Tag: healthy

6 Healthy Ways to Process Emotions as an Introvert
Uncategorized

6 Healthy Ways to Process Emotions as an Introvert

Essentially Better Living1 Comment

Processing emotions in a healthy way looks very different when you’re an introvert. Where extroverts may vent and confide in others or go to therapy, introverts can be more at risk of keeping things in. So we have to have strategies and coping skills to allow us to process our feelings too. Here are 6 techniques that any introvert can use to process and move through emotions, and can even help you move to more positive emotions.

1. Quiet time. While someone outgoing can feel replenished by talking with others, it’s draining to an introvert. Quiet time, and especially meditation can help you to recharge your battery and feel refreshed, especially if you have a job or other situations on a daily basis that require you to be social.

Meditation isn’t nearly as complicated or hard as you might think. Just sitting in a quiet place and clearing your mind of thoughts is a form of meditation – no need to chant or repeat a mantra necessary. If you are experiencing negative emotions, clearing your mind and shifting to no emotion will provide you great relief. And if you find sitting and meditating challenging, take a nap!

2. Journaling. It’s so important to have an outlet to express how we feel. Journaling is a great and safe way to release and process our thoughts and feelings. Not only is journaling amazing for releasing and sharing the things that have happened to us, it is a good way to help us create and plan for what’s ahead.

When you’re journaling, a great technique is to make a list of positive aspects. Whatever you’re having negative feelings about, try shifting to thinking of positive qualities about that topic or individual and it will provide you with relief. There aren’t many concepts that don’t have positive aspects.

If that seems too difficult, or you’re too upset to write on that topic, consider making a general list of positive aspects – things that are going really well in your life or things that you are grateful for. Sometimes you’ll find you need to completely change the subject to feel some relief.

3. Get outdoors. When emotions are getting the better of you, there is no better distractor than Mother Nature. Taking a short walk or just standing outside and watching the clouds move across the sky or the trees blow in the breeze will soothe you and calm you. Grounding is effective too. If the weather is nicer, try taking a barefoot stroll: this is grounding. It shifts your energy and can be very relaxing.

4. Tap into your five senses. By tapping into one or more of your five senses you can calm yourself pretty quickly. Take a deep breath, and if you’re at home, feel the texture of a nearby blanket or fabric. If you’re at work, feel the smooth surface of your desktop or workspace. If you’re driving, just feel the texture of your steering wheel with your fingertips. Have a healthy snack or a drink of water. Turn on one of your favorite songs, or sometimes it’s helpful to turn the music off and listen to the air conditioning or heating unit which may sound like white noise. Look around you and notice your surroundings. Tapping into your five senses may sound simple, but it forces you to be present and stops the momentum of your worry or concern.

5. Self-care. Indulge in a form of self-care. For you, maybe that’s a relaxing bath, getting your nails done, or making yourself a cup of tea. Do whatever you know brings you peace and calms you.

6. Get crafty and be creative. Creativity is one of the best outlets we have available to us. Whether it’s creating art, music, writing, or maybe a craft like knitting or baking, it gives us a way to express ourselves and in the act of creation we feel a sense of renewal. You may or may not consider yourself to be artistic, but regardless of that, you will find that expressing yourself and making something new will force you to be present and be in the here and now.

In The Sound of Music, Julie Andrews’s character Maria sings “My Favorite Things,” where she recounts the things that bring her joy, and help her cope when she is down, and to her list I would add all of the above. I hope this list inspires you and brings you hope, calming and peace.

Our Wellness Story: Why Chemical Free Matters
essential oils · natural lifestyle

Our Wellness Story: Why Chemical Free Matters

Essentially Better LivingLeave a comment

Here I am with my baby girl, stopping by to get her shot record for kindergarten.

I was a little uneasy coming here because I didn’t know which entrance to use. I’ve only been here once since pediatrics moved to this location, and that was for her well-checkup.

Let me repeat that in appreciation: I’VE ONLY BEEN HERE ONCE AND IT WAS FOR A WELL-CHECKUP.

I truly believe there are two reasons for this.

One: a wellness MENTALITY. We see our children as well, we don’t speak of sickness, we visualize them as thriving and healthy.

Two: we support their bodies naturally. We view health through the lens of prevention vs treat.

Did you know that many meds like antibiotics that are used to “treat” actually weaken the immune system and increase the likelihood of children getting the very illness they are being treated for? That the more often a child takes antibiotics the less effective they are? Read more here and here.

I have no judgment for anyone using medications, including antibiotics, because we do too, when we have something bacterial like strep, and that is the best course of action to take.

Anything I’m sharing here, I’ve only learned myself in the last few years. But too often, I see it so much, kids are given antibiotics for ear infections and other illnesses where their bodies could be supported naturally and safely.

Then lo and behold, these children are right back at the doctor’s office weeks later. The sickness momentum keeps on going.

I am sharing this because I want to help the maximum number of families possible get out of this circle of sickness.

With my first child, we were in that loop! Ear infections, and just about every illness that came along. We were in and out of the doctor’s office like a revolving door. I didn’t know any better.

But we were sick and tired of being sick and tired. Then one day, it was as if someone flipped a switch.

I became determined to find the best for my family: foods, essential oils, household products. I researched. I read a ton. We started paying attention to what we were putting in and using on our bodies. We eliminated items that contributed to sickness (yes, many popular products marketed to humans are legally advertised as safe and sold to us 😡 -but that’s another post for another day. Read my “Ditch and Switch” series to learn more.) We went chemical free.

We diffused immune boosting essential oils and applied them to our bodies daily and consistently, especially during cold and flu season.

We became the discriminating guardians of our home and scrutinized what products we would allow in it. We ditched products containing harmful chemicals and replaced them with natural. These included cleaning, beauty, bath, and fragrance products.

We supported our bodies with oils for emotions, sinuses, soothing the skin and muscles. We used them for focus, healthy hair, and so much more.

And here we are. No longer stuck in that revolving door, and not a regular at the pharmacy drive through. It took time to replace everything, but this lifestyle doesn’t cost more or require more effort, contrary to some of the push back I’ve read and heard. It’s freeing. We are healthy and whole and we are not looking back, and hoping more and more will join us on the wagon.