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Falcon Healing Arts - Providing you with knowledge and support to care for your family naturally.
Home
Blog
About Me
Testimonials
Natural Products
Work With Brandy
Contact Me
Essential Oil Classes
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Me
  • Testimonials
  • Natural Products
  • Work With Brandy
  • Contact Me
  • Essential Oil Classes
Chronic Disease, Emotional health, journaling, Meditation, Natural Sleep Support, Personal Development, Women's health

Some Stress Relieving Methods Are Better Than Others

stress relieving method

Are you stressed out and want to do something about it that greatly improves you life? If yes, then you’ll want to keep reading because, not all stress relieving methods are the same. Here’s 5 aspects to stress management techniques that I’ll share with you to keep the negative effects of stress at bay.

Everyone experiences stress. Yet since stress is a response to what is happening from someone’s individual perspective, the experience of stress is difference for everyone!

It’s known that as stress accumulates over time, your health can really suffer. So it’s a very good idea to try to relieve it every day. Some ways to relieve it are worlds better than others though, so it’s really important to talk about these five aspects to look for.

Before we get into this list, take a moment to think about or write down your favorite ways to relieve stress. When you’ve had a bad day, what do you do to relieve the stress that results?

After you go through this list, you can decide if your stress relieving method makes the cut or if you think you need to make some adjustments

5 Aspects of the Best Stress Relieving Methods

1. Is It Holistic?

When you’re doing something to relieve stress, does it benefit your physical, mental, and emotional health?

It’s common for people to just prioritize their body, relieving stress that shows up as physical tension. So in the case of a tension headache, they might just take medication to remove the pain, the symptom. But this ignores the fact that there’s likely emotional or mental stress that is manifesting as the physical headache! So to completely let go of stress, the work needs to be on an emotional and mental level too.

Spirituality comes into play as well. When one is not feeling supported in life, like they have no purpose, that is a spiritual issue. So stress might have a root that is even deeper than the heart and mind.

It would be best for you to choose stress relieving activities that are holistic, which means that you give equal attention to body, heart, mind, and spirit.

Yoga is an excellent example of a holistic activity that has a potential to relieve stress on every level. Just be careful here, that you’re not making assumptions about a certain class. The depth of your experience is dependent on the teacher, if you’re doing a led-class, but also on your approach.

You may want to check out Yogic Approach to Stress Relief to make sure that you’re making the most of your stress-relieving practice.

2. Are You Checking Out Or Checking In?

Choose an activity where you’re constantly checking in with ourself. 

Watching TV is an activity that many people like to do because they no longer experience the stress of the day while they’re doing it. But this is because they’re completely focused on something else. They are “checked out”. 

The stress will still be there when the show is over though. Nothing has changed or shifted!

It’s best to choose an activity like journaling with which you can check in with yourself and actively process what’s going on.  In fact, just writing down how you feel can shine a light on how stress is showing up in your life and it will be easier to see how you can avoid or release it.  Typically, once our feelings are acknowledged, they shift into something less intense and the physical tension shifts too.

I hope you’ll try it! Here’s more information on how journaling can help you.

3. Does It Support Your Health?

Some people reach for alcohol, drugs, or engage in addictive habits when they’re stressed out. This is a way of checking out and unconsciously disconnecting from the source of stress.

This is important to talk about, especially right now when we’ve had continuous stress from the Coronavirus pandemic for six straight months. Obviously, it’s not the best idea to rely on a stress relieving method that harms your health when done multiple times, every single day.

So sorry moms, I’m not laughing at your memes anymore about how much wine you’re needing to deal with your kids who are learning at home. Yes, believe me, I know it’s stressful. But there are much better ways to handle it that actually improve your health.

You can try this breathing practice, for a relaxing start to your day.

4. Does It Offer Short-term Or Long Term Effects?

Yes, sometimes we need to do something to take the edge off quickly.  But typically these are not the things that will lead to long-lasting effects. 

Engaging in stress management practices like deep breathing, mindfulness, aromatherapy, journaling and yoga can actually develop you to a degree that you can avoid stress or you’re just less affected by possible stressful events.  This cannot be said for quick pampering activities like getting a massage or your nails done.

Believe me, I LOVE to pamper myself.  I am not at all knocking these activities and recommend you keep doing them. But I would be clear that it’s for self-love, not as much for stress relief. The reason I don’t like that association is because, again, stress needs to be managed daily, so the way to relieve it needs to be simple and accessible, daily. It also needs to be something you can do for yourself.  

5. Does It Strengthen Your Connection To Others? 

Whatever you choose to do to manage your stress will be even more impactful if the effects are noticed and felt by other people in your life in a positive way.  It is very clear that when I’m meditating regularly, my home life and my relationships are more harmonious. 

What about meeting with friends – going on hikes, going out to dinner, or meeting for drinks? Those meeting can be extremely positive and supportive!  Or they can be detrimental and useless. It really depends on whether you’re having deep conversations that help you grow or if you’re just drinking wine and complaining about how life sucks! See, it’s what you do with the time that matters.

Conclusion

I hope this information is helpful and that is doesn’t trigger you!  I’m only going to recommend the stress management techniques that work effectively and consistently.

If you want to learn more about self-healing stress relieving practices, join my free 5-day Stress Less Holistic Health Challenge that is beginning on Sept. 28, 2020. 

