Fall is here and the leaves are falling fast.  Will you be going down with them?  No you will not, because your going to prevent allergens from taking you down with these must have tips!

Seasonal allergies can sneak up fast and be the cause for illness, missed work days, missed school days, and missed moments with the kids.  In my world I try like all get out to avoid allergy symptoms for all us because allergy symptoms do make us miserable.  We have been there and know that prevention is key!

Here are is a list of some of the things I do for our family or that can help you help your family prevent miserable allergy symptoms -

1.  Ditch the carpets - Try to have smaller carpets that can be washed often especially during peak allergy times throughout the year.  Carpets love to harbor allergens.

2.  Grab a Hepa Air Purifier for your bedroom and or for the main rooms in your home -  You would be surprised at all the dust and allergens they capture!  Click Here to check out the brand we use (amazon affiliate link).

3.  Use local honey - One of the most popular natural remedies for allergies is consuming local honey. The idea behind it is that honey produced by bees in your area contains small amounts of pollen and when exposed to small amounts of pollen, it can help you become less sensitive or build up a better tolerance for when exposed.  Bee propolis is another healthful option!  Learn more about bee propolis, benefits, and See Products HERE (amazon affiliate link).  Caution with honey and bee propolis with children.  Honey is not to be given to children one and under at all to prevent infant botulism.  Contact your health care provider if you have any questions regarding when and if it is safe to use local honey or bee propolis products prior to use.

4. Use a Neti Pot to clean the sinuses - Nasal irrigation with a neti pot is a time-tested remedy for clearing allergens from the nasal passages. A saline solution is poured through one nostril and out the other, helping to flush out mucus and irritants.  Cleaning the sinuses can help clear allergens and prevent sinus infections.  There are also special sinus rinse tools for kids!  Follow instructions per kit or allergist.

5.  Do Steam Inhalation to clear sinuses -  If you don't like the thought of using a neti pot, steam inhalation works very well to help clear the sinuses.  For adults, you can add a drop of eucalyptus or mint essential oil (caution as it can be strong and burn the eyes so do not over use, start with one drop) and for a child or teen you can add a drop of lavender or tea tree.  You must take caution with children not to burn themselves and to protect their eyes by keeping them closed.  With that said, only use with older children and teens.  What you will do is warm a bowl of water (steam distilled is best via microwave or stove top) until the water is steaming.  Add your drop of essential oil to the bowl of water then sit down with your face over the bowl just close enough to breathe in the steam without feeling the warmth of the hot water or getting to close.  Put a towel over your head to keep the steam enclosed and breathe for a few minutes or up to ten minutes.  Then blow your nose blowing only one nostril at a time to clear allergens and sinuses.

6.  Wash blankets, sheets, clothes, and pillows often - This will help keep the allergens out of your home.

7.  Take warm epsom salt baths throughout the week and shower often when exposed to high levels of outdoor allergens.  Be sure the kids are also washing their hair good.

8.  Supplement with vitamin C rich foods or supplements to keep the immune system elevated (watermelon, cantelope, oranges, lemons, grapefruits, bell peppers, tomatoes, and strawberries are a few higher in vitamin C).

9.  Eat a diet full of healthy fruits and veggies to really boost immunity, support gut health and elimination, and support hydration.

10.  Hydrate starting first thing in the morning and be sure you are staying hydrated all day.  This helps the body continuously remove toxins and keep lymph moving.  Ask your health care provider if an electrolyte supplement is right for you or your kiddo to stay on top on electrolyte balance and hydration.

11.  Keep your pets that go outdoors off of the furniture and out of your bedroom where you spend most of your time sleeping.  Wash pet blankets and beds often.

12.  Eat prebiotic rich foods (green bananas, almonds, flax, cabbage) or take a prebiotic or probiotic supplement, depending on what you might be lacking to maintain a healthy gut microbiome.

Get at your day with confidence that you have the tools to prevent symptoms from taking you down!

Be sure to check precautions of essential oils prior to use and with your health care provider.  Only use kid safe essential oils for children.  Reach out with any questions!

If you are ready to get consistent relief throughout the year, Click Here Now to book a one hour personal wellness session with me via zoom to get the education and resources you need so you and your family can feel healthy and well!  ? Jamie

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As a busy Mom, We have a million things going on and not enough time in a day.  One of the questions I had this month was "How can I simply become unbusy".  This Mom went on to say that the "busy" isn't always stressful, but it's exhausting and just "too much".

Juggling children's schedules with work and life routines isn't easy.  Wait a second... Are there even still routines after having children?  It can be a huge struggle!

The effects of being overly busy and moving at a high speed can be hard on a Mom's health and mental wellness.  Let's first look at some of the effects of constantly being in fight or flight mode presents...

