Our metabolism is a complex process that involves our immune, nervous, digestive and endocrine systems. So many factors influence it from what we eat and drink to how we sleep, our age, activity levels and stress. Many of us put other’s needs before our own and our level of self-care drops as we juggle the demands of our busy lives. I know that for many years I took my energetic practice very seriously but neglected my physical practice. Since I have incorporated the therapuetic use of essential oils into my life, I am so happy to say that is shifting and I would like to share some tips with you on how you can create change to support your own metabolism.

The first thing you need to do is take stock of your current situation. How do you feel energy wise? How do you feel in your clothes and as you move? If amazing was a 10 and 1 was miserable, choose a number in between that reflects the present. Now, think about how you want to feel? Think about how those shifts would change your life. Would you feel better when you play with your children, or have more energy for your clients? Would you feel more confident in your work or be able to do a better job? What would change for you? My question is – how important is it to you that you make these changes? Is having more energy and feeling better something that is a priority for you? There are goal setting sheets you can print and complete in the guide at the end of this post.

With that in mind, we want to set our intentions that we are creating new habits. Little habits build on each other and create your amazing life.

To start, it is best to add positive habits that will then crowd out the habits that do not support you.

1. Lifelong Vitality Pack

Did you know that our metabolism is influenced by more than our diet and lifestyle choices?

A healthy metabolism actually begins with a healthy immune system, which begins with a healthy diet containing optimal levels of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids.

Poor nutrition, stress, inadequate rest, and exposure to other environmental stressors can all lead to weakened defenses and other factors that can compromise health. The dōTERRA Lifelong Vitality Program is formulated to provide nutritional support for healthy immune function.

Alpha CRS+ provides powerful antioxidant and immune support through a potent blend of polyphenols and the carotenoids lutein and lycopene.

xEO Mega and vEO Mega are formulated with immune supporting essential fatty acids, astaxanthin, and a proprietary blend of essential oils including Clove Bud, Frankincense, and Thyme.

Microplex VMz is a balanced formula of essential vitamins and chelated minerals that include immune-supporting nutrients; vitamins A, C, E, and B6; and the mineral Zinc.

If you are to new LLV make sure you start with 1 of all three for 2-3 days, work up to the full dose adding one more every 2-3 days.

Yarrow/Pom Nutritive Duo

When taken internally, Yarrow/Pom helps promote healthy cellular function and inflammatory response at the source, as well as helps support nervous system function and rejuvenation.

Chamazulene, which gives Yarrow oil is beautiful blue color, is recognized for its soothing properties and ability to promote healthy immune function, while beta-pinene, another component has been researched to help improve mood when taken internally.

Slim & Sassy Metabolic Blend

This essential oil blend:

• Promotes healthy metabolism*
• Helps manage hunger cravings when taken with water*
• Diuretic-, stimulant-, and calorie-free*

Slim & Sassy Metabolic Blend is predominantly used internally, but did you know that topical application of this proprietary blend also boasts amazing results?

Dry Brushing

One of my favorite ways to use Slim & Sassy topically is in combination with dry brushing – the act of brushing over dry skin. It is a natural health practice that stimulates the connective tissue attached to the capillaries sitting under the skin, which assists the lymphatic flow around the body ridding the body of toxins and waste and improving circulation. Research also suggests that dry brushing helps reduce cellulite by speeding up metabolism, which helps break down fatty deposits or toxins within the bloodstream that often cause cellulite.

Regular dry skin brushing exfoliates dry, rough skin, enabling moisturizing products to more readily absorb into the skin, assists with stimulation of sweat and oil glands, contributing to the restoration of moist, supple skin, strengthens pores by assisting with increased skin tone, and gently stretches connective tissue to help regenerate production of collagen and elastin fibres.

Enhance these amazing benefits with the addition of Slim & Sassy Metabolic Blend to your dry brushing regimen.

Epsom Salt Bath

Did you know that Epsom salt is not actually salt, but a naturally occurring pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate?  Long known as a natural remedy for a number of ailments, Epsom salt has numerous health benefits as well as many beauty, household, and gardening-related uses, making it a household essential.

