Improving the Mind Naturally

​Our current society is plagued with anxiety, stress and preoccupation. There is always something demanding our time and attention – it can wear a person down. We often find ourselves medicating our minds to get through the day. While some medication can be necessary, there are also some natural alternatives to keep our heads on straight.  We can improve our minds naturally to bring us back to center.
It’s a new year which means it’s the perfect time to set a goal for healthy habits to improve how your mind reacts to the stressors surrounding you. 

There are many herbs out there and many different applications of those herbs that can help us improve brain function, reduce stress levels, combat pain and just plain get us through the day. If you find yourself muddled and ready to give up, try some of the solutions below, they may help.

Focus
When we are overly stressed, we can have a hard time focusing on simple everyday tasks. Try some of the solutions below to improve your focus:

• Set a timer – I’ve found that setting a timer for 30 or 60 minutes and then trying to get as much of my task done within that time limit is a great way to force myself to focus.
• Take a break – Sometimes your mind just needs a 10-minute break. Get away from your desk, grab something to drink, take a walk and come back refreshed.
• Give yourself a pep talk – It may be that you are allowing your brain to get away with negative talk that is blocking you from doing what you need to. Create a mantra and erase the bad thoughts - create new ones.
• Rosemary – Rosemary essential oil is a wonderful option if you need to focus. MB Botanicals Rosemary Mint Soap and Rosemary Mint Sugar Scrub are the perfect way to start your day strong and focused. If you need its benef its later in the day try diffusing rosemary oil or creating a rosemary oil rub for your skin.  Just make sure you use a carrier oil for the rub.

Stress
We all experience stress. Some people have more than others, but it’s something that no one is able to escape. Whether you are constantly stressed or not, here are some helpful tips:

• Exercise– Even if you feel that you don’t have time to exercise, you should dedicate some time to do it. You can work through so much while working out your body and you may come up with excellent solutions to problems.  
• Lavender– Lavender can ease your mind before sleep and has been shown to lower stress levels. MB Botanicals has a plethora of lavender scented goodies to help calm your stress. From soaps to scrubs, to body oils and lip balms. You can also use the oil in a diffuser or make a de-stress balm for your skin. Or simply light a lavender scented candle.
• Reduce caffeine – I know this one sounds like an awful idea, especially when you are stressed about a deadline, or have to stay up late to help your kid finish their science project. But caffeine can increase your stress levels. If you start to get jittery and anxious, have a big glass of cold water or sip some chamomile tea to help you calm down.
• Don’t procrastinate – Set a timer and get your stuff done. If your tasks are piling up behind you, get them done early. If you are a perfectionist – remember that things do not have to be perfect, they just have to be done.

Anxiety
Anxiety is a close cousin to stress, but unlike stress, anxiety can crop up for no reason at all. If you suffer from anxiety occasionally or all the time, here are a few methods that can reduce it:

• Self-talk – When a person suffers from anxiety they usually have a lot of negative self-talk bouncing around in their heads. Everything seems awful with no way out. You do have a way out, it will get better so try changing your self-talk. Pick a mantra or two and keep those negative thoughts at bay. Keep telling yourself that you are okay and this is a passing feeling. There is nothing wrong.
• Focus on the now – Anxiety makes us worry about any kind of what-if situation our brain can think of. Stop it from worrying about what might happen tomorrow by focusing all of your brain power on the current moment. What do you need to do right now? Realize that you have control of your present.
• Exercise – This belongs not only under the stress category, but here under anxiety too. There are many people that exercise to combat their anxiety. You can work out problems while you are working your body. When your body and mind are tired after a workout, things don’t seem so bad.
• Essential oils – There are quite a few essential oils that can help ease anxiety – lavender, chamomile, and peppermint are some of the most popular. MB Botanicals offers these in many of our products. Use a lavender body oil when you get out of the shower in the morning and at bedtime. Or keep a lavender mint lip balm on you when you need a pick-me-up. You may also choose to use any of these essential oils in a diffuser.

You may not believe in essential oils. You may not want to create tinctures or rubs and that’s okay. Sometimes all we need is to shut off the world around us and get outside. Take a walk in the fresh air. Run in the rain. Hike a trail and get your blood pumping. Disconnect for an hour from society, technology, your job and you will be on your way to improving your mind naturally.
Whichever method you choose, I hope this article helps you improve your mind naturally this year.