How to Survive the Holidays & Avoid Burnout
The holidays are upon us and while they bring so much joy, they can be downright exhausting. Between all the planning, holiday meals, parties and get togethers, you may feel emotionally depleted. We’re here to offer tips on “How to Survive the Holidays and Avoid Burnout” this season.
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8 Tips to Stay Well This Winter
Stay ahead of winter sniffles, colds, flus, and respiratory issues with our 8 Tips to Stay Well This Winter. From boosting your immune system natural to dry, itchy skin and sleeplessness the colder months don’t have to take a toll on your mind and body this season.
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How To Naturally Combat Common PMS Symptoms
As a woman, you know that “time of the month” is around the corner when you begin experiencing menstrual cramps, body aches, mood swings, digestive issues, and nausea. For most, these symptoms resolve themselves around four days after your menstrual period has started. However, no matter the duration of your period, PMS symptoms are not fun. They can knock you down for a few days and leave you feeling miserable until it’s concluded.
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8 Natural Ways to Treat Chronic Migraine
By Dr. Peter Klapper Ph.D. Have you ever had a headache so severe that it completely knocks you off your feet? Well, try coupling that with other symptoms such as light and sound sensitivity, aura, nausea, vomiting brain fog, and dizziness and you will know what it feels like to have a migraine attack. Currently, The American Migraine Foundation (AMF) estimates that at least 39 million Americans live with migraine, but because many people do not get a diagnosis or the treatment they need, the actual number is probably higher.With so many people suffering from symptoms of migraine every day, it’s important for patients to find the right treatment options for their toolkits. For some, that might look like medication, but it’s not uncommon for people to want to also try a natural approach. That is why we are sharing “8 Natural Ways to Treat Chronic Migraine” on our blog for Migraine and Headache Awareness Month.1. Magnesium SupplementIt’s no secret in the migraine community that migraine attacks might stem from the depletion of magnesium in their diets. After all, magnesium helps with muscle, nerve, and energy functions in the body. According to AMF, it’s believed that magnesium can prevent the brain signaling that causes visual and sensory changes associated with aura, a majorly disrupting symptom of migraine. If you haven’t already, discuss taking a magnesium supplement with your doctor.2. Light Blocking GlassesAnother common trigger for many with migraine are lights. If you find yourself feeling nauseous, dizzy or in pain from bright lights, consider purchasing a pair of migraine glasses or blue light blocking glasses to combat symptoms.3. Ginger for NauseaIf nausea tends to be one of your worst symptoms, think about consuming some ginger. Ginger is an ancient herb used widely in history for its many natural medicinal properties and is known to be an effective and inexpensive treatment for nausea and vomiting. Try drinking a ginger tea or sucking on a ginger candy.4. Reduce StressMany find that they are more likely to have an attack if they are under a lot of stress. Therapies such as massages, acupuncture, meditation, etc. can all have a lasting effect on the body and mind. By promoting relaxation, it can help bring a person’s threshold down and reduce the number of migraine attacks.If you need a little help with calming your brain, give our natural “Calm Mood” remedy a try!5. DietDid you know that a migraine attack can be triggered by what you eat? That’s right, many people are triggered by food. The Heal Your Headache elimination diet is a great way to see what foods are causing an attack and looks at eliminating common migraine culprits such as chocolate, red wine, aged cheese and meats, caffeine, nuts and various fruits and veggies.6. Getting A Good Night’s RestSleep is crucial for your health for many reasons, but especially for someone who suffers from chronic migraine. Sleep and migraine are often linked and too little of sleep is commonly known to cause headaches and possibly migraine attacks.Need help getting to sleep and staying asleep, try our natural Sleep Well product and wake up rested, not groggy.7. ExerciseAs with most things, exercise is a good habit to have in your daily routine. Exercise helps with improving your mental state and reduces stress, a common migraine attack trigger. While all exercise is great, yoga has been found to be a great option for migraine prevention and treatment.Not only does it reduce stress with the various breathing exercises, but the movements and poses help loosen tight areas such as the neck, head, and shoulders. All which can become more irritated and inflamed during a migraine attack.8. Natural Migraine MedicationOur natural migraine roll-on medication is another great option to combat an attack. This treatment will quickly ease the severe throbbing pain sensation, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound that is triggered by migraine.By directly applying it to your forehead, our migraine pain management relief oil alleviates the four stages of migraines: prodrome, aura, headache, and postdrome. Give it a try today and watch as your symptoms begin to disappear.
