health

Journal Review: Holistic Self-Care Guided Journal

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Holistic Self-Care Guided Journal by Carley Schweet
Holistic Self-Care Guided Journal: Nurture Yourself, Expand Your Mind, Embrace Who You Are
by Carley Schweet

5 out of 5 stars

This book helps you to reconnect with your core self, grow in your courage and creativity, and engage in your relationships, all in baby steps that remind you to take care of yourself and reflect on what you truly need. This book has sections to “Nurture Yourself, Expand Your Mind, Get Creative, Move Your Body, Get Organized, and Embrace Your Community.” Each section has insightful journal prompts, affirmations, meditations, gentle activities, and inspirational quotes to get you motivated.

I’m truly impressed at how this book uses thoughtful prompts and deep themes to sweetly guide the reader into a better understanding of the many aspects of self-care. And yet it never feels too heavy! Each activity is a simple little thing, a cup of tea, a walk in the sunshine, listening to a favorite song. And yet the impact is immense because of the introspection that is happening. Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: Meditation for Kids

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Meditation for Kids by Tejal V Patel
Meditation for Kids: 40 Activities to Manage Emotions, Ease Anxiety, and Stay Focused
by Tejal V Patel

5 out of 5 stars


This book has easy and fun meditations for children that helps them to navigate tough emotions, calm their impatience, and learn to listen. The meditations are grouped in categories for increasing your positive energy, improving concentration and creativity, and opening your heart to kindness and compassion. There is an entire chapter of meditations just for bedtime, to soothe and calm the mind and body. Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: Trigger Point Therapy Made Simple

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Trigger Point Therapy Made Simple by Richard Finn LMT CMTPT
Trigger Point Therapy Made Simple: Serious Pain Relief in 4 Easy Steps
by Richard Finn, LMT CMTPT
5 out of 5 stars


This book outlines where trigger points are located in our muscles, and how massage, pressure, and other therapies can help to alleviate that pain. The self-therapy techniques include self-massage, breathing exercises, stretching exercises designed to alleviate nerve tension, massaging or compressing a trigger point in your muscle, and Swedish movements for stretching your range of motion.

I really like the attitudes in this book, putting the power of healing back into the hands of the patient, instead of relying on doctors who don’t give any answers or solutions other than prescription pain medication. The writing is so encouraging and gives good information about using techniques to heal yourself and find relief from pain and tension. Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: The Empowered Highly Sensitive Person

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The Empowered Highly Sensitive Person by Amanda Cassil
The Empowered Highly Sensitive Person
by Amanda Cassil

5 out of 5 stars

As a Highly Sensitive Person, it is such a relief to have a book like this! It describes the HSP experience so clearly, and gives real and practical ideas for navigating the strong emotions and overwhelming sensations that come with having an HSP brain.

There is a quiz you can take to determine whether or not you are an HSP. The quiz says that if you score a 14 or higher, then you are an HSP. I scored a 24! I am extremely sensitive, and it’s always been a struggle. I’ve felt misunderstood my entire life, and have spent years telling myself, “Why can’t you be like other people? Why does this bother you so much? Why can’t you just let it go?” This book spoke so compassionately to my frustration and emotional pain, as well as my physical struggles. Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: Healing through Nutrition

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Healing through Nutrition by Eliza Savage
Healing through Nutrition: The Essential Guide to 50 Plant-Based Nutritional Sources
by Eliza Savage

5 out of 5 stars

This book has recipes for healing foods of fruits, grains, herbs, coffee and tea, and dozens of vegetables. The sections are divided by the type of food, with information about the benefits of that food, it’s healing power, and medical conditions that it will help.

