Shifting Priorities
Hello! We've almost made it through our first week of social distancing and, as a family, we've made the decision to stay home basically 100% of the time. Groceries have been delivered once and we've only left the house for walks, runs, and bike rides. I know we are fortunate to be able to work from home and we truly respect and appreciate those on the front line who must leave the house daily, especially those in the medical field.
My priorities have shifted this week. Making sure our kids feel safe and keeping a normalized, yet flexible schedule has been a focus. We've prioritized family meals every night, playing board games, adventures outside, and reading together. We have also been diligent about supporting our immune systems daily, knowing these days of social distancing won't last forever. What we do now matters. Building a strong immune system doesn't happen overnight, consistency in healthy choices is key and it's about what we put in our bodies as well as what we choose NOT to put in/on our bodies. We build strong immunity over a lifetime and there is no better time than today to start making small steps and daily healthy choices to give your body the edge it needs to be a barrier. In a time of uncertainty, we can feel empowered by this option! Every day can't be perfect, but we do have some control and influence over the state of our healthy and wellness!
Here are some key areas to focus:
- Supplements (Vit C, D3, Zinc, Probiotics, + Antioxidants)
- Stay hydrated (recommended 8x8 rule... 8 ounces of water 8x/day)
- Quality sleep (we know this but it's SO hard!)
- Gut health (probiotics are KEY for our immune systems!)
- Mindset + Relationships (try Zoom or Google Meet, FaceTime or Marco Polo)
- Real Food intake (antioxidant rich + limiting sugar/processed foods)
- Air quality/Environment (limit synthetic fragrances/chemicals/cleaners which suppress immunity)
- Fresh air/Sunshine/Movement
If any of these concepts are new to you, just start with making 1 small change daily. Each of us get to reflect & choose what we feel our bodies need or what we are capable of at any given time.
Supplements to Support Immunity
Antioxidants: Ningxia Red for antioxidants: this superfood beverage is liquid gold!! It’s made of wolfberries (gogi berries), which are so incredibly rich in protein, iron, vitamins & minerals. It’s known for amazing immune support, digestive health & it is very bioavailable, since it’s a liquid & our bodies don’t have to digest it & break it down in order to get the nutrients. You can also gain your daily need for antioxidants from eating tons of berries and greens.
Gut Health: a high quality probiotic. Life 9 probiotic or MightyPro Kids probiotic: probiotics absolutely make the top supplement list for immunity because 80% of our immune system is in our gut. So a strong, healthy gut = strong immunity. Another key to gut health is avoiding processed foods and eating fermented foods, resistant starches and bone broth.
Vitamin C, Zinc + Vitamin D3: Super C Chewable: quality Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that helps our body rebuild & stay strong. Vitamin C is known for immune support. I love that the YL chewable is easy & tasty for the entire family to use. It has added citrus essential oils for greater health benefits. We take a dropper of isolated D3 a few times/week but also ingest Cod Liver oils for it's incredible health benefits and D3 naturally included.
Essential Oils: Inner Defense supplement + Thieves: this is made of powerful essential oils that are known for their protective properties. It’s easy to take & use during times of stress, while traveling or when exposed to germs. This supplement is made of Thieves, Oregano, Lemongrass and Thyme essential oils. I always tell friends to take this with food, because it’s strong and sometimes the stomach really feels it.
Thieves Vitality: great to take daily, since it is a super high antioxidant & has such protective properties. You can add 4 drops + carrier oil to an empty veggie capsule or sip a few drops in a cup of warm water & honey, as a Thieves Tea.
Lately I've been researching Olive leaf extract and colloidal silver as well.
Benefits of Diffusing Essential Oils
The benefits of diffusing essential oils into the air are well documented. Aromatherapy is a science that has been researched more extensively in Europe and Asia because of funding options. You can find some interesting Pub Med research articles on efficacy of essential oils here. We breathe constantly and air quality actually makes a big impact on our health. Pollutants and toxins in our air can come from germs, cleaning products, fragrance, environmental pollution (such as car fumes or smoke), and from products in our home that off-gas. Some air pollution we cannot control, but a lot of it we can! The most common culprits we can control are things like candles, plug-ins, car air fresheners, what we choose to clean with, and chemicals that might be sprayed around your home or office. These daily products cause stress to our bodies and make our livers work overtime to process and detoxify.
There are lots of molecules circulating in the air we breathe. Some are supportive and others deplete our systems. When these molecules are met with essential oils in the air from diffusing, there is a microscopic battle that happens & guess what? Essential oils are able to bind and cleanse the air of impurities & create a healthy environment for us to breathe. This is beneficial along with the affects on our limbic system to alter our mindset. In our home, we seem to constantly have our diffusers running recently and continue to alternate the mixtures for optimal air quality, immune support, and to brighten the mood. Focus and calming blends are key right now! I let the girls choose a diffuser blend while homeschooling or when they need a reset.
Keep the toxins out of your home
Our home is our safe space, now more than ever. Beyond diffusing essential oils into the air, creating a protected and clean environment is important for staying healthy. We take off our shoes right inside the door on a rug that can be laundered and wash our hands immediately upon entering the home. It’s important to use soaps & hand sanitizers that are all natural, moisturizing, and non-damaging to the skin or immune system. Breathing in toxic chemicals puts stress on our body It also creates stress for our bodies/liver to slather harsh chemicals on our skin. Young Living is one company that creates products that do not cause toxic-overload to our body to filter and process, while still providing the protection & cleansing we need to stay healthy. I've discovered that these products can be hard to find!
Keep your hands clean
Thieves Hand Sanitizer: 65%+ alcohol based (denatured naturally with peppermint oil, not harsh solvents) & the cleansing protective power of Thieves essential oil blend. This hand sanitizer is so moisturizing and a little goes a long way! It will protect the skin on your hands and leave them feeling great. Not slimy or sticky!
Thieves or Lavender Foaming Hand Soap: this all-natural hand soap smells amazing & is the best to keep in bathrooms and at the kitchen sink. No harsh ingredients are in this soap, so it will not bog down your system. Here is a link for mini foaming hand soap bottles from Amazon that you can keep in your purse or car, filled with Thieves foaming hand soap! I've started doing this for travel which has been reassuring when I stop into rest areas with my girls :).
Keep surfaces clean
Thieves Disinfecting Spray. Throw this portable spray bottle in your handbag or pocket for your necessary errands. Toilet seats, grocery cart handles, cell phones, tables, and door knobs can all be easily spritzed to sanitize with this spray!
Thieves Cleaner: This concentrate is perfect for keeping your home clean. I truly stand by this product and it continues to be the only cleaner in my home. It can be used on virtually any surface and gives the best deep clean. You can sprinkle a little baking soda on surfaces where you need additional scouring power & can add additional essential oils to adjust the scent if you prefer.
Young Living has put together a few discounted bundles to get these key products to you. Here is more info if you are interested. https://mailchi.mp/118b64d94253/health-in-your-hands or I can hook you up if you are not yet a YL member.
I am so happy to chat with you more about any of this! I don't love that we live in an imperfect world with germs, pollution & so many things that put stress on our physical bodies. But I truly am thankful that we DO have access to tools that truly work for taking care of ourselves naturally. I've found some ways that I can tweak & improve my routine for staying healthy as I'm spending more time at home and priorities have shifted. I'd love to hear your thoughts on what I've shared with you if you have a minute to comment!
In Health + Wellness,
Kristi Bowlby
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