For Foggy Days...

I'm not sure about you, but I'm really shocked how fast Summer came...and seems to be going. I was running errands in Hobby Lobby yesterday, and not only is Fall & Halloween decor out, but so is Christmas...

Summer, like for the most of us, has been non-stop:

We have been spending any of our free time outdoors hiking, biking, swimming, and taking the long way home on our nightly walks with Beau. We've deep sea fished until we were forced to say goodbye to the 2018 Snapper season, we closed out our Special Olympics swim team season with Summer Games, we watched fireworks for the 4th of July from the shoreline of the gulf, we spent a long weekend with friends in Kiawah Island, then celebrated our 1 year anniversary a bit early in Charleston, we bought patio furniture (#adulting) for our back deck and discussed space for 2 hours while looking up at the moon one clear night, we've harvested an herb garden, done baseball games, fundraisers, charity events, lake weekends, casinos, family dinners & vacations... David bought a new car, and I obtained a Real Estate license...

*Takes a breath*

Phew! It has been a busy couple of months...

(Sound familiar? You too?)

Summer is both David and I's favorite season, and we are so grateful for all the memories this chapter in our book has solidified for us. If we could have it our way, Summer would never end!

With so much go-go-go lately, this week has brought us the first full week in months that we don't have anything planned. (A big reason as to why I can finally sit down and catch up on blog posts!)

Alas, my body and mind are begging me for rest. Our bodies are so in tune with our surroundings, and be it the new calming of schedules, the routine of getting back in the gym, the time to prep and prepare meals at home... whatever it may be, my physical self is ready for a slow-down for a bit.

I woke up this morning so foggy, sore, mentally spent, hoarse voice, and ready to crawl back in bed by 10am. I ain't fightin' it, lemme tell ya. Instead, I'm nourishing so that I can wake up tomorrow and have a body who supports the crazy days.

We all have these days, right? And sometimes it's easier said than done to take the time to care for ourselves when we need it most. Here's how I slow down, and take a day of self-love:

Y O G A

Namaste, my dear friends.

Find time on the mat.

Inhale gratitude and light, exhale negativity and darkness.

Find your drishti.

Align those chakras.

Breathe.

If you aren't a yogi, that may sound totally absurd to you; it did me too.

Yoga is often referred to as a "practice" and for good reason. It takes time to get into the lingo and poses.

First things first on a foggy day, I pick a yoga that my body needs.

Today, that was Lymphatic yoga and yoga for Energy Flow.

I grab my doterra yoga collection of oils and put them first on my wrist and spine, second in a diffuser, and third on the top of my mat.

Align- trusting myself and open my heart to possibilities

Anchor- find strength for my practice

Arise- encourage freedom and steady emotions

I do a lot of my yoga at home, in front of the TV from YouTube. Personally, I really love Yoga With Adrienne. She's incredible and always seems to have what I need.

S U P P O R T J O I N T S A N D M U S C L E S

Ease the tension.

Release the pain.

Work out the stiffness.

Nothing says "soothing" like doTERRA's Deep Blue line.

I use the rub on any areas that are tight or sore, like lower back or neck and shoulders.

I diffuse the oil with other oils such as Peppermint, Spearmint, Wild Orange, or Elevation- anything with uplifting and mood enhancing properties in every diffuser I have.

The roller bottle immediately gets put in my purse for on-the-go applications if your day requires you to be out and about or at work.

The polyphenol complex gets added to my morning and evening intake of doTERRA's LLV supplements for the next 3 days or so.

Re-apply throughout the day as much as you need. On foggy days, I usually reach for it every 4-5 hours or so to keep my joints and muscles from getting totally fatigued.

F I N D P E A C E

Embrace the still.

Quiet your mind.

Let good vibes come your way.

Healing thoughts.

Peace.

This is the hardest one for me to do.

On foggy days, just because my body is spent doesn't mean my to-do list ends, chores magically get done, and the dinner fairy visits. For you mommas and daddies out there, I know caring for a little one is an around the clock job, and quiet moments are few.

Much like it is for me, challenge yourself to let the things that can go, go. Just for today, I know you can. Laundry can wait one more day. Send the emails that are time sensitive and let the rest wait. Don't let "bad parenting judgement" stop you from having a movie(s) day with your child if they are still home with you, or go for an extra long walk in the stroller. Soup and salad is an easy foggy day dinner and gets the job done (or a rotisserie chicken already cooked from your local grocery). No shame in that game.

Last but not least, end your day as early as you can to get extra hours of sleep.

Take a soothing bath with your favorite relaxing oils (mine is Peace), add a bath bomb, some epsom salt, and shut the door and ask not to be bothered for at least 20 minutes. Mediate if that's in your wheel house and seek peace in knowing you are good enough. One foggy, groggy, extra slow day won't get you down, and quite honestly your body deserves the extra love.

In light, honor, and peace-

Naturally,

Nicki