As the holiday season approaches, a lot of us will find our already hectic, day-to-day routines getting even more jam-packed with things to do. Whether it’s entertaining, gift buying, or just making the rounds visiting family and friends during the festive season, the added activity can often leave us wondering where all the ‘tidings of comfort and joy’ have gone.
If you find yourself in the midst of a holiday headache, or turning into a stressed out Santa, why not try a little aromatherapy instead of reaching for an over the counter pain killer? There are many different ways to make use of essential oils, especially for holiday stress relief.
Sure, one of the hottest movies out right now is The Secret Life of Bees, based on Sue Monk Kidd’s bestselling novel. But what we’re concerned with is not the main character; instead, we’ve taken a liking to the bees that give the movie its moniker.
That’s right we’re talking about the healing powers of bees and that tasty stuff they produce – honey.
Here’s how becoming a member of the hive might improve your health:
Bee Pollen
Unless you are allergic to bee stings, bee pollen’s high B12 and protein properties can boost immunity. Pop a few spoonfuls of wildflower bee pollen in your next smoothie or yogurt, and you’ll be buzzing with energy in no time.
We are a nation of pill-popping and quick fixes – there’s no doubt about that. But more than just a few people have discovered that, sometimes, an alternative therapy might be the better, and healthier, choice.
Call it hippie-like, snicker at the idea of granola eaters thinking “Omm…” can make them feel better, but the truth is many of these alternative health options are proving to be better healers than your Ibuprofen. Here are a few of the hottest ones around:
Deep Breathing Exercises
If I had a nickel for the number of times my mother has told me to breathe in and breathe out, I’d be a freaking millionaire. But while I may sometimes roll my eyes at this tried-and-true wisdom, many health experts, including Dr. Andrew Weil, author of several alternative health books such as Eight Weeks to Optimum Health, say that simple breathing exercises can help to ease stress and anxiety. Try one of Weil’s recommended yogi-like exercises called “The Stimulating Breath:” Keep mouth closed, rapidly inhaling and exhaling through your nose. Breaths should be quick, but equal. It will seem silly, – you’ll feel like a panting dog – but after just 15 seconds you’ll feel renewed.
A heightened awareness of my environment, whether it’s sight, sound, touch, taste, or smell.
When I am stressed out and overwhelmed I seek solitude.
I feel compelled to file and organize things and thoughts, crave simplicity .
Very intuitive and can usually sense if someone isn’t telling the truth or if something is wrong.
Quiet, introverted, timid as a child.
And so it was a relief to discover the term Highly Sensitive Person (or HSP). Being a Highly Sensitive Person means your nervous system is more sensitive to subtleties, your brain processes information and reflects on it more deeply. That’s so me! Check out Grace Kerina’s interview with me about being a HSP.
The first time I taught a yoga class—not an impromptu training session in my living room foisted on my family and friends, but a real yoga class, in an actual studio with a proper stereo, mats, props and everything—I wished I was back at home in my living room.
We started the class with an “Om”. So far, so good. I began my flow: warming up the spine, taking some twists, up to some vinyasas (series of movements linked with breath). It started to go downhill during warrior one. I began really looking around at the student’s faces. That’s when I noticed: no one was smiling. Actually, the facial expressions ranged from impassive to definite scowls: brows drawn together, tight lips, squinting eyes. They hated it. They hated my class, and they thought I sucked. That had to be it.
Sure, one of the hottest movies out right now is 
We are a nation of pill-popping and quick fixes – there’s no doubt about that. But more than just a few people have discovered that, sometimes, an alternative therapy might be the better, and healthier, choice. 