Learn more

This challenge will also help you with consistency and accountability if it’s just hard for you to make the time for these stress relieving activities.  We have a Facebook group that you can join, so we all support each other. 

What is your favorite way to relieve stress? Are you still thinking this is the best way to manage it now that you’ve reviewed this list? Please let me know in the comments!

Best stress relief techniques
Autumn, Emotional health, Environmental Concerns, Essential Oils, Gut Health, Kids Health, Natural Remedies, Natural Sleep Support, Seasons, Toxin-free living

Back to School Healthy and Strong with Essential Oils (Video)

Essential oils for back to school and other health tips

Back to school time can be both exciting and stressful.  But this year we have the added stress of Coronavirus, the policies around it, and shake ups in learning methods.  These can all challenge the whole family’s physical, mental, and emotional health.  The following natural health tips, including essential oils for back to school, can help you manage just about anything that comes up to help your family survive Fall 2020!

Check out Back to School Essential Oils and Health Tips to learn natural health tips for immune support, essential oils for digestion, how to detox naturally, mood lifting techniques, and how to keep your kids focused. I also share bits about my homeschool approach that may help build your confidence in teaching your kids at home.

Before settling in to watch this, you may want to first download my FREE Stress-Relieving Acupressure Guide for Moms which can be a huge support for you in these times! You’ll learn 6 of my favorite acupressure points to relieve physical tension and help you manage your emotions. As a result of this quick self-care routine, you’ll sleep much deeper which is so important for staying happy and healthy!

self acupressure guide

A healthy lifestyle comes down to eating right, exercising, getting plenty of sleep, managing stress, reducing your toxic load, being able to stay positive & focused, and tending to your body when it’s ill with natural medicine. Essential oils have a place in all of these lifestyle principles.

Best Essential Oils and Natural Products for Back to School

Many of the protocols I mention in this video class are from the doTERRA collection here. I use them often for my family and recommend them for yours too!

doterra wholesale account starter kit back to school
Shop for this kit here. This includes wholesale pricing for 1 year and you’re able to customize this cart to add or remove what you’d like.

This starter kit features the Kid’s Collection which are seven roller bottle blends that are completely safe, super effective, and easy enough for kids to use themselves.

doTERRA kids collection kit rollers for back to school

I’d love to hear about the schooling choices that your family has made this year. Are you trying to adjust your lifestyle to make sure your family stays healthy and happy? Please tell me if any of these essential oils for Back to School help you!

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essential oils for back to school video
Gut Health, Kids Health, Natural Remedies, Natural Sleep Support, Supplements, Whole Food Diet, Women's health

How to Boost Immunity Naturally with 5 Key Tips!

How to Boost Immunity Naturally

You may be wondering how to boost your immunity naturally so you can stay healthy longer and enjoy the things you love!  Maybe you’re also tired of getting sick all the time.  Pharmaceutical and over-the-counter drugs never get to the root of your illness and have serious side effects.  So, natural preventative medicine and home remedies are a more healthy approach.

I help my family and clients increase their health with these 5 tips below.  If you follow them, you’ll also have a stronger immune system and be able to prevent infections in your body and in your home!

5 Tips for Boosting Your Immunity Naturally

Tip #1 – Get Plenty of Sleep

To strengthen your immune system, you’ll need to prioritize getting plenty of good-quality sleep.  When we sleep, our bodies are able to restore strength and re-set cell function.   Therefore, it’s one of the most important aspects of boosting immunity.

It’s wise to get to bed by 10:00pm which is when our bodies secrete melatonin, a regulating sleep hormone, naturally.  If getting to sleep or staying asleep is a problem for you, you can check out my previous blog posts. Improve your sleep by adjusting your circadian rhythm, using Chinese Medicine, and doing a special Yoga practice for sleep.

Tip #2 Eat a Balanced, Organic Diet

Eating a balanced diet will ensure that your body is getting most of the vital nutrients it needs to support immune system function.  There’s many opinions on what “balanced” means though.

I’ve found through research and my own wellness journey that it’s best to focus meals around organic vegetables and sustainably sourced protein.  The rest of the meal can be filled in with fat and starches.  Seasonal fruits make great snacks in between meals.  Here’s my suggestions for specific macrobiotic ratios if you need more guidance. 

Gut health is the basis for immunity, as beneficial bacteria protect the gut lining and help form a defense against pathogens.  A balanced diet supports the gut flora (prebiotics).  It’s helpful to include fermented foods too though, which add even more beneficial bacteria to the intestines.  Try eating more unsweetened yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, and pickled vegetables each day.  You can drink fermented kombucha, kefir, and beet kvass too, which are so yummy and healthy!

beet kvass fermented drink

Beet kvass to boost immune health

At the same time, you’ll need to avoid the foods that harm gut health.  Sugar, alcohol, conventional foods with herbicides & pesticides, GMO foods, and processed foods made with rancid oils will all kill beneficial bacteria.  They’ll feed the “bad” kind of bacteria instead and may even damage the gut lining.

Tip #3 Take High Quality Supplements

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to get all the nutrients you need for a healthy gut and strong immune system.  Even if you’re eating a balanced diet, there’s sure to be some gaps here and there.  Malnourishment can impede immune system function.

You’ll want to take a whole food vitamin, antioxidant herbs, an essential fatty-acid blend (especially Omega-3 oils), and a probiotic (since gut health is so easily damaged day-to-day).  

