routine, and whole-foods, plant-based diet. If you can deviate from routine without being completely derailed or sliding back into bad habits, aim for 80/20 and enjoy a splurge now and then without guilt. 80% healthy foods and habits, and 20% splurges.
Did you realize that people with positive psychological health have a lower risk of physical illness? What you think and say to and about yourself matters. It matters.
Instead of getting your nails done, shopping 'til you drop, or taking a bath twice a day, or drinking too much wine, getting present and having goals to move forward is the cheapest, quickest way to reset your body and brain for a healthy long life journey.
Make a goal. Simplify the goal into 3-5 actions. Get to it. Ev Ree Day. Love, you! Love you!
Your immune system is EVERYTHING. Let's go through some easy-to-incorporate ways my family helps our immune systems so you can help your own. Be sure to read to the end to get Two Immune-Boosting recipes that are easy and get results.
Sleep
Easier said than done, right? It is important to get at least 7 hours of sleep a day! When your body does not get enough, it has a tougher time fighting off infection. We consider it "Vitamin S". Many studies even suggest that poor sleep causes weight gain. Stick to a nightly routine, power nap if you need to, just make sure you and your family are catching ZZZ’s! (See link to "guide to better sleep" at the end of the blog).
Eat healthier and eliminate processed food
Before we had our eyes open to our self-sabotaging health practices, we fed ourselves and our children many regretful things. I'm gonna tell you a little story here:
This is an example of how clueless I was about the effects of foods on wellness. For my son's 5th birthday, we got him a whole container of bubble gumballs. You know, the kind that are in gumball machines? So, what do you think he wanted to do? He chewed and spit out about 20 of them! We were on the way to a movie for his bday. We had to change plans when he started wheezing and couldn't breathe. So many nasty chemicals in those gumballs that his body went, "NOPE". We had our final food awakening at Whole Foods shortly after (Read about that in my Vitamix blog).
You know what NOT to do, and here's where I'll tell you what TO do:
When you add fruits and vegetables as well as eliminate (or reducing) processed food, it can naturally boost your immune system. Fruits and veggies are packed with antioxidants that slow down aging, maintain heart health, lower the risk of infections, and strengthen the immune system. Processed foods have the opposite effect; they decrease our immune system and can contribute to becoming ill or having asthma attacks. These foods are not nutrient-dense, but rather filled with preservatives, artificial ingredients, and even toxins!
Don't completely ban comfort foods (unless they are truly toxic). Graze in moderation and up your veggie and fruit game! Slowly add more veggies and eat them first, then have your normal meal. Eat a fruit smoothie for a snack, and munch on veggies or fruit in between meals! It's amazing how your body adapts and starts to crave fresh and healthy over junk food. Pay attention to how you feel before making the switch and possibly keep a journal to be completely honest.
CONSUME AN ANTIOXIDANT DRINK 
Find a drink high in antioxidants to kick off your morning and start on the right foot! Every morning we drink one ounce of our red antioxidant drink for all the reasons listed above! During the winter months, we double it. I pop it in my family’s orange juice or add it to smoothies. Our red drink supports brain health, a healthy weight, and our immune systems. We don’t want to go without it! Hubby attributes his ability to pass his BP test during physicals to this one ounce a day!
Exercise
Exercise helps boost your cells in your body that target harmful bacteria. A daily walk, bike ride, pilates/yoga/stretch, or playing catch with your kids, are all great activities to stay active! Just do not overdo it. If your body is overworked, it can have the opposite effect. Find a balance and get moving!
Be proactive rather than reactive
Being proactive is essential! We seemed to be stuck in that cycle of illness every six weeks or so before we made different choices. Do not wait for sickness to strike and then try to recoup! Stop losing days and money stuck in bed due to illness or caring for your sick littles. Be proactive and consistent. START to eat healthy on a regular basis, exercise a few times a week, consume an antioxidant drink daily, get your sleep, apply oils to support your systems, and remove toxins like dangerous cleaning products, and hormone-disrupting facial and body care products. It's easy to incorporate into your daily routine (or I wouldn’t do it). Don't fret about what you've done in the past. Start today. Start small and add things slowly. It's easier to stick with it if you don't shift EVERYTHING in your life all at once. You can do it. You will. You and your family are worth it!
Two of our favorite recipes for immune system support:
IMMUNE BOOSTING TONIC:
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (We use Braggs)
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup Honey (local is best)
2 Tbs lemon juice or 4 drops Lemon essential oil
1 Tbs grated ginger (OR 1 tsp ground ginger)
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 grated clove of garlic
Mix all ingredients in a glass jar.
Take 1 Tablespoon/day for daily boost or 2-3 Tablespoons throughout the day as needed.
WELLNESS ROLLER BLEND
15 drops of Thieves
5 drops of Lemon
5 drops of Purification
5 drops of Lemon
5 drops of Purification
10 drops of Peppermint
5 drops of Frankincense
5 drops of Oregano
Add oils to a 15 ml roller and top with a carrier oil.
Roll on your spine and/or feet before leaving the house and before bed.
What are your immune-boosting tips? I'd love to hear your ideas! 😊
Have you struggled to get good sleep? You'll LOVE my guide "Get Better Sleep Now". Check it out here!
If you'd like to hear all about how to Ditch your toxic cleaning products and find natural cleaners that WORK, click here.
