This month we outline a few of the many avenues to self-empowerment. Each of us must decide what works best for us— blends well with our individual priorities, at our own unique time of life.

Healthy Ways “Soothing Scents: Top Eight Essential Oils for Anxiety Relief,” by Karolyn Gazella and Natacha Montpellier. For people dealing with anxiety, essential oils offer a simple, inexpensive healing strategy. Used in wellness practices for thousands of years, they have been shown in research to improve mood by triggering the release of calming neurochemicals, such as GABA, in the nerve centers of the brain. A variety of methods of inhalation and application can be used, and top choices are bergamot, clary sage, frankincense, lavender, lemon balm, neroli, rose and ylang ylang.

In the Fit Body column titled “Take a Silent Hike: Tips for Walking Mindfully in Nature,” by Sheila Julson, hiking silently through nature or even around the neighborhood offers not just exercise and fresh air, but an opportunity to quiet the internal chatter that too often consumes our daily being. By focusing on our breathing and listening carefully for sounds both quiet and distant, we tap into nature’s vibrancy. Pondering an inspiring quote and meditating while sitting still in nature also deepen the experience of silent immersion.

Wise Words with Mark Mincolla on the Healing Power of Our Superconsciousness, by Sandra Yeyati. The author, quantum energy healer and nutritional therapist says that we have both far greater power and access to remarkable outcomes than we are aware of. By going deep within ourselves during meditation into delta frequency brain wave states, we blend into a higher realm of consciousness that allows us to consciously heal and produce wellness rather than illness.

Inspiration for August titled “Change Your Words, Change Your Life,” by Christy Whitman. The celebrity coach and author discusses how the words we speak are never neutral because language doesn’t simply describe reality; it creates reality. With every word we speak, we’re either speaking into existence a reality we desire or we’re actively creating a reality we dread. Positive strategies include using unwanted experiences to clarify our desires, breaking a desire into its essential form and inviting its essence into our life.

It’s important to tweak and change our personal regimen as life evolves—letting go of that which no longer serves us and making room for the new lifestyle changes that feel right and help us to feel better about ourselves.

To conscious living,
Pamela Gallina, Publisher