Colic in infants can be distressing for the entire family. Luckily, massage can help relax the baby’s abdomen and move painful gas through the intestines so it can be expelled. Techniques to try include bending the infant’s legs up toward the abdomen and moving the knees in circles over the tummy, using your hand to put firm, gentle pressure on the abdomen, or laying the baby over your knees, stomach down, and rocking the child side to side. You can also try stroking the infant’s abdomen with alternate hands, moving gently but firmly from ribs to hips.
Community News
The Wonders of Aloe Vera
Humans have used aloe vera therapeutically for over 5,000 years. It is truly a medicinal plant, full of nutritional benefits. It contains 20 minerals, 19 of the 20 amino acids required by the body, and 12 vitamins. Aloe vera also provides the enzymes lipases and proteases, which aid in digestion; saponins, which are substances that exert a powerful anti-microbial effect against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and yeast; and salicylic acid, which when used topically helps to break down dead tissue. When taken orally, aloe vera acts as an anti-inflammatory. No wonder it is used for such a wide range of remedies.
Let Your Skin Bloom
We live in a climate where dryness and cold weather can be brutal on our skin: dulling, drying, chapping, dullness, redness, irritation – blah, blah, blah. But with a good skin care routine, you can ditch the blahs and bloom again. Make sure your skin retains moisture by using a hydrating cream with vitamins A, D and E and an essential oil blend that helps strengthen and regenerate your skin barrier. A home or office humidifier can also provide a moisture balance. And remember that regular facials and good organic creams are your best arsenal for fighting away dryness.
How to Grocery Shop Smarter
Ensure you are making the healthiest choices at the grocery store for your body and your wallet. Here’s a few tips to help you stay on track: Make a plan. Plan your meals and snacks for the week so you buy what you will use. This will cut down on wasted ingredients and reduce processed food purchases.
Never go shopping when you are hungry. This will reduce impulse purchases.
Buy in bulk. Most grocery offers a bulk section to help you buy what you need and save money.
Shop the Periphery. The outside edges of the grocery store are where you’ll find most of the nutrient-dense, whole, fresh foods.
Yoga for Treating Back Pain
Yoga is an easy and ideal practice for soothing and even eliminating back pain. Poses like cat-cow, sphinx, cobra, two-knee twist, and bridge work the spine, and strengthen and lengthen various muscles that contribute to back pain, such as the psoas muscle. Always consult with your doctor before beginning any fitness program and never push yourself so hard that you feel pain. Discomfort is OK. Pain is the body saying “stop”. Yoga works best when you honour the limitations of your body. As you exhale, you can go just a little farther into the pose as your muscles release tension.
Tips for Improving Mental Health
Studies show that people with untreated mental health problems visit a doctor twice as often as people who receive mental health care. One study of people with anxiety disorders showed that after psychological treatment, medical visits decreased 90%. Excessive anxiety, depression and stress can contribute to physical problems including heart disease, ulcers, headaches and musculoskeletal problems. Here are some ways to take care of your mental health:
• Exercise: Exercise reduces symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety.
• Ask For Help: Assess your mental health and ask for help if needed.
• Have Fun: Do something you are passionate once a week.
4 Tips to Sleep Like a Baby!
Did you know that we spend one-third of our lives sleeping? It’s an integral body process that helps heal, restore and protect our many intricate systems and vital organ functions. When we sleep, our body is able to repair and recharge itself, leaving us with energy for the following day (and who doesn’t want more of that!?)
Take note of all of the following 4 behaviors that are proven to enhance sleep, and many of which are simple to incorporate starting tonight!
Tip # 1 There are various essential oil combinations that can promote restful sleep! Essential oils like Lavender and Bergamot are rich in linalool and linalyl acetate, compounds that have well-known relaxing properties. These oils can be diffused aromatically in the bedroom to create a calming and peaceful environment, perfect for getting a good night’s sleep. You could also try Vetiver, Roman Chamomile or Cedarwood.
Tip # 2 Shut off screens at least 1 hour before you want to go to bed (including iPads, phones, computers, TV)
The blue light that is emitted from our screens can actually disrupt sleep! Either shut down all devices or buy a pair of Blue Light Blocking Glasses. This will help to your body regulate its preferred sleep cycle.
Tip # 3 Invest in a sleep mask and a pair of ear plugs.
Though it may not be the most attractive way to sleep, imagine how deep your sleep will become when the world is silent & there is no light being emitted from your alarm clock, street lights or the stars. You could also invest in a pair of Blackout Blinds, which hide any light from outdoors, and make your bedroom a dark cave!
Tip # 4 Avoid sugars, alcohol, chocolate and candy 2 hours before bed.
Our body is sensitive to sugar, stimulates and simple carbohydrates (it gives us an insulin spike). In order to optimize the quality of your sleep, stop eating all food 2 hours before bed, and be especially conscious of the foods listed above in the 2 hour window before sleeping, as they can disrupt a good nights rest.
Ready, set, ZZZ!
Words to Live By
“Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.” -General George Patton
Book Club: Hack Your Anxiety
How to Make Anxiety Work for You in Life, Love, and All That You Do. What if anxiety is not a monster to be tamed, but a resource to be tapped? In this revolutionary book, Dr. Alicia Clark recognizes anxiety as the unsung hero in the path to success and happiness. It can become the motivating force that will lead to a better you, and The Anxiety Advantage aims to restore anxiety to its rightful place as a positive resource. Reclaim your anxiety as a powerful energy source, and bring yourself peace, growth and success.
Words to Live By
“There are only two ways to live your life, one is as though nothing is a miracle, the other is as though everything is a miracle.”
-Author unknown
Laughter is the Best Medicine
My Doctor told me I should cut more carbs. So, I bought a new pizza knife. FUN FACT: Cutting carbs from your diet may help improve or even prevent serious health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease.
