Cultivating Quality Over Quantity — Celebrating National Best Friend Day!

Quality over quantity matters when it comes to friendship. Having a community of friends that you feel comfortable to be your true self around has been proven to be beneficial for your health, but what’s even better is having a few tight knit gals who know the depths of your soul like no one else does.  There's truly a deep feeling of trust and connection that comes when another human understands the unspoken song in your heart when it starts to sound unfamiliar to you.  There is an instant connection that happens when you feel comfortable to feel, say, do, and be exactly who you are around another person. They become your confidant and go-to person to run to when you feel like you’re wandering and have no clear direction. They're your biggest cheerleaders and support you on every step of your journey, even when you're miserably unsuccessful.  It’s so important to have someone to see the most vulnerable bits of your soul, trusting that they will not place judgement, but love you with abundant amounts of grace and compassion. If this describes a friend of yours, well, then you have struck gold  because that friend is worth keeping around until the end of time.

Now that you're probably teary eyed from thinking about how unbelievingly awesome your best friend is, we wanted to share some health benefits with you that will put a smile on your face to accompany those happy tears. 

1. Having close friends is said to extend your life span. This is amazing news. You and your best friend will get to exist together through some major life changing experiences.  Marriage, children, grandchildren, becoming an empty nester, and so many other things.  Chronic stress has been associated with social isolation, which over time causes wear and tear on your physical body.  Having friends help you cope through difficult trials that you may experience in your life such as moving away from a place you dearly love, losing a loved one, serious illness, or being rejected from your dream job. 

2. Friendship keeps the wheels in your brain turning, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually.  It's very important for our brains to continue thinking, learning, and exploring the world. Having conversations with people that you relate to and trust allow you to spill your heart out and release all the thoughts that are driving you crazy. Talking to someone helps you speak those things out loud and your friend can guide and encourage you in whatever is currently stressing you out. It’s also nice to have someone to talk to you about the world issues around us and process and challenge you on the things you believe. 

3. Friends are an immune system booster. They create a sense of belonging and purpose, which reduces stress. While some stress is necessary and good, the kind of stress that keeps you up at night or causes you to overeat should not be welcomed into your system.  That kind of stress is linked to illnesses such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, colds, and chronic migraines. Friendships reduce the stress by providing support through hardship, influencing you to make better decisions, and being a bottomless well of encouragement.

4. Friends motivate you to make healthy decisions in your life. Whether that be exercise, eating healthier, or diving into that hobby you’ve been talking about getting into for months—your best friend is there to support and push you toward a goal that benefits you in the long run. They only want the very best for you and that means that they will go to any extent to support you in that—going to yoga classes with you, buying you a new cookbook with delicious paleo based meals, or getting you a new watercolor kit so you can refine your painting skills. On the flip side, they're not afraid to discourage you from unhealthy habits in your life. 

Goodness, these are incredible things to be grateful for! We'd encourage you to do some simple things for your friend today to show them how much you appreciate them:

• Buy them a cute little succulent or flowers to decorate their home(and bonus: boost their health!)
• Spend some quality time together and treat them to a cup of coffee or a manicure.
• Make them some home baked goodies.
• Write them an encouraging note!
• Gift them with your favorite essential oil.

Your best friend will appreciate any gesture of love you will give. Having a best friend in your life is imperative, for your own personal health benefit, but also theirs as well. They're an important support system to drive you toward making healthy choices for your physical and emotional health, because they also want you to stick around for the long run in their life. If you were thinking of a specific friend (or friends) while reading this,  remind them why they are so special to you and how they’ve kept you healthy and well! 💛

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Reference: How Friends Are Good For Your Health

Celebrating Father’s Day the Oily Way!

BY: Verick Burchfield, OHC Co-Founder

Father’s Day is always a special day for me. Us dads get to feel appreciated in lots of ways—our families take us out for lunch or come over for an afternoon BBQ where we get to show off our grilling skills, our jokes get extra laughs and NO eye-rolls, we get cards and practical gifts like tools, ties, socks and underwear. For the most part, we just relish the time with our family. As a dad of four, I never really have a gift expectation for Father’s Day. Being surrounded by my wife and children, hearing them say that they are thankful for me, is the only gift I need. I believe that most men feel the same way. We don't necessarily want a big celebration, but like our wives, we want to be appreciated.

