I have been a mom of 3 for the last 39 years and I have enjoyed the privilege of being a Yaya to 6 for the last 12 years. I won't be getting any do-overs for the mom role but hopefully what I have learned will benefit you as you are still in the midst of raising your children. Below is a method I wish I would have known when my children were young.Cover your situation in prayer as you place minimum 8 drops of peace and calming in the diffuser of the room where the child is. Offer for the child to smell the peace and calming oil.
Allot t-i-m-e for the child to destress, & decompress in a quiet place. Remove child from areas with high stimulation. If possible find a room with no electronics. Often times children are not being willfully unruly but are over stimulated, dysregulated and don't yet have the skills to bring their central nervous system back into balance on their own in a highly stimulated environment. As the adults, it is our job to teach our children how to self-regulate as well as protect them in (and from) over stimulating environments. Even fluorescent light bulbs can create a highly stimulating environment for some children.
Lavender on the tips of child's big toes. Talk with your child in a light hearted way as you do this, offering words of encouragement and positive affirmations. Often directing your attention to a stuffy the child cares for and encourage their help in calming stuffy will distract them from their current big feelings.
Meditate out loud with your child on all there is to be grateful for in spite of the current stressful situation. If appropriate engage child in seeing/talking about 'the good'. What they like in their room/family/self/toys/food etc. God is at work. As we seek Him He provides answers for all of our good.
Finding ways to reduce your child's stress will make life easier for everyone. Being intentionally persistent on this front can save a lot of heartache. As always, I am not a medical professional. These tips are meant to encourage you in your parenting and are not meant to take the place of seeking medical attention for the concerns of your child.
When my chest is tight and the cough won't quit I determine to do everything in my power to give my body what it needs to do the job it was made to do which is to bring itself back into balance. I recognize that I must not eat anything made of grain or dairy when battling an upper respiratory issue. So besides diffusing respiratory supporting oils, if I can provide my body with the foods that offer expectorant properties, things often go better.
Foods with expectorant properties:
There are several foods that have expectorant properties, which means they can help to loosen and clear mucus from the respiratory tract. Some examples of these types of foods include:
- Garlic: This pungent herb has natural expectorant properties that can help to break up mucus and ease breathing.
- Onions: Like garlic, onions contain compounds that can help to loosen and clear mucus from the respiratory tract.
- Ginger: Ginger has anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties that can help to clear mucus and reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract.
- Turmeric: This bright yellow spice has anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce swelling in the airways and make it easier to breathe.
- Honey: Honey has natural antimicrobial properties and has been used for centuries as a natural cough remedy. It can help to coat and soothe the throat, making it easier to cough up mucus.
- Lemon: Lemon has natural astringent properties that can help to dry up excess mucus and soothe a sore throat.
- Hot liquids: Drinking hot liquids, such as tea or broth, can help to loosen and clear mucus from the respiratory tract. The steam from the hot liquid can also help to open up the airways and make it easier to breathe.
- Expectorant Herbs: Great Mullein, Ribwort Plantain, Inula, Licorice, Sage Tea, Horehound & Garlic
Additionally I use Young Living essential oils for many of my respiratory challenges. Eucalyptus Radiata & Globulus, RC and Raven all have constituents that help to liquify mucous. I use it both topically on my chest as well as diffuse it in my diffuser all night long when I am experiencing these problems. If you need Respiratory Help check out this link for easy access to the things that will help you!
The best thing I can do for myself is to make sure I never run out of my Winter Wellness Must Haves. As long as I am faithfully using these products and staying away from processed sugars I stay above the wellness line.
I am not a medical professional. It's important to note that while these foods may have expectorant properties, they should not be used as a substitute for proper medical treatment.
It is true that children and adolescents are facing increasing levels of stress and anxiety in recent years. Research has shown that high levels of stress and anxiety can have negative effects on children's physical and mental health, including an increase in the stress hormone cortisol. High levels of cortisol can lead to a range of negative health effects, such as weight gain, high blood pressure, uncontrolled excitability, impaired immune function and more.
There are several factors that may contribute to the high levels of stress and anxiety that children are experiencing, including academic pressure, social media, stimulating noises and the fast pace of modern life. It's important for parents, educators, and other adults to be aware of these issues and to take steps to guard and support children in managing stress and anxiety.
