A Calming Christmas Giveaway

Stress in inevitable during the holiday season + new year.  Heck, it's pretty much leaking into our lives all year round.  I've learned that it doesn't have to control your life or even be present at all.  With a few small changes + additions to your routine, you can have the tools to overcome + relax a little more in your daily life this coming year. 

A huge change in my stress management happened when I started using Lavender Essential Oil in my nightly routine. I've always suffered from an overactive brain as soon as I hit the pillow, sometimes taking up to 3 hours to get to sleep.  After trying many sleep aides + supplements, I knew I couldn't maintain a routine of pills. By recommendation from my mom, who would pretty much douse my room in lavender oil as a kid, I began using it again as an adult.  I started just by inhaling it + rubbing a couple drops on my feet before bed.  Soon I was using it in my moisturizer, diffusing it in my room + even bathing in it (literally).  

Lavender is my absolute favorite + is one of the most versatile + useful oils you could have in your home. Not only is it the most beneficial for sound sleep but it also can help ease anxiousness, increase cognitive function, repel bugs, reduce acne, and soothe burns +  sore muscles... just to name a few. 

I love it so much that I wanted to share the opportunity to try it out for yourself. By entering your information below, you'll be lined up to win a 5ml bottle, which will be shipped to your house just in time for the new year.  Giveaway closes this Sunday, December 27 + the winner will be announced on Monday! Be sure to check your email + confirm your entry.

When speaking about essential oils, I'm only referring to the quality of Young Living.  If you choose to purchase another brand, please know I cannot speak for their products.  I stand behind Young Living, due to their dedicated + rigorous process of growing, distillation, laboratory testing + bottling procedures.  You can read more about their quality promise on their Seed to Seal website.  The statements above are not meant to be medical advice. These products + information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. 

Mindfullness

Carving out a little time to focus on the hear-and-now + releasing the chatter of the mind can be a game changer to your health routine.  

There was once a time when I couldn't get my mind to settle down before bed + I'd totally space on what another person was saying because I was so wrapped up in my own thoughts.  Don't get me wrong, I still battle with my own inner voices but have found ways to practice being content, quiet + just simply aware, without lengthy meditations. 

Below are 3 practices you can take with you anywhere + can be done in minutes.  Practicing mindfullness has been proven to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve sleep, increase healthy digestion...the list goes on and on.  With the fast-paced world we live in, theres no better time to take some moments for yourself.

1 | Write/Journal/Draw

Taking pen to paper brings you to the present moment + makes you focus on what is happening in front of you.  Try sitting down and write about the dreams you remember from the night before, make a simple gratitude list or just doodle for a few minutes in the morning.  This helps clear the mind of to-do lists for the day, which seems to always take priority upon waking. 

2 | Breathe Into The Belly

Breathing deep into the belly is the #1 thing my yoga students insist is the greatest thing they practice + truly brings the most benefits to the body, mind + spirit.  Start by lying down (or just staying in bed upon waking) + placing a hand over your abdomen. Inhaling + exhaling through the nose, feel the breath travel down into the lungs + gently expand the rib cage. Try lengthening your inhale to a count of 6 + exhaling to a count of 6 or 7. Your nervous system will thank you!

3 | Sensory Awareness

To create a quick moment of mindfullness, go through each of the senses and make note of whats going on around you. What do you see, smell, feel, hear + taste?  Make a mental note of each one of these aspects.  This only takes a few moments + can be done anywhere.  This practice helps build gratitude + also makes you more vigilant, fully being aware of your surroundings, body + internal sensations.  

Spending 5 minutes practicing any of these steps daily will easily bring more joy, balance + overall mental health into your life.  Set your phone on a a 5 minute timer + go for it. 

"Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step."  -Lao Tzu
 

 

XO,

Leah

 

 

9 Simple + Easy Ways to Upgrade Your Inner Health Right Now

In this moment, stress is abundant + time passes us by all too quickly. Taking small moments for yourself + practicing self-awareness helps ground us + keep us present.  Use these health hacks when you feel tense, tired, or over-stimulated.  These free + holistic tools make it easy to start your inward health journey.


1 // Take A Break : Take your shoes off and go outside for a few minutes.  By connecting your bare feet to the earth, your body naturally reduces chronic fatigue + inflammation.


2 // Breathe : Place your hands over your belly + simply listen to your breath.  Try extending your inhales + exhales to 6 long seconds each.  This relaxes the nervous system + reduces the stress hormone, cortisol. 


3 // Clear The Clutter : Spend 5 minutes organizing your desk or a drawer in the kitchen or bathroom.  Get rid of things that you haven't used recently.  The act of "letting things go" and "creating space" subconsciously creates better blood flow + less oxidative stress in your body. 


4 // Light A Candle : The mesmerizing effect of a candle flame is a great way to divert your eyes from the computer screen or workload.  Set an intention first, and focus your body + mind on the energetic qualities of fire. 


5 // Stretch Your Body : Stand up, turn on a short yoga video or simply just practice some twists + arm circles in your chair.  By increasing movement in your physical body, you have the opportunity to release toxins, stimulate cleansing + increase energy.


6 // Write Yourself A Note : On a sticky post-it, record a favorite verse, proverb, affirmation, or positive quote. Fold it up in your pocket and read as the day goes on, or be happily surprised + inspired later in the day.


7 // Drink Hot Lemon Water :  By adding this citrus fruit to hot water, your body's metabolism increases + your liver starts functioning more efficiently.  This helps clear skin, absorb essential nutrients from food + boosts immune system. 


8 // Smile + Compliment Someone : The best way to boost your health + energy is boosting someone else's.  Offer a gift, smile, or kind words to the next person you meet, and recognize how that positivity comes back into your life.  


9 // Get Rid Of Chatter : Next time you find your TV/radio/phone providing background noise, turn it off and observe the peace that begins to fill the space + your mind. This practice lowers blood pressure, decreases tension  + offers mind-body connection.