Global Running Day 2022: How to Participate in the Largest Global Event for Runn

On Global Running Day 2022, runners from all over the world will come together to take part in the largest global event for runners. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced runner, there is something for everyone on this day. In this blog post, we will discuss how to participate in Global Running Day 2022 and what you can expect from this exciting event!

What is Global Running Day?

Global Running Day is an annual event that celebrates the joy of running. On the first Wednesday of June, runners of all levels and abilities come together to celebrate their love for running. This year, Global Running Day falls on June 1st.

No matter where you are in the world, you can participate in Global Running Day by simply going for a run. You can run by yourself, with friends, or as part of a community group. There are no rules on how far or how fast you have to run, just enjoy the experience! If you want to go the extra mile, you can also donate to a running charity or sign up for a race in your area.

So why should you participate in Global Running Day?

First and foremost, it's a great way to get active and celebrate the joy of running with others. Additionally, participating in Global Running Day helps support important causes - like getting more people active and helping to fight obesity. And finally, it's simply a lot of fun! So whether you're a seasoned runner or someone who's just getting started, be sure to sign up for Global Running Day 2022. We can't wait to see you there!

How to participate in Global Running Day?

Joining Global Running Day is easy and free - all you need to do is pledge to take part. Then, on June 15th, simply go for a run (or walk) at your own pace, in your own neighborhood. You can even invite friends and family to join you!

If you're looking for more structured activity, many running stores and groups will be hosting special events on Global Running Day. These can range from group runs and fun runs to special sales on running gear. So be sure to check with your local running shop or group to see what they have planned.

No matter how you choose to participate, we hope you have a blast on Global Running Day! Remember, the goal is simply to get active, have fun, and celebrate the joy of running!

National Stress Awareness Day 2022: 10 Ways to Live a Less-Stressed Life

National Stress Awareness Day is coming up on April 18, 2022! In preparation, we wanted to share 10 ways that you can live a less-stressed life. Whether you're dealing with work-related stress, family stress, or just general stressors in your life, these tips can help. Implementing some of these ideas may take a bit of effort, but they are all worth it, in the end, to help improve your mental health.

Top Ten Ways Manage Stress

Get enough sleep

Most adults need around eight hours of sleep per night. If you're not getting enough shut-eye, it can lead to increased stress levels. Make sure to get to bed at a reasonable hour and turn off electronics an hour before you sleep.

Exercise

Exercise is a great way to reduce stress and to live an overall healthy and positive life. It doesn't have to be anything too intense, even a brisk walk can help. Just get your body moving and your heart rate up for a bit!

Eat Healthy

Eating nutritious foods helps your body to function at its best. When you're feeling run down, it's harder to deal with stressors in your life. Make sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet.

Take breaks

When you're feeling overwhelmed or stuck in a stressful situation, take a step back and take a break. Go for a walk, read your favorite book, or just take some time for yourself. It'll help you recharge and be better equipped to handle whatever stress comes your way. Learn to meditate! Deep breathing is a simple form of meditation and a great way to improve mental wellbeing. Practice taking a few moments on a day-to-day basis to pause and breathe!

Be organized

Having a plan and being organized can help reduce stress. Make to-do lists, keep a calendar, and set reminders for yourself. That way, you won't have to worry about forgetting something important. Getting organized is not just to reduce feeling stressed by to increase personal growth! What would you do with more time on your hands?

Say no

It's okay to say no sometimes! If you're already stretched thin, don't feel like you have to commit to anything else. Just politely decline and focus on taking care of yourself and your well-being. This applies to both personal and professional lives.

Delegate

If you're trying to do everything yourself, it's going to be tough – and stressful! If possible, delegate tasks to others who can help out. That way, you can focus on the things that are most important to you.

Set boundaries

Along the same lines, it's important to set boundaries with others. Let them know what you're comfortable with and what your limits are. That way, you won't end up feeling overwhelmed or taken advantage of. Whether it is with a friend or a family member, sometimes you just need to set boundaries to help with anxiety and stress.

