COVID-19

I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of giving so much time and energy to this virus, but alas, here I am creating a blog post about it.  While I understand it is a fast spreading illness, it seems to have caught the attention of nearly everyone.  Rather than focusing on catching this virus, let’s place our energy and thoughts on staying healthy.  The mind is powerful.  So powerful, in fact, that people have made claims to have healed themselves through thought and mindset.  We often think in negatives instead of positives.  For instance, a mindset that says, “I hope I don’t get the Corona virus,” is a negative statement.  A positive statement/mindset is to say, “I’ll be healthy during this period of time.”  It puts a positive spin on the mind and the body.  Let me explain.  What we give focus to expands.  Our thoughts become our beliefs and the world responds.  The universe works in positives not negatives.  So, let’s take out the word “don’t” (which is a negative) in our first sentence.  It now says: “I hope I get the Corona virus.”  I’m sure no one wants this to be their thought of the day, so by changing the sentence in a positive way creates a healthy mindset.  Let’s say that again: I’ll be healthy during this period of time.

Another way to keep the body healthy is through our immune system.  That should be our primary focus as we continue to stay well.  As I’ve said over and over again in many of my posts is how the consumption of sugar creates sickness.  Sugar single handedly creates havoc on the immune system, compromising the body’s ability to stay strong and fight off foreign invaders.  The consumption of sugar increases stress in the body.  Free radicals are a result of cellular metabolism and the body’s antioxidant defenses become overwhelmed leading to oxidative stress.  In short, sugar exhausts the immune system and weakens it against disease.  By consuming whole plant-based foods, our body will naturally get the sugars our body needs for energy and to build strong healthy cells, which will keep our defenses ready for battle.  

Have you noticed when the body gets tired, it becomes weak?  Adequate sleep and destressing are an important factor in wellness.  During the period of sleep, our body recovers from assaults during our wakeful time at work and play.  Sadly, many Americans are devoid of adequate sleep leaving our body a prime target for sickness.  Preparing our body for sleep is just as important as getting ready to start the day, if not more so.  We live in an environment of artificial light that tricks our body into thinking it is still daylight.  Serotonin, a hormone responsible for sleep, is greatly affected by light.  When there is not enough serotonin, it takes longer to fall asleep.  It’s best to curtail electronics at least an hour prior to bedtime.  That includes checking your phone one last time before turning out the light.  Create a soothing place to sleep with no television or nightlight in the bedroom.  Read or mediate to relax the body, mind, and spirit.  Set an intention to rest well and dream vividly.

The COVID-19 is a respiratory virus.  Our body already has a defense against respiratory illnesses, yet most people rarely think about it.  Are you wondering what the defense is?  It’s our nose!  We are supposed to breath from our nose, not our mouth.  The nose is designed to filter bacteria, viruses, pollen, and dust from reaching our lungs.  Mouth breathing bypasses this stop making the lungs more susceptible to problems.  Sneezing is a way for the body to clear itself of foreign invaders.  When our nose secretes mucus, it’s trying to clear away attackers, so by all means, blow your nose!  Mouth breathing leads to many systemic health problems, but the good news is many people have been successful in converting themselves from mouth breathers to nasal breathers. Find out more information about nose vs. mouth breathing here. Drink water often to keep hydrated and clear the body of toxins and eat warming foods that comfort and nourish the body.  Stay rested, hydrated, and blow your nose.  

Health Bite:  Maintain and positive mindset for your best health.

2019--A Year in Review

December 31, 2019, marks the end of a decade. The newness of 2020 has the potential to be the best year or decade yet. Perhaps this is the decade to seek some type of self-improvement whether it’s taking your health back, learning a new skill, or practicing self-care. Maybe it will be a transitional decade as children will grow up and move away, maybe a marriage or college graduation or maybe retire and decide what’s next? So much can happen in ten years. A lot can happen in one year.

In the beginning of 2019, I was employed as a full-time dental hygienist while teaching at O’Hehir University and developing my Rooted In Wellness health coaching brand.  Living primarily in Broadway with two weekends or so in Colonial Beach.  (At the end of December 2017, I purchased a house at Colonial Beach, Virginia, with a wonderful view of the Potomac River. This place gave me space to cultivate and discover things about myself that were hidden for decades.)

