We are distracted creatures: attempting to search around ourselves for some sort of warped meaning. If we would only quiet our busy minds, we may realize that there is truth within us. Let us stop looking around us, and fix our eyes upward. There is so much to see. May we look inward, for there is much to learn. Instead of getting lost in the ways of the world, may we find refuge in the, small but sure, light within our souls: twinkling at the sight of ourselves, learning to trust, to believe, to give, and to reflect. To have true courage, and to respect our beautifully authentic self.

via Karyn Bender RPh...

Are you muddling through chronic pain? Look no further than the beautiful orange-flowered plant, California poppy. Besides being the official state flower of California since 1903, it was traditionally used as food and medicine for hundreds of years by indigenous peoples. The orange flowers, which are slightly sweet and rich in carotenoids, were eaten like candy, and the young leaves were boiled and eaten as a vegetable. Nowadays, it is revered for being an excellent herb for easing pain, and is especially useful for those who have difficulty sleeping due to aches and pains. Basic science shows that the herb acts on GABA receptors in the brain, similar to a benzodiazepine without the habit-forming tendency of the drug, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a safe way to ease anxiety, pain, and insomnia.

via Karyn Bender RPh...

Many of us are in the healing industry because we are givers and want to help. Sometimes we give and give until there is very little of us left. Then we wonder why we are exhausted, unhappy, and ill. The truth of the matter, is that healers are rarely the most important person in the room. Everyone else’s needs come first. One of the keys to a happy, healthy, and rich life, is understanding that it’s necessary to put yourself first sometimes. Loving ourselves enough to create good boundaries and giving ourselves the nurturing that we need, is a vital part of our health and wellness. It’s almost impossible for us to empower our clients to make real changes in their lives if we don’t step into our own power. You matter just as much as everyone else, so stop trying to make yourself smaller. Your passion and your life’s purpose are valuable, so treat them with the respect that they deserve. Treat them with the same regard that you give to your clients.

via Karyn Bender RPh...

Am I exhausted, or is this caregiver burnout? People often write off their burnout as being another illness or simply being tired. There are some common signs of caregiver burnout that you should know about. Early indicators of caregiver stress, like difficulty sleeping and overacting, will help you know when it’s time to seek support. By taking on caregiving responsibilities without any support or scheduled breaks, you’ll have a difficult time staying afloat. By requesting that others support you, you’ll be better able to avoid complete exhaustion. If you feel like your currently experiencing caregiver stress, then there are things that you can do immediately to help you get support. The first is to speak up. Although this may seem silly, people have a hard time standing up for themselves. In this case, by speaking up, you’ll be better able to communicate your needs to your loved ones. If you’re looking for support outside of your immediate network, feel free to contact me on karynbender.com for a consultation to see if you may be muddling through caregiver burnout and to find strategies to get you back on your feet.

via Karyn Bender RPh...

When we care for people on a daily basis, whether we are healers, caregivers, or parents, we can experience burnout if we don’t take time for self-nurturing. We can get so depleted that we don’t have anything left to give. Have you ever experienced that? It’s a common occurrence for women. Taking care of yourself is an important part of being in service to others. Slow down, take a break, and take a moment to listen to the needs of your body, mind, and spirit. Are you feeling stressed, exhausted, or beating yourself up for not getting everything done? If so, then it’s vitally important that you give yourself a little tender loving care before you go down for the count. If that happens, you won’t be able to care for anyone. Give yourself a bit of love and some guilt-free self-care on a daily basis, even if it’s just a few moments of quiet time. It is often in the stillness of our beings that we can hear our most authentic voice, an checking in with yourself emotionally, physically, and spiritually every day, can help build up some steam for the next round of your busy life. If you are experiencing burnout and are looking for strategies to get you back on your feet, please visit karynbender.com. [Photo taken from entrepreneur.com]

via Karyn Bender RPh...

Like crystals, may we be healers. May our many-faceted souls be ever reflecting of our mother Earth. May we be mirrors of growth, imitators of truth, reflectors of grace. May our beams shine upon the weary and the broken-hearted. Let them catch a glimpse of the infinite light that has created our spirits: as a delicate gemstone is formed with selfless intention, as well as patience. May we use our power for good, and shed vibes of well-being into the world. Let us bask in the glow that emulates the essence of clarity and healing: and may we be ever glimmering.

via Karyn Bender RPh...

Most of us never actively focus on the present moment. We spend most of our time thinking about the future, planning what needs to be done, or in the past, ruminating over how things could have been done differently. Even when we do make the decision to consciously start becoming aware of the present moment through meditation, scheduling the time for it can make it feel like a chore. We tend to put things like that at the bottom of our very long lists of things to do. Believe it or not, practicing mindfulness can take very little time out of the day, and isn’t hard to do at all. Being mindful when performing a task like cleaning, is a great way to get in a little meditation without working too hard for it. Most of the time we are thinking about other things when we do chores. Taking a few minutes to turn our focus and attention completely on what we are doing can do wonders for our mental state, as it calms and stills the mind.

via Karyn Bender RPh...

Hops are known for giving beer its bitter taste, especially in ales. This simple plant is not only a taste-enhancer and food preservative, but it’s also been used for medicinal purposes. If you suffer from insomnia or tension, then you’d be happy to know that hops is a natural sedative. Like many medicinal teas, hops carry tannins that are especially helpful for inflammation. The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia found that hops are especially helpful for treating gastric functions. Combined, the medicinal qualities of hops are beneficial toward healing a wide variety of ailments. Whether you’re feeling the pressure from the holidays or are looking for one of the many medicinal benefits of hops, you might just have to sit back and enjoy a beer!

via Karyn Bender RPh...

Traversing the journey of a breast cancer diagnosis is a truly harrowing experience. It’s a physical, spiritual, and emotional roller coaster ride that can have long term, life changing effects on a woman. Survivors can feel like they’ve lost so much in the battle. There are some gifts, though, that survivors of this devastating illness can take away from the experience. Breast cancer can help you to understand that there is no limit to the amount of courage that you have. Even when you were in the depths of fear, you made it through and you’re still here. Breast cancer can teach you how to say “no” and create healthy boundaries. Breast cancer helps you to recognize that you have to take care of yourself first before you can take care of anyone else. Breast cancer can give you the gift of self-acceptance, and the ability to embrace who you are, no matter what.

via Karyn Bender RPh...

“No” is a powerful word. It can bring up feelings of guilt and anxiety when we use it. Sometimes it’s a hard thing to say when we want everyone to be happy or ensure that they like us. It’s also difficult because we’ve been raised to believe that “yes” is the loving, more agreeable way to respond to things. The problem with this way of thinking is that we don’t create healthy boundaries, which makes it almost impossible to live a balanced life. We say yes to things at the expense of our own happiness, health, and wellness. We say yes to everyone else, while saying no to ourselves. We deny ourselves time for self-care because we are too busy taking care of everybody else’s needs. When you allow yourself to say no, you are liberating and empowering yourself in a very positive way. You are practicing self-respect and meeting your own needs for a change. You are also creating space and time to say yes to the things that fulfill you.

via Karyn Bender RPh...