Simplify

Sometimes, the best way to reduce stress is to simplify your life. If there are things that you can eliminate from your schedule or life in general, do it! You'll feel much better without the extra weight on your shoulders.

Set Realistic Goals

Part of simplifying your life is setting realistic goals. If you're constantly putting pressure on yourself to achieve unrealistic goals, it's going to lead to stress. Set goals that you know you can reasonably achieve and be proud of yourself when you reach them!

We hope these tips help you in living a less-stressed life! Remember, make sure to take some time for yourself and de-stress!

New Year's Resolutions for a Happier, Healthier You

The New Year is a time for fresh starts and new beginnings. It's the perfect opportunity to take stock of your life, set some goals, and make plans to achieve them. The best way to stay motivated is by setting small measurable resolutions that you can track as you go along. In this blog post we'll cover New Year's resolutions for 2022

Make a Bucket List

Making a bucket list will help you to prioritize your goals and dreams. We all have some things that we'd like to accomplish, but it can be difficult prioritizing day-to-day life over our personal goals. Making a bucket list is the perfect way for you to get started on achieving those long term resolutions!

Invest in Yourself

Investing in yourself can mean a lot of things. Investing in self care, your career and education, or even your money! Either way, making an investment in your future self is one of the best things you can do for your mental and physical health.

• Invest in self-care products. Taking care of your skin, hair, and nails is a great way to feel good about yourself. Make sure to choose products that are good for you and your skin type.

• Invest your money! New investment trends such as NFTS, Bitcoin, and entrepreneurial endeavors are great but building up an old fashioned savings account can also make an immediate impact into your mental well being. Save money fast by cutting out subscriptions you do not use. The Truebill app! It allows you to sync all of your bank accounts into one central place and will even help cancel subscriptions! Cut down on Ubereats. If you really want to feel bad, print out your last 3 monthly bank statements and highlight each UberEats deduction. Try cooking from home and meal prepping. (See next section!)

Eat Better

When you eat better, it's not about depriving yourself; in fact the opposite is true! Eating more whole food will make your body feel so much better, and give you more energy than if there were processed snacks on hand. And when we talk nourishment - think of all those essential nutrients like antioxidants and vitamins that keep us healthy from within outwards appearance too?!

The most crucial thing is not what kind or quantity, but rather how well-balanced our diets are: getting just enough protein with each meal (and snack), along with carbs and fat sources such as leafy greens...not forgetting any other groups.Start by making small changes in your diet:

• Focus on adding more fruits and vegetables to your meals.

• Cut back on processed foods and sugary drinks.

• Replace white bread with whole grain bread.

• Drink more water throughout the day.

Once you have been able to make these changes for a few months and you see success, it's likely you will feel less stress, slim down and start the year off on the right foot!

Exercise More Often

Do you find it sound boring? We promise it's not! Exercising more often doesn't have to be all jogging on the treadmill; there are so many different ways of exercising that fit everyone's lifestyle.

• Set fitness goals to be active for 30 minutes a day: This doesn't have to mean going to the gym. You can take a walk, go for fun bike rides with people you know, or play sports on your day off!

• Create an exercise routine. This could mean waking up half hour earlier to work out before work every morning, making time after dinner to take the dog for a walk around the block, etc. Whatever works best with your schedule is what you should go for.

• Make an effort to be more active at work. This could mean taking the stairs instead of the elevator or walking around your office during lunch breaks.

The important thing is to find something you enjoy doing so that you'll be more likely to stick with it in the long run.

Sleep More

Getting enough sleep is crucial for your health and well-being. Most adults need around eight hours of sleep per night, but many of us don't get nearly that much. Try your best to turn off screens at least an hour before bedtime, and make it a point to go to sleep earlier.

Connect with Others

One of the best things you can do for your happiness and health is to connect with others. socialize with friends and loved ones, join a club or group, or volunteer your time for a good cause. Spending time with others will make you feel connected and supported, which is essential for a happy and healthy life.

