Hi friends!! My name is Janet McKnight & I will be your nerd for this winter wellness class tomorrow. 🤓 I think the human body is super cool, and I am that person trying to talk to your about your gut health at a party. (And I’m only 10% sorry.) I love gardening, essential oils, and other people's children. Thank you SO much for being here!  I can’t wait to share my favorite winter wellness tips! 🥳

 

Tonight I'm going to share some of my best tips for staying well through the dry, cold winter months. My goal is that you'll be empowered with tools to keep in your wellness toolbox that will bless you & your families this season!

 

Staying Warm and Well

 

Staying healthy in the winter has it's challenges. Cold temperatures equal people spending more time indoors. More time indoors leads to less Vitamin D (none if you're north of the 37th parallel) as well as less fresh air inside of our homes. Not to mention that it's the most wonderful time of year for viruses as well. Whomp. Whomp. Whomp.

 

Essential oils & their buddies, essential oil infused products, can help support your health and wellness regardless of the weather! Essential oils are teeny, tiny molecules that can be absorbed through the skin, breathed in, or diffused, and then they go wherever they are needed in the body. They are best used regularly to keep your body healthy, as opposed to waiting until you are sick & trying to get better. It's the perfect time of year to fire up your diffuser, get into a routine of rolling on your oils, and staying on top of your supplements.

Recognizing the Symptoms
Maybe it starts with a scratchy throat, a tired voice, or a drippy nose? Every body has a different warning sign (or signs), and for me it's definitely draining sinuses. Most people have not been trained to pay attention to their body, but it's never too late to start! When you wake up in the morning, make a habit of checking in with yourself. It doesn't take long, and it will be a game-changer this winter!

 

 

Our first line of defense is Thieves. This magical blend of Rosemary, Eucalyptus Radiata, Lemon, Clove, and Cinnamon Bark essential oils goes back to the middle ages when a group of thieves were robbing the sick and the dead during the plague but were staying healthy! When forced to share their wellness secrets, they admitted to soaking rags in this concoction. Is this true or is it legend? I don't know, but now you know why we call it Thieves! Individually these oils pack a wellness punch (research cinnamon bark essential oil for a good, nerdy time), and together they are a powerhouse. This blend smells like Christmas and is a germ-smashing machine. Use it on your feet in the morning before work/school/day care/sitting at home on your computer to support your immune system & keep other people's yuck at bay. Diffuse it in your car & house to kill germs in the air.

Thieves is just the tipping point, though. Immupower, Exodus II, & Hyssop all got roller tops on them last week at my house. I roll them along the spine whenever things get shady. Immupower contains oils like Oregano, Frankincense & Hyssop- all oils not in Thieves. When in doubt, use both! Exodus II is predominantly oils from the Ancient Scripture collection, and it is great at cleansing the body.

 

*Thieves, Exodus II, and any blend containing cinnamon bark or cassia are "hot" oils which means that full-strength, they can feel like they're burning the skin. If you're new to oils or unsure, always apply to the bottom of the feet & slowly feel out your skin's sensitivity. Applying with a carrier oil is the best way to use them topically. If you get some on your skin and it feels like it's burning, apply a carrier oil on top to soothe!

 

**Before you get overwhelmed & your to-buy list gets out of control, look into the Golden Touch Kit. This kit has Thieves, Raven, RC, Endoflex, Juvaflex, Melrose & Digize in it. If you need to (re)stock your winter wellness cabinet, start here.

Taking Charge of Your Health
Friends, your health is your responsibility. This is good news! You get to take proactive action on your own wellness. My absolute favorite way to do this is by drinking Ningxia Red. This blessed nectar is a one-stop vitamin and mineral shop supporting your energy levels, eye health, fighting against oxidative stress, and supporting normal cellular function. Bonus- it's delicious and kids of all ages love it too.

 

 

Master Formula is 3 different multivitamins in one packet. I take these during the day because I know they have Vitamin B, and I want that energy during the day, not at night. These naturally help support your well-being, help neutralize free-radicals in the body, and contain loads of good things like turmeric and prebiotics. It's really too much to talk about in a paragraph!

 

 

Next up is the supplement I have added to my regimen for the winter- Super Cal Plus. I can't have dairy, so a calcium supplement is important for me. Calcium needs magnesium to be properly absorbed into the body. I also want extra Vitamin D- as I mentioned before, anyone above the 37th parallel isn't getting any from the sun for several months in the winter. Vitamin D isn't just essential for staying happy, it's also super important for your immune system! Vitamin D needs vitamin K2 to be absorbed properly. Bonus points for also containing trace minerals, Idaho Blue Spruce, Black Spruce, Copaiba, Vetiver and Peppermint essential oils! These are some of my absolute favorite oils, and I like to get minerals wherever possible. When I found out I could get all of this in Super Cal Plus I was SO excited. Like I said, I'm a nerd.