Nevertheless, Father’s Day is associated with gifting and, as I mentioned above, it can be difficult to buy interesting gifts for the men in your life because, well, he always needs socks, underwear and could use another tie. Every now and then, there is an adventurous dad who needs a new pair of running shoes or a fresh glove to up his game for the local church softball league.

This year, we’re going to help you break out of that gift-giving rut with some natural products that I personally enjoy receiving and can use everyday! Here's a rundown of Young Living products that every man can enjoy and would benefit from this Father’s Day.

RC

This essential oil blend is for all things outdoors. A few drops rubbed onto the chest and inhaled deeply will have your dude powering through his cardio routine like he’s Captain America. Trust me, I’ve used this one for 6 years and it's a game changer!

NINGXIA NITRO

What dad doesn't need a pick me up midday or on the drive home from work so he can be at his best when he finally gets some family time in the evening? This is the perfect product to keep in a briefcase or gym bag for an extra energy boost anytime—with no sugar crash!

SHUTRAN ESSENTIAL OIL

This is a multifaceted product for a multifaceted man: cologne, energy booster, calming for him and attractive to her. Is there any better combination?

STRESS AWAY

What dad couldn’t use a little less stress reducer? This vacation-in-a-bottle is the perfect fit for ending the work day and keeping calm in that rush hour traffic. There’s nothing like dad coming home in a good mood and ready to connect with the ones he loves most.

SHUTRAN SHAVE CREAM, SHUTRAN AFTERSHAVE, SHUTRAN BEARD OIL

Now this is an unbeatable trio! If you love the smell of Shutran (and I’m confident that you will) this combo will give your husband the closest shave, smooth and healthy post-shave skin, and the softest beard around. These three products, along with the Shutran essential oil, are all he’ll need for a totally natural shaving kit!

I hope that everyone enjoys this upcoming Father’s Day and that you’ll consider adding these products to go along with that special pair of socks that most men, like myself, can't wait to open from our precious kiddos this June!

Creating Lasting Memories With Your Family And Friends

As the years pass by, it seems as if the clock is moving at a speed that's far too fast for our minds to comprehend. Time is absolutely precious, and not a single moment should be wasted, especially with those whom you hold near to your heart.  Memorial Day is a holiday with a lot of history and importance behind it. It's a day to commend and honor those who have selflessly served our country and protected freedom for their loved ones. There's an undeniably significant lesson to be taught from this holiday—never take for granted the freedom we have and commit daily to set aside the busyness of life and show appreciation for those we love. Here are a few simple yet creative ways you can love on your family and friends while creating lasting memories:

GIVE POSITIVE TOUCH

We are big believers that you need at least eight positive touches a day for general happiness. It's said that positive touch releases hormones such as dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin—which are happy hormones. Taking the time to give an unexpected hug, a loving scratch on the back, or even an impromptu snuggle can really go a long way to show your loved one that you care and boost their mood, not to mention your own. Also, in the right context, public display of affection, such as hand holding or a peck on the cheek is a simple and sweet way to affirm your partner and strengthen your bond.

GIVE WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Using your words to express how you feel about your loved ones is absolutely invaluable. While touch is able to communicate many things, words challenge us to be vulnerable, intentional, and specific. Speaking words of encouragement or even taking the time to write a heart-felt letter of appreciation can go such a long way to lifting up your loved ones. When we put our affection into words it affirms those we love clearly and directly, touching their hearts and minds in deep and meaningful way. 

MAKE A MEAL OR DESSERT TOGETHER

Enjoy cooking? Try pulling out an old family recipe or try one of the recipes we have here.  Food is common ground for everyone whether you are twelve or seventy-five. It is a fun and tasty way to connect.

PLAY A GAME TOGETHER

Pull out the football, baseball, or frisbee. Whatever sport your crew enjoys, get out on the grass and play together. Team sports are a great way to build up your relationships through fitness and fun! 

GO ON AN ADVENTURE

Whether for a week at the beach or a just a couple days in the mountains, hitting the road and exploring a new place every once in a while will create a lifetime of stories and “you had to be there” moments for you and your loved ones.  Experiences are such these can be some of the most valuable treasures in our lives.

Staying Calm During Graduation Madness

Graduation party season is here and it’s your turn to be the hostess with the mostest. Your child has victoriously conquered one of the biggest accomplishments of their lives and that deserves a proper commemoration.  Though parties are all fun and games, there can be a lot of pressure and stress associated with trying to be the perfect hostess. Between entertaining out of town relatives, making sure that all your ducks are in a row for the party, and simply taking in the fact that your child is starting a new chapter of their life, you might just lose a bit of your sanity. Although a little bit of stress is inevitable from time to time, we want to give you some helpful tips to help make this the most wonderful experience possible for you and your family. 

