Self care tips
Take care of your body, cause it's the only place you have to live.
1. Manage expectations
Be realistic with your abilities. How many hours do you have in your day? As an amputee, I typically have 5 hours total! If it is 5 consecutive hours then I know there is going to be some self care and recovery involved. When I was younger a 12 hour day on my prosthesis was no big deal! Sometimes I have to remind myself that I am not that youngster anymore.
2. Journal
Start a journal! When you are supporting your body and its natural healing process you will experience lasting changes. But sometimes they are not felt immediately and take time.
I got the best advice from a massage therapist who said, “start a journal and write everything down. When you are having a good day look back at what you were doing and you will see a pattern.”
She was right! I could see a pattern and started learning what helped and what didn’t. It was so empowering!
So my best advice to you, start a journal! Grab a notebook and start writing down your day or download an app on your phone that will hold notes. You will look back and start learning what works (or doesn’t) for your body.
You will be especially glad you did when you start to feel bad and think why am I feeling so crappy? Pull out that journal. It is a great reminder to see what was working.
For more safety information, recipes and dilution charts download a FREE 10-page guide to Essential Oils Made Easy!
3. Daily Living Habits
Be Consistent! Show up for yourself every single day.
Modify everything! Do you need to put your laundry basket on wheels? That may sound crazy. But when you start paying attention to your daily living habits and modifying the things you are lifting it can really help.
4. Nutrition
Are there foods that "don't agree with you?" This can be causing inflammation in your body and you will feel it in your joints. Start paying attention to those foods and try eliminating them from your diet one at a time. This way you can see if you feel any better. You will need to give this a week or two and want to eliminate one thing at a time. If you do too many it will be harder to find the culprits. Maybe investing in a nutritionist is right for you.
Are you taking whole food supplements? Most of the supplements on the market are synthetic. Our bodies don't recognize these supplements as nutrition and we do not absorb the nutrients we need. Because of soil depletion and other factors it would take 5 apples today to get the same nutrients our grandparents got from 1 apple. We simply can't eat enough to get the nutrients and minerals our bodies need from food. Supplementing with a good whole food supplement is important.
5. Hydration
Sip water throughout the day.
If you aren't a water drinker some tips are to add a citrus essential oil to your water. Not only will it make it taste better but you also get the benefits of its natural detoxing benefits. Only use glass or metal with essential oils as they can break down the plastic and introduce harmful chemicals into your water.
6. Movement
Our bodies become stiff when we sit because our connective tissue becomes dehydrated. Set an alarm and get up every hour and move around.
Go for a walk, do some yoga moves or a Melt Hand treatment and stretches. Active rest is best.
7. Mindset
Your body is listening. I know sometimes it's easier said than done. Try not to stay focused on the pain and stay focused on your self care techniques that have helped you in the past.
8. Mood & Emotions
One of the most researched properties of essential oils is their ability to influence emotions. Our brain is designed to use aroma to soothe and protect itself. When we inhale an essential oil, the aroma is processed through our olfactory system also known as the emotional brain. Certain aromas have the ability to promote feelings of calm and relaxation. Citrus scents like lemon, lime, and orange have been found to instantly pick up your spirits. Not only do these smells increase happiness, but they can actually boost your energy, and increase feelings of positivity.
9. Sleep
Sleep is when our bodies recover and healing takes place. Try to get at least 7 hours of sleep.
Essential oil blends for muscle & joint support
I am going to press the easy button and talk about some essential oil blends. I spent a lot of time and research making my own blend I call the "bionic blend" with 10 essential oils and it works great. But then I realized doTERRA already has blends (that are actually scientifically blended). Most of these essential oils I used are in these blends along with some others.
It's so much easier to have a few blends on hand rather than 10 different essential oils. But if you like to make your own blends (DIY'ers unite!) send me an email and I can provide that recipe for you. DIY'ers can understand this. We innately think we can do a better job at everything and will spend more time and money to do everything ourselves. Am I right?
- Inhale the scent of a calming essential oil such as Lavender
- Add a warm compress or take a hot shower
- Move around to increase circulation and blood flow.
- Use a carrier oil to help the oil stay in the tissue longer.
- Massage the oil into the tissue
- Add Copaiba to your blend or layer it onto the skin with other oils. When we layer or blend essential oils we get the benefits of each essential oil and the synergy that is created when one or more oils are blended together.
Deep Blue soothing blend essential oil 5mL
What is in Deep Blue soothing essential oil blend? Wintergreen, Camphor, Peppermint, Ylang Ylang, Helichrysum, Blue Tansy, Blue Chamomile, and Osmanthus
- Apply before, during, and after exercise as needed.
- Massage into your muscles and joints at the end of a long, straining day on your feet.
- Use for targeted temporary relief against simple backache, arthritis, sprains, strains, and bruises.
- Apply on feet and knees before and after exercise.
- Perfect for a soothing massage after a long day of house work or a workout.
- Apply to hands and feet after gardening.
- Rub Deep Blue on lower back after a day of heavy lifting at work or during a move.
- Massage Deep Blue with a few drops of FCO onto growing kids’ legs before bedtime.
- After long hours on the computer, try rubbing Deep Blue essential oil blend on your fingers, wrists, shoulders, and neck.
Deep Blue stick
Deep blue stick is Infused with dōTERRA Deep Blue® Soothing Blend containing CPTG Certified Pure Tested Grade™ essential oils, plus the beneficial properties of Copaiba. The base of the Deep Blue Stick is a combination of moisturizing emollients like coconut oil, sunflower seed wax, and sweet almond oil, which leave your skin soft and non-greasy. The natural formula is free from silicones, phenoxyethanol, PEGs, and acrylates.
- The tube is post consumer recycled material so its also eco-friendly.
- Apply before, during, and after exercise as needed.
- Massage into your muscles and joints at the end of a long, straining day on your feet.
- Use for targeted temporary relief against simple backache, arthritis, sprains, strains, and bruises.
Aromatouch massage blend 15mL
Inside Aromatouch massaging blend are: Cypress Leaf, Peppermint Plant, Marjoram Leaf, Basil Leaf, Grapefruit Peel, Lavender Flower essential oils. This blend calms anxious feelings, relaxes muscles, soothes irritated tissue, and comforts upset emotions.
- Apply to neck and shoulders to promote feelings of relaxation and lessen tension or use with a carrier oil for massage.
- Give your loved one a hand massage using the AromaTouch Hand Technique and AromaTouch Massage Blend.
- Add a few drops to Epsom salts and enjoy soaking in a hot bath. Be sure to add the oil to the epsom salt first then run under the water to help disperse the oil into the bath.
Past Tense tension blend
Inside Past Tense tension blend are: Wintergreen, Lavender, Peppermint, Frankincense, Cilantro, Marjoram, Roman Chamomile, Basil, and Rosemary essential oils. It has a fresh, minty scent that has a soothing effect
- Massage into shoulders, neck, and back for a cooling, soothing sensation.
- Add to temples and back of neck before taking a test or presenting in public.
- Apply to the wrists while traveling for a relaxing aroma
Rescuer soothing blend for kids
Inside Rescuer soothing blend are: Copaiba, Lavender, Spearmint, and Zanthoxylum essential oils in a base of Fractionated Coconut Oil
- Roll Rescuer onto tired legs before bedtime or after strenuous activity.
- Apply to temples and back of the neck to reduce feelings of tension.
- Massage into shoulders, neck, and back for a comforting and soothing experience.
If you are looking to get started with doTERRA essential oils, the Simple Solutions Kit is a simple way to get started using essential oils.
