self care

For a healthy mind, body, and soul.

Tinnitus: The Companion I Never Wanted
It's with me 24/7. An uninvited guest that refuses to leave. It's the first thing I'm aware of when I open my eyes in the morning. And at night, when I'm desperate to sleep, it taunts me with its persistent, high-pitch siren.
By Kathryn Calvert8 years ago in Longevity
5 Ways to Start Your Day
The alarm clock is ringing, screaming at you like an angry mutant bird, pulling you away from a wonderful dream and the blissful relaxation of a good night's sleep. You probably briefly contemplate throwing the alarm clock out the window or smashing it against the floor/ wall and ignoring it. The last thing you want to do is crawl out of your nice, soft, warm bed, out from under your cozy blankets, and pry your head off your big, fluffy pillow. Unfortunately though, you can't just stay in bed all day. So what can you do to get yourself fully awake and ready to face anything the day can throw at you? Here are just a few ideas to make starting your day a little more pleasant. Because we have all been there, and we have all had to force ourselves to greet the day.
By Mylyn Cal8 years ago in Longevity
Best Essential Oils for Sinus Infections
Sinus infections can come out of nowhere, caused by anything from a deviated septum to a common cold. With symptoms such as headaches, congestions, stuffy noses, and facial pain, you'll do anything alleviate the discomfort.
By Kelsey Lange8 years ago in Longevity
My De-Stress Routine
You know, sometimes you just have a bad day. You are frustrated, upset, sad, and you need to let it all out. But what are you supposed to do? Are you just going to mope around? No. As tempting as moping around and complaining sounds, there are much better ways to let it go. I certainly have had bad days. Just recently, it was my birthday. I had my night class to go to and it, unfortunately, had been a not so good day. Not at all what I wanted it to be. Your birthday is supposed to be filled with fun and surprises. Although I had a lovely celebration with loved ones earlier that day before, my actual birthday day just wasn't so fun. I can't even remember what exactly I was upset about, only the fact that I just needed some time to myself—time to unplug from the world. Even though I missed a night of class and even though I do not condone skipping school, I do agree that everyone has bad days and sometimes you just need time to chill out and calm down. I am so glad I did and felt so much more relaxed afterwards.
By Brittany Jamerson8 years ago in Longevity
Shea Butter 101
Hi everyone! Last time I wrote about the five essential oils that everyone should have in their cupboard, but I never touched on what a base oil is and why it is needed. So real quick, a base oil is any natural oil such as: coconut, apricot, or avocado oil. A base oil is needed to mix and apply essential oils safely to your skin. You should NEVER put a straight essential oil onto your skin. Undiluted essential oils can damage fragile skin cells, causing rash or discoloration.
By Dawn West8 years ago in Longevity
Putting Yourself First
Life is demanding. It's as if every single aspect of it pries away any chance of remote tranquility. The constant need to be present and functioning at all times is draining. Obviously abandoning everything to achieve this dream of a "responsibility-free life" is unrealistic. But if there's one thing that can keep someone sane, it's spending time with yourself.
By Alexyss Panfile8 years ago in Longevity
The Five Oils Essential in Any Home
My ongoing love for essential oils started when my husband didn't find anything topical to work for his eczema. He was having severe outbreaks on his hands that nothing seemed to help. I had a friend that is an aroma touch therapist and she suggested using essential oils to control his eczema. That is when I started researching essential oils and how they effect the body's chemistry.
By Dawn West8 years ago in Longevity
Victims of PMDD?
We need to talk. I just saw yet another PMDD post on Facebook that calls us "victims" of this condition. I cringed but nearly scrolled on by until something made me scroll back on up and reply. It was a feeling in my gut, a compulsion, that if I ignored would make me complicit in a cycle of abuse.
By Cheeky Minx8 years ago in Longevity
Silly Thoughts I Have!
Thoughts I have: I am not even sure there is an answer. So, if you have one, sweet. I took a shower yesterday and, as a lot of us are prone to do, we avoid direct water on our affected limb/s. Now the shower is not really part of this thought process, it is just where it began. I got out of the shower and my leg was thumping, as usual. I looked down and my leg is always swollen, so nothing new here, but I took a good look at my foot. I noticed it was dry, dry, dry. I just stepped out of the shower, people. DRY, I tell you! OK, well, I can't bend my leg to actually reach my foot. Also, ladies, some of you will relate, but my boobs get in the way and breathing becomes a challenge, you feel me? So regardless, my feet do not receive the care that they once knew and loved from me, I am telling you; hard, dry skin on the sides of my feet, by my toes, at my heels, creeping, and it is getting annoying. Not to mention a tad bit painful.
By jessica young8 years ago in Longevity
Your Body Is Always Listening
Do you ever just sit and listen to your thoughts? Have you ever taken a moment to pause and witness what you are thinking?
By Jacob Elliott8 years ago in Longevity
M.E. and Me
I have M.E. This means so many different things to so many different people. Trying to explain an illness/disability that does not manifest in a way that people can understand. I equate it with trying to explain the differences between a 747 and the Dreamliner. Some differences are glaringly obvious, and some are not at all easy to see. And before you ask I have a big interest in aviation, hence the plane comparison.
By Sandra Adams-West8 years ago in Longevity
Living With Chronic Illness Is a Full-Time Job
Managing chronic illness is a full-time job. For those of you who deal with it on a daily basis, you understand. For those that don't, you would never imagine how much time, effort, and strength it takes out of every single day. On top of working a full-time job, managing my health condition leads me into amazement of how well I keep it together during the eight hour days. It's when I get home when I fall apart from exhaustion.
By No one8 years ago in Longevity