Monday, July 6, 2015
Friday, May 1, 2015
Never Trust HR and Other Workplace Tips for Millennials
Never Trust HR and Other Workplace Tips for Millennials
May 1, 2015
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One of my favorite Millennials is graduating from college next month, and it occurs to me that he, like millions of others from the so-called Godless Generation, could benefit from some sage counsel before entering the workforce.
So while the world may view us crusty Gen-Xers as all but done, holding on for dear life while awaiting our sure and inevitable Millennial takedown (or is it shakedown?), I say “Bah! You’ve still got lots to learn from us, kids.”
For example…
Follow Instructions. Getting ahead at work is nearly impossible if you can’t follow instructions. I don’t care how much you know, how brilliant you are, or how much experience you have, following instructions is key to getting—and more importantly, keeping—a job. There’s a time for creativity, breaking the rules, and deviating from what’s expected, but most likely that’s not at the beginning of a brand new job in a brand new career. And if you don’t understand the instructions, PLEASE don’t pretend you do. Instead, ask clarifying questions. (And if you don’t know what a clarifying question is, do the research.)
Respect Your Boss. Offering respect to someone respectable is easy. Offering respect to someone decidedly NOT respectable is a real feat, but there’s not a whole lot to be gained by demonstrating contempt for your boss. So unless it’s a matter of psychological, physical, or financial survival, (1) don’t violate the chain of command, (2) don’t ignore directives, and (3) don’t talk fresh.
Respect Yourself. Now is as good a time as any to learn how to stick up for yourself as well as for what’s right. In addition to providing financial security, work is a source of satisfaction, purpose, and identity for many. Work is good. However, theworkplace can be an incubator and a haven for all manner of human wickedness and dysfunction, so prepare to be tried and tested while resolving to gather from each trial additional strength, resilience, moral clarity, and emotional intelligence.
Practice Being a Good Judge of Character. How well you fare at work will in large part come down to how well you judge character. In whom will you place your confidence? Choose poorly, and you’ll pay the price. Choose well, and you’ll reap the rewards. Correctly discerning character takes time, patience, and a willingness to accept people as they prove themselves to be. Someone who claims good character but who lies, is manipulative, or appears uninterested in the Law of Reciprocity should be judged by his actions, not his words. And speaking of which …
Use Your Words Responsibly. Words have weight and power. Use your words to edify, educate, and entertain but don’t use them to hurt. Don’t engage in vicious gossip, don’t tell fibs, and don’t say mean and nasty things just because you can. And for God’s sake, use Spell Checker! It’s amazing how many employees don’t bother with that nowadays. Your work will stand out if you do.
Pay Attention. Pay attention, and you’ll go far. Study people. Take the time to understand why most of us do what we do, and you’ll be an empathetic and inspiring leader, no matter your official title. On a more practical note, paying attention will also enhance your ability to quickly pick up new tasks, which any good manager will appreciate.
Volunteer. Do that thing other people won’t, and you’ll gain favor, self-insight, and new skills. And here’s the thing about skills. You can build on them, and no one—no matter how determined—can ever take them away from you.
Don’t Let the Haters Get You Down. The brighter your light shines, the more some joker will determine to take you down. Who knows what motivates these hateful spirits, and who cares? The point is to not let them cause you to doubt your ability, sincerity, or intentions. Smile, stay on path, and determine to let the haters choke on their own venom, if that’s what they want.
Never Trust HR. And, oh yeah … never trust HR. Right now the profession is in quite a flux, and it’s full of people who simply aren’t very good at their jobs. Sadly, they’re okay with that. So … if you ever find yourself on the wrong side of a workplace dispute, don’t go to HR expecting to be helped. Go to cover your butt or go to satisfy your curiosity, but don’t go hoping something useful will result, or you’ll be disappointed.
But hey, if something useful DOES result, it’s all gravy! But even so, be sure and run everything by Mom another HR pro who DOESN'T work for your company, because she’ll always tell it to your straight.
Happy Graduation!
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/never-trust-hr-other-workplace-tips-millennials-spraggins-sphr?trk=hp-feed-article-title
13 Uses For Lavender Oil: The Only Essential Oil You'll Need
If you only use one essential oil, this is it!
Lavender
(lavandula angustifolia) is the most versatile of all essential oils.
