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STRESS – part 3

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Chronic Stress Part III : Solutions
Today’s post is full of butterflies, kittens🐱, and unicorns (Literally!). That’s a welcome change, I’m sure, considering the sobering long term ramifications of unmitigated chronic stress we’ve talked about these past few weeks. Chronic stress usually creeps in on very soft feet, so consider taking a few minutes to answer this simple yes/no “day to day stress assessment”:

stress assessment

 

Coping with stress involves two steps:
1️⃣Recognizing the signs and symptoms of EARLY burnout and stress (you’ve got the tools now!)
2️⃣Activating any or all of the self care tools below. 
Now, here’s the fun part….. Giving yourself some self care time by mixing and matching ways to “de-stress” on the regular. This is not a “once and done” experience. These are lifestyle changes for life!
🙌Stressbuster Options🙌
👉Get regular exercise! 
👉Engage in self care activities (ex: a long soaking bath or a massage)
👉Prayer, meditation, and/or quiet time with no electronic or television distractions
👉Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (aka CBT) . This can be a very valuable tool, especially if you find yourself trending in negative thinking patterns. I would really recommend picking up Dr. Caroline Leaf’s book and workbook, “Who Switched Off My Brain? Controlling toxic thoughts and emotions” to begin diving deeper into this subject.
👉Journal. Write out your thoughts instead of letting them fester in your mind. Create a gratitude journal, write a letter you’ll never send to someone, or begin success journaling)
👉Turn off social media and electronics as often as your day allows.
👉Limit scrolling time  
👉Get outside as much as possible and connect with nature. Go barefoot or get your hands on plants and in soil. (Grounding! ….. We’ve talked about this in previous posts)
👉Read something relaxing and nontriggering (ex: a work of fiction). Allow your brain to wander within the pages of the book.
👉Engage in Yoga, pilates, Tai Chi (soooo many health benefits!)
👉Practice breathing exercises ( left nostril breathing or box breathing are both excellent breathing patterns to quiet the mind)
Improve your sleep in both quality and quantity (we talked about that last week)
👉Try salt water floatation therapy for deep relaxation
👉Listen to 432 Hz frequency healing music ( check out the company WholeTones for more info!)
👉Laugh! It releases endorphins.
👉Spend time with a pet. Did you know that a cat’s purring frequency corresponds with established healing frequencies in therapeutic medicine for humans? 
👉Practice saying no to the things that bring stress, and saying yes to the things that will bring joy.
👉Avoid procrastination and just do the thing. Learn time management techniques and goal setting.
👉Eat healthy nourishing foods
👉Engage in a hobby
👉Connect with actual people in a community….. In person. We are not created to be an island.
👉Examine your values and beliefs and then live by them. An enormous amount of internal stress comes from living differently from your beliefs and values. 
👉Oils and Supplements. We have so many amazing tools to help us navigate stress:
🌿Lavender, Vetiver (Yes, it doesn’t smell great, so apply to bottoms of feet!), Bergamot, Roman Chamomile, Frankincense,  Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang, Orange, and Geranium are just a few oils known for their calming qualities.
🌿Young Living has created an amazing array of perfectly blended oils to help add to the peace and tranquility in our lives: StressAway, Tranquil, RutaVala, Peace and Calming, and Valor are just a few that come to mind. 
🌿An herb called Ashwagandha is known for its beautiful ability to lower symptoms of stress in the body. It is one of the important ingredients in Young Living’s EndoGize (typically for women) and PowerGize (formulated for men).
🌿Young Living’s Calm CBD Roll-on is another fantastic tool to help relax and quiet the mind. Have you tried it yet? Be sure to find and follow Dr. Oliver Wenker MD, DEAA, ABAARM, FAARFM, MBA on his website and social media to learn in depth information on all things CBD.  