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REMEMBER THIS 

• It’s more about your child’s accomplishments and less about throwing the perfect party to impress your guests.
• Asking for help does not mean you're incapable of throwing this party yourself, it just means it’s a big task and an opportunity to work together with your family and friends.  You’d be surprised how many people are willing to step up and give you a hand with anything you need.
• Your guests are content to just be there celebrating your child, not to judge the amount of effort you did or didn’t put into the party.
• Although this whole graduation season is quite overwhelming, take deep breaths and know that everything is going to be okay. 

IDEAS FOR ALL YOUR GUESTS

There will be an array of people at your party that could range from ages 1 month to 99, and, as the hostess, you want to do what you can to keep everyone entertained and content during the party. Though that seems like a big task to take on, we have some small and simple ideas to keep everybody happy.

• Taping down a giant piece of paper to a small table with a set of watercolors or crayons for your younger guests will be a sure hit. Kids are easily entertained by this and get to use their imagination.
• Turn up the party vibes with a Bluetooth speaker and a fun playlist so that your guests feel motivated to move and groove.  No matter what age you are, dancing is always so much fun.
• Cornhole, Can Jam, Viking Chess, football, soccer, or any other yard games will never be a disappointment for your guests.  
• Depending on the amount of kids you have attending, put out a basket with a variety of toys for the kids to play.
• Having some board games or decks of cards inside will be a great option for those who would rather avoid the outdoors. 
• If anyone is up for assuming the role of number caller, we're sure that your older guests will have a wonderful time playing some good ol' fashioned bingo.

ESSENTIAL OILS

Essential oils are your faithful friends during stressful situations, so do yourself a favor and take advantage of the resources you have.  We want to provide you with some wonderful blends that you can try in your diffuser while you’re prepping for the party, plus a DIY roller blend to have on hand when you need a little boost during the party.

DIFFUSER BLENDS

BLEND #1
2 drops lavender
2 drops ylang ylang
2 drops bergamot

BLEND #2
2 drops grapefruit
2 drops geranium
2 drops lavender
2 drops orange

BLEND #3
2 drops stress away
2 drops lavender
2 drops bergamot

BLEND #4
2 drops of peppermint
2 drops of lemon
2 drops of rosemary

DIY ROLLER BLEND
1 Roller Bottle
Carrier Oil: Fractioned coconut oil, grapeseed oil, rosehip oil or vitamin E oil
5 drops of Stress Away
5 drops of Lavender
5 drops of Bergamot

For the roller, first remove the roller top off of the bottle. Then slowly drop the essential oils into the bottle and fill the rest of the bottle with a carrier oil of your choice.  Put the roller top back on the bottle and shake well to mix.  Now it’s ready to use on your wrists. This is a great way to calm your mind before the party.

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Interested in learning more about Young Living Essential Oils? Send us an email! We'd love to help you start your journey. 

Summer Travel Essentials — 7 Things You Don't Want To Forget!

Vacation is a time to relax and refresh your body, mind, and soul. It’s a time when people put aside their responsibilities and break from their normal routine, which is a good thing! It wouldn’t be a true vacation if you’re taking work calls or worrying about a clean house. However, one thing that should not be set aside during vacation is your health! The name of the game here is protection and prevention. It’s possible to enjoy the present while making choices that won’t damage your future self. Here are some very simple tips that will allow you to get the rest your body is craving and still maintain healthy habits during your trip!

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SUNSCREEN

Don’t get fried—leave that to your eggs. Applying sunscreen is so very necessary! Even if you’re not prone to getting sunburn, sun exposure can lead to wrinkles and even skin cancer. Using a natural sunscreen will allow you to get the benefits of the sun, such as vitamin D exposure, while being protected from damaging rays. Our eyes are drawn to the higher SPF sunscreen because we think it will provide better overall protection, but that higher SPF simply indicates a higher concentration of sun protectant chemicals. When using a drugstore sunscreen, you’re applying a range of chemicals to your skin and letting those bake in the heat. We cannot and should not have to choose whether we want protection from the sun or harsh chemicals. And we have good news—you can get protection from both with Young Living’s Mineral Sunscreen Lotion. It provides protection against UVA and UVB rays without harsh chemical ingredients. The formula is made from naturally derived plant and mineral based ingredients.  This is a must-have product to keep your whole family happy and safe in the summer sun!

