Month: October 2018

Essential Oils seem to be promoted everywhere these days.  Have you gotten on the bandwagon?  I love my diffuser and carry a little vial of Aveda Blue Oil with me for headaches.  Research has proven there are positive effects to using essential oils – but remember, don’t over do them with the diffuser.  The rule of thumb I’ve been told is to run the diffuser for 30 minutes and then turn it off for thirty minutes and so on.  And if you’re using oils topically, remember to dilute them to avoid skin irritation.

Here’s a short guide to what oils are good for what:

• Thyme: It can disinfect surfaces and support respiratory health too.
• Peppermint: Can help relax the airways, boosting alertness and strength.
• Lavender: It’s widely known as a sleep aid. But sniffng it can also reduce the severity of a migraine, research shows.
• Bergamot: Just a whiff can reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol within 15 minutes, reports Complementary Medicine Research.
• Chamomile: When applied topically, this is a powerful anti-inflammatory. It also can improve sleep as we all might know from sipping Chamomile tea!
• Lemongrass:  A spa staple, lemongrass oil is known to help reduce stress.

Want to know more about essential oils?  Check out this article from Shape Magazine.

This is my fourth week at my new job and I’m starting to feel like I’m settling in well.  The one trouble spot is still my commute.  My new office is 30 miles away from home and there isn’t an easy way to get there.  Between the traffic and the lack of a direct path, it can take me well over an hour to get home in the evening – less in the morning since I leave home at 6:45AM.

So this week, my challenge to myself is to explore new routes.  And quite frankly, it’s not a bad challenge for anyone who drives regularly.  What say you join me in leaving the comfort zone of the well trodden path and try out the roads less traveled?  I may not cut a lot of time off my commute, but maybe there will be compensation like a pretty view, a shop or a restaurant that might become a favorite along the way or just the new experience.

I’m going to check out alternative routes suggested by the Waze App – if you haven’t tried Waze, it compiles traffic information based on the cellular signals of your fellow drivers as well as their reports of road conditions.  I can tell you that although the reports of congestion can sometimes be slightly out of whack with my own opinions, the time it reports for you to get to your destination is generally spot on.

So download the app (if you haven’t already) and join me on the road LITERALLY less traveled!

I am currently suffering from my first cold of the fall season.  Weird – I haven’t had a cold forever but this one has sure made its unpleasant symptoms known.  I used almost a full box of tissues on Saturday!

If you want to track how the cold/flu season is progressing, I can suggest a couple of resources:

• WebMD Cold/Flu Conditions – click in on your state to see what symptoms are prevalent.  For example, right now Illinois is showing minimal cases of flu – but high levels of congestion, runny nose and coughs which are classic cold symptoms.
• Want a more colorful map?  Check out The WeatherBug’s Cold and Flu Map.

And the WeatherBug also reminds us that to avoid catching a cold you should:

• Wash Your hands: The cold virus easily enters through eyes and nose, often carried there on your hands. Washing hands and not touching eyes and nose will decrease the chance of catching a cold.

• Stop rubbing your Eyes and Nose The viruses (there are at least 200 different ones) that cause the common cold enter the body through nose and eyes. The quickest way to get infected is to touch a door and then rub your nose.

• Cover Your Mouth: When coughing or sneezing, cover nose and mouth with elbows or arm. Coughing into hands and then touching doors and water faucets will spread cold virus.

• Stay Home: If you feel sick, stay home. Your friends and your coworkers will appreciate it if you keep the cold out of the office and their homes.

• Avoid Cold Sufferers: if possible, avoid being close to people who show cold symptoms, if possible.

• Exercise: Research suggests people who exercise regularly get the cold less than people who exercise less.

Now I’m going to go make a cup of tea and try not to sniffle – have a great day!