Unfortunately, many doctors don’t recommend steps to help mitigate stress in a patient’s life. Nearly 20% of adults age 18 or older are on medication💊 for symptoms related to stress.  A patient may present with anxiety, depression, or any of the other stress related clues we’ve talked about, and a prescription is written without any further discussion (and often, without comprehensive lab work being ordered to ensure there’s not also an imbalance somewhere in the body causing the symptoms). There will always be a time and a place for medication as a final option, but patients need to be fully aware of the problems that lie with using medication long term as a coping mechanism. 
💊Many of the medications used to treat symptoms of stress are highly addictive. Additionally, these medications have the capacity to impact brain function when taken over extended periods of time.
💊According to a study published in 2010 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, one of the most common classes of drugs (SSRI’s)  used to treat mild to moderate anxiety and depression was “unable to outperform placebos for moderate symptoms of depression”. So…. there’s that.
💊All of the medications used to mediate stress symptoms have side effect profiles that may well require a 2nd or 3rd medication to help manage the side effects of the initial medication.
💊Very few studies on the effects of a polypharmacy (using multiple medications concurrently)  lifestyle exist, yet we know that prescription drugs are the 3rd leading cause of death in the USA (after heart disease and cancer)…… (Don’t let anyone tell you that essential oils and herbs are dangerous!😉).
💊There is no way of measuring serotonin (the primary “happy”  neurotransmitter) in the brain of a living person, nor is there a “normal level” of serotonin we should all have to be emotionally healthy. People with high serotonin levels can still be depressed, and people with low serotonin levels can still be happy and joy filled. Indeed, we are largely the masters of our own emotional state.
💊Many medications used to treat symptoms of stress should be used in caution with people who have preexisting extreme mood disorders, diabetes, kidney, liver, or heart disease, or pregnancy (due to risk of miscarriage, congenital heart disease, or persistent pulmonary hypertension of the baby).


We have so many low cost (to free!) tools available to us when it comes to how we choose to deal with stress, and as you’ve hopefully seen, most are very pleasant options with no icky side effects.
Use the two stress surveys📊 you now have on hand to check yourself periodically, and then evaluate your self care / fun quotient. Your future self will thank you! 
xoxo~ liz

#sharingiscaring 
#beingwellinformedisgoodmedicine
#ThanksYL 
#fearfullywonderfullyjoyfullymade 
(PS: if anyone needs a stress relieving kitten, I’ve got 4 fosters looking for a home! )

Adaptive Training Foundation

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Good morning friends! Every Wednesday, I drive an hour to volunteer at a wonderful soul filled gym called ATF (Adaptive Training Foundation). Please watch this 9 minute video…. if things sometime seem hard or insurmountable for you, or if you feel like you have obstacles that are keeping you from being fully healthy, don’t give up! You can power through whatever “it” is with the right mindset. Take some strength from these athletes who have chosen to live life fully despite their challenges. 
Attitude is EVERYTHING! You can do whatever your belief allows you to achieve. If you don’t yet believe in that yourself, let someone carry that belief in you until you have the strength to carry it yourself. Just don’t give up or give in!
These men and women bless me and encourage me with their own stories, and I’m forever grateful to be a small part of their journey. 
xoxo~ liz 😘

aft – support an athlete

#sharingiscaring
#givingoftimetalentandtreasureisgoodforthesoul
#ThanksYL
#timefreedomisgoodmedicine
#adaptiveathletes 
#AdaptiveTrainingFoundation
​

Health Clues from Your Urine – part 2

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What does your pee say about your health?  PART II
*Urine, in most healthy situations, should be seen but not smelled. There are exceptions of course (Have you ever experienced “asparagus pee”?), but the offending odor should be transient and not trending towards permanence. Urine with a strong ammonia smell may indicate dehydration or bacterial infections. A sharp change in hormones (ie: pregnancy or menopause) may also contribute to pungent pee. “Sweet or fruity smelling” urine may indicate a high ketone content in urine as is often seen in unregulated diabetes.  Some medications can certainly create an environment for malodorous micturation. Sulfa based medications (note: sulfa and sulfur are NOT the same chemical entity), antibiotics, diuretics, birth control pills, lyrica, tramadol, and oxycodone are also potentially causative agents of stinky pee.