The recipes are simple with easy instructions and common ingredients. There are also variations on the recipe in case you want to add or substitute something. I really like how the recipes are organized, and the design and layout is easy to navigate. Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: Essential Oils for Soothing Anxiety

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Essential Oils for Soothing Anxiety by Christina Anthis
Essential Oils for Soothing Anxiety: Remedies and Rituals to Feel Calm and Refreshed
by Christina Anthis (Goodreads Author)

5 out of 5 stars

The first section in this book focuses on general information about essential oils, their uses, history, and how they are made. There is also information on other self-care practices that can lower stress and soothe anxiety to be done in conjunction with aromatherapy and essential oils. These include meditation, massage, reflexology, and setting up a calm space with pillows, candles, and soft music.

Then there is a section with more details about the 10 most common essential oils used in this book. This gives more specific information about the benefits of each oil, the applications and uses, and precautions for allergies or skin sensitivities. The oils include Bergamot, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Coriander, Frankincense, Geranium, Grapefruit, Lavender, Sweet Marjoram, and Neroli.
Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: Organic Aromatherapy & Essential Oils

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Organic Aromatherapy & Essential Oils by Amber Robinson
Organic Aromatherapy & Essential Oils: The Modern Guide to All-Natural Health and Wellness
by Amber Robinson

5 out of 5 stars


This book has chapters for using aromatherapy and essential oils for common health ailments, emotional and mental well-being, cosmetics and personal care, and to use around the home or outdoors. The book begins with general information about how aromatherapy works, and how various essential oils can be used and blended together. There are individual pages for each essential oil detailing its properties, uses, and benefits.

The remedies include things like allergy relief, congestion, nausea, toothache,and sunburn relief. The blends for emotional well-being include soothing relief for anger,frustration, anxiety, loneliness, and ways to boost your focus, find patience, learn to forgive, encourage a hopeful outlook, and find inspiration. Some of the recipes are designed for inhalation or for topical use. Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: 5-Minute Stress Relief

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5-Minute Stress Relief by Elena Welsh
5-Minute Stress Relief: 75 Exercises to Quiet Your Mind and Calm Your Body
by Elena Welsh

5 out of 5 stars

The first chapter in this book discusses what causes stress and how it affects our bodies and minds. It goes through common emotional and physical symptoms of stress, and how we can change our behavior and reactions to better handle stress.

The second chapter begins the exercises for stress relief with simple things like focusing on the breath, being mindful of your surroundings, and activities like reading for pleasure, talking to someone about how you feel, quieting your mind, listening to music, and laughing more. Each of these come with detailed instructions that list the benefits of the activity. With guided meditations, positive affirmations, and instructions for using essential oils, this chapter has a lot of wonderful ideas for relieving stress. Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: In Tune

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In Tune by Richard Wolf
In Tune: Music as the Bridge to Mindfulness
by Richard Wolf

2 out of 5 stars


This book teaches the reader how to meditate by focusing on the breath using techniques of listening and creativity that musicians also use.

As a professional pianist, I didn’t quite find what I expected in this book. I thought it would be a book about USING music as a way to meditate, but this is mostly about how music practice and meditation practice share the same techniques and characteristics. I guess I was looking for advice about meditating WHILE playing an instrument or listening to music, but the author advises meditating in complete silence.

The writing is clear and interesting, but verbose and repetitive. The writing style is beautifully lyrical, but quickly becomes tedious as each paragraph is overloaded with words.

Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: Essential Chakra Yoga

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Essential Chakra Yoga by Christina D'Arrigo
Essential Chakra Yoga: Poses to Balance, Heal, and Energize the Body and Mind
by Christina D’Arrigo

5 out of 5 stars


This book guides the reader through an incredible journey using yoga to balance the energy in the body known as chakras. The first chapters give an overview of the seven main chakras, and how they affect your physical, mental, and emotional health. Each chakra overview includes positive affirmations about the area of life that corresponds to that chakra, such as emotions for the heart chakra, or expressing yourself with the throat chakra.
Then there are yoga poses, illustrated with simple drawings, that activate and clear each chakra for a smooth flow of energy throughout the body. Continue reading →