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All About Asthma: How To Keep It Under Control
By Dr. Peter Klapper Ph.D. If you suffer from asthma, you may be having a harder time breathing lately due to allergies. If you are, know you’re not alone. The spring is peak season for people with allergies, which is why May is known as “National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.”To raise awareness around this disease that affects 25 million people in the United States, (20 million adults and 5 million children) we wanted to help provide tips to keep your asthma under control this allergy season.What Causes Asthma?Although Asthma is a more commonly known illness, you may be wondering what causes flareups. Asthma is a chronic condition that affects your bronchial tubes (i.e. the airway in your lungs.) Those who suffer from this disease airways will narrow, swell and produce extra mucus when triggered which makes breathing difficult and causes coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.But to be honest, it’s uncertain what actually “causes” asthma. What the medical community does know is that there are many factors that play into what might cause someone to have an asthma attack. Whether that be genetics and asthma runs in the family, to allergens, respiratory infections, and other environmental factors.For some, asthma is only a minor inconvenience and flares up a few times a year, however 5 to 10 percent of asthmatics have it far more severe and feel the impacts of their disease in their everyday life. Not to mention, many may have life-threatening asthma attacks. Unfortunately, asthma cannot be cured but it can be controlled.Tips To Keep It Under ControlKnow Your TriggersAs we stated above, asthma can be triggered by many ailments so it’s important to know what the cause of your asthma attacks might be. For many, common triggers include cold air, humidity, exercise, allergens like pollen and dander and the effects of dealing with a cold.Keep FitWhile some might find that exercise can cause them to use their inhaler more frequently, working out is known to dramatically improve asthma symptoms. And by combining exercise with the proper treatment, improvement can be achieved.Conditions such as obesity cause asthma to be worse, which is why it’s important to stay healthy. By exercising, you strengthen your breathing muscles, improve your immune system, and keep a healthy body weight. However, be mindful on what types of exercise are best for you.Cardio is a great way to strengthen your lungs, but it’s also important to not overexert yourself to the point you can’t catch your breath either. If you can, try and avoid working out in cold air to prevent an attack.Don’t SmokeIf you smoke on the regular, or socially, it’s a good idea to think about quitting. Smoking can reduce the effectiveness of your asthma medication, not to mention the tobacco itself damages your airways causing more attacks.Secondhand smoke can also cause serious breathing issues. In fact, studies have shown a clear link between asthma in children because of secondhand smoke. More than 40 percent of children who go to the emergency room for asthma live with smokers and have more frequent asthma attacks.Pay Attention to Outside Air ConditionsThe weather and outside conditions can play a big part into asthma attacks. If you’re triggered by allergens such as pollen, be sure to pay attention to the pollen count outside, especially during the spring.If a fire is burning nearby, that will most likely also affect your asthma. By being aware of what’s happening outside of your house, you can plan and be prepared with the right medications.Keep Your House CleanSimilar to knowing the conditions outside, it’s also important to keep your house clean as well. If you’re triggered by animal dander or dust, you can reduce symptoms indoors by vacuuming and dusting regularly.Reduce StressAsthma attacks can be triggered by stress. Think about it, when put into a stressful situation, you might feel an overwhelming sense of panic that can cause an increase in breathing and heart rate that leads to shortness of breath and chest tightness.If you know that you have a stressful event coming up, try relaxing with massage therapy, a relaxing bath, exercise and even a good night’s rest.Take Care of Your HealthIf your asthma is severe, it can be affected greatly if you are faced with another ailment. Therefore, it’s so important to take care of yourself. If it’s cold and flu season, get your flu shot, inquire about a pneumonia shot, wash your hands, and wear a mask if in crowded places.Be Diligent with MedicationFinally, be proactive with your asthma attack plan and take your medication. Many preventive medications require you to take them daily, so don’t feel like you can skip out just because you’re currently feeling great.And don’t forget to keep your inhaler with you wherever you go. You never know what might trigger your asthma.
