The soft, floral scent of chamomile steaming from a cup of tea and the healing touch of hands massaging your tired shoulders, offer rewards that can be sensual and therapeutic. Busy lives and full schedules often make it difficult for us to fully take in these sensory experiences.
Simple and relaxing, a hot bath is an inexpensive luxury with a long list of health benefits. In addition to cleansing, a hot bath can also relieve pain, reduce stress and detoxify. Hydrotherapy, the practice of using water to prevent and heal many health problems, has been around for centureis. Since the human body is made up of over 70% water, taking a moment to acknowledge your personal connection with water can open you up to it’s amazing ability to revive and heal.
Next time you soak in a soothing tub of hot water, take time to live in every moment, paying close attention to every detail. Listen to the sound the faucet makes as you turn it, let the water flow, and feel the water with your hands to test the temperature. As you slowly immerse yourself, feet first, into the relaxing tub of of water, lean back, take a few deep breaths and close your eyes.
Allow your mind to mind to slow down and become restored through this simple, healing ritual, and your body and spirit will be renewed. Add an element of aromatherapy with a few drops of an essential oil, such as lemongrass or lavender, to heighten your experience.
Perusing the aisles of your local retail giant, you can find literally hundreds of shelves lined with the latest and greatest cleaning products. Save time and money, while lending a helping hand to the environment, by creating natural cleaning formulas. You can make cleaning solutions from a few basic ingredients that you probably already have in your home. Develop your own natural cleaning kit and reduce the clutter of overpriced cleaning products, while minimizing the number of toxic chemicals in your home – especially if you have small children who are drawn to the vibrant purple and blue colors of the hazardous store bought cleaners.
Develop Your Natural Cleaning Toolkit With These Common Household Items:
Baking Soda - Cleans and deodorizes. Softens water to increase sudsing and has the cleaning power of soap. It is also a good scouring powder. Read the rest of this entry »
In this fast-paced, point and click world, it’s easy to forget the little things: a family quilt that keeps you warm, a book that inspired you, a walk that invigorated you..these are simple luxuries.
What ever happened to the love letter? It seems to have become obsolete, in this new era of texting, email greeting cards and instant messaging . While having the world at our fingertips can be convenient, it can also rob us of experiences that stimulate us, or make us feel closer to the people we love.
This month, plant a seed of love by taking time to send a hand-written letter to the one you love. Whether it’s to tell your beloved how much you enjoy her company, or to remind your husband that he’s your favorite person in the world, the time you take to express yourself on paper and mail it to your sweetheart will be greatly appreciated. The love and effort that goes into this simple but powerful gesture will allow you to sit quietly, reflect and give thanks for the love you have, creating an insightful experience, for you and your love.
Don’t know where to begin? Take comfort in knowing that people (poets included) have struggled with the same problem for centuries. Here are some simple, era-appropriate guidelines that can help:
set the mood
Although writing letters has become a lost art, it’s inspiring to remember an era when a space was set aside just for that purpose Read the rest of this entry »