Most commonly known for its relaxing effects on the body,
therapeutic-grade lavender has been highly regarded for the skin. It may
be used to cleanse cuts, bruises and skin irritations. The fragrance is
calming, relaxing and balancing – physically and emotionally. Carrying a
bottle of lavender around with you is like having your own personal
first aid kit, perfume and pick-me-up.
Here are 13 ways you can incorporate lavender in to your daily life:
1. Calming
Rub
2-3 drops of lavender oil in your cupped palms, then use the inhalation
method to draw the scent all the way into your amygdala gland (the
emotional warehouse) in your brain to calm the mind. Then, rub on the
feet, temples, wrists (or anywhere) for an immediate calming effect on
the body. Great for use in crowded areas like planes or subways to carve
out your own personal oasis.
2. Sleep aid
Again, use the cupping and inhalation method. Then, rub a drop of Lavender oil on your palms and smooth on your pillow to help you sleep.
3. Bee sting / Insect bite
Put a drop of Lavender oil on a bee sting or insect bite to stop itching reduce swelling.
4. Minor burn
Put
2-3 drops Lavender oil on a minor burn to decrease pain. I recently did
this after I spilled scorching hot tea on my hand at Starbucks and
luckily had my lavender with me. Result: NO redness, swelling or pain.
NO sign of any burn. Lavender works wonders!
5. Cuts
Drop Lavender oil on cut to stop bleeding, clean wound, and kill bacteria.
6. Eczema / Dermatitis
Mix
several drops of Lavender oil with a nut or vegetable mixing oil
(coconut, sesame, etc) and use topically on eczema and dermatitis. I
have a dear friend who suffers from severe eczema and swears by this.
7. Nausea or motion sickness
To
alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness, place a drop of Lavender oil
on end of tongue, behind the ears or around the navel.
8. Nosebleed
To
stop a nosebleed, put a drop of lavender oil on a tissue and wrap it
around a small chip of ice. Push the tissue covered ice chip up
under the middle of the top lip to the base of the nose and hold as long
as comfortable or until the bleeding stops (do not freeze the lip or
gum).
9. Dry or chapped skin
Rub lavender oil on dry or chapped skin.
10. Chapped or sunburned lips
Rub a drop of lavender oil on chapped or sunburned lips.
11. Hay fever.
Rub a drop of lavender oil between your palms and inhale deeply to help alleviate the symptoms of hay fever.
12. Dandruff.
Rub several drops of lavender oil into the scalp to help eliminate dandruff.
13. Cold sores.
Put a drop of lavender oil on a cold sore.
***BONUS: Flavor booster!
Add
a few drops of lavender to any recipe you want to enhance. Favorites:
add to your water or tea (especially sparkling!), brownies, bars,
cookies, dessert recipes, raw chocolate or salad dressings. Enjoy!
As
you can see, Lavender is an essential oil that can uplift your life
(and mood), heal and entice in a variety of ways. It's a great secret
weapon to have on hand at all times!
Please leave a comment below with any essential oil questions and tell us what your FAVORITE uses for oils are!
Sunday, April 5, 2015
How To Make Magnesium Oil
How To Make Magnesium Oil
Make Your Own Magnesium Oil
Over the past year or so I have been pretty much been obsessed with Epsom salts, which are used to boost your magnesium levels. Even though I had come across many posts and comments on magnesium oil, it wasn’t until about three months ago that I started researching what it is and how to make magnesium oil. I know what you’re thinking, where have I been right?, how could I not know about magnesium oil?! Well, after this post, now you will know all about it too!
Why You Need Magnesium
It is estimated that 90% of Americans are deficient in magnesium. Unfortunately, even when eating an optimal diet it is hard to get enough magnesium due to difficulty absorbing the mineral and the minimal amount in our farming soil.
Magnesium is also depleted from our bodies when we are under stress, experience anxiety or have a lack of sleep. Anxiety is one of the reasons why I am always trying to increase my magnesium levels while trying to maintain a good balance.
Between the factors of diet, stress, and those we can’t control such as low levels of magnesium in farming soil, it is easy to see why so many are deficient in this mineral.