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INSECT REPELLENT

We love the great outdoors, but never forget that it’s enemy territory! That’s right, we’re talking about bugs. Nothing puts a damper on vacation quite like becoming dinner for ticks and mosquitos. Luckily, those itchy bites are easy to prevent with a product that takes no time at all to apply! Insect repellent that’s sold in stores tends have an overpowering chemical smell because it’s filled with ingredients that are toxic, such as the infamous deet. We’re sure you’ve seen many insect repellents that say deet-free and are wondering what is really so harmful about deet. Although it's effective at repelling insects, studies have linked deet to negative health effects such as rashes, headaches, dizziness, and brain fog. Why risk it when there are natural, non-toxic ingredients that researchers have found to effectively repel insects, too? Citronella, which is included in Young Living’s insect repellent formula, keeps away nasty insects all while smelling amazing. It has many other health benefits, too, such as promoting relaxation and fighting bacteria and fungi. Sounds like a win-win scenario to us!

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ESSENTIAL OILS

Your oils are essential for travel—says right in the name. The bottles are portable for a reason! Stick these classics in your purse to help keep you feeling easy and breezy no matter what comes your way. Traveling can be stressful—things don’t always go as planned and there will always be a few bumps in the road (figuratively AND literally), but that shouldn’t ruin your trip. Here are our favorite essential oils to bring during vacation:

• Lavender: Sometimes sleeping in an unfamiliar bed can keep you up at night, but applying some lavender to your temples and the bottom of your big toe can help you drift off to sleep peacefully.  
• Stress Away: This calming scent will help create an atmosphere of serenity. There is no need to stress during your time of relaxation, so use this oil to help you feel at ease even when things don’t go your way.
• Lemon Vitality: Nausea can tend to kick in during car or plane rides. Dropping some lemon vitality oil in your water can help calm the chaos in your tummy. It’s also nice to have on hand to add some zest to your water—it’s important to stay hydrated while you’re out and about!  

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LAVADERM AFER SUN SPRAY

We know that nobody’s perfect. Sometimes you find yourself rushing out the door, excited for your outdoor adventure, only to realize you forgot the insect repellent or you haven’t re-applied sunscreen in two hours. Life happens! Lucky for you, Young Living has an emergency plan for you. Lavaderm After Sun Spray provides immediate, temporary relief and soothes your skin from painful, itchy sunburns or insect bites. Keeping this product on hand ensures that your family can continue enjoying your vacation despite the little mishaps that may happen along the way.  

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WATER BOTTLE

Staying hydrated is one of the kindest things you can do for yourself while you’re on vacation, but you have to plan ahead! Keeping a travel water bottle with you at all times will prevent the headaches and exhaustion that come from dehydration and you’ll avoid spending money on wasteful plastic water bottles. There are many great reusable water bottles out there that are BPA free and will help keep our planet clean—one of our favorites is the brand Hydroflask because it keeps your water cool all day long!  

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LAVENDER LIP BALM

Keeping lip balm on hand is important because the skin on our lips doesn’t have sebaceous glands, which produce oil and naturally moisturize skin. Our lips also don’t have melanin, which provides natural protection from the sun. Lip Balm is packed with vitamin E which provides moisture for the skin on your lips and it helps seal that moisture so it will last longer. Young Living has a few amazing lip balms that are infused with essential oils or, if you’re feeling crafty,  you can make your own. Either way, you’ll want your lips to feel and look great while you’re vacationing—there will be lots of photos to smile for!

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SUNGLASSES

Sunblock doesn’t cover everything! Wearing sunglasses is essential to protect your eyes from potential eye damage. This is especially important if you’re spending time near water, as the sun’s rays are more intense when reflected from the water. There are studies that suggest eye damage, such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and other eye problems, is linked to overexposure to the sun. Do yourself a favor and get a nice pair of sunglasses that include protection from UVA and UVB rays with about 95-100% blockage. Consider this your excuse to buy a stylish new accessory that also helps keep your eyes safe!

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We hope these tips are helpful as you gear up for your family adventures. Staying healthy with essential oils makes everything a bit more enjoyable, doesn’t it?

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MORE IN-DEPTH ARTICLES:

• About UVA & UVB rays
• About High SPF
• About Deet
• About Lip Balm
• About Blue Light And Sun Damage