Lifelong Vitality supplement

Lifelong Vitality Supplements to Support Immune Health

Be sure that you’re choosing supplements that are sustainably sourced and free of fillers.  The supplements I use in the picture above also contain essential oils that make them easier to digest and more bioavailable.

Tip #4 Use Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils

Speaking of essential oils, there are so many that can boost your immunity directly.  OnGuard is my favorite blend (wild orange, clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary) because it’s so pure, you can use it internally as an immune-boosting supplement.

These essential oils can also be applied, diluted in a carrier oil, to the skin and are readily absorbed into the blood stream where they’re ready to fight any invaders.  Diffusing the oils in your home can do the same to prevent the spread of germs in the air.

Tip #5 Manage Your Stress

Stress also damages gut health and prevents you from getting good sleep, so can negatively affect your immunity if you don’t take it seriously.  It’s helpful to approach life with a light-hearted attitude, but I know that’s hard to do all the time and stress can’t always be avoided.  It can be managed though, so you should take some time during the day to release it.  Relieving stress is especially important at night before going to bed so that your body and mind can calm down.

You can download my free stress-relieving acupressure guide here that can help you create a soothing night ritual.

self acupressure guide

The acupressure points I share in the guide will help you relieve tension and help you fall asleep and stay asleep longer.  You can even incorporate relaxing essential oils like Lavender, Frankincense, Cedarwood, and doTERRA’s Serenity blend in the protocol which will enhance your ability to let go of stress.


If you include these tips in your daily ritual, you’ll be giving your immune system the boost it needs. They’ll keep your body stronger than any microorganism attempting to invade it, or your home.

Please let me know how you feel about adopting these tips in the comments!  I’d love to hear your own tips for keeping yourself and your family healthy too!

Follow brandy on pinterestHow to Boost Immunity Naturally

Chronic Disease, Emotional health, Essential Oils, Gut Health, Kids Health, Natural pain relief, Natural Sleep Support, Supplements, Women's health

This Is Why I Recommend Copaiba Over CBD

Copaiba essential oil vs. CBD

When it comes to managing modern health challenges like chronic stress, anxiety, and inflammatory conditions, it’s best to take a natural approach. People now realize how dangerous it can be to become dependent on pain killers and mood-altering drugs. Cannabidiol (CBD), is a popular natural solution, but the lesser-known Copaiba essential oil is even better in my opinion. Here’s why I think it’s a clear winner when people are considering Copaiba essential oil vs. CBD for holistic health.

Why Focus on the Endocannabinoid System?

The endocannabinoid system has only been studied in depth over the last decade. Scientists discovered that there’s a nexus of cannabinoid receptors on cells throughout the entire body that interact with cannabinoids and can be key in managing disease. So far, they recognize two types of receptors.

CB1 receptors reside in the brain and link with Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive chemical derived from the Cannabis sativa plant. This explains the “high” that someone experiences when they use it.

CB2 receptors cover cells everywhere else in the body. They receive two cannabinoids: Cannabidiol (CBD) which is also derived from Cannabis sativa and beta-caryophyllene which is largely present in Copaiba essential oil (also in black pepper, clove, melissa, and rosemary essential oils, but in a smaller amount) . CB2 receptors support the nervous, cardiovascular, digestive, and immune systems and are responsible for healthy inflammatory response.  

CB2 activation does not create a psychoactive experience like CB1 receptors, so one becomes very relaxed but not “high”.

Many of our health issues these days are due to stress, or too much time spent in a sympathetic nervous system state (flight or flight) as opposed to the parasympathetic state (rest and digest). We also have issues with lowered immunity or auto-immunity. Then there’s pain and inflammation that have many causes. CBD and beta-caryophyllene from Copaiba essential oil both create beneficial systemic effects that help manage symptoms of these health challenges and increase our body’s capacity to heal.

Efficacy of Copaiba Essential Oil vs. CBD

One of the reasons Copaiba sets itself apart from CBD is that it’s cannabinoid binds directly to CB2 receptors! Beta-caryophyllene is quickly available for the body and has a long half-life, meaning it lasts long in the body.

CBD, on the other hand, binds indirectly after several internal processes, which means it takes longer to provide symptom relief. The longer activation cascade of CBD also make dosage confusing because the amount of CBD that’s activated is not always consistent. CBD has a shorter half-life than Copaiba’s beta-caryophyllene

Generally, a smaller amount of high-quality Copaiba essential oil is needed for beneficial effects compared to CBD. You get what you pay for in both industries. But even the more expensive therapeutic-grade brands are still a less expensive option than CBD because of the dose difference.

Research Supporting Copaiba Essential Oil

Exciting research shows that Copaiba essential oil can help with many health challenges!

Check out these studies to learn more:

  • Chemopreventive role of Copaifera reticulata Ducke oleoresin in colon carcinogenesis.
  • Antimicrobial activity of copaiba oil (Copaifera ssp.) on oral pathogens: Systematic review.
  • Medicinal Plants from Northeastern Brazil against Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Effects of a massage-like essential oil application procedure using Copaiba and Deep Blue oils in individuals with hand arthritis

How to Use Copaiba Essential Oil

Here’s some ideas of how you can use Copaiba essential oil for holistic health at home.

Aromatic

Place a few drops in a water diffuser to relax your mood. It blends well aromatically with Lavender, Douglas Fir, Frankincense, Peppermint, Clary Sage, and many other essential oils.

Topical

Combine 3-5 drops of Copaiba with 1 oz. of carrier oil like Fractionated Coconut Oil and massage into target areas of the body.