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The Good Night Guide to Recognizing and Treating Insomnia
By Dr. Peter Klapper Ph.D. As many as 40 million Americans experience insomnia every year. Are you one of them? Sleep loss has become something of an epidemic in the US.Millions of us toss and turn each night, unable to fall or stay asleep as our mind races in every which direction.For some, this trouble sleeping may be insomnia. Insomnia is marked by trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting good-quality sleep. With insomnia, these sleeping issues get in the way of living your life. Short-term insomnia lasts a few days or weeks, while chronic insomnia occurs three or more nights a week and lasts more than three months. As many as 40 million Americans experience insomnia every year, and more than 57 percent of older adults report a decline in their quality of life and overall health due to insomnia, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Are you one of them?If you think you have insomnia, check in with your doctor to get a better handle on what is going on with your sleep.Keep a sleep diary before your appointment. Jot down what happens (or doesn’t happen) when your head hits the pillow at night for a few weeks and share this information with your doctor. Include what you ate or drank before bed and how recently you exercised or engaged in any stressful activities like paying bills. This information will help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis.If you are experiencing insomnia, many prescription medications are available to help you get more zzzs. These medications do confer their share of risks and side effects. Some may be habit-forming, and others have been linked to unintentional activities while asleep such as walking, eating, or driving.Over-the-counter products that contain antihistamines are often sold as sleep aids, and while they may help, they also may not be the best treatment for your insomnia.Supplements that include melatonin are widely touted for sleep problems, but melatonin is not necessarily an effective treatment for insomnia. Your doctor will help guide you toward the treatments best suited to your situation. There are natural, risk-free ways to help treat insomnia, including: Practicing good sleep hygieneThis includes using your bedroom for sex and sleep only. Keep it quiet and cool and power down your devices before bed as blue light from devices can disrupt your all-important sleep-wake cycle. Set and stick to strict bed and wake times – even on weekends, and make sure not to consume caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol too close to your bedtime. Nicotine and caffeine are stimulants and will keep you awake. Alcohol may make it easier for you to fall asleep but makes it harder to stay that way. Exercise can help you get better-quality sleep, but not if it’s done too close to bedtime. A good rule of thumb is to exercise daily and finish eating and drinking two to three hours before bed. Turning stress downStress makes it harder to fall and stay asleep. Find something that helps you relax before bedtime such as sipping herbal tea, taking a bath, or reading a novel instead of binging a suspenseful or supernatural series on Netflix, paying bills, or even checking social media and risking FOMO (fear of missing out). Give Force of Nature’s roll-on topical natural sleep aid Sleep Well a try. Sleep Well comprises a blend of organic Valerian, Kava, and Lavender, all of which work together to help you wind down and relax before bed, so you wake feeling refreshed and relaxed.Sweet Dreams. Sources:National Sleep Foundation. “Do I Have Insomnia?” Available at: https://www.thensf.org/do-i-have-insomnia/
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5 Tips on How to Manage Holiday Stress
It’s that time again! The most wonderful time of the year full of holiday parties, delicious treats, and visiting family and friends. However, while keeping busy this holiday season can be a lot of fun, it also can be draining. That’s why we’re listing “5 Tips on How to Manage Holiday Stress.”
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5 Tips To Simplify And Create Less Stress In Your Life
Did you know that the first week of every August is “National Simplify Your Life Week?” It’s a time for you to focus on the areas in your life that could use a little decluttering mentally and physically. However, this practice of removing clutter from your life can be done at any time - not just August.
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Natural Healing for Stress and Anxiety
The evolution of the plant kingdom never stops, never rests, never stops improving. For eons, plants have continued to increase their vastness and diversity, in the process creating an array of naturally occurring chemicals that is beyond the replication ability of modern science.
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The Negative Effects of Nail Biting and How to Stop
It’s no secret that biting your nails in public is frowned upon. Many view it as a gross habit, and personal preferences aside, it can lead to many negative effects. Biting your nails might ruin your manicure, but it could also turn your nails into a breeding ground for nail fungus, infection, and more. Wondering what the real risks of biting your nails are? Read on.
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