A Few Of The Most Common Symptoms Of Magnesium Deficiency Include:
Fatigue
Low Energy
Difficulty Sleeping
PMS and Hormonal Imbalances
Headaches
Anxiety
Low Energy
Difficulty Sleeping
PMS and Hormonal Imbalances
Headaches
Anxiety
There are a couple of ways you can increase you magnesium level, you can use Epsom salts, magnesium oil, take a dip in the ocean (the ocean is a great source of magnesium and trace minerals), take a magnesium supplement, increase your intake of magnesium rich foods, or do a combination to make sure you are getting optimal absorption.
Using trans-dermal magnesium (applied to your skin) is the most effective way to boost your magnesium level and ensure absorption, such as using magnesium oil or Epsom salts.
Magnesium Oil Vs. Epsom Salts
Epsom salts, which are magnesium sulfate is most commonly added to baths and significantly increases your level of magnesium. Magnesium Oil is actually magnesium chloride, it is a different form of magnesium which has been noted to be more easily absorbed. The funny thing is, it actually isn’t an oil at all! It is just a mixture of magnesium flakes and water. Magnesium Oil has been said to be even more readily absorbed than Epsom salts.
Why You Should Make Your Own Magnesium Oil
Magnesium oil can be quite expensive, making your own magnesium oil will help cut back the cost. Also, another very important benefit of making your own magnesium oil is that you can adjust how potent you make the mixture. You can do this by adjusting the amount of magnesium flakes in your mixture for magnesium oil. When you are first starting out you may want to start with ¼ of magnesium flakes and see how your body responds to the magnesium oil and adjust the amount until you find the right one for you.
How To Make Magnesium Oil
-What You Need
-1/2 cup of Magnesium Flakes
-1/2 cup of Water
-Jar or Spray Bottle to Store the Mixture
-1/2 cup of Water
-Jar or Spray Bottle to Store the Mixture
-Magnesium Oil Directions
- Heat up ½ cup of water (not to the point of boiling)
- Pour the water over ½ cup of magnesium flakes
- Stir the mixture until the magnesium flakes are dissolved.
- Let the mixture cool and store in a spray bottle or jar
- You can apply the mixture to your skin after it has cooled enough to a comfortable temperature. You can also store the magnesium oil for future use
*Many use the magnesium oil several times per day, using anywhere from 10 to 20 sprays spaced throughout.
*For optimal absorption spray/apply the magnesium oil to your stomach area and arms and legs.
*If you find that the application of magnesium oil tingles or stings, you can dilute the mixture by adding more water.
How Magnesium Oil Has Worked For Me
My results with magnesium oil have been absolutely amazing, which is why I couldn’t wait to share this post with you! I use the magnesium oil daily, since I’m not a huge fan of using plastic spray bottles, I keep my magnesium oil stored in a jar and use a small cloth to apply it to my skin. After starting to use magnesium oil, I have noticed a huge improvement, well actually, many improvements, I have less difficulty sleeping and my anxiety/nervousness is almost non-existent! Since I was using Epsom salts for almost a year and my results were not quite as stellar, as many have noted, the magnesium oil can provide more benefits as it can be more easily absorbed. Not to say that Epsom salts are not effective, they are absolutely helpful and I continue to use them at least once a week.
Do you use magnesium oil or Epsom salts? Have you seen any improvements from using magnesium oil?
How To Use Peppermint Essential Oil For Headaches
How To Use Peppermint Essential Oil For Headaches
About three years ago I didn’t know much about Essential Oils and I thought that peppermint was only something in toothpaste, gum or candy. Little did I know that finding out how to use peppermint essential oil for headaches would save me from the awful headaches that I get a few times a year. When I would get headaches, I would have done anything to get relief and that used to include taking over the counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) drugs, like Motrin. I hate to admit it, but I used something “unnatural”! I would throw my principles out the window to find relief!
But, I soon found out that taking these causes horrible side effects! NSAIDs, which include ibuprofen, are not only unhealthy because of their chemicals, but are damaging to the body, especially the longer you take them. All NSAIDs I took upset my stomach and made me feel much worse! When I began researching why ibuprofen caused stomach aches, I found that stomach problems are actually common.
Dangers Of Over The Counter Pain Relievers
There is much documentation that NSAIDs can damage the stomach lining and cause significant damage in the gut as they stop healing and reduce the protective mucus layer. This can even lead to leaky gut and contribute to triggering an autoimmune disease.
Did you ever really look at the warnings and precautions listed for NSAIDs? They are too numerous to list here but include stomach bleeding, liver damage, fatal gastrointestinal bleeding and damage to kidneys. So if at all possible, it’s best to avoid these pain medications.