Let January be the month for setting resolutions....and KEEPING THEM! By following these tips, you can set yourself up for a happy and healthy New Year! Try incorporating one or two resolutions at a time and don't be afraid to challenge yourself. Sticking to your goals is easier when you have support from friends and family, so make sure to let them know about your resolutions and ask for their help!

Winter Skin Care Routine: 4 Steps to Get You Through Winter

Winter is here, and it's time to take your skincare routine to the next level. It can be hard to know where to start when you have so many products available. But don't worry! We've created a winter skin care routine that will keep you looking radiant all season long and make your skin happy!

Step One: Cleanse your skin.

Cleanse your skin every day with a gentle cleanser so you do not strip the natural oils In the colder months, your skin can accumulate dirt, dead skin cells, and even make-up from harsh wind or cold weather conditions. A good cleanser will remove this build-up without drying out your skin.

It's important to cleanse your skin every day, no matter what the season. In winter, it's especially important to remove all of the dirt and makeup that can accumulate on your skin. Choose a gentle cleanser that won't strip your skin of its natural oils. My favorite cleanser is the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser, Makeup Remover and Daily Face Wash. This is for normal to oily skin but does not dry out my skin too much. If you need a cleanser that can provide more moisture, try the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser.

**Try to use a toner that works well with your skin like the THAYER'S Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Facial Toner with Aloe Vera Formula, Rose Petal after you cleanse your skin!

Looking for a new cleanser to help keep your skin healthy and glowing this winter? Check out our top picks!

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser

This is my go-to facial cleanser. I have been using it for over two years now and love how it leaves my skin feeling clean and refreshed without feeling dry or tight.

Boscia Charcoal Makeup Melting Cleansing Oil

This is a great option if you're looking for an oil-based cleanser. I love how it gently melts away all of my makeup (even the most stubborn eye makeup) without leaving my skin feeling oily or greasy.

Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment

If you're looking for a chemical exfoliant, this is the one to try! It's very effective and leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth with no irritation at all. Plus it has an amazing citrus scent that I love.

Burt's Bees Essential Everyday Cleanser

This is a great option if you're looking for a more natural cleanser. It has an invigorating, fresh scent that I love and it leaves my skin feeling clean while still being gentle. Plus the large bottle lasts forever!

Step Two: Apply a moisturizer.

Apply a moisturizer to keep you looking healthy in the chilly air outside! Choose a product that contains hyaluronic acid if possible, as it works well at absorbing water into the outer layer of our skin where cells are more likely to dry up during these cooler temperatures. I like to use the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. This moisturizing cream can be used not just on your face but for your hands, knees, elbows and anywhere else you want to remedy flaky skin, dull skin, and irritated skin!

**Try using a serum like the Ordinary Vitamin C Serum to create a glowing complexion before applying a moisturizer! This has done wonders to brighten my skin and increase my skin health all year round!

Looking for a moisturizer that will hydrate your skin without feeling greasy? Check out our top picks!

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

This is my go-to winter moisturizer because it's super lightweight, absorbs quickly, creates a protective barrier, and doesn't leave me with any residue or greasiness behind. It also helps to soften the skin, reduce redness, and doesn't clog your pores.

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream

This eye cream is perfect for hydrating the under-eye area without being too heavy or greasy. It also has a unique yellow tint that helps brighten dark circles while you sleep! This one takes some getting used to but I love it now because of how lightweight it feels on my skin. :)

Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Moisturizer

If you have normal/combination skin then this moisturizer will be ideal for you in wintertime - just make sure to use sunscreen with an SPF 15+ daily since this product does not contain any sun protection! I don't recommend it for those with oily skin types though, as it may be too heavy.

Step Three: Use an eye cream.

The skin around your eyes is thin and delicate, so it's important to use a specialized eye cream to keep it hydrated. Use an eye cream daily on any areas around the eyes that seem puffy or dry. You may notice dark circles under your eyes due to the colder weather, so it's important to use a cream that will help hydrate this delicate skin.