Imbalanced Hormones -  Elevated cortisol levels disrupt many other hormones needed to stay physically and mentally balanced.  Disrupted and imbalanced hormones can cause inability to sleep, decreased energy, fatigue, irritability, low mood and that is just to name a few.  Mom's need to be balanced physically and emotionally.  Having less stress and living a more simple life with routines allows Mom's more time for self care, leading to better hormone balance.

Decreased Immunity -  When Mom's are on the go nonstop, they typically aren't eating the best nor taking supplements that can support what their bodies may be lacking.  This can lead to getting sick more often and a longer recovery time.  This leads to missed days of work and pay.  In a lot of cases, it also leads to the kiddos catching the bug and a repeat of missed work days, lost energy, and pay.  Following the first suggestion to create routines, time for self care, and living more stress free can boost immunity alone, without even adding those extra supplements.

Over Reacting - When Mom is overly stressed and in nonstop mode, it becomes a habit to not take the time to thoroughly think things through and overreact.  This leads to Mom guilt which is one of the worst feelings a Mom can carry around.  When Mom can follow a self care routine, cut out negativity and things that take up time that do not promote health and wellness, then Mom can focus on what her body needs emotionally to stay balanced.  This could be getting regular massages, going to weekly yoga classes, meditating, walking, etc.  Self Care can lead to better self regulation.  This means less overreacting, more thinking it through, and less Mom guilt.

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So how can you become "UNBUSY"?

Start Here -

1.  Set up some routines -  Start by creating three schedules, a work schedule, sleep schedule, and family time schedule.  Leave three 30 minute time frames open each day (if this isn't possible, try for at least one 30 minute time frame and two fifteen minute).  This extra time is your self care time.  It is your new YOU time.  Choose three times of the day that you can devote to yourself right now.  You can always change them later.

2.  Prioritize Self Care - Now that you are starting some new routines that allow you time for self care, you need to BLOCK this time, never over book it, and write down at least five things you would love to or could be doing during this time.  You can always add more self care items later to the check list.  Ideas could be going for a walk alone, reading about your favorite topic, making a picture book of your kiddos, taking a warm epsom salt bath, doing one of your favorite hobbies that your forgot you even enjoyed, fishing, stretching, putting on a facial mask, heck, you can even add shaving your legs and putting lotion on them!  These items can be anything, even hobbies, because remember, taking time to do what you love, clear your mind, and relieve stress creates a happier version of you.

3.  Assess - If you don't already have a calendar go ahead and draw one up quickly or print one for this month (google free printable calendar or head to printacalendar.com).  Fill in your schedule for the hours each day for a quick overview.  You do not have to go into great detail for this. 

Look at events you attend or other things you plan to do this month.  What are you doing daily, weekly, or monthly that is a waste of your time?  This is something that makes you cringe thinking about it, creates nervous tension, exhausts you, keeps you away from self care time or your children, and is literally using up your energy bit by bit.  It's time to remove the things that you can that do not promote health, wellness, or happiness in your life.  It is making you busy and your goal is to be "unbusy".

4.  Delegate - What are some of the things you do daily that keep you busy but you would rather not do them or they could be delegated?  For example, if you hate cleaning and can afford to pay someone to come a few hours a week, every other, or even once a month, then think of how much time this would save you to do things that matter more to you.  Maybe you could have your child help with a few easy chores and ask Dad to help out with a few things per week (creating a little routine for Dad too that is helpful for you).  Maybe there are things you could be asking your parents or family to help with or even your besties.  See what you can get some support with to lessen your load. 

As Mom's we try to do it all.  It is okay to ask for help though.  You can also think about ways you can offer support to others helping you, that are a struggle for them, but seamless for you.  This takes away from some of the guilt of asking for help.

5. Meal Plan -  Start meal planning to save you time during the week.  Look at your calendar weekly and note ahead of time what you have available for meal ideas, and even note when is a good night to go out to eat on the busiest days.  This allows you time to sit and eat with your children, talk and truly listen, and avoid last minute store runs, drive throughs, and clean up.  Always add nutritious snacks to your grocery list and on your meal plan too.

Part of simplifying your life is decreasing clutter (in life and your home) and saying no more often.

Think of it this way...

If you are chasing a dream but you are doing 50 things per year that do not get you closer to your dream, than why would you do them?

Follow the path that gets you and your family to your goals and dreams.  Always.

If you need help learning to clear your schedule and get a good vision on the road ahead, click below to book a wellness consultation with me and I will share with you the exact framework I used to repaint what my days, months, and year looked like so I could stay focused on my family's goals and dreams.