Practicing Wellness during Stress

Hello friends!!

Welcome back for another week! This week I would like to examine stress, its rise in our current conditions, and possible ways of reducing it. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary online, "stress is the physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension." Because our country is facing a time where an immediate change is necessary, the entire stress level of our country is rising. And the effects are being felt emotionally, with rapidly growing tensions.

Many Americans are tired and frustrated with the disenfranchisement that racism and police brutality have brought to this nation. As tension continues to rise, equality for all seems at the forefront of this movement. So it appears that we as Americans are in a state of emergency. An emergency that involves our current social and political climate as well as a major health pandemic. Not to mention some have lost jobs, businesses and are still at home long hours homeschooling children. All of these things, in itself, are enough to have the average person in emotional distress.

In these times I would like to offer this friend. Standing for justice is essential. This does not include crime or vandalism of any kind. But it does include being a voice in the communities we live and serve. Be your best you. Practice being mindful, caring, compassionate, and resourceful. Open your mind to the idea that the conditions our country is facing now are not just a problem facing one group of people, but instead, it is a problem that is facing us all as Americans. Also, Choose your media outlets carefully. Avoid News or websites with inaccurate information mostly formed by opinions and not facts. And limit the time you watch television daily. 

Most importantly, make sure you're paying attention to you. Are you staying physically active? Are you connecting with family and friends? Have you set aside some time in your day for prayer and meditation? Are you taking moments to process and breathe? If you have not started these things, start including them in your day today. Stress is real, and the last thing you want to do is create a health condition for yourself once the pandemic is over. In your quiet time write down a list of things that you would like to achieve in this season of life and set some time out to get it all done. America needs people willing able and to work for change. As stay at home orders begin slowly lifting, think about how you can donate time, money, and resources to non-profits in your area. Also, think about the informed individual you want to be when you arrive back at work. Stay conscious and use language that is inclusive, enlightened, and effective. Make it a goal to do better and be better. Check-in with your kids daily. They can tell when your stress levels and emotions are high. Set aside time where you connect with them and find out how everything occurring in the world is affecting their hearts and minds. Engage in several family talks a week, and find new ways to process the information we are all getting through healthy practices of communication, family engagement, and compassion.

Please keep up to date with the CDC's hand washing and sanitizing practices, as well as social distancing in efforts to keep yourself and others safe. And most importantly have faith!

This week I wanted to try something a little different by giving you a few of my favorite foods that help to reduce stress levels. Please add these items to your grocery list. I have also included one of my favorite guacamole recipes down below! 

My top 5 Best food Pick s for Combating Stress!

1. Avocados

2. Nuts

3. Fatty Fish

4. Chamomile Tea

5. Dark Chocolate

Easy Guacamole recipe

3 medium-size avocados peeled and pitted

1 lime

1 teaspoon garlic salt

2 tomatoes diced

3 green onions diced

4 tablespoons of chopped cilantro

Add peeled and pitted avocados to a medium-size mixing bowl. Add diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, and green onions to the bowl. Next, fold those ingredients together in the bowl with a fork to your desired chunkiness. Add 1 teaspoon garlic salt and squeeze about a teaspoon of lime into the bowl. Stir and taste. Add additional garlic salt or lime if needed. 

I like to pair my guacamole with Trader Joes Veggie and Flaxseed Tortilla Chips for some additional health fatty acids. Enjoy!

So friends, this week as we are processing through stress, I suggest using the Ajaba Naturals Sugar Body Scrub in your wellness routine.

Exfoliation is a two-part process where dead skin is removed and new skin is revealed underneath. New ways of thinking parallel this. For instance, if we want to see the lasting change, we have to remove old ways of dealing and coping with the things that affect us. This process will help to reveal new layers underneath the surface, that are both smoother and better. Create a mood for yourself where you allow your mind to engage with your actions. 

Two of my favorite scents include the Vanilla and Brown Sugar All Natural Sugar Body Scrub, and the Sugar Plum Sugar Body Scrub. Both smell incredibly delicious and work extremely well with exfoliating and removing dead skin from your legs, arms, feet, and back. For best usage wash your skin first. Next, use the scooper to add two scoops into damp hands. Lastly, rub the scrub on your desired areas of skin in circular motions and rinse. Remember to moisturize directly after to add moisture back to your skin. As hot weather approaches, scrubs are a great way to get skin ready for tanning, and sun exposure. Exfoliation is a great idea to add to your skincare regime to promote a more even skin tone, and softer skin overall.

I hope you have a wonderful and less stressful week ahead, and I will see you back here next week on the Wellness Corner with Cassandra, as we talk more about wellness and wellbeing!