Another fabulous benefit of Copaiba is that it enhances the effects of other essential oils. Try these powerful combinations:

  • Blend with Deep Blue to massage into any painful or inflamed regions of the body
  • Add into moisturizer along with Geranium and Frankincense to care for blemished, dry, or wrinkled skin
  • Massage into soles of feet along with Vetiver to support deeper sleep.

Internal

Take 1-2 drops of therapeutic-grade Copaiba essential oil under tongue or in a vegetable capsule with olive oil to access all of it’s health benefits.


Have you used Copaiba essential oil? Please share your experience in the comments! I’d especially love to hear if you’ve been able to compare it to CBD. Which do you prefer? Well wishes to you…

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Copaiba vs CBD
Boost Energy, Chronic Disease, Emotional health, Meditation, Natural pain relief, Natural Remedies, Natural Sleep Support, Personal Development, Pregnancy, Women's health

Why Float Therapy May Be The Best Holistic Practice For You

float therapy benefits

Want to release stress, dissolve tension, and spark your creative juices?  Float therapy in a sensory deprivation tank can bring you all of that as well as deep peace of mind!  I highly recommend it and here’s why…

Float therapy has been popularized by athletes, celebrities, and other influencers who want to condition both their bodies and their minds.  This is something we all can be striving for though!

Yes, there are several modalities that can do that too: the mindful movement of Yoga, the energetics of Taichi or Qigong, skilled massage, and of course Meditation.  However, these methods are not attractive or accessible for everyone (like my dear husband!).   I believe floating is a happy medium, where most people can experience peace without feeling like they need to learn special skills.

What is Float Therapy?

I had a vague idea of what floating was when Anna from Insight Float invited me to try out their services.  I knew it involved two of my favorite things – water and relaxation – so of course I quickly accepted!

When booking my appointment on the website, I learned that Insight Float has two different sized tanks.  Each of them provide two very different experiences.  Rumi, the larger, custom-made one, is best for pregnant women and athletic recovery.  Lilly Pad, the standard tank, is best for people who want to feel more grounded and is best for those experiencing anxiety.  I decided to book Rumi, just to make sure I had enough space to move.

At my appointment, I was warmly welcomed by Sarah.  She gave me a thorough 10 minute orientation about the floating experience that quickly turned my fear into fascination.

The float tanks are filled with 10 inches of body-temperature water, in which 1200 lbs. of epsom salts have been dissolved. The salt water matches the pressure inside the body, allowing one to float and feel perfectly balanced.

My Experience with Sensory Deprivation

I entered the water with nothing on.  My legs effortlessly floated up, allowing me to rest back suspended by the warm water.  I had brought in a floating light, but turned it off after a few minutes once I started relaxing.

The sound of my breath was amplified in the silent space.  I stretched out my inhalations and doubled the length of my exhalations, making a conscious effort to let go of tension. 

I became distracted as I started noticing pain in my upper back and neck.  With my arms above my head, the tightness in between my shoulder blades quickly dissolved, but the pain in my neck became more pronounced and pinpointed.  For about 10 minutes I fidgeted, massaged, and wondered if I’d ever get comfortable (not unlike my struggle with seated meditation!) 

There was a shift when I realized I was spending too much time focusing on discomfort. I was saying to myself, “this would be perfect if only I didn’t have this pain in my neck.” Once I acknowledge this, I went back to my breath, knowing that I could still appreciate this simple moment regardless of tension. I don’t know how much time had passed, but when I brought awareness back to my neck, there was no more pain!

From that moment on, which was about 30 minutes into my session, I slipped into the deepest meditation since before I had my son (back when I’d go on silent 5-day retreats!).

Soft music ended my session.  As I sat up, I almost started to cry.  I had tapped into something really big here, not just for myself, but for my family, friends, and clients.  I wanted everyone to know about this therapy and it’s possibilities for healing!

My First Appointment at Insight Float

Benefits of Float Therapy

I felt grounded, clear, and confident for days after my first float therapy session. There are even more benefits of floating than what I experienced though! Here’s a list of possible effects that sensory deprivation in a float tank can create:

  • Clarity of mind
  • Reduced pain and inflammation
  • Relaxed muscles
  • Balanced emotions & improved mood
  • Flow of creative thoughts
  • Relief from pregnancy symptoms (swelling, pain, agitation, etc.)
  • Clear skin
  • Regulation of blood pressure
  • Improved immunity
  • Deeper sleep

What do you think?  Are you up for trying float therapy too?  I’d love to hear about your experience once you do!  Please let us all know in the comments.

Well wishes to you…

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Float therapy for stress
Boost Energy, Natural Remedies, Natural Sleep Support

How To Survive Without Coffee (Or Other Stimulants)

how to survive without coffee

Are you wondering how it’s possible to survive without coffee?  

Perhaps you’ve been dragging since the time change. Or maybe you have a hard time getting going throughout the whole year without loads of coffee. You probably need another boost of caffeine to beat the afternoon slump. If all this is true, it’s likely you’ve also developed a coffee habit you can’t break without getting headaches or other withdrawal symptoms.

If you’re wanting to be your healthiest possible, it’s worthwhile getting to the root cause of your fatigue.   You can survive without coffee if you explore natural energy boosting solutions instead.