 

We all have times where we get busy & stressed, though. We forget to take our supplements. We forget to use oils. We forget to sleep. This is where Inner Defense comes in. It is NOT an everyday supplement. Inner Defense reinforces systemic defenses, creates unfriendly terrain for yeast/fungus, promotes healthy respiratory function, and contains potent essential oils like oregano, thyme, lemongrass, and Thieves which are rich in thymol, carvacrol, and eugenol for immune support. These oils don't play. They pack a punch. For best results, take Life 9, a probiotic, 8 hours before an Inner Defense for a double whammy.

Battling the Cold Weather
There is nothing better than a fireplace in the winter. I don't love all that dry air, though. It dries out your skin, irritates your sinuses, and can make breathing difficult. Boo. Heating things up brings the moisture level down, and that's a problem for everyone.

 

That's where Raven comes in handy! Raven has a fresh, cool scent and contains Ravintsara, lemon, wintergreen, peppermint, and eucalyptus radiata essential oils. Where cinnamon bark and oregano are "hot" oils, I like to think of peppermint and wintergreen as "cool" oils, but they need the same special care when it comes to keeping them out of your eyes, okay?

 

This combination of oils is great for your lungs. I love it in the diffuser by itself or with a couple drops of Thieves or Stress Away. Ravintsara is one of my favorite breathing oils- it is high in eugenol, so I refer to it as African Eucalyptus. It is from a completely different plant family, so this is just a memory device rather than a scientific classification-- don't revoke my nerd card please!

 

You can add a few drops of Raven to some softened coconut oil and mix/whip them together to create a soothing breathing balm that can be used on the chest or bottoms of the feet. *highly recommend!

Keeping Germs at Bay
Where are my germaphobes at? This one's for you! I spent last weekend at a conference where they wanted to high-five everyone on their way into the event to check for wristbands. As I gave multiple high-fives, I punctuated each one with a hearty shout of "germs!" because obviously, people. I wasn't worried, though. I brought my own hand cleaner. You have GOTTA try this stuff. It's not toxic like so many other brands of "hand sanitizer," and it smells like Thieves! It comes in purse/pocket sizes and a big pump bottle. No yucky chemicals, oils that kill germs, and support your immune system. Win. Win. Win.

 

Would this be a good time to confess that I have a small bottle of Thieves foaming hand soap in my purse?

 

Are you traveling at all this winter? I highly recommend the Thieves Spray. Do you have small children who like to lick random surfaces? I recommend the Thieves Spray. Aforementioned germaphobe? Thieves Spray. It's a travel-sized bottle that will clean your hotel room, airplane seat, gross restaurant tabletops, etc.

 

Thieves ALL the things friends. In fact, there are Thieves wipes as well. These are perfect for wiping down grocery carts, restaurant tables, high chairs, public transportation, light switches, door handles, remote controls...

Purifying the Air

We've already talked about dry air in your home, but let's talk about air quality for a second. Did you know that the air quality inside your home can seriously affect your health? Off-gassing from mattresses, clothes, shoes, toys, plus toxic air fresheners & perfumes, laundry detergents, chemical cleaners, drier sheets & candles can all seriously affect your ability to breathe and the air quality in your home. Not to mention things like mold, dust, and other more natural forms of air pollution. There is hope, my friends. Swap out your yucky chemicals for some Thieves cleaning products or make your own with Thieves, Lemon and Purification.
 

Purification is my go-to for diffusing in the fall when they're harvesting the fields and leaves are beginning to decompose on the ground. Purification is a blend of Citronella, Rosemary, Lemongrass, Tea Tree, Lavandin, and Myrtle essential oils. They can help you clean your body and your house! Add a few drops to some witch hazel & distilled water to make a cleaning spray, or add to some baking soda and a few drops of water for a scrub. You can use any combination of lemon, Thieves, and Purification for a fresh scent that's actually clean!
 

Lemon, y'all. Lemon is high in limonene which has been well researched for it's beneficial properties. It's inexpensive, pairs well with other oils, and is uplifting when diffused- especially in the winter. Plus, it's great at cleaning even by itself! I like to use it to clean the toilet bowl, my Sunday school classroom, and any sticky residue.
 