Frequent urination is a topic near and dear to my heart (and bladder). An estimated 33 million people in the USA struggle with this health clue. Having a spastic bladder can be a nuisance or it can be downright life limiting. The causes (clues) are varied:
🔎Urinary tract infection (pair with urine color and odor)
🔎Low estrogen levels (resulting from a hormone imbalance, menopause,or even excessive exercise)
🔎Pregnancy or post childbirth, chronic constipation, chronic coughing, frequent heavy lifting, obesity, pelvic floor weakness (see unbalanced pelvic floor muscles below) 
🔎Enlarged prostate (men)
🔎Diabetes
🔎Spinal cord injuries or dysfunctions
🔎Pelvic floor muscles (there are 16 of them) are unbalanced. Think of a webbed hammock where some of the webbing is strong and others are weak. Each muscle needs to be equal in strength. If this is a known issue, kegel exercises are not the answer. You’ll want to find an excellent pelvic floor therapist to guide you in your strengthening and healing process.  
🔎Medication (ex: diuretics, lithium, steroids)
🔎Emotions. The bladder and kidneys are the home to emotions related to fear and anxiety. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, chronic bladder and kidney issues may correlate with “difficulty finding their place in life”. Many women (and men) who have a weak pelvic floor  often report lacking support somewhere in their lives. Please do not underestimate the importance of healing emotionally when looking for ways to heal physically. Our issues do indeed reside in our tissues.  There is an excellent book entitled The Body Keeps Score, by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk (MD)  which explains the importance of resolving the emotional ties to specific health conditions. #worththeread
🔎Interstitial cystitis
Interstitial cystitis is where my🙋‍♀️ personal “overactive bladder” story began in 2002. IC is an enigmatic chronic bladder condition  that causes varying degrees of pelvic pain and discomfort. It also causes a chronic and constant need to urinate. Imagine having stomach ulcers in your bladder. That’s the best way I can describe what it felt like. In my case, it took nearly 3 years and 4 different doctors before finding one who suggested a cystoscopy to confirm her suspicions. As with all inflammatory disease states, what we expose ourselves to matters. I was blessed with a doctor who actually took the time to educate me on the truth of this. Instead of pushing me towards medication, she urged me to begin a strict elimination diet, stay well hydrated, and to learn to manage stress better. Wow! Imagine what our health care would look like if all western medicine based doctors would prescribe this type of sage advice! 🙌


Learning which foods and lifestyle choices triggered a worsening of my urge to pee was eye👀 opening indeed. Sometimes it was hit or miss, and I would often pay the price by having to get up 7-8 times a night to go to the bathroom.  A serendipitous travel situation in 2008 completely changed everything when I discovered that nearly all processed foods were inflammation causing agents. I couldn’t believe how much better I felt in the presence of 100% fresh clean food! Staying well hydrated with filtered water quickly became key to keeping my bladder happy too. I know it may sound counterintuitive to strive for a full bladder to pee less….. Diluting toxins in the bladder makes what’s in the bladder less of an irritant!  
Fast forward to 2013 when I was introduced to Young Living products. I had learned to manage my interstitial cystitis as holistically as possible, and in doing so, I had dodged the very real bullet of daily self catheterization that often occurs with people who have severe IC. I still had some nasty flare ups, and was still getting up 4-6 times a night (on average) to pee. One of the “thank you”  products I had received from my Young Living monthly subscription order was Sulfurzyme. It was free, looked interesting, and tho I hadn’t really identified a personal need, I decided to take it. According to the YL website, Sulfurzyme may be of value to anyone who wishes to support their joints, range of motion, bone health, metabolic function, immune system, hair and skin. Within two weeks of taking Sulfurzyme faithfully I began noticing enormous changes within my bladder along with a decreased urge to urinate. Around that time, I also began using a DIY face serum recipe which contains Frankincense and Lavender every morning. Should I have been shocked that what I put on my face also happened to make my bladder very happy? In 2014, I was still learning essential oil basics, and this was a lesson to the truth that oils work best in “all the ways” when they are used. Get them out of the bottle and into the air or on your skin. You just never know what might happen with regular consistent use. 😉


I’ve continued to clean up my “issues within my tissues” over the years, and I am so much healthier in mind, body, and spirit than I was when I was in my 30’s.  This is a lifestyle, not a “once ‘n done” kind of thing. Freedom is never free, especially in the case of a health condition. I had to be willing to do the hard work, to live like no one else sometimes, and to listen to what my body needed. Everyone has their own story, their own diagnosis, their own emotional journey to recognize. Overcoming ( ____________ ) requires change and the courage and willingness to do so. As they say, “Insanity is doing the same things over and over again, and expecting different results.”  I pray you are discovering yourself as you become your own health detective. Learning to read your own health clues and then acting on those clues is true self love. Never forget that each of our bodies is a temple and as such, requires tender loving care and maintenance every single day. You are worth it!
xoxo~ liz


