10 Pick Me Ups for the 3pm Slump

My mind and my soul embrace the day between 7am and 10am. Some days I have more energy than others. Like most people, I hit a wall somewhere around 3pm. Can't go over it, can't go under it, we'll just have to go through it. Here are 10 little pick me ups I sometimes pull out to get me through with greater joy. Or least I'm far less b*tchy.

1. 10 jumping jacks. Or 2. It depends.

2. Plank! 10 seconds...sometimes 60. Yes, just one.

3. Go outside, feel the sun (or fog...) and breathe. Long and slow. 

4. Walk up our hill and back down again. Sometimes around the block. Sometimes for an hour. But for a quick pick me, up and down the block with pep do the trick.

5. Make Dandelion Root Tea and pretend it's coffee. It's pretty darn close!

6. Powder my nose. Brush my teeth, fluff my hair, put on some fresh balm and let the world know I'm ready to make my entrance! Again. Or least back to the kitchen with a more shine. I swear this actually works.

7. Drink a big glass of lemon water. Preferably with a few cucumber slices.

8. One slow, thoughtful Sun Salutation. It helps that I wear leggings with or without stretchy skirts pretty much every day.

9. Pop off a love note. Text my kids something I love about them (the big grown ones, that is), a card that just says hi to someone near and dear, or just text a friend I'm thinking of them.

10 Sit by the sea. This has been my draw since I can remember. The ocean. It helps that I have always lived minutes from the beach. Did you know the salt in the sea (and the Earth) contain negative ions that help zap out all the positive ions bombarding us from technology and even dis-ease? I thought I was just a beach girl. Turns out, my heart has known all along where I need to be. 

Bonus:

11. Dance! Sometimes I can go forever, sometimes I finish the song dancing on the floor down with Em but the rule is I have to finish the song. This is Emily's favorite little trick!

What gets you out of the 3 o'clock slump and ready for the rest of your day? Leave me a note below and maybe I can add a new trick to my bag, too.

xo,

Amy

Valerian Root for Pain Relief and Better Sleep: How to Make Tea

Valerian Root totally smelled like dirty feet to me at first. Now that my body knows that scent means sweet relief, it smells like a whole 'lotta lovely and tastes like it, too!

Most often used for anxiety and insomnia, valerian root in tincture and tea form are frequently used for Lyme pain and insomnia. You heal while you sleep so the better your sleep- the better your healing. 

Valerian root has taken the edge off of joint and nerve pain that was really getting in the way of my evenings lately. Sleeping was becoming difficult as I was waking up with joints that were asking to be put at ease. For me, right now, this tea is powerful. I don't use it everyday but as a wonderful, soothing tool when I feel it will help.

If used regularly, it can begin to have the opposite effect causing jitteryness and difficulty falling asleep. Use it for a week or two then a week or two off. 

This is how I do it:

1 teaspoons dried Valerian Root, loose or in a tea ball

2 cups boiling water

Pour the water over your tea in a mug.

Cover.

Let sit 10-15 minutes (I recommend and steep for 15)

Strain of steeping loose leaf or remove ball.

Enjoy! 

What's working for you lately?

A few more bits about Valerian Root:

Well written over all info on using Valerian Root as a healing herb from Methow Valley Herbs

Dr. Horowitz, author of Why Can't I Get Better? Solving the Mystery of Lyme and Chronic Disease, recommends valerian root tea for insomnia specifically. 

Dr. Nicola McFadzean, ND, a naturopathic doctor, references the use of valerian root specifically for pain here.

xo,

Amy

PS I'm not a doctor or an herbalist. I'm sharing what's working for me in hopes that it will work for you. You are responsible for double checking cross reactions with what you might already be doing and your own homework. Thanks, friend!