When we experience fatigue after a time change, or anytime really, what we really need is to go to bed early and get up early. This is easier said than done for most of us though. Look back on Natural Sleep Remedies, Part 1: Finding Your Rhythm to learn how to get your sleep back on track, especially for getting yourself to sleep early.

What I’m most interested in offering you here are ways to perk up your energy during the day without stimulants. Why the concern?

There are conflicting studies about the benefits of caffeine in coffee. Some say that it reduces your risk of cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Type 2 Diabetes, and heart disease. These diseases are also avoidable if you eat a balanced, organic whole food diet though, so I’m more concerned with the negative impacts of coffee and other stimulants on our health.

Everyone knows that we live in a stressful, fast-paced society. Stimulants activate the sympathetic nervous system and ask the body to secrete more cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones have a very negative impact on our health longterm by lowering immunity, creating internal inflammation, causing weight gain and creating depressed feelings.

Negative effects of coffee:

  • Diuretic, dehydrates the body

  • Can cause stomachache, GI issues

  • Creates nervous energy, agitation

  • Considered “hot” in Chinese Medicine, can create health imbalances over time

  • Can cause insomnia

I know how it feels to be ruled by caffeine. There was a time when I needed it to get me to school in the morning and to function at work throughout the rest of the afternoon and evening.

This stimulant was covering up my main health issue though. I simply was not getting enough sleep and had disrupted my circadian rhythm severely. When I decided to wean off of it, it took awhile to readjust, but I managed. Now I just use natures cues and some healthy alternatives to help me greet the day instead.

Here are my suggestions on how to survive without coffee or other stimulants:

 

Get More Sunshine

Humans are diurnal creatures and we are ruled by the life-giving power of the sun. The sun naturally picks up our energy and brightens our mood. Also, when we receive sufficient sun exposure early in the day, our pineal gland secretes melatonin earlier at night, helping us to fall asleep easier, initiating a healthy circadian rhythm.

 

Exercise

Getting enough movement circulates your blood and energy, increases metabolism, and perks up your mood. Just be careful not to overdo it and create a stress response. If you exercise early in the morning in the sunshine, then you’re maximizing your ability to perk up during the day and reset your sleep clock at night.

 

Yogic Breathing

Everyone knows that the breathing practices in yoga can help one become calm and feel more embodied. Did you know that there are some breathing practices that are actually stimulating? Kapalabhati (skull shining) breath is the best option to try. I made a video of it a few years ago. You can view it here!

 

Essential oils

Diffusing essential oils, experiencing them aromatically, is the quickest way to effect your mood. Citrus and mint oils are especially effective in perking up your energy. There is a big difference in quality among brands though, and some are more effective than others. Please see my essential oil page for my suggestions and let me know if you need help deciding which oils are best for you.

 

Natural Herbs

There are several Western and Eastern herbs that improve your energy without stimulating the sympathetic nervous system and adding stress to the body. Look for adaptogens like cordyceps, American ginseng (more cooling than Eastern ginseng), and ashwaganda which actually help the body adapt to stress while improving cellular function. This herbal blend is my absolute favorite!

 

So say you just love the ritual of drinking coffee in the morning. What do you drink instead? You can try:

  • Decaffeinated coffee (if you need coffee taste but no caffeine)

  • Green tea (small amounts of caffeine unless you buy decaffeinated)

  • Barley tea (be aware it contains gluten)

  • Rooibos (my favorite with coconut milk)

  • Kombucha (highly nutritious and feeds your cells, thereby picking up your energy!)

 

Experiment with these solutions over a relaxed weekend so you don’t have to worry about getting anywhere on-time. Remember, it’s important that you allow yourself to get tired at night and listen to it’s cues to fall asleep by 10pm. Eventually, you’ll find your natural rhythm that’s aligned with the movement of the sun.

Living in harmony with nature is the key to good health. You can survive without coffee!  I know it’s possible for you, if you try!

Are you trying to break your coffee habit?  Why, and what’s working for you?  Please let us know in the comments!

how to survive without coffee

 

Emotional health, Essential Oils, Natural Remedies, Natural Sleep Support, Women's health

My 10 Favorite Essential Oils For Emotional Health

essential oils for emotional health

Essential oils have been used all over the world for thousands of years, though not as much in the United States.  Fortunately, we’re now starting to see them increase in popularity.  This is mainly because essential oils have strong emotional health benefits and are safer alternatives to pharmaceutical drugs.

I love teaching others about the emotional benefits of the oils because there’s usually an emotional and energetic imbalance at the root of most health challenges.  For example, emotions can severely affect gut health and immunity (see graphic below for details).

Essential oils and emotions

From Essentialemotions.org – how emotions affect your body

Essential oils do not remove negative emotions and imbalances. However, they do give is one space and perspective to shift emotions.

“Stagnant anger, sadness, grief, judgement, and low self-worth cannot exist in the environment of balance and peace which essential oils help to create.”

(Emotions & Essential Oils: A Modern Resource for Healing 4th ed.)

Each person can perceive essential oils differently. Even so, based on chemistry, the feelings in the image below can be evoked most of the time:

In my experience, the essential oils listed below seem to have the greatest power to transform our emotional lives.

How to Use Essential Oils for Emotional Health

Apply 1 drop over the heart area, inside the wrists, or behind the ear. Make sure you dilute the essential oils with a carrier oil first for children or people with sensitive skin. (Scroll to bottom of article for appropriate dilution ratio).

