So, what's been going on? Well, I've been using my essential oils, teaching 101 classes and helping other with their day to day health issues. That's not to say that I am qualified as a doctor or pharmacist -- I just find information and share it with those that ask, and let them make their own decisions. But now, I have a problem of my own.
For the past three weeks I've been experiencing vertigo. I have been trying to trace back to how it may have started. I had my first (and only) cold since starting Essential Oils. It came during the week of Valentine's Day. It only lasted three days -- seriously! When is the last time you had a cold that only lasted three days? Those oils are a-working for me! (Thieves in the diffuser, and my Thieves roller bottle on my feet every day!)
I was getting over the cold on Friday 17, which began our winter recess. As soon as school was out, I was on my way to my daughter & son-in-law's house for a fun and relaxing week. I slept on the couch and didn't do my usual nightly routine of diffusing lavender & cedar wood. Now, I did have a residual sniffle or two, but the cold was basically over.
Fast forward - I got home late Thursday night and on Saturday morning, woke up with just a tinge of vertigo. I didn't think much of it, but then it hit big time on Sunday. I had to go sit and close my eyes. I felt nauseous. After a few minutes I felt better, but still wasn't ready to leave the chair. I got on my phone and checked out Facebook and came across a friend's post about how to relieve nasal congestion. As I dug deeper, I also discovered that this massage technique helped to clear out the lymphatic system. I figured that perhaps with the cold and no diffusing the past week, I may have clogged up. I did the massage for about 15 minutes and lo and behold, I was good to go!
Well, that was temporary. I have had vertigo nearly every day since. Not as severe, except my first day back to work when I almost had to sit down in the shower. I keep massaging and I recover quickly, but I wanted to know what was causing this.
So, as I'm reading an article last night about reducing sugar and losing weight, it occurs to me that my vertigo may be a sign of diabetes. Oh, hell no! I tossed and turned all night wondering about this (instead of just getting up to go do an internet search), but that was the firs thing I did this morning -- and yes, it could be. What's next? Well, I decided to make some big changes -- changes I should have made long ago (and tried to, but they never take hold, right?) I'm going to focus on fresh veggies, a bit of meat, and abandon sugar as much as I can. I will probably still have a small square of dark chocolate after dinner because I think it does have some health benefits and it wards off other sugar cravings. (I like the 76% or 82% cacao.)
One of my searches said that cinnamon is great for balancing blood sugar, so I had a cup of tea with a drop of cinnamon bark oil in it. In another article, they suggested alpha lipoid acid as a supplement and I found one with cinnamon - win win! And wine! The article I read last night suggested red wine to increase mitochondrial activity which boosts fat burning by 25% and reduces the formation of new fat tissue by 80%. I'm all about that! (That part will be easy!)Okay, now the sad part. Exercise. Yeah, I'm terrible. I can do something for a few minutes, but I'm so out of shape that my stamina is gone. But, this article suggested "flash fitness," gentle pace for 3 minutes, then fast pace for 3 minutes -- repeat for a cycle of 21 minutes. That doesn't seem too bad.
So, that's my plan and I'm sticking to it.
I hope.
Okay, okay. I'll try my best and not give in! As I tell my students, you have to be motivated, persistent, and work hard. Assiduous. That's the word. I'll be assiduous.
Until I get back here ... See you soon!
Thanks for reading.
Linda