Children can often be overstimulated and have difficulty self-regulating which can lead to unexplained outbursts.
Children thrive in calm, organized & uncluttered environments when they know what to expect.
Some strategies that may be helpful in reducing stress and anxiety in children include:
- Encourage a healthy lifestyle: Helping children to develop healthy habits, such as getting enough sleep, omitting processed foods and eating a balanced diet of real foods like fruits, vegetables and meats. Praying, and exercising regularly, can support their overall physical and mental well-being.
- Practice relaxation techniques: Teaching children relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or mindfulness, thinking on things that are good, can help them to manage stress and anxiety in a healthy way.
- Keep children out of high stress situations that will drive sensory overload on their young and developing systems. The loud music we might take for granted could be earsplitting noise to developing ears. The bright lights that are fun and exciting for the adult could be disorienting and even scary to the young child who hasn't been in such an environment before.
- Encourage positive thinking: Helping children to develop a positive mindset can help them to cope with challenges and setbacks more effectively.
- In your home routine if your child is struggling with stress or anxiety (which often manifests of the child being ‘out of control’ or ‘not listening’), it may be helpful to provide them with a CALM routine that includes emotional support from the use of essential oils.
By taking steps to support children in managing stress and anxiety, we can help them find their calm to live healthier, more fulfilling lives. In turn that will give them a firm foundation to move with courage and confidence when exploring their world.
I am not a medical professional. These suggestions should not be used in place of consulting with a medical professional if your child is experiencing stress and anxiety.
There were many years when I lived in full time survival mode. People would ask "how are you?" My answer would always be "fine" with as much of a genuine smile that I could muster. Unfortunately for me living in survival mode had become so 'normal' that I didn't have any way to know that I was anything but "fine". This is where a dear aunt stepped in and said let me help you and help you see that you need to make some lasting changes before this lifestyle becomes the thing that breaks you. She was a strong advocate of helping me see the need for self care as it was clear to her I was self destructing right before her eyes.
It's true that taking small breaks can be helpful for relieving stress and allowing you to recharge. However, it's important to make sure that these breaks are restorative and not just a temporary escape from stress. If you go back to a high-stress or fast-paced lifestyle after a break, you may find yourself right back in survival mode.
To truly break out of survival mode and start living a more fulfilling life, it may be necessary to make more lasting changes to your lifestyle. This could involve finding ways to reduce stress, setting healthy boundaries, and prioritizing self-care. It may also be helpful to seek support from friends, family, or a mental health professional as you work on making these changes.
Remember that it's okay to take things one step at a time and focus on small, manageable goals. With time and effort, you can find ways to reduce stress and live a more balanced and fulfilling life.
It's completely normal to feel like you're just surviving your life at times, especially if you're facing challenges or difficulties. However, it's important to remember that life is meant to be lived and enjoyed, not just survived. Here are a few tips that may help you start living your life more fully:
- Set goals and work towards them: Having clear goals and working towards them can give you a sense of purpose and direction in life. This can help you feel more fulfilled and motivated to live your life to the fullest.
- Practice gratitude: Focusing on the things that you are grateful for can help to shift your mindset and bring more positivity into your life. This can help you appreciate and enjoy the present moment more fully.
- Spend time daily in the Word...the Bible...God's love letter written to us for our direction, comfort, correction, courage and delight.
- Seek support: If you're feeling overwhelmed or struggling to cope, it can be helpful to seek support from your Heavenly Father through prayer, friends, family, or a mental health professional. Talking to someone about how you're feeling can help you process your emotions and find ways to cope with challenges.
- Take breaks and relax: It's important to take breaks and relax to recharge and refocus. This can help you feel more energized and ready to tackle the challenges of life.
- Engage in activities that bring you joy: Find activities that bring you joy and make time to do them regularly. This could be hobbies, sports, spending time with loved ones, spending time in nature, crafting or repurposing an item, or anything else that brings you happiness.
Remember that it's okay to take things one day at a time and take care of yourself. With time and effort, you can start living your life more fully and finding joy and fulfillment in your daily experiences.