Looking for an eye cream that will help with those pesky dark circles and puffiness under your eyes? Check out our top picks!

The Ordinary Eye Serum with Caffeine

I have seen a drastic improvement in my baggy under eyes and dark circles since starting to use it over six months ago. I apply this right after I apply my Vitamin C serum and then moisturize. Highly recommend!

Caudalie Vinoperfect Eye Serum Anti-Dark Circles Concentrate

This is a more expensive but luxurious eye serum. I have been using this for years and definitely notice a difference when I'm not consistent with it on days that my under-eye area looks puffy or dark circles are worse than usual. This one absorbs easily, glides smoothly over the skin, and leaves no residue behind so you can apply concealer and foundation without any problems.

Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Brightening Eye Serum

I only started using this about a month ago but it has quickly become one of my favorites! It's very lightweight so I don't feel like I'm wearing anything on my eyes, absorbs quickly, and doesn't cause any stinging or irritation. It also helps to brighten the under-eye area and diminish any dark circles.

Step Four: Protect your skin from the sun.

Don't forget to protect your skin from the sun! The winter sun can be just as damaging as the summer sun, so make sure you're using sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. I personally use CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30, Sunscreen, and Face Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid & Ceramides.

Looking for a sunscreen that will protect your skin from the sun but doesn't feel heavy or greasy? Check out our top picks!

CeraVe Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50

This sunscreen is perfect for everyday use, non-greasy, and doesn't leave a white cast on your skin. I have been using it for about two years now and love it! This lightweight formula protects your asking from free radicals and UV rays even during the winter months.

COVERGIRL Clean Matte BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 20

This is my go-to sunscreen for when I'm going to be spending time outside but don't want to wear a full face of makeup. It has an SPF 20, comes in a variety of shades, and doesn't make my skin feel oily or heavy.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid

This sunscreen is ideal for those with oily/combo skin like myself. It's very lightweight and absorbs quickly without leaving a white cast or feeling greasy. It also has an SPF of 60 which is one of the highest on the market.

One final tip for the Ultimate Healthy Skin Routine: Drink Water!

One of the most important things you can do for your skin during the winter drinks plenty of water. Staying hydrated helps to keep your skin healthy and looking its best. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water per day, more if you're active or live in a cold climate.

Thanks for reading! I hope this winter skincare routine helps you keep your skin looking its best all season long. Be sure to check out our other skincare posts for more helpful advice and different routines you can follow. What's your winter skincare routine? What are your favorite products to use in the winter?

How to Keep Your Hair Healthy in the Winter

The winter is a tough season for hair. Cold temperatures and dry air can wreak havoc on your locks, leading to brittle strands that are difficult to style and prone to breakage. To help you get the most out of the colder months, we've compiled this list of winter hair care tips!

Deep Conditioning Treatments

Conditioning is key to keeping your hair healthy in winter. When the air is so dry, it can be really tough on your locks, leading to brittle strands that are difficult to style and prone to breakage. Start with a deep conditioning treatment before washing your hair (we recommend at least once per week). This will help to replenish any lost nutrients and moisture. You should always be sure to apply hair products from root to tip, rather than concentrating them on the roots only – this will ensure that your hair is fully coated and will be less likely to break.

Keep your hair hydrated with a hair mask! Shea Moisture products are good for every hair type from color-treated hair and flaky scalp to natural hair and split ends! Add a little Shea Moisture to your winter hair care routine!

Blowouts

For winter, it's best to keep your blowout basic. Instead of adding extra heat styling tools like curling irons and flat irons into the mix, stick with simple straight styles that won't cause any damage or breakage. Then you can go in with a flat iron or curling iron as needed for a special event or change up your look.

Be sure to use a heat protectant spray when styling your hair, and avoid using the highest setting on your blowdryer – this will help to minimize any damage that can be caused by winter weather. We personally LOVE Color WOW Anti Frizz Spray. This stuff is a MUST TRY!