Essential Oils for Emotional Well-Being

1. Arborvitae – The Oil Of Divine Grace

Arborvitae (the “tree of life”) has long been used for meditation and spiritual connection. It’s name actually means “to sacrifice”. Likewise, this oil encourages one to surrender to the natural flow of the universe, live with grace, and trust that everything will work out as it should.

2. Bergamot – The Oil of Self-Acceptance

Bergamot challenges unhelpful core beliefs. It can lift individuals out of despair, self-judgement, and hopelessness. As a result, it provides optimism, confidence, and encourages self-love.

3. Cilantro – The Oil of Releasing Control

Cilantro is great at detoxifying the physical body. It also detoxifies harsh emotions as well. Cilantro clears what no longer serves them, creating ease as heavy burdens are lifted.

4. Cypress – The Oil of Motion & Flow

Cypress creates more flexibility in the heart and mind. Also, it promotes trust, adaptability, and emotional growth. This helps one move beyond fear and apprehension.

5. Geranium – The Oil of Love & Trust

Geranium addresses a huge spectrum of emotional issues that can arise from difficult life circumstances. It teaches about the innate goodness in others, helps breed positivity and restore trust in the world. Moreover, it nourishes our inner child, connecting to unconditional self-love.

6. Helichrysum – The Oil for Pain

Helichrysum heals wounds and is a powerful first aid agent. Similar to Geranium, it can help with emotional wounds too like difficult life circumstances, addiction, and abuse. Also, it helps the heart heal, and one feels more courageous, hopeful, and determined.

7. Lavender – The Oil of Communication

Lavender encourages us to express our emotions in an open and honest way. It fosters respectful relationships with others, satisfying our need to be heard.

8. Lime – The Oil of Zest for Life

We’ve all experienced the uplifting fragrance of Lime! This is the strongest oil for dealing with feelings of apathy, grief, and discouragement. Lime can help one feel grateful for life.

9. Myrrh – The Oil of Mother Earth

Myrrh helps one to feel safe in the world and form healthy attachments. Thereby, it fosters a deeper connection with one’s mother, helps women grow into the role of a mother, and to love others deeply.

10. Thyme – The Oil of Releasing & Forgiving

Thyme vents suppressed, trapped feelings. It helps one process hate, rage, anger, and resentment. As a result, there’s more space for forgiveness, tolerance, patience, and understanding.


In conclusion, there are several essential oils that can help you, or someone you care about, deal with emotional challenges. Thankfully, the Earth provides us with these safe and effective tools! We can rely on them without having to worry about damaging side effects and addiction, as we do with pharmaceutical drugs.

Know that essential oils brands are not all the same! Certainly, use Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade oils which have undergone rigorous testing. These brands guarantee purity and potency. You get the desired effect and your money’s worth. You can visit my Essential Oil website page for my recommendations.

Do you use essential oils for emotional balance? Which oils work best for you? Let’s hear about it in the comments! If you enjoyed this article, please share it with your friends!

essential oils for emotions
Essential Oils, Gut Health, Kids Health, Natural Remedies, Natural Sleep Support, Seasons, Summer, Supplements, Toxin-free living, Women's health

Essential Oils You’ll Need For A Naturally-Healthy Summer

essential oils for summer

Summer is a favorite season for many people, but it comes with certain challenges. Longer stretches of powerful sunlight, warm-weather pests, and eating unhealthy foods on family vacations are just some of things that can dampen one’s enthusiasm for summer fun. Be prepared with these essential oils for summer challenges to keep your family naturally healthy and happy all season long!

 

Essential Oil Remedies for Summer Challenges

This class is from a Facebook LIVE on my Falcon Healing Arts Essential Oil Lifestyle Group. Anyone interested in learning more about essential oils is welcome to join.

Safe and Effective Insect Repellent

Do you have a family member who is a mosquito magnet?  That would be me, in my family.  So believe me, plant power is safer and equally effective at keeping them at bay than DEET-containing concoctions!

The recipe below incorporates dōTERRA Terrashield, which actually works fabulously on it’s own. The additional oils kick the power up a few notches.

essential oil bug repellent

Here’s a chart that can help you make your own version of this natural insect repellent:

Essential Oils to repel bugs and insects

Insect Bites & Stings

If pests get past your defenses, try these essential oil remedies to soothe the pain, itch, and swelling (from Modern Essentials, 8th edition):

Bee/Wasp/Hornet stings – After removing stinger, apply a cold compress of Roman Chamomile to the area for as long as possible.

Mosquito bites – apply lavender (diluted as recommended in chart at bottom) to the bites every few hours.

Spider bites – Dilute basil as recommended and apply as a cold compress to the area.

Tick bites – Don’t add oils to remove the tick or they may inject their toxin into the wound! Pull out the whole tick out close to the mouth without twisting. It’s wise to save the tick to get it, and the person bitten, examined by your doctor. Apply 1 drop of lavender to the wound every 5 minutes.

Natural Sunburn Relief

For minor sunburns, fill a 2 oz. bottle halfway with fractionated coconut oil or other carrier oil. Add in 7 drops of Lavender, 7 drops Frankincense, and 7 drops Peppermint. Top off with aloe vera juice. Be sure to shake well before spraying over the affected area.

Essential oils for sunburns

Poison Oak

Though the red color on the “leaves of three” makes this plant more recognizable in the summer, avoiding it can still be tricky when it comes to kids and pets.