The wonders of Epsom salt have been well known for hundreds of years and have beneficial properties that can soothe the body, mind, and soul. Some of the countless health benefits include relaxing the nervous system, curing skin problems, soothing back pain and aching limbs, easing muscle strain, healing cuts, treating colds and congestion, and drawing toxins from the body.

The fan favorite way to use Epsom salts is a long, relaxing soak in the tub. Add the health-promoting benefits of Slim & Sassy Metabolic Blend to those of Epsom salts, and prepare to leave the tub a different {wo}man than when you entered it!

Slim & Sassy Gum

One of the main benefits of the Slim & Sassy Metabolic Gum is that it can help manage hunger cravings. As you alter your routine and diet, cravings will creep in and can derail any progress you’ve made. Instead of giving in to powerful cravings, you can chew on a piece of Slim & Sassy Metabolic Gum to help quiet your cravings and stay on track with your weight management aspirations. This gum is sugar free with natural sweeteners while providing many benefits in addition to satisfying your sweet tooth and reducing cravings. It can help open sinuses, soothe headaches, ease digestive discomfort and symptoms associated with heartburn.

Hydration

Hydration is key for many factors that play a role in healthy metabolism and weight-management, including:

1. Water is a natural appetite suppressant ⏤ When the stomach senses that it is full, it sends signals to the brain to stop eating. Water can help to take up space in the stomach, leading to a feeling of fullness and reducing hunger. Drinking a glass of water before reaching for something to eat can help to curb unnecessary snacking.
2. Water increases calorie burning ⏤ Drinking cold water may further enhance water’s calorie-burning benefits, because the body expends energy {calories} by heating up the water for digestion.
3. Water helps to remove waste from the body ⏤ When the body is dehydrated, it cannot properly remove waste. Water helps the kidneys to filter toxins and waste while the organ retains essential nutrients and electrolytes.
4. Drinking water can reduce overall liquid calorie intake ⏤ It’s easy to accumulate liquid calories by drinking soda, juice, or sweetened coffee or tea. Replacing even a few high-calorie drinks each day for water or  herbal tea, may have long-term weight loss benefits. (refer to the PRINTABLE sheets for your tribe to track water intake)
5. Water is necessary to burn fat ⏤ Without water, the body cannot properly metabolize stored fat or carbohydrates.
6. Water helps with workouts ⏤ One of the most important components of any weight loss plan is exercise. Water helps muscles, connective tissues, and joints to move correctly, as well as helps the lungs, heart, and other organs work effectively as they ramp up activity during exercise.

Rest & Stress Less

You never really appreciate how important rest and stress management are until a lack of them is already having a powerfully negative impact on your overall health.

Modern life is often fraught with stress, and almost everyone is ironically too busy to deal with it. It can be easy to excuse it away and say that we work best under stress, that stress is a great motivator. This is partly true; the good type of stress, known as “eustress” helps us seize the moment, and invigorates us to achieve a tangible goal.

On the flip side, there is also bad stress, called “distress”, that can be harmful in the long run. When we face either type of stress in our daily lives, our bodies respond by secreting a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is useful to help us react to temporary stress, like the stress caused by deadlines. But scientists say that too much cortisol can cause weight gain, negative emotions, joint discomfort, and more.

Unfortunately anxious feelings and stressful situations are not going to simply disappear. This is where dealing with our stress becomes a priority. Managing a lot of daily stress comes down to some simple and quick solutions listed below. While this list is not comprehensive, it is a start in helping you identify ways to help yourself. I recommend that you pick the easiest solutions for you, and then practice them on a daily basis or whenever you feel the need.

1. Go out into nature and breathe.
2. Practice Reiki
3. Exercise for 30 minutes a day 5x a week
4. Make sure you are getting adequate sleep
5. Explore essential oils for stress support. These can include: Serenity, Vetiver, Roman Chamomile, Ylang Ylang, Elevation, Aromatouch and Melissa

I hope you have found this information helpful. Please say yes to yourself and your self-care. Click the image below to download a free 27 page guide with tips, recipes and information to help you create balance.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.