Written by Kim Mcleod Flexney
This month is going to be focusing on how to nurture yourself, living in a world where there is so much uncertainty, it is vital for our health and well-being to harness the ability to nurture ourselves and others. As we all know, we can not help others if we don’t help ourselves.
A simple way to start our day is with gratitude. Like any consistent health care routine in life, cultivating a gratitude practice can help to replenish your energy each day and nurture one self.
Key points on how Gratitude impacts mental health:
Reduces stress and anxiety: By focusing on positive experiences, gratitude can help to counteract negative thoughts and feelings associated with stress and anxiety.
Boosts mood: Regularly expressing gratitude can lead to increased feelings of happiness and overall life satisfaction.
Improves resilience: A grateful mindset can help individuals cope with adversity and bounce back from setbacks more effectively.
Strengthens relationships: Expressing appreciation for others can foster stronger social connections and improve relationship quality.
Enhances self-esteem: Recognizing positive aspects of your life can contribute to a more positive self-image.
Look around there are so many things to be grateful for. Think about them, do some journalling, and write them down.
My choice of Herbal Remedy for nurturing oneself is Dandelion.
Dandelions have many potential health benefits. Research suggests that they may provide a good source of antioxidants, help reduce cholesterol, regulate blood sugar, boost the immune system, and reduce inflammation.
Dandelion may also lower blood pressure, aid in digestion and weight loss, promote skin and liver health, and reduce the risk of cancer.
An excellent all rounder to nurture your whole body inside and out.
I have found it has been particularly good for that cough that keeps hanging around.
You can use all parts of the Dandelion (leaves, flowers, stems and root). Dandelion root are the most medicinal. I use the root to make a herbal extract (tincture). You can also make a tea or put the leaves and flowers in salad.
To make a correct identification to be sure you have a true dandelion, the plant will produce “one flower stem with one flower”, and the flower will smell like honey.
Other lookalikes will have a flower stem and lots of flowers coming off the stem, this is not a true dandelion.
Another amazing thing about dandelion is they also nurture the soil by drawing nutrients up from deep within the soil and fixing the nutrient balance, such a wonderful plant to have in the garden.
I hope we can all take some time to find gratitude for all the small things in life, as they make up the big things.
Thank you for your time this month and see you again next month to see what exciting info we shall have, till then.