I Turned To Essential Oils
So… what do you do? Luckily, there is a great answer, essential oils! I was so happy when I found peppermint essential oil and tried it for my headache. It is truly a miraculous solution to pain and gives relief in less than 30 minutes. And it’s all natural! Essential oils have been used for centuries; they were used by the ancient Egyptians for medicinal purposes and beauty. Since the 20th century essential oils have gained popularity and today many people reap the numerous health benefits.
How Do Essential Oils Work?
Essential oils are extracted from plants and are basically the “life blood” of the plant because they help cleanse breaks in the tissues of the plant, help deliver nutrients and oxygen and protect the plant from bacterial and viral infections. They help the plant to survive!
Essential oils are made up of very tiny molecules, in fact, in one drop of essential oil there can be nearly 40 million trillion molecules. This is what enables us to smell the essential oils so easily and the smell of the essential oil seems to fly right out of the bottle.
Essential Oils have an enhanced ability to penetrate the skin. In fact they can be applied to your foot and dispersed to all the cells in the body in nearly 21 minutes!
I Was Convinced!
One night, I was suffering with one of my atrocious headaches and my mom started researching online natural remedies for headaches because I knew I couldn’t handle pain medications like Motrin anymore. She found people commenting about how to use peppermint essential oil for headaches and their great results. She remembered that she had some! It was pure luck that my mom had picked up a bottle of peppermint essential oil because she wanted to chase spiders out of our garage! At that time, I didn’t even know what essential oils were and when I first starting reading how they help many common ailments, I was highly skeptical at first. I thought no way rubbing some of this oil on your skin would help a headache! Apparently, all I had to do was rub some peppermint essential oil on my forehead near the scalp line and it would relieve the headache.
But, seriously, when I tried the peppermint essential oil, I was in shock at how powerful and effective it was! However, I made a mistake as a newbie user. We had no idea how to use essential oils, so I used way too much that time and it turned my skin pink… but we’ve become much more experienced now. But even so, in less than 30 minutes my headache was completely gone.
I was thinking this peppermint essential oil is like a miracle! But, I wasn’t fully convinced until using it for over a year. I’ve been using the same method on 3 separate occasions when I’ve had headaches. And it worked every single time!
So, now anytime I get a headache it’s my go to remedy and I tell anyone who has one they have to try using peppermint essential oil for headaches! Why not, it’s all natural and so simple to do, plus it really works! Not even just for mild headaches, but worse migraines as well.
Above I shared with you a quick description of how I used it, but just so you don’t make the same mistake I initially did by using it too highly concentrated, here’s the simple directions for how to use peppermint essential oil for headaches effectively.
How To Use Peppermint Essential Oil For Headaches:
What You Need:
- 3 drops of peppermint essential oil
- 1 tablespoon of water or carrier oil, such as coconut oil
- bowl or cup to mix them in
- cotton ball or cloth to apply it to your forehead
Directions:
1. Add the water and peppermint essential oils to a container, I just use a glass cup and mix them.
2. Dip a cotton ball into the mixture and rub it across the top of your forehead right next your hairline. I always do it along my hairline, but some say to also put it around the temples.
3. I usually dip the cotton ball back in the mixture again and reapply it 2 or 3 times in the same way.
2. Dip a cotton ball into the mixture and rub it across the top of your forehead right next your hairline. I always do it along my hairline, but some say to also put it around the temples.
3. I usually dip the cotton ball back in the mixture again and reapply it 2 or 3 times in the same way.
This should provide relief in about 30 minutes. If within an hour you’re not getting relief from your headache, you can reapply the peppermint essential oil using the same method.
Note: Peppermint essential oil is highly concentrated and not recommended for infants or small children.
12 Signs Your Health Problems Are Actually Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms
12 Signs Your Health Problems Are Actually Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms
Could your health problems actually be magnesium deficiency symptoms? The symptoms can be anything from headaches to PMS. Chances are you may deficient in this mineral as according to Natural News, more than 80% of the population is not getting enough magnesium.
Low magnesium is often over looked, especially by doctors who rarely consider the role of nutrition and vitamins. Yet, there are hundreds of magnesium deficiency symptoms that this can cause, in addition to many diseases that can be exacerbated.