Limit Shampooing

The winter is when you can really get away with using dry shampoo on your hair every couple of days. It will absorb excess oil and dirt without causing any damage or stripping out natural moisture from your locks. Just be sure to remember to use a nourishing conditioner after you shampoo so that your hair is fully replenished.

Use Protective Styles to Help Avoid Heat Damage

When winter rolls around, it can be tempting to style our hair in protective styles until things warm up again outside. The winter months are when we really appreciate braids and extensions! Braiding or adding extra hair will help to protect your hair from winter damage, and you can always go in for a quick retouch whenever needed.

In the winter months, it's best to avoid heat styling as much as possible so that there is no need to worry about additional breakage or dryness caused by heated tools. It may seem counter-intuitive but sacrificing a little bit of styling time now can help to ensure a healthier scalp for the rest of winter and beyond.

Use volumizing products or techniques while styling

The winter can also be a time when your hair lacks volume. If you’re looking for some extra oomph, try using volumizing products or techniques while styling. This could mean adding mousse before blow-drying or teasing your hair at the roots before adding some finishing spray.

Use softer bristled brushes when brushing your hair

Since winter is a time when static electricity is more common, it’s important to use the right tools when brushing your hair. Try using a brush with softer bristles – this will help to dissipate the static and keep your hair healthy. If you are a curly girl, remember to always brush with wet hair and leave-in conditioner!

As curly girls ourselves we LOVE the Wet Brush brand.

Don't Forget - You Are What You Eat!

Using all of the right products and limiting heat is only half of the battle - You also have to fuel your healthy locks from the inside! Healthy foods are just as important as hair washes and hair masks.

We hope you find these winter hair care tips helpful! Take a self care day to focus on your hair health, create a balanced diet, and remedy those winter hair woes. Be sure to follow us on social media for more advice and product recommendations. Happy winter!

Ultimate Healthy Living - Five to Flourish Health Habit Trackers FREE

Do you have health goals that you’ve been trying to reach? I don’t know about you but I most certainly am. At the very top of my list is getting more sleep!

My friends at Ultimate Bundles came up with what I think is a practical and helpful idea (and it’s free!)

It’s called Five to Flourish and here’s how it works: you pick a health goal you want to work on. Each goal has five simple daily habits and if you complete those habits every day, you’ll be well on your way to making that important health goal a part of your life!

When you register for the Five to Flourish Health Habit Trackers, you’ll get recommendations from healthy living experts and printable habit trackers to help you:

• have a balanced and productive day

• reduce sedentary time

• increase energy levels

• maintain a healthy mindset

• learn something new every day

• improve your digestive health

• fuel your fitness goals

• prepare for your 2020 garden

• encourage healthy, lifelong habits for your kids

• enjoy deeper, more restorative sleep

• Plus, you’ll also get some blank habit trackers so you can customize them for exactly what you need!

  Register for your Healthy Habit Trackers right here before August 30th: 

If you sign up for this tracker and give it a try be sure to comment below and provide feedback. I’m going to be trying this myself.

A Walk at Raystown Lake

Not that I was counting on today being a terrible day, but it ended up being a pretty great day.  The weather forecast called for thunderstorms from Friday clear into next Tuesday, however it was nothing but clear skies and sunshine.  I got some work accomplished in the early part of my day and then was surprised by a text from my friend Hannah, asking if I wanted to do something.  

I immediately thought we have to do something outside since sunshine seems so rare these days.  Last summer we had more recorded rainfall than Seattle.  No joke people.  This spring it’s not been looking any better.  Anyways,  I asked if she would like to go for a walk at Raystown Lake.  It’s just a few minutes drive for us.  I have heard many talk about a walking path that was put in, ​and figured we could give that a try.  She was willing to go, so off we went.  

I’ll have to do some additional research but the walking path seemed to have been made from recycled rubber.  It was very soft and gave way under your feet somewhat like memory foam.  ​

We parked at the visitors center and ventured across the street to check out the bike trails.  There were many cyclists riding in the area, trying out the jumps and paths.  It was pretty neat​.  Not sure if I’ll ever be brave enough to try biking in that specific area or not.  We joked a good bit about what we could foresee each other doing, trying to jump mountain bikes.  Especially since we haven’t rode a bike in years.  😂

​After watching people biking from the viewing area, we headed back across the street to the walking path.  It was pretty warm today, however most of the path was in shaded area which made the walk even more pleasant.  

