Filling your cup…

If you are still enough and quiet enough, can you hear this waterfall and feel the peace this image evokes? If not, maybe you need to look at it for a few more seconds. Go ahead. I’ll wait.

I hope that slowed you down for at least 20 seconds and you are able to calmly read on. Taking time to de-stress is a skill we often lack in the modern world.

When I started my practice, I was recovering from a myriad of illnesses brought on by stress and overwhelm. You see, I was an active duty military spouse for 29 years while homeschooling my 5 kids. For many of those years, I felt like I could never sit down. My world was always spinning and I convinced myself that I liked it that way. During my husband’s career we moved 13 times, often leaving me without much of a support network while he was hundreds or even thousands of miles away.

Being a mother was so fulfilling but also so tiring. As moms we take care of ourselves last and often think, “As long as everyone else is happy, I’m happy.” If you are a mom, is this true for you?

Through this blog, I hope I can encourage you to take some time to Nurture and Nourish yourself—- because sometimes you do have to put yourself first, and refill your cup BEFORE it is empty. There are so many simple things we can implement at any stage in life to help us deal with and reduce the way stress affects our body. Often, as I can attest to personally, it doesn’t matter how well you eat— if you aren’t dealing with stress and getting it out of your body— you will get sick. And if you are not eating well on top of the stress, you will get really sick!

How do I NURTURE you today? I would like to tell you a little story from a younger me.
When I was pregnant with my 4th child, my spiritual director gave me some great advice to take sometime for myself. He told me that even Jesus had to take time for Himself. We see this over and over again in the Bible where Jesus had an exhausting day curing the sick, or ministering to the multitudes, and he needed some time alone with his Heavenly Father. Well, do you think I heeded this advice? Nope! God was calling me to Himself and I rejected Him. I didn’t see how I could possibly spend time away from the needs of my family. Can you imagine— I was prideful enough to think, “Jesus might have needed that, but I don’t.” Ha! Was I ever wrong! Unfortunately, it took me another 15 years of putting everyone’s needs above my own before I saw his wisdom. By then my health was in pretty bad shape and my cup was not only empty, it was bone-dry.

You have needs and it is important to know what they are and to do your best to fulfill them. I have found that one of the best ways to do this is to journal. Okay, okay— I’m sure you have heard this before. If you do this already— I’m so happy for you! If not, why not? It doesn’t have to take 30 minutes. Try 5-10 minutes.

If you don’t know what to write about start with gratitude—at least 3 things you are thankful for. If you have time, see if you can do 10. Or look for a Bible verse to pray with and write about. Maybe journal about your day coming up or what happened yesterday. What are you hopeful about? Is there anything you are worried or anxious about? You might be surprised at what comes to the surface.

Writing is a very healthy form of release. There is no right or wrong time to write. Journaling can calm your mind before you go to bed and help you sleep better when you “dump” it out. Or, if you write in the morning, it can order your day and help you get off to a good start, especially if you are gratitude journaling. Don’t fret too much over the time of day— just pick one and see if it works for you. You don’t need a fancy journal— any notebook will do. But a trip to Hobby Lobby is a great place to look for one (and pick up a seasonal dish towel or lamp on clearance) if you have time.

Or you can order a lovely journal from this website I just found.

(The picture is the link.)

How do I NOURISH you today? Since we are trying to fill our cups, we might as well fill them with tea! If you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, the simple act of sitting and sipping a cup of warm tea is in itself therapeutic— no matter what kind of tea is inside your cup. However, one of my current favorites is Tulsi tea, also known as Holy Basil. Tulsi is an adaptagen, meaning it is a plant that can grow and thrive in harsh environments where other plants fail. The compounds it develops as it grows are transferred to you, the consumer to also help you adapt and thrive.

Please note: if you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult with your practitioner before beginning any herbal routine.

One of the ways Tulsi does this is by nourishing your adrenal glands— helping balance your cortisol and adrenaline and relieve stress. It can help clear your head so you can focus and think more clearly or meditate. There is also research to support it lowers blood sugar and improves LDL cholesterol. Tulsi is also an effective cold remedy and helps support your immune system. And it helps your body detoxify! This is just the short list; a quick google search will allow you to learn about so many more benefits of Tulsi.

Where should you get your Tulsi from? One great source is the brand Organic India. (This is not a sponsored post. I just love this brand.) In my pantry I have 5 different varieties of their Tulsi tea. Yes, my tea cabinet is larger and more comprehensive than you might typically see— this can be an expensive habit, just ask my husband. Wait, no— don’t do that. The top 3 that I consistently purchase are: Tulsi Rose (so relaxing and magical), Tulsi Sleep (can work better than sleeping pills) and Tulsi Moringa (energizing and stress-relieving). You can also order Tulsi loose leaf from Rose Mountain Herbs or you can grow your own! I grew some over the summer and just dehydrated it to use all winter long.

If you have time to peruse their teas, enjoy!

(The picture is the link.)

My dear friend, please take some time to nurture and nourish yourself this day and enjoy a cup of Tulsi tea as you write about things you are thankful for in your journal.

Thank you for allowing me a few minutes to journey with you!

Elizabeth

P.S. Thank you to my dear friend Lynne for the use of her relaxing photo of Kuang Si Falls in Luang Prabang, Laos.

Saka, G. (2024, September 18). 5 surprising Tulsi Tea Benefits . Organic India. https://www.organicindiausa.com/blog/tulsi-tea-benefits/

Cleveland Clinic. (2023, November 30). 5 health benefits of Holy Basil. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-holy-basil

Medical Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. It is being provided to educate you about how to take care of your body and as a self-help tool for your own use so that you can reach your own health goals. It is not intended to treat or cure any specific illness and is not to replace the guidance provided by your own medical practitioner. This information is to be used at your own risk based on your own judgment. If you suspect you have a medical problem, we urge you to take appropriate action by seeking medical attention.