Almost a year ago, I went to my family doctor because I was having painful menstrual cramps every month. I asked him what could be causing this and what I should do about it. His response was that it was genetic; there’s nothing that can be done. His only suggestion was to take an over the counter medication to deal with the pain. But, after researching this online, I found that menstrual cramps are one of the common magnesium deficiency symptoms. Eager to try this, I corrected my ratio of calcium and magnesium and within a month voila! No more cramps!
Sadly, doctors today know little to none about the importance of magnesium in the body and the resulting magnesium deficiency symptoms. Your best hope is to be your own doctor and do research on magnesium deficiency symptoms to find out if this could be the cause.
Why Are We Not Getting Enough Magnesium?
It is very hard to get enough magnesium through your diet, no matter how healthy you eat. This is because modern farming processes have depleted our soil of adequate natural magnesium. Also, there are many other factors that significantly decrease the amount of magnesium absorbed in our bodies. These include:
- Stress – Many of us experience high levels of stress on a daily basis. When we experience stress or anxiety, this causes our bodies to deplete our magnesium.
- Diet- Certain foods can also result in a decrease in magnesium such as caffeine, alcohol, and sugar. It has been estimated that it takes 287 molecules of magnesium to metabolize one glucose molecule.
- Medications- There are many over the counter medicines and prescription medicine that deplete magnesium. These include: birth control pills, diuretics, insulin, and antibiotics.
Why You Need Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral that is responsible for numerous bodily processes. It is the fourth most abundant mineral in our bodies and is essential for carrying out over 300 reactions within the body.
Magnesium is commonly known for helping relieve constipation, but that is just one of it’s many crucial roles in the body. Magnesium is important for the functioning of your heart, muscles, kidneys, and balancing many other nutrients such as calcium and potassium. Having adequate magnesium levels has been found to ward off diabetes, prevent osteoporosis, and improve blood pressure.
12 Common Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms:
1. Anxiety
2. Weak Bones
3. Low Energy
4. Weakness
5. Inability to Sleep
6. PMS and Hormonal Imbalances
7. Irritability
8. Nervousness
9. Headaches
10. Abnormal Heart Rhythm
11. Muscle Tension, Spasms, Cramps
12. Fatigue
2. Weak Bones
3. Low Energy
4. Weakness
5. Inability to Sleep
6. PMS and Hormonal Imbalances
7. Irritability
8. Nervousness
9. Headaches
10. Abnormal Heart Rhythm
11. Muscle Tension, Spasms, Cramps
12. Fatigue
These are just a few of the most common magnesium deficiency symptoms. Additional magnesium deficiency symptoms include: constipation, vertigo, stiff and achy muscles, insomnia, and muscle weakness. There are many more health problems that having low magnesium can cause. If you think you may be experiencing a magnesium deficiency symptom, but it’s not listed above, make sure to do a thorough search online.
Additional Conditions/Diseases Associated With Magnesium Deficiency:
Much research has found that individuals with magnesium deficiency are at an increased risk for developing diabetes, high blood pressure, Parkinson’s, kidney stones, and restless legs syndrome, just to name a few.
How To Find Out If You’re Truly Deficient In Magnesium
When comes to determining if you have a magnesium deficiency, unfortunately, there is not a great way to find out, such as from a test. There are blood tests that can be used to check the level of magnesium in your body to evaluate if you have magnesium deficiency; however, they have been found to be inaccurate. This is because the blood serum tests only give a reading of the level of magnesium in your blood and only one percent of the magnesium in your body is distributed in your blood. Thus, you have to rely on making a diagnosis for magnesium deficiency based on magnesium deficiency symptoms, not a blood test.
It is best to look at the symptoms your experiencing and try supplementing with magnesium and evaluate whether it helped or not.
For me, after looking at the list of magnesium deficiency symptoms, I knew there were at least 3 that I had and it was likely that I had a magnesium deficiency. I also have some anxiety and I’m sure that was contributing to my decreased magnesium.
How To Increase Your Magnesium:
There are several ways you can increase your magnesium.
1. Use Epsom salts – Add Epsom salts to your bath or make a foot bath. Magnesium is highly absorbed through the skin (transdermally) .
2. Apply magnesium oil – Similar to Epsom salts, magnesium oil is made from adding the magnesium flakes (see them here) to water. You can add them to your bath, make a small mixture and spray it on your skin or rub it on with a washcloth. You can also, buy it pre-made.
