SEPTEMBER, 2016

Greetings all! I hope your summer is going along swimmingly!

Wow what a year 2016 is shaping up to be! This year we are witnessing an amazing hard fought election; the summer Olympics; wild weather! Life can be exciting; busy; and perhaps stressful. I’m going to discuss 2 topics that go hand in hand; anxiety and insomnia. I will be giving you solutions and behaviors I apply in my own life.

Inhale...Deep breaths…exhale!  Because I have an auto-immune disease I carry underlying anxiety.  I have found a daily walk in the morning (5:30 A.M) at sunrise; followed by meditation centers me for the day. I know this may seem like a lot if you’re working; I worked all my life…a lot.  I made my routine a priority even as a single mom working three jobs; you must take care of yourself.  I supplement with a lavender pill called “CALM AID” that we sell in the store.

One a day; no side effects lovely! Other calming nutrients include:

B- VITAMINS…helpful with mood, cognition, and overall health.

MAGNESIUM…300 mg. daily, with B-6 helps to relax muscles; calming you overall.

CHAMOMILE TEA…so relaxing. Try drinking a cup mid-day instead of coffee.

PASSIONFLOWER…Studies have shown this flower is as effective as some prescriptions for handling anxiety without the side effects. Come in and talk with our amazing caring staff.

A good night’s sleep is essential to a happy productive life! I am one of the many, many people in our country who suffer from insomnia. Again this is a by-product of having lupus. Full disclosure I do occasionally take a prescription sleep aid I worked intensely with my doctor to get the most effective for me at the lowest dose. Here are practices and natural remedies I use the majority of the time.

LIFESTYLE: As stated above; exercise regularly; make your sleep environment dark, quiet, serene. Develop a sleep routine. Enlist a sleep study if necessary.

FOOD CHOICES: Snack on bananas, dates, figs, milk, yogurt and turkey; all contain sleep inducing agents.

HOMEOPATHY: Try Arnica, Belladonna, Bryonia, and Pulsatilla.

TEAS: Sip on California Poppy, valerian, passionflower or lemon balm.

Stop by Complete Health and let us help you breathe deep; relax; love life!

TAKE GOOD CARE, BARBARA