The One Thing You Want More of in 2024...
Thoughtful Thursday
Running on Empty
Is this you?
“Whew, the holidays are over, and I’m exhausted. I feel like I crammed eleven pounds of activities into a ten-pound bag. And now that it’s over, I wish I could say I’m refreshed and ready to go again, but I’m not.”
I recall in the not too distant past when this was true for me. There were many days when I’d come home from a busy day of work and errands, and I’d tell myself: “Don’t sit down or it’s all over.” If I sat down to rest, even for a minute, I’d never get off the couch and there’s lots of work to do (cook dinner, do the laundry, pay some bills, homework with the kids, etc.). There’s barely any energy left to do the normal things that keep a household and family going, and even less energy to tackle the important projects around the house. I’m tired just thinking about it.
Oh, to be young again when energy felt abundant and unlimited.
Energy Production in the Body
Like the jobs and work you must do, your cells have a big job to do. They are digesting different foods all day long, producing the neurotransmitters needed to respond to life’s triggers, fighting germs you’ve been exposed to, cleaning up messes, and even making new cells in your cell factory.
It’s an enormous job that requires lots of energy…so what happens when there’s not enough energy produced to get those important activities done? What happens when your cells feel like they “can’t get off the couch”!?
The good news is that your body has its own power plant and has the capacity to create the very energy it needs to sustain life. This process is referred to as metabolism. It is how the body uses fuel (like food) to generate energy to run cellular processes.
I love this statement used to describe metabolism by Dr. Zach Bush: “Metabolism is the study of how the body communicates across complex organisms to coordinate human life. It is how we use energy from the nature around us, the nature within us, into a form that is usable for the constant regenerative effort towards health.”
Pay particular attention to the end of that statement for this is the body’s true objective. All cellular activities, and the entire metabolic and life sustaining processes, are for the constant regenerative effort towards health. Your body produces energy so it can sustain YOUR HEALTH! It just needs a little help from YOU to get that job done!
Now, I may have oversimplified this description of metabolism, as there are many factors that influence the body’s ability to create and use energy, but you get the picture.
Energy in the Body
So how do we support the body’s production and use of energy, naturally?
1. The first goal is to provide the body with what it needs to create energy. This includes the micronutrients, enzymes, and energy cofactors that support mitochondrial function and promote efficient production of ATP, the energy of all living beings. Examples of critical energy cofactors are ones you may have heard of (coenzyme Q10 and acetyl-L-carnitine) and some that may be new to you like NMN and NAD+.
“Nicotinamide mononucleotide, or NMN, is a vital precursor in the biosynthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, or NAD+, which is a coenzyme found in every cell of the body. NAD+ serves numerous functions, but the most critical are metabolic processes and mitochondrial function. NAD+ converts food into energy and provides protection to your cellular energy factories. Without sufficient NAD+ levels, cells can’t generate the energy to survive and carry out their functions. By the time you reach age 50, NAD+ levels are generally half of what they were at age 20, contributing to health challenges like weight management and decreased energy levels.” ~doTERRA MetaPWR System ebook
Dietary supplements can help with this goal. Two of my favorite products warrant notable mention:
· Mito2Max is a proprietary formula of standardized plant extracts and metabolic cofactors that aid in healthy cellular energy production and support mental energy.*
· MetaPWR Advantage offers 12 active ingredients like NMN and NAD+ to support vigorous metabolic activity. These are key ingredients to fuel your cells and your life.* It helps convert food into energy AND offers protection for your cellular energy factories.
2. Creating energy, using fuel, produces a byproduct called free radicals. A buildup of free radicals causes oxidative damage, so the second goal is to manage the exhaust produced during the process of producing and using energy.
Free radicals are easily neutralized by antioxidants. This can easily be accomplished by introducing antioxidant rich foods and essential oils into your diet and lifestyle choices.
3. The third goal is to identify and manage other factors that can sap your energy. These include lack of quality sleep, stress, pain, caffeine and alcohol, depression, dehydration, heavy metal toxicity, thyroid imbalances, and even hormones. And yes…there’s an oil for that!
Recharge Your Body…Naturally!
Here are my favorite simple suggestions for how to recharge your body…naturally!
Þ Mint Oils
Some of the most common mint oils are Peppermint, Spearmint, and Wintergreen essential oils. All are very stimulating and energizing. Their aroma presents us with a sense of excitement and floods our respiratory system and brain cells with oxygen for an immediate burst of energy and clarity!
When you need to feel invigorated, simply apply a drop to your palm, rub your hands together, make a nose tent and inhale deeply!
What’s great about this form of stimulation is that it doesn’t use up your hormones like many of the energy drinks on the market, and so there is no “crash” afterwards. And there’s no digestive discomfort or disruption. These essential oils actually aid healthy digestion…and we know how important nutrition is in maintaining our energy levels!
Þ Citrus Oils
There are many choices in the citrus plant group, like Tangerine, Grapefruit, Lime, Lemon, or Bergamot. The chemistry of citrus essential oils is high in d-limonene which instantly uplifts your mood and makes you feel happy! When we are happy, we feel more energetic and want to check off the next thing on our list!
How do you get started? Simply pick your favorite and use it aromatically in your diffuser or add a drop or two to each glass of water.
Þ Wood Oils
The essential oils in this plant group ground us, provide more clarity, and offer us a sense of renewal! When we are grounded, we spend less energy floating on the distracting chatter in our heads. When we have more clarity, we focus on and do what is most important and let go of the trivial items on our to-do list. NOW we are using our energy more efficiently! This group also provides an effective way to manage your stress naturally!
My go-to oils in this group are Frankincense, Siberian Fir, Copaiba, and Vetiver. I use these oils topically on the bottom of my feet or on the back of my neck throughout the day when I notice I’m floating off track or am indecisive. These are all great choices at bedtime, too, for an exceptional night of sleep! When we are well-rested, our bodies are well prepared for the day in front of us!
Þ Spice Oils
You are likely familiar with the essential oils in this group, like Basil, Coriander, and Rosemary. Did you know they all help improve digestion and reduce feelings of stress!? You may ask, how does stress affect our energy levels? Chronic stress can overstimulate the adrenal glands, which are involved in producing over 50 hormones that drive almost every bodily function; this will dramatically affect your energy levels.
Basil and Coriander essential oils help to lower our stress hormones!* Apply either to the temples and the back of the neck to reduce feelings of tension.
Take Rosemary essential oil internally to help reduce nervous tension and occasional fatigue (physical, mental).*
Cinnamon essential oil supports healthy metabolic function.* A healthy metabolism is key to supporting your vibrant energy levels!
Call to Action
You are invited to attend our next Sharing Solutions workshop on this topic, Enjoy More Energy Naturally, on January 31st at 7pm. For more information and to register, click here!
Join our essential oil lovin’ community and connect with other likeminded, like-hearted individuals who live and love a natural solutions lifestyle. Connect with us at in person and online events to learn exactly how simple it is to recharge your energy and your life in 2024!
Essential oils are safe, effective and very affordable. However, not all essential oils are created equal! Be an educated consumer and use only certified pure, tested grade essential oils for your family!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.