We stopped at the marina and walked down to the waters edge.  We looked at some of the boats docked there and began to chat about how nice it would be to have a house boat and spend weekends on the lake. 

Back on the path we went, stopping again just a short distance away at a picnic area at the waters edge.  I snapped a few pictures and took a video to share with you the beautiful view.  At this point we were about 3/4 of the way done with our walk.​  After enjoying a few minutes at this spot we finished our walk arriving back at the visitors center.  I used the Map My Walk app to tack our distance.  We made it 2.63 miles.

View from picnic area near waters edge.  

I’m not sure about you, but the weather definitely has an effect on my mood.  The fact that the weather was beautiful and I got to take a nice walk definitely gave me some positive vibes for the rest of my day.   

A view from early on in our walk.  

If you’re interested in learning more about Raystown Lake, click here.  They have lots of campsites available.  The lake is rather large offering boating, kayaking, swimming and more.  If you have any questions let me know I’m sure I can help answer any questions you may have.  As always thank you for stopping by to read the blog.  

7 Tips to Healthy Skin

I can’t possibly be the only person who struggles with having healthy skin. As I get older, (which I’m NOT getting older) skin care has become more and more important to me. I get frustrated looking for a product that will work for me when there are just so many out there. You can rack up a serious bill just blindly trying things, crossing your fingers that they work. Personally I have incredibly dry skin. Like desert dry. I also have pores that are starting to get larger, which is driving me crazy and bags under my eyes. Bags big enough, that I have to check them at the airport. With all that being said I decided it was time to interview Stephanie Karstetter-Miller, a Mary Kay Consultant, to see what helpful tips she had to achieve healthy skin. Here’s what she had to say.

“Proper skin care is important because our skin is the largest barrier against infection that we have. Keeping our skin healthy and moist, helps keep this barrier strong. Here are 7 tips to healthy skin:

1) Wash your face - Best skin care practice includes washing your face in the morning AND at night. I say, if you have to choose just one time to do it, it should be at night. Wash off all the makeup, stress and dirt from your day.

2) Remove your eye makeup - Our eyes are two of our body's most important organs. Going to bed with eye makeup on, leaves them more prone to infection or eye diseases that can cause irreparable damage to our vision.

3) Apply toner - While this is a step you don't have to do twice a day or even once a day, it is one I like to do once or twice a week, depending on how oily my skin is. Toner removes dirt and makeup from deep down in your skin's layers. It always amazes me what I can find on my cotton pad AFTER I've washed my face.

4) Use a charcoal mask - Again, this is something I try to do once a week, unless I'm having an episode of really oily skin. The charcoal helps dry up some of the oil for me. I find myself doing this on Sunday evening, as I prepare and gear up for another work week. I've found it boosts my confidence a little, for some reason.

5) Moisturize - I use specially formulated moisturizer for my eyes. I do this because of the sensitivity of that area. Then I use a separate facial moisturizer for the rest of my face and neck. I also use a different day and night moisturizer. It's scientifically proven that our skin has different needs at different times of the day. For instance, my day moisturizer contains SPF 30, while my night moisturizer has lots of anti-aging and firming properties. Very much need for a 40+ working mom with active kids and little sleep.

6) Treat your trouble spots - Apply special treatment creams to blemishes or dry patches.

7) I personally believe this should be #1 simply because of the MANY health benefits. DRINK WATER!!!!!! Studies have shown that drinking 40+ oz of water each and every day keeps your skin hydrated and flushes impurities from your entire body.”

Not sure what is the right product for you? No problem. Stephanie has you covered. You can contact Stephanie via email at stephmiller1010@comcast.net

Also be sure to join her facebook group to stay up to date on special offers, new items and skincare tips she has.

