The Greatest Love
1963-2012
We were reminded of the fragility of life when superstar Whitney Houston was found dead in her hotel room on the eve of the Grammy Awards. This is tragic on a number of levels, most significantly to Whitney Houston’s family and friends. It is tragic for all of Whitney Houston’s many fans who were inspired by her souring musical talent and uplifting messages in so much of her music. And lastly, it is another sad reminder of the dangers of prescription drugs, particularly drugs for depression and anxiety, which experts are saying claimed yet another precious life.
Depression, anxiety, and chronic stress took their toll on Whitney Houston’s life. In times past she had turned to illegal drugs for relief. More recently, she was using prescription medications for anxiety and sleep to help take the edge off. Indeed, Whitney was one among millions of Americans who struggle to cope with these common and often debilitating issues.
Most people would agree that the excessive use of alcohol and illicit drugs is not the best way to move forward and heal from inner pain or cope with depression. But today, antidepressant and anti-anxiety drugs are popped almost like candy, in many cases with few precautions. These classes of drugs have become the types of medications most frequently prescribed to Americans. More and more of us experience periods in our life where stress and depression make it hard to even function normally. And because the drugs often don’t get to the root of the problem and can cause negative side effects, more people than ever are looking for answers outside of the pharmaceutical paradigm that kills far more Americans each year than illegal drugs.
There is no magic bullet that will instantly heal feelings of inadequacy, frustration, and depression for every person. But there is much that we can do to learn to take care of our thoughts, our emotions, and what we put into our bodies that can help us move on from these conditions.
Years ago Whitney Houston sang that “learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all!” Keep reading to learn 3 simple ways you can feel good as you love yourself and honor the legacy of that beautiful song.
How Essential Oils Can Help You Feel Good
If you’ve read many of my articles or purchased my ebook Medical Preparedness for Adults, then you have seen me explain how certain essential oils are ideal solutions for depression and anxiety as they are safe, non-addictive, they can stimulate emotional release, and some of their components can actually mimic neurotransmitters!
Lavender oils has been shown in studies to help with depression and insomnia in college-age women (1). It has also been shown to be helpful in treating anxiety disorder (2). Frankincense (also in Valor) has been found to help reduce anxiety, depression, and pain in terminal cancer patients (3). Ylang ylang (in Joy and Peace & Calming) has been found to decrease blood pressure and provide a significant calming and relaxing effect. Researchers acknowledge its potential usefulness in treating depression and stress (4).
Love yourself by using these and other essential oils 2-3x/day. Inhale or diffuse the oil of your choice. Apply Valor or Peace & Calming to the feet and shoulders, frankincense to the forehead and brain stem area, Joy on the wrists and over the heart, and lavender any of these places and more! Also, dilute the oil of your choice with a vegetable oil and apply in a full body massage or add to a warm bath.
*Hint* this can also lead to better loving of your partner. Lavender and the oils Joy and Valor have been shown to be natural aphrodisiacs!
The Importance of Proper Nutrition
In our modern society, many of us have been conditioned to turn to doctors and drugs for our ills when we should first look to what we are putting in our mouths (or not) that may be contributing to our health problems. Depression is no exception.
Depression has been linked to deficiencies in a number of nutrients, including Vitamin D, Omega 3 fatty acids (in fish oil), minerals, B vitamins, and antioxidants (in NingXia Red). A good probiotic is also a must, as most of our body’s seratonin is actually produced in the gut!
Last but not least, I recommend the GAPS diet for help with depression and any other mental condition. Read more here.
Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life!
Ho’oponopono
Recently I had the privilege of sitting in on a lecture with a master of Hawaiian spiritual teachings, a woman named Pahia. She exuded the spirit of “aloha” — of compassion, peace, and unconditional love — and reminded me of the role that forgiving and loving thoughts have on our happiness!
Feelings of anger, hatred, frustration, guilt, self-deprecation, and others — all of which can lead to depression or anxiety — are based in condemnation and unforgiveness.
Hawaiians aren’t known as some of the happiest people on earth for nothing. The Hawaiian practice of Ho’oponopono involves releasing ourselves from negative emotions. Think of a person who has offended you or hurt you, including yourself. Then speak the following words (out loud or in your mind) — I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you. Repeat these phrases until you begin to feel more loving and peaceful.
