natural ways to think clearly in stressful times

You may have noticed my blogs have tapered off a bit of late. That has to do with me wrapping up my thesis. November 18th I defend my thesis and hopefully a month later I will graduate with my Master of Science in geology (keep your fingers crossed for me!). So... I should be an absolute basket case right now with the deadline approaching and only half of my thesis actually written but I am deceivingly cool and calm under the circumstances. How could it be? Am I totally insane? Well, that is debatable. Magic?

Almost.. I am taking a few homeopathic, and some conventional steps to stay in control of my life, as much as is possible. I wish I would've realized this years ago during final exams but this would be helpful for anyone with a stressful job or big evaluation coming up so I decided to share my tactics and ask your understanding for sparse blogging for the next month.

1. Nurture your mind.
   Gingko Biloba & Gotu Kola: I can't stress to you how much these have helped me lately. I just started taking the tincture a week ago (just about a dropper full of tincture in warm water a few times a day, doesn't even taste bad!) has me waking up singing and dancing and feeling like I can focus where that hasn't been possible before. I've also bought a great tea called Memory Zest that has both of these helpful memory boosting, mind clearing herbs and others. Both the tincture and herbal tea are from Mountain Rose Herbs and I highly recommend them if you need help focusing or have trouble remembering things.
   
   Rosemary & Myrrh: Mixing half rosemary essential oil with half myyrh essential oil has proved tremendously helpful. This blend promotes concentration and boosts energy. I diffuse it in my solar diffuser and my candle diffuser as well as rub some drops into my temples periodically. I think I am going to start marketing this myself asap as I can't get enough. It smells woodsy and comforting and has helped me stay on task.
   
   Feed your brain: We've all heard the expression "brain food" so just what does that mean? Eat a colorful diet (no, that doesn't mean a variety of jelly beans) as the nutrients in fruits and veg are reflected in their colors. If you are eating mostly beige and brown foods you are likely loading up on fats and starches which will just make you feel crummy. Eat at least one raw meal a day (salads are an easy way to get the color and freshness) and be sure you get plenty of Omega 3 fatty acids from flax and other seeds and nuts or Udo's oil, essential for brain functioning, as well as B-vitamins necessary for nervous system health.
   
   
2. Relax.
   Pamper yourself: Stress releases hormones into your body that have to be processed by your liver just like toxins. When you are stressed and busy it is easy to make excuses to not take care of yourself. Take time to take warm baths, use a good bath salt blend, aim for lavender, chamomile, vanilla, or almond to soothe and comfort. Taking a warm bath before bed helps clear your mind to help you drift off to sleep more peacefully. Take time to go get a quality massage! You would be shocked at what a change in state of mind you experience before and after, I really think of baths and massages as sort of hitting the reset button on my stress level and peace of mind. If nothing else, every now and then take ten deep breaths and visualize breathing in calmness and exhaling tension.
   
   Get some sleep: Cramming at the last minute for anything is never helpful, you cannot retain things that way and the lack of sleep that results will make you worse than you would be if you had studied less. Get some good sleep, at least 8 hours. Put a few drops of lavender essential oil on a cotton ball and put it in your pillow case. Make your bedroom as soothing relaxing retreat by keeping it relatively picked up and free of other tasks (i.e. don't work/study/eat in your bed!). Having trouble shutting your mind off before sleep? Try some kava tea.
   
   Soothing herbal teas:My herbalist friend, Kelly, gave me a fantastic tea called "Spirit Soother" from Southwest Herb Company that I drink after 3pm so I don't get so wired I cannot sleep. Kava works great to help you feel more euphoric and at ease, too. If you don't have access to these some plain ol' chamomile really helps out.
   
   
3. Energize.
   A little caffeine goes a long way: Caffeine does boost your brain's activity but too much can make you stress out and defeats the purpose. Try a good green or black tea over coffee and certainly skip the energy drinks and sodas, loaded with high fructose corn syrup, not what your body needs during stressful times. I really like Earl Grey green or black tea as the bergamot oil that gives Earl Grey its distinct flavor is also a mood booster so it helps you feel even cheerier.
   
   Stretch: Yoga is a great idea but if you don't feel up to a full session just do some simple stretches. The trick is to hold your stretch for longer than you normally would, I aim to hold it for three deep breaths before I switch to the next stretch. My favorite stretch to boost my energy and destress is downward dog for a few breaths followed by cobra pose.
   
   Citrus & Peppermint: Any citrus, orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, bergamot, even lemongrass, they all act to boost your mood and your energy. Diffuse the essential oils in a diffuser, put a few drops in a hot shower in the morning to give you a boost of aromatherapy. Peppermint works in the same way and is very refreshing. Try a couple drops of peppermint essential oil or extract across the nape of your neck or near your hairline by your temples. Avoid your eyes and dilute if you have sensitive skin but this really helps.