Below are the products Stephanie recommends for each of the steps.

Time Wise Age Minimize 3D 4-in-1 Cleanser

Botanical Effects Cleansing Gel

Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover

TimeWise Firming Eye Cream (Wonder if they carry this in gallon size? haha)

Clear Proof Blemish Control Toner

Botanical Effects Refreshing Toner

Clear Proof Deep Cleansing Charcoal Mask

TimeWise Age Minimizing 3D Day Cream SPF 30 Broad Spectrum Sunscreen

Indulge Soothing Eye Gel

Oil Mattifier

TimeWise Replenishing Serum

I’m really curious if anyone has success stories with any of these products. Especially the Firming Eye Cream. I might just have to give that cream a try. If you’d like to talk about your trials, frustrations, success with products, etc. Comment below. I’m here to chat.

As always thank you for stopping by to read my blog.

Migraines Suck. Here's a Few Tips to Manage A Migraine

Migraines suck. I’m pretty sure we can all agree on that. If you’ve never had one, consider yourself incredibly lucky. I’ve suffered from migraines and headaches for as long as I can remember, and have tried almost everything to prevent/relieve them. Unfortunately, for years I have experienced a headache nearly daily. These headaches vary in severity and type. In addition to those daily headaches, my migraine occurrence has increased to at least 4 a month, sometimes more. There are people who experience migraines for days on end and I truly don’t know how they do it. I have sought treatment from my PCP and two neurologists and have not been able to find relief. Below is a list of things I have tried, and found to be of some help. Perhaps you can find some relief in these methods too.

1. Daith Piercing - My Best Decision Yet!! I recently took the leap and decided to give a daith piercing a try. My ultimate goal was to never experience a migraine again, but at this point I was willing to accept any relief whatsoever. I got my piercing from Ikonic Ink in Altoona, PA. Rachel was the technician and she was absolutely amazing throughout the entire process. I highly recommend her. I got my piercing on April 18, 2019 and have not experienced a migraine or headache since. I have only had the feeling like I am about to get a headache. This I am so very happy about. It hasn’t been all that long so I’m trying not to get my hopes up too much. I’ll keep you all updated on my progress as the piercing heals.

2. Essential Oils - My sister was nice enough to purchase an essential oil for me to try. I LOVE the scent, and since my piercing I have only been experiencing a feeling of the onset of a headache. So far this oil has taken care of that feeling. It’s call BrainRelief, and is a mixture of lavender and peppermint. I have been using this oil inside my aroma therapy locket so that I can smell it throughout the day. Just add a dab to the lava rock disk inside and I’m set all day. It’s advertised to help with sinus congestion, mood relief, and anxiety among other things.

3. Green Tea with Honey - This may be a personal preference, however a cup of hot tea always seem to relax me to some extent. Especially if I can sit in peace and quiet. Green tea is one of my favorites. Paired with local honey, it’s excellent.

4. Breathing Techniques - I have been researching and learning about the power of breathing. This may sound stupid or over the top, but I’m telling you it’s worth a try. A friend told me about a man named Wim Hof and a breathing technique that he’s perfected to help with all kinds of ailments. After reading and watching some videos I believe I have the breathing down, at least at a novice level. He has a website, however even googling his name you will finds lots of information and videos. Again, the information can be overwhelming especially if you haven’t tried anything like this, but I have found it to be incredibly helpful in relaxing me. If you suffer from anxiety I would absolutely give it a try.

I apologize for the quality of the photo, but I had my sister snap a quick picture immediately following the daith piercing. Thanks again Rachel at Ikonic Ink! Despite what many reviews say, it didn’t hurt at all. Just a feeling of a decent amount of pressure. Afterwards there was a burning or throbbing sensation that lasted about an hour.

Aroma Therapy Locket

This is an example of an aroma therapy locket that can be ordered from Frugal Fashionista. I’ll add more pictures of the particular locket that I wear tomorrow. I wear mine almost daily now.

If you have techniques that you find helpful please feel free to share in the comments below.