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3 Tips for Naturally Spicing Up Chilly Nights

heatherbrandt

spicing up chilly nights

This is the time of year that couples often are looking for a little extra romance in their marriage! Here are 3 ways that my husband and I have found help to spice up winter nights (and the tips work for year round, too).

(1) Less screen time. I know…I know…this can be a controversial tip.  I know a lot of couples say they bond over Netflix.  Well, I agree it can be fun as a couple to watch TcouplesV together or share a hobby or do something together but when we are spending more time watching TV than making eye contact with each other, holding hands or kissing…when we know more about our favorite TV show than about how our mate is doing or feeling….well, that is troubling to me.  I think as a society we also have a problem with checking our hand-held devices/cell phones more than we are checking up on the status of our relationship.  How incredibly radical would it be if we regularly checked on how we are doing with communication with our husband or wife?  How are we doing with responding to our wife’s/husband’s love language/individual needs?  I think these activities would do more to rev up our relationships’ level of intimacy than spending time watching TV ever will.

(2) More Massage & Touch:  Do you hug or kiss (or both!) before you leave for work or go to run errands?  This is a habit that helps build intimacy. To read more about the benefits of kissing, click here.

Massage can be a calming way to end your day.  Foot massages or back/neck massages can help you prepare for sleep or can help create excitement before intimacy.  Essential oils are so versatile that you can find ones that can promote either goal.  What are my favorite oils for spicing up your marriage?

Sensation Oil Blend or Sensation Massage Oil:  Sensation™ is a wonderfully fragrant, powerfully romantic blend that is extremely uplifting and refreshing. It was formulated to enhance the enjoyment of special moments.

     Shutran: An empowering essential oil blend specially formulated for men to boost feelings of masculinity and confidence, Shutran™ is perfect for use as a cologne that appeals to both men and women. I have confirmed that women like to uhm use this personally as well as men do.  Wink wink!

3.  Diffusing: You can diffuse an essential oil before bedtime that may foster more intimacy.  Light the Fire or Rose or Ylang Ylang are three more of my favorite oils which might be ideal for spicing it up in your bedroom. The warm, spicy aroma of Light the Fire™ includes Mastrante and Northern Lights Black Spruce from Young Living’s Ecuador and Canada farms, along with Nutmeg, Cassia, Ocotea, Canadian Fleabane, Lemon, Pepper, and Hinoki.  Rose (Rosa damascena) has a beautiful, strong floral and sweet fragrance that is intoxicating and highly romantic. It helps bring balance and harmony with stimulating and uplifting properties that create a sense of well-being and self-confidence.  Ylang Ylang essential oil has a rich, pleasing, and romantic floral scent.

Just-One-Rose

How can you get started in having essential oils in your life (and your bedroom?)

Check out information here.  And feel free to contact me for your own personal consult!

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#1 Tip For Avoiding the Stress of New Year Resolutions

heatherbrandt

new year

This is the time of year when magazines & blog posts often use the magical words, “New Year’s Resolutions.”  I think that with the advent of social media we sometimes get even more hung up comparing our lives to others and thinking we either HAVE to make grand resolutions (which we then get stressed about when we give up on them by March) OR we CAN’T make resolutions because we are afraid of failing or don’t want to make the commitments and feel badly if we don’t achieve what we hoped.

So here’s my #1 tip for avoiding the stress of New Year Resolutions: Be like me and toss out the word “resolutions.”  You don’t need to worry about them because that word has started to have negative connotations.  Instead, let’s focus on spending some time this month thinking about what you are welcoming into you life.  What are you saying “Yes!” to as you start this new year full of possibilities?  Are you visual?  Make photos or draw pictures to help you keep track of some positive things (or people or ideas or events–grand or simple.  It doesn’t matter which because both have value.) you welcome or say “yes” to.

beginnings

I have goals for my business and my family in this new year, yes.  However, I’m incredibly FREED when I do NOT compare myself to others and spend less time thinking about what I DON’T want this year (Officially, last year was one of the hardest if not the hardest of my adult life so I have to be intentional about dwelling in the possibilities and working towards welcoming the truth and beauty and peace in this new year.

Yes, I’m choosing a “resolution-free” diet for my mind. Instead of being fearful of the word “resolution,” I’m FEASTING on positive intentions this year…Goals with practical, baby steps to help so I’m not overwhelmed….breaking my vision into bites.  Intentions….Well, that word has less of a negative connotation for me right now.  Merriam Webster has one of its definitions as ” the thing that you plan to do or achieve : an aim or purpose.” When I’m “intent” on doing something, it suggests I’m super focused on achieving something.  “Intentions” is also more powerful for me than “resolutions” because it makes me think about “intensity.”   Again, my handy dandy Merriam Webster gives one definition of “intensity” as “extreme degree of strength, force, energy, or feeling.”  I love the idea of energetically welcoming new beginnings and goals for this year, don’t you?

While I’m  busy not comparing myself to others, I’m doing simple things to help me so that I’m better equipped to welcome a wonderful year!  (1)  Taking care of my body (when I’m eating well & getting rest, it’s easier to be intentional about welcoming good things into my life).  Reading before bed instead of screen time and a calming cup of tea are part of my bed time routine.  I also love to diffuse my Young Living essential oils or use them topically to help support a good night’s sleep.

PHOTOSPEED3NG

(2) My faith is an integral part of my life so spending time in prayer and Bible study helps to me to stay focused and purposeful and peaceful.  My word for this year is “Believe” which applies to both my personal faith as well as my confidence in my business goals I’ve made for this year.

Believe

 

(3)  Supplements & oils to help with supporting my emotional & physical health.  Two that I like right now for supporting my focus and helping me to stay positive are Magnify Your Purpose and Ignite the Fire. This dynamic duo helps me to feel more energetic when I’m going about my day or if I’m about to head out for a meeting.

 

magnifylight the fire

 

What are you welcoming in this new year?  May you have a wonderful year of hope and new beginning!  Join me in throwing out your preconceptions of “resolutions” and stop comparing yourself to others.  Let’s rock this new year by reducing our stress and working on some baby steps to make this a great year!

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