Sounds too simple to work? Try it!
Modern science is now revealing what the Hawaiian kahunas (as well as Jesus and many, many others) have been teaching for centuries. Forgiveness leads to less depression, and more happiness and health.
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Depression, anxiety, and chronic stress are serious conditions that can result in huge amounts of suffering in those afflicted as well as their loved ones. I don’t claim to have all the answers for everyone, but offer these tips that have helped thousands of people in the spirit of good will and healing.
Be well!
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Citations –
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16520572
(2)http://www.youngliving.com/export/sites/youngliving/en_US/pdfs/YL_HerbClips_Lavender_021153.pdf
(3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18753801
(4) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16807875
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Testimonials –
“I suffered from depression for a short while with a very stressful job. My doctor gave me a prescription drug for it. I did not want to go that route but had no choice. A few months later I was introduced to the oils. One of the oils was Peace & Calming for depression. I slowly weaned myself off of the depression drug and have been rubbing Peace and Calming on my feet every day. No more depression! Wow, these oils are a miracle!”
- Janice E., WY
“Last year I experienced depression and felt comatose. It was so unlike me. I heard about the blend Joy and started to palm inhale it. Within 10 minutes I started to feel better. I continued to use Joy multiple times during the day, and within 2-3 days, I felt as though I could take action and move away from my depression. It was very powerful.
I then started to use Valor every morning on my feet and added that to my routine of breathing in Joy. After a week, I felt so much more balanced that I no longer felt depressed or needed to use Joy as much. Valor is now my go-to oil to start my day.”
- Peggy N., CA
“I have had problems with depression and anxiety for much of my life. I discovered that using 1 part Lavender to 2 parts Frankincense is very helpful for momemts of particular discomfort. I put the mixture on the bottoms of my feet, on my chest, wrists, ears, back of neck, and the palms of my hands. Then, I cup my hands over my nose and mouth and breathe deeply for several minutes.
The unpleasant mood changes to a balanced feeling. My confidence increases and I feel like talking to others (a feeling that disappears when depressed). This relief lasts for a couple of hours.”
- Elisa Y., AK
“I’ve suffered for many years with depression and moodswings that were classified as bipolar disorder. I took an assortment of prescription drugs that didn’t do anything except make me gain weight and get more miserable!
When I started using Young Living Essential Oils my whole life changed. I use alot of peppermint, Lavender, Peace & Calming, and Frankincense. I’ve been off meds for a year and only suffer with the normal moodswings one may get in life!!”
- Stephanie K., NY
“Since my youngest son passed away suddenly, I had a lot of pains and aches in my shoulder and back, as well as emotional distress from grieving. My entire body felt out of alignment and my libido was down to zero. I decided to prayerfully apply the essential oil Valor. Well, after about 5 minutes, I felt the impact of the oil. It was like a flood gate of emotions were released and I wept for quiet a while.
I also sensed the oil working in my shoulders and back. There was a shifting sensation. After all this, I felt like a brand new person. There was a tremendous release and my emotions had stabilized. Where I used to be discouraged, I felt courage one again. A pain in my left shoulder prevented me from moving my head all the way to the left. Now I can turn my head! Emotionally I feel calm and peaceful and my zest for life has returned.”
- Gabriele G., FL
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People who liked this article also liked:
The Healthy Way to Sniff Your Problems Away — With Essential Oils,
The Truth About Depression,
Balanced Hormones with Essential Oils,
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Julie Behling-Hovdal is a reflexologist/holistic healer and founder of Essential Survival where she teaches people how to prepare for the #1 cause of death in the event of an economic collapse — lack of access to medicines. In 2005 Julie was able to get off 4 prescription drugs and heal from a 6-year stint of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and fibromyalgia with products from Young Living Essential Oils. Get a free copy of her report “Fast Track Survival Medicines” at http://essentialsurvival.org/fast-track-survival-medicines/.
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We are here to serve you. If you have any questions about the value of our products in helping you be prepared to take care of your health, please contact us.
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Statements made about the essential oils that come in the Essential Oil Survival Kit and other products offered by Essential Survival have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Anyone suffering from disease or injury should consult with a physician.
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