When the words ‘self-care’ or ‘self-improvement’ are heard, people tend to conjure up different trains of thought, especially if they apply them immediately to themselves. For some of us, the idea of ‘caring for ourselves’ may get confused with ‘caring too much for self” and/or “caring too little for others”. But failing to look out for your own health can result in a decline in physical and/or mental health in so many gradual and insidious ways! And your poor health, or even lack of optimal health, can impact those around you in so many ways.
I would like to conclude this introduction to this month’s newsletter by quoting from page 3 of my book Butterfly Miracles with Herbal Remedies.
The Focus of Our Work
Herbal remedies and other natural modalities can be utilized in two differing ways. The first method is to focus on the immediate now! Someone you love is ill or unhappy today. Your concern becomes making the pain and the distressing symptoms go away, and making them go away right now! This approach accomplishes a great deal of good in people’s lives. It becomes easy to assume that your work is done when the current crisis has passed. This is where the second method comes in.
With natural healing methods our focus should be the building of healthy, disease free, stress resistant bodies and minds, not just fixing the current symptoms. We are looking for root causes and basic imbalances within ourselves. We are seeking ways to eliminate problem areas and become healthy, happy, vibrant versions of ourselves. We must, of course, cope with what is happening in our lives right now. We have to get up and function each day, after all, but at the same time we need to hold in our mind the goal of strong immune systems, and healthy minds and bodies. Try not to lose sight of this goal amidst the stresses of everyday living. It is far better to eliminate the asthma completely than to get really good at coping with frequent attacks.
In February, our topics are DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, and SLEEP. Depression is a topic that is very near and dear to my heart. There is always a need, but it seems that at this time of year there is a particular need for things to combat depression and anxiety. Sleep can be a very important piece to fighting this battle. I have tried to pick the products that have been the most helpful to me over the years and I hope these things will help you as well.
In December, we will be talking about STRESS and FOOD POISONING. This is my absolute favorite time of year. I am not a fan of the cold and the snow, but I have a special love and adoration for the spirit of Christmas time. It is also a stressful time of year as there is so many extra undertakings to be fulfilled. I can’t even imagine navigating it without my oil friends. Food poisoning is another thing we seem to see a rise of this time of year, maybe because we are eating so many things that our bodies are not used to. We will talk about our must-haves for this as well.
See the full list of topics.