Unfortunately too many of us today are juggling too many things and cramming them into increasingly tighter schedules. Immune systems are compromised, good eating habits have all but disappeared, and sleeping patterns disrupted. But before you give in to living with stress…

Here are some successful, and easy, stress relievers…

1. Reading. Turn off technology – phones, television, computers, ipads (after you’ve read this) – technology is full of “noise”, images , bright colors, that help to raise stress levels. Instead curl up with a good book or favorite magazine. It will help ease anxiety by increasing serotonin, giving you a sense of well being and relaxation.
2. Alone Time. This may sound anti-social, but it will actually help you be more attentive and “in the moment” at social gatherings. Take a day or two to catch up on rest and “alone time”. Stay home or take a retreat to a nature reserve or nearby town. Find time away from your family and friends. It doesn’t mean you don’t love them! Everyone needs time separate from others to keep a healthy mindset. If you can’t leave, try taking just 10 minutes to “recharge your brain”. Lay down, close your eyes, and think of a place that relaxes you (ocean, field) or if you can, think about absolutely nothing. Relax every muscle from head to toe.
3. Aromatherapy. Help your whole family relax with lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus essential oils and candles. Oils can be diffused into the air or dabbed directly on the skin (usually the back of the neck or sole of the foot). Add a drop of peppermint to your cafe mocha in the morning for a little lift. Spray your pillow with lavender in the evening to ensure a restful sleep. Place all natural aromatherapy candles throughout the house for a subtle scent that keeps your home smelling peaceful.
4. Music. Listen to calming music. Slow, with repetitive phrasing and no vocals. Music with binaural beats will produce higher levels of alpha waves in your brain, which help you to relax.

 

Karen Masters, Life Coach and owner of Artful Living Boutique can be reached atartfullivingshop@gmail.com

Candles make a great addition to any living space. They smell good and add a relaxing ambiance. But not all candles are good for you or the environment. We believe soy candles are the best, and here’s why…

1. Longer Lasting

Candles are not cheap. Save yourself some cash and buy soy candles. They are proven to last 30-50% longer than a non-soy candle because soy wax burns at a lower temperature.

2. Better for the Earth

Soy candles are biodegradable and made from a renewable resource. Many non-soy candles are made from petroleum, a nonrenewable resource, and hurt the environment when they are thrown away.

3. Healthier

Non-soy candles are often made with carcinogens that enter the air when they are burned. Also, soy based candles won’t bother people with allergies because the scent is made from all natural ingrediants.

4. Cleaner

You know that black soot that shows up around the edges of your candles? Soy candles don’t have any black soot.

At Artful Living Boutique, we believe in life’s simple pleasures and living well. I can’t think of a better way to blend these two ideas than through chocolate.

We’ve all been there. Craving candy, but you know you shouldn’t. Chocolate is the perfect fix to these unhealthy cravings we all experience—in moderation of course! It is sweet, delicious, and can even help your health!

Cardiovascular Benefits

The cocoa bean is rich in flavonoids, which protect against cardiovascular disease. The more processed the chocolate, the more flavonoids it loses.

Diabetes Protection

Eating a little bit of dark chocolate everyday supports increased glucose regulation, which can prevent against type 2 diabetes.

Reduced Stress

Eating dark chocolate can lower your body’s production of stress and anxiety inducing hormones.

Sun Protection

Studies have shown that eating dark chocolate and increase your body’s resistance to harmful UV radiation caused by the sun.

Cough Relief

According to the British National Health Service, the chemical theobromine, which occurs naturally in chocolate, can cause relief against coughs. It is not a cure, but it is a quick fix! The darker the chocolate, the more theobromine.

Our customers often ask us how they can use all of the essential oils that we offer in our store. Because of this, we decided to create this quick cheat sheet for you!

Lavender

• Bug repellent
• Help sleeping
• Help with anxiety
• Acne treatment
• Pain relief

Peppermint

• Indigestion relief
• Dental care
• Antifungal nail care
• Stress relief
• Pain relief
• Dandruff and lice removal
• Nourish dull skin

Juniper Berry

• Acne relief
• Alcoholism
• Alzheimer’s
• Arthritis
• Congestion
• Cramp relief
• Energy

Aromatouch

• Relaxation
• Massage
• Circulation
• Headaches
• Allergies

Clove

• Kill infections
• Dental care
• Boost immune system
• Stress relief
• Nausea

Lemon

• Cleansing
• Bad breath relief
• Digestion
• Thirst quenching
• Cough relief
• Nausea relief
• Improves digestion
• Weight loss

Cedar Wood

• Anti-inflammatory
• Bug repellent
• Improve focus
• Hair growth
• Cough relief
• Tighten muscle

Lemon water seems to be all the rage these days, everyone from celebrities to fitness gurus are swearing by it. But is it as good as they say? Most experts agree that it is!

1. Natural energy

You know that nasty caffeine addiction? According to the Washington Times, “90 percent of the [American] adult population already ingests caffeine on a daily basis.” Lemon water gives you a natural energy boost. So many people are dropping their morning coffee and going for a warm glass of lemon water instead.

1. Clear skin

Lemon water balances the pH in your skin and works as a natural antiseptic medicine. Lemon water fights against all kinds of skin problems including wrinkles, acne, blackheads, and scarring.

1. Fresher breath

Lemons are very acidic and bacteria have a hard time living in acidic environments. When you drink lemon water, you make your mouth “a not bacteria friendly place.”

2. Aids in digestion

Lemon juice is actually very similar to the body’s digestive juices. When you drink lemon water, it aids your body’s natural digestive juices.

3. Helps you lose weight

Lemon juice naturally curbs your appetite and increases your metabolism. This means you’ll feel less hungry without the scary side effects of most appetite curbing supplements.

4. A natural detox

Lemon is a natural cleanser so it helps to detox the liver and kidneys. Drinking lemon water increases the production of bile, which helps the liver detoxify the body.

Karen Masters, Life Coach and owner of Artful Living Boutique can be reached at artfullivingshop@gmail.com