3. Eat foods high in magnesium – such as leafy green vegetables and nuts. (however, with magnesium deficiency, it would be tough to raise your levels enough solely through diet) This is a helpful chart that lists foods high in magnesium.
4. Take a magnesium supplement.
My Experience With Treating Magnesium Deficiency:
After I started researching magnesium deficiency, the more I explored it, the more I thought I found the cause of my health issues. However, my doctor ignored me when I brought up the fact that magnesium deficiency may be behind my anxiety, menstrual cramps, or difficulty sleeping, so I had to find out for myself if my self-diagnosis was right. I started to increase my magnesium slowly, first by adding more green vegetables into my diet and taking baths with Epsom salts. This did make a great improvement and decreased the occurrence of my magnesium deficiency symptoms; however, I still felt that I wasn’t getting an adequate amount. So, I started making and applying magnesium oil, once every morning and this helped very much. After a full month, nearly all of my symptoms had been resolved.
When trying to increase your magnesium levels, you may need to use a combination of ways to ensure you’re getting enough. You can base this off your symptoms. Also, one sign to watch for, while you increase your magnesium, is diarrhea, if you’re getting too much this will occur.
Do you think you’re not getting enough magnesium? Have you experienced any of the magnesium deficiency symptoms?
Sources:
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/magnesium
http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/magnesium-supplement-oral-route-parenteral-route/description/DRG-20070730
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/magnesium
http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/magnesium-supplement-oral-route-parenteral-route/description/DRG-20070730
Magnesium Oil 101: How to Make and Use It
Magnesium Oil 101: How to Make and Use It
Nutrients applied to the skin are efficiently absorbed into the bloodstream. That is why we shouldn’t put anything on our skin that we don’t want coursing through our blood. And that is also why this homemade magnesium oil works so well: it’s a supplement we take through the skin.
What is magnesium oil?
Actually, it’s not an oil. It feels slippery like oil, but it is a solution of magnesium chloride flakes in water. (I recommend Ancient Minerals magnesium flakes.) You can purchase magnesium oil, but making it yourself provides a WAY more economical option. It provides the benefits of magnesium supplementation in an absorbable form.
Additionally, the body will only take what it needs through the skin. Whereas taking some supplements orally can cause an over-abundance in the body, this is not usually the case for transdermal therapy.
Benefits of magnesium oil
Magnesium deficiency is widespread and the use of magnesium oil can restore healthy magnesium levels in your body. Dr. Sircus, a leading magnesium researcher and author of Transdermal Magnesium Therapy, says
After oxygen, water, and basic food, magnesium may be the most important element needed by our bodies, vitally important yet hardly known. It is more important than calcium, potassium or sodium and regulates all three of them. Millions suffer daily from magnesium deficiency without even knowing it. (Read more in his article on magnesium deficiency.)
Another interesting connection Dr. Sircus makes is how excessive thirst often signals magnesium deficiency and mineral imbalance. I wanted to point this out to you because I’ve had many readers ask why they suffer from excessive thirst:
In fact there happens to be a relationship between what we perceive as thirst and deficiencies in electrolytes. I remember a person asking, “Why am I dehydrated and thirsty when I drink so much water?” Thirst can mean not only lack of water but it can also mean that one is not getting enough nutrients and electrolytes. Magnesium, Potassium, Bicarbonate, Chloride and Sodium are some principle examples and that is one of the reasons magnesium chloride is so useful. (Read more)
These are just some of the vital roles magnesium plays in the body:
- Necessary cofactor for more than 300 enzyme reactions in your body
- Needed for the relaxation of muscles so it is a key treatment for muscle cramps
- Required for stable blood sugar and insulin sensitivity. Consumption of refined sugars deplete magnesium.
- Vital for cardiovascular health
- Key for balancing hormones for both men and women because it supports balanced minerals in the body
- Needed in increased quantities during periods of increased emotional or physical stress, since stress burns through magnesium stores
- Essential for mood regulation, particularly reducing anxiety and promoting a sense of wellbeing
How can you benefit by using magnesium oil? These are a few of the ways magnesium oil therapy works to improve symptoms by reducing the magnesium deficiency in your body:
- Supports overall health and a suitable supplement for most individuals
- Reduces (and should eventually stop) muscle cramping, including menstrual cramps
- Improves sleep, because magnesium is a “calming” and “soothing” mineral
- Very helpful in reducing symptoms of PMS including bloating, mood swings and breast tenderness
- Widely helpful for headaches and even migraines, according to Dr. Sircus. Many individuals have reported profound improvement in migraines when they use magnesium oil regularly.