As I reflect on this past year, I realize how adventurous and exciting life is, but also how time moves so quickly.  I’ve discovered the importance of quiet time and reflection.  Reflection of not only of the day’s events, but reflection of how I want to show up in the world.  Each of us has a choice to make each and every day.  How will I show up?  Will it be for my own personal gain?  Will it be as a helper to those around me?  Will I show up in peace and love?  Will I show up grumpy and offended at the world?  Showing up with intention will set the course of the day.  There are days that are difficult; believe me, I know.  The next day promises a new 24 hours to begin again, and it’s taking one step at a time that gets us down the path in our life’s journey.  Reflection on those difficult days is a time to learn and grow.  That awareness and completion of struggles is what makes us stronger, more resilient, and ready for the next leg of the journey.

NEW TERRITORY

In March, I embarked on a nine-month herbalism course to become a Clinical Herbalist.  This foundation course opened my eyes to the healing potential of plants.  God knew we would be sick, and provided resources that our bodies could use to heal from those problems.  That’s not to say that modern medicine doesn’t have a place, because it most certainly does.  However, I’m of the thought, why not have and use both?  After all, it is plant medicine that is used to formulate prescription medications.  Because of this course, I’ve been learning more and more about the native plants that grow in my yard and woods to build my apothecary.

In June, I took an energy healing course to learn about the benefits of energy and healing of the mind, body, and spirit.  I was skeptical at first about something I couldn’t see; it seemed so woo woo.  However, woo woo it is, I’m convinced it does work.  In the weekend course of Level 1, each student was able to practice these methods on one another.  It is a simple and beautiful way to provide healing energy to everyone.  When I stop to think about it, I’m reminded that I can’t see the wind, the radio waves, or the cell phone waves or even the electrical currents, but I can see the results of them.  Energy healing is like that.  As a student, I’ve had the opportunity to practice on family and friends.  I was so excited after Level I, I signed up for Level II and III.  Now I’ll wait for Level IV in April 2020.  This will be a wonderful addition to Rooted In Wellness health coaching and will fit in nicely with herbalism.

In July I finished up my dental hygiene position to embark on what is next for me.  This was the last piece of my old life, and I was released from it. It was truly a leap of faith, especially financially. However, since then, I have been able to pay my bills and actually somehow save money.  With the extra time, I’ve been able to help others with my energy healing practice, writing for my blog, and assisting people with living their best life.  I’ve also traveled more than ever, reconnected with my cousin, took up tennis, and cultivated relationships.  I’m also able to spend more time at the river house where I found my footing to keep moving forward.

THE NEXT DECADE

Each one of you are invited to spend some time reflecting on the journey of this year. No doubt there were struggles. No doubt there were joys. No doubt you got through it, perhaps even more resilient than in the beginning of the year. While it’s important to be present in the now, it’s also beneficial to reflect on the ways and the directions your path have taken. Are you where you thought you’d be?

This next year is the beginning of a new decade. A renewed energy of our potential and how what we think about grows. See yourself in new and exciting ways. See yourself with those you care for the most. See yourself as living your best life. When was the last time you took an objective look at what isn’t working in your relationships or your life?  If you feel like the energy output is consistently meeting with resistance, then likely it isn’t intended to work out.  The clear and honest energy you are receiving may be telling you it’s time to end things and find closure with what is no longer serving you. People come and go throughout our life.  Relationships serve a purpose for a period of time.  It helps us learn and grow as people that then readies us for the next step.  As people come into our lives, others will leave.  Sometimes we may not want to say goodbye, but nature is taking its course.  Even if it’s painful to let someone go, know that every ending allows for a new beginning.  Whatever the case is for you, be honest with yourself.  Take advantage of the opportunity to redirect.  It’s up to you to decide what you want and to take action to make it happen, whether it’s dissolving a business, forging a new alliance, entering a marriage or initiating a breakup.  Ending one commitment clears space for another to enter your life.  Don’t ignore your limitations, refuse to change, and miss this opportunity to explore new possibilities.  By not moving forward, then you’ve effectively decided to keep things the same and solidifying your current situation. In the end, each person is the driver of their own life. While it’s easy to shift blame onto others, this pattern only serves to keep a person stuck in a situation. Only with taking a closer, inward look can the truth be revealed. Embrace the exciting possibilities of 2020. How do you want to show up?

Health Bite: Give homage to your own personal journey and embark on the beginning of this new exciting decade.