Rose, lavender, and Roman chamomile are all indicated for helping to relieve the itch. However, with conditions like this that ooze blisters, sometimes adding oil alone can spread the rash. You may want to look into combining the power of essential oils with a drying calamine lotion, or see an acupuncturist/Chinese herbalist for a drying solution like this one.

Indigestion

Eating heavily processed, greasy, and low quality foods at amusement parks or on the road can lead to an upset stomachs, gas, bloating, constipation, and/or diarrhea. DōTerra’s DigestZen blend can help immensely with all of these symptoms! Ginger, Fennel and peppermint are the main oils in this blend that help ease discomfort and can regulate the bowels. These oils have also been reported to help relieve food poisoning, stomach bugs, or motion sickness.

You may also consider increasing your whole food supplements to fill in any nutrition gaps, keeping your gut flora happy and your immune system working well while away from home.

Cooling down

Combine 2-3 drops of peppermint with 1/4 cup pure aloe vera and 1/4 cup witch hazel in a spray bottle. Shake well and mist body as needed to cool down which might be especially helpful at night to prevent restless sleep. This solution can also help easy sunburn discomfort.

Do you have any ideas for using essential oils in the Summer? Please let us know in the comments!  And if you enjoyed this article, please share it with your friends!

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Summer home remedies using essential oils
Dilution chart:
essential oil roller bottle dilution chart
 
Emotional health, Meditation, Natural Sleep Support, Personal Development, Women's health, Yoga

Should You Develop A Home Yoga Practice?

home yoga practice

There are so many options for yoga classes these days; in studios, gyms, schools, and even hotels. To be a serious and committed yogi doesn’t mean that you need to be attending a group class regularly though. You might discover that having a consistent home yoga practice is how you’ll fall in love with and increase your commitment to this healing art.

Practicing yoga in a group setting definitely has it’s benefits:

  • You’re likely to connect with like-minded people in yoga classes
  • Attending studio events is a great way to build community.
  • It’s also important to seek out a teacher that you resonate with, who is also accessible to you and the community.
  • Working with a teacher who gives you feedback and who points out unhelpful habits or imbalances is invaluable.
  • The energy of group classes can make practicing yoga fun & motivating.

Group classes are wonderful for so many reasons! Yet, they may not be enough to fulfill you.

Here’s 10 reasons why I prefer practicing yoga at home and why I encourage all my students to develop a home practice too.

10 Reasons Why You Should Do A Home Yoga Practice

1. It’s easier to be mindful

Mindfulness is the essence of yoga. It’s an inner process of observation and reflection; a state of being that is more difficult to connect with if there are outside distractions (that inevitably exist in group classes). At home, you have more control over the environment. It’s just you and your thoughts that you have to work with, which is challenging enough!

2. You can practice whatever you want, in your own timing

The pace of group classes is unique to the teacher’s style. Practicing at home, you can choose to stay less time, or longer if you’re like me and enjoy sinking into the experience each asana has to offer.

You can also spend more time in postures that will correct imbalances and do less of the ones that create them.

(For example, with my body, I’m stronger in my upper body to the point where I accumulate too much tension while my lower body is not as strong. I need to ground my energy too, so I’ve been doing sessions mainly of standing and seated postures with just headstand and shoulderstand as my upper-body-focused postures. Then I rest and meditate. I’m feeling much more balanced! It would be much harder to achieve this in a led class.)

3. There’s no self-consciousness or competition

It’s very challenging to practice in a group class without noticing what others are doing. Our minds habitually like to compare ourselves to others. While it’s good to notice and work with these habits, again, it’s just one more distraction. Practicing alone allows you to experience yoga without feeling superior or inferior to anyone.

4. You can create more time to relax deeply

Do you need to insert some restorative postures or extend your final rest in Savasana? You could do them in a group class too, but many people get too caught up with what everyone else is doing and fail to listen to cues from their bodies that are asking for more rest. You’re more likely to honor your body in a home practice.

5. You’ll develop greater discipline and commitment

No doubt, for most people it takes more discipline to adopt a home practice than to attend a group class where people might be expecting you. Your commitment will grow once you see how valuable your personal practice is though. Then, there’s no excuse to not do it! You can take your practice with you on vacation and can alter it when you’re sick. It becomes part of your daily health habits, just like brushing your teeth.

6. You’re likely to progress quicker

As I already mentioned, individualized attention means that you can focus on what you need and how much of it. Therefore, you’re going to see yourself progress much quicker, especially if you’re doing a personal practice everyday.

7. You can make your own schedule

To commit to a home practice, it’s nice to do it at a certain time of the day so you’re less likely to blow it off. I try to do mine early in the morning while my son is still asleep. It feels good to have exercised my body a little and have a bank of mindfulness to pull from for the rest of the day.

8. You’ll model self-care for your children

I know, it’s hard to carve out time to practice when you have young children in the home. Like me, you may prefer to do it early in the morning while they’re sleeping. But, I also enjoy doing a restorative practice at night as well, with my son near by.

It’s very important for kids to see you practicing yoga. You can establish boundaries with them so they learn to respect your time and space. They will see the importance you’re placing on self-care and will teach them a lot about how to care for themselves deeply as well.

9. You can meet & respect your inner teacher

Teachers can help you see certain aspects of yourself that are not apparent, but it always comes back to awareness, opening your mind, and accepting all that you are in order to meet your true self.