#sharingiscaring
#goodmedicineisnotfasteasyorcookiecutter
#goodmedicine
#thanksYL

Guns & Poses 2021

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Our 4th annual Guns ‘n Poses is in the books! This is my favorite event of the year…. it was a vision Terry (one of my bff’s) and I had 5 years ago, and each year it just gets better and better as we work to empower women in all the ways! Every year, the topic content is slightly different but three things remain the same:
 yoga / stretching 
💥 gun safety / marksmanship / confidence building with firearms
👩Health and wellness topics that are science based with a primary focus on self empowerment. #theapplicationofknowledgeispower We are the CEO’s of ourselves and our homes and as such, we need to learn how to run our “company” as efficiently and effectively as posssible so that we can live vibrantly and our “company” can thrive and prosper🙌. Living a life of “meh or okay-ness” is not how we are supposed to live according to the word of God.
We are always sold out at this event…. next year, our 5th annual, is already in planning stages and we are strongly considering a “retreat style” 2-3 day event. It’s time to kick it up a notch for year 5! 💥❤💥❤💥
About 4 years ago, I asked God to help give me a business plan/model that would honor Him, allow me to serve others using the gifts He has given me, and empower others to do the same.
The result was not so much a plan, but a daily🙏 prayer:
“Lord, bring me people who need healing… whether that be physical, emotional, spiritual, financial, or in community.” Each year, Guns ‘n Poses is a celebration and reminder for me, and hopefully, for others too, that God is faithful in all the ways if only we seek Him and come together in a supportive and loving community.
I am blessed beyond measure, and I hope that paying it forward inspires others to do the same. THIS is how we change the world😘.
xoxo~ liz
#caringissharing
#thanksYL
#4thannualGunsnPoses
#useyoursuperpowersforgood

FDA Issues Warnings About Dermal Fillers

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My email inbox is an eclectic mix. I mean really….. if someone were to go through it, they’d likely wonder what in the world goes on in my brain I’m sure. 😂…. and truly, sometimes I feel that way myself. It’s an Olympic level ping pong game on some days! 


Daily I am wading through emails from entities who highly endorse Western Medicine while others give the latest information on holistic ways to heal (nearly all I’ve chosen to subscribe to are like me….. western medicine healthcare trained professionals who have seen that there is another, better way). Researching and gleaning information is a time consuming process. There is very little way of doing it quickly.


I see information like this: “FDA Issues Warning About Use of Dermal Fillers with Needle -Free Devices” (note: those with needles are also worth the warning). https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/960557?uac=245954MZ… 


What if there might be another way? What if drinking enough water, staying away from toxins in food, beverage, skincare, and household chemicals….. getting enough exercise and sleep… got your foot in the door to more youthful looking skin?
What if there was a boho beauty regimen you could add to your day that improved the appearance of your skin gradually with regular use? 🙋‍♀️


YL CBD Beauty Boost + YL Longevity Vitality in a capsule…. have you tried it for 4-6 weeks? AMAZING!!  ( You’ll use the beauty serum (1/4-1/2 dropper applied topicaly) and longevity filled capsules (2-5 drops per day internally) each day for 30-45 days. 


If you don’t currently have a Young Living account, let’s walk through skin health conundrums together. I offer a complimentary 30 min consult.


I have had a clean skin care regimen thanks to Young Living for almost 8 years, and have been taking the Longevity in a capsule for about 5 years. Clean skincare begins from the inside out! I added the CBD Beauty Boost about 3 months ago. Frankly, I really didn’t think my skin could improve. I was wrong. I’ll post a recent pic of myself in the comments. 


Stay safe ya’ll. Save yourself some money too (that dermal filling ain’t cheap!). You won’t regret it.
xoxo~ liz


#sharingiscaring
#ThanksYL
#worthit
#healthyBodyHealthySkin
#knowingthetruthisgoodmedicine

fda issues warning about use of fillers with needle-free devices

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