- A key part of any hormone-balancing protocol, because magnesium helps balance the other minerals and hormones in the body
- As an anti-stress agent in the body, it often promotes a sense of peace and wellbeing. It is very helpful in depression and anxiety.
Magnesium Oil Recipe
- 1/2 cup filtered water
- 1/2 cup magnesium chloride flakes (the most widely recommended brand, and the one I use, is Ancient Minerals and you can buy it here)
- Spray bottle (I used a 4oz cobalt bottle, like this one)
- Bring the water to a boil in a non-aluminum saucepan. Turn off the heat and stir in the magnesium flakes until dissolved. When cool, pour into your spray bottle. No refrigeration is necessary.
- Spray it on to the body (details below) and lightly rub it in. It may still feel a bit greasy or moist on the skin. For me, it is fully absorbed without a residue within a few minutes. Use anywhere from 10-30 sprays per day.
How to apply magnesium oil
Many people say that the tingling will decrease over time, as your body becomes less deficient in the nutrient. This was definitely true for me, although it still feels slightly unpleasant for a few minutes after application. But the health benefits are totally worth it!
Although it varies from person-to-person, there are general areas that are less sensitive to the magnesium oil and make better application sites. In my experience, areas with more adipose tissue (a.k.a. the plump areas) are less sensitive. Try the thighs, hips and belly. Shins and forearms also work well for me. Try to avoid the creases of the elbows, behind the knees, creases of the bottom, and the neck if you are experiencing tingling. These areas are usually more sensitive.
Do NOT apply magnesium oil to your legs after shaving them – ouchie! I recommend waiting at least 12 hours before applying to shaved legs. If you experience no tingling when applying magnesium oil, you may be able to tolerate post-shave application.
Dry brushing makes the skin more sensitive to magnesium oil. (Dry brushing is a practice to simulate the lymphatic system and improve skin tone). I dry brush in the evening, before my shower, and I find that applying the magnesium oil immediately post-shower creates intense tingling. So, I wait until the morning to apply magnesium oil, which gives my skin a period to “de-sensitize” from the dry brushing.
You may notice a slight white film or powder on your skin after the magnesium oil dries. You can wipe or rinse this off, or briskly rub your skin and it will disappear.
Wait at least 30 minutes before showering or bathing after applying magnesium oil, to ensure that the magnesium has absorbed into the skin and will not be rinsed off.
Additional magnesium oil uses
- Homemade magnesium oil makes a cheap and non-toxic deodorant! Again, if you experience any tingling with the oil on other body parts, do not apply it after shaving your pits.
- Get beachy waves by spritzing your damp hair very lightly with your magnesium oil. This doesn’t work for all hair types, but if you have a natural wave to your hair, magnesium oil can add volume and beachy texture. You’ll probably notice your hair looks like you just came back from an ocean dip.
- Take your bottle of magnesium oil with you to a massage. The masseuse can use then oil as a massage lotion and you will get a double whammy of relaxation from the magnesium and body work. Only do this if you are not having tingling after applying the oil or request that the oil only be massaged onto non-sensitive areas, such as the thighs.
- Dr. Sircus says that magnesium oil boosts healing after a sports injury. Applying it anywhere will support muscle healing, but you can also apply it to the area of a sore muscle.
- Muscle cramps? Immediately reach for your magnesium oil! Frequent muscle cramps will disappear as you use magnesium oil long-term and improve mineral balance with unrefined salt. But immediate application of magnesium oil can help instantly reduce a muscle cramp. I keep a small bottle of magnesium oil in my ballet bag, just in case I experience a calf or foot cramp.
- Add magnesium oil to your bath. However, it’s easier to just add the magnesium flakes directly into your bath instead of first making magnesium oil with it. Use the equivalent of 1/2 cup (or more) magnesium flakes per bath. Magnesium in the bath is absorbed into the skin and magnesium baths are deeply soothing and relaxing before bed.
Do you use magnesium oil? Have you noticed a difference after using it?
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