With a home practice, you’ll learn to look inside for guidance and trust what comes up. You start looking to yourself for answers instead of assuming that you need permission from others or that others have more wisdom than you. This is absolutely not true! No one knows you as you (can potentially) know yourself. This is precisely why I recommend that my own students have their own practice.

I love this quote from Rolf Sovik in his article Recognizing the Guru:

When students lean too heavily on the compassion of the teacher, another aspect of the guru’s nature is revealed. Teachers nurture the disciplines of practice. If our dependency becomes too strong, a teacher will often awaken our practice by stepping back. The Buddha put it very simply when he said, “Light thine own lamp.”

10. You’re more likely to experience Yoga

There are many definitions of Yoga.

It’s the…

…cessation of the fluctuations of the mind (Yoga Sutra)

…yoking or joining together of the many aspects of the Self

…ability to evolve spiritually from where we are now

All are possible, but only when we can commit to being alone with ourselves every day. A home yoga practice is how you can develop this degree of self-love.

How does this sound to you?  Ready to get started with your home yoga practice?  Check out these resources to get you going!
Please post any questions you have in the comments!  If you enjoyed this article, please share with a friend!  Well wishes to you…
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Emotional health, Meditation, Natural Remedies, Natural Sleep Support, Women's health, Yoga

Improve Your Sleep With This Yoga Sequence

improve sleep with yoga

Hopefully you were able to try out some of the tips in our last post about getting in touch with and resetting your circadian rhythm. But if you tried all the suggestions and are not sleeping soundly, no worries. I’ll bet that you can improve your sleep with the lovely yoga sequence I have for you below.

Yoga is an effective, enjoyable way to address the root of your sleep issues and induce a pleasant snooze. In a national survey of 35,000 households, 55% of people who practiced yoga reported that it helped them sleep while 85% said that it helped them reduce stress.

Remember that approach is key, since how we do our yoga practice is just as, if not more important that what we do. We have to be conscious of our breathing and back off when a posture becomes too exciting or stressful.

Not all forms of yoga are relaxing either (no vigorous vinyasa or heated yoga classes before bed!), so a calming, more restorative approach is necessary to get the body ready for sleep.

The following sequence is an essential part of my nighttime routine. It melts away any muscle tension accumulated throughout the day and reduces stress. When done in a meditative way with mindful breathing, it also helps to tame obsessive thoughts, calm the mind, and prepare it for sleep.

Hold the following postures for 5-8 slow, deep breath, perhaps emphasizing the exhalation to help let go of tension. It’s best to do this immediately before retiring, so you can climb right into bed afterwards.

Yoga Sequence for Better Sleep

1. Standing forward bend (Uttanasana)

 
yoga uttanasana forward bend
 
 

This posture is great for relieving tension in the back. Crossing the forearms makes the upper body heavier so there’s greater traction along the spine. Blood and energy is directed toward the head to calm the mind.

Bend the knees if tight hamstrings are pulling your low back, causing discomfort.

2. Headstand or rabbit (Sirsasana or Sasangasana )

 
yoga sirsasana headstand
 
 

If Headstand is already part of your practice, doing it at night can activate the endocrine glands and calm your nervous system. Contraindications to this pose include neck injuries, high blood pressure, heart conditions, and menstruation.

 
yoga Rabbit pose
 
 

Like Headstand, Rabbit pose is therapeutic due to it’s direct effect on the brain. But this posture is more approachable since you can control the pressure placed on the head and ensure that the neck is not compressed.

3. Shoulderstand (Sarvangasana)

 
yoga Sarvangasana Shoulderstand
 
 

Shoulderstand is a counter pose to Headstand variations. It regulates any hormonal imbalances and soothes the nerves. This pose should be skipped though if you have a neck injury, high blood pressure, or are menstruating.

4. Bound angle w/ neck extension & open chest (Baddha konasana)

 
yoga Baddha konasana Bound angle pose w/ neck extension
 
 

This posture (as well as #5-8 below) relieves tension accumulated in the hips, chest, and neck from long periods of work in front of a computer.

5. Seated twist (Ardha matseyandrasana)

 
yoga Ardha matseyandrasana Seated twist
 
 

6. Neck stretch, simple seated posture

 
yoga  Neck stretch in simple seated posture Sukhasana
 
 

7. Eagle (Garudasana) arms, simple seated posture

 
yoga Garudasana (Eagle pose) arms in Sukhasana (Simple seated pose)
 
 

8. Reclined Figure-4 Stretch

 
yoga Reclined eye of needle stretch figure 4
 
 

9. Legs-up-the-wall-or-bed (Viparita karani)

 
yoga Viparita karani Inverted Lake or legs-up-the-wall pose
 
 

This inversion is necessary to ease tired legs and reverse blood flow to the heart and brain, especially if you were not able to include headstand and shoulderstand in your routine. It reduces anxiety, calms the mind, and helps regulate blood pressure. It can even calm crazy 7-year-old boy energy!

 

Most of you will be yawning before you complete this series! If so, hop in bed and have a wonderful night’s rest!

Still needing extra help? You may also want to check out my Yoga Nidra meditation on my Meditation Page. Yoga Nidra (Yoga sleep) is a very effective meditation to induce a relaxed state of mind and is also effective with changing mindset and habitual patterns.

Well wishes to you all…

Read Part 3: Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture for sleep issues

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Brandy Falcon, L.Ac., E-RYT

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“I help families manage modern health challenges naturally by connecting them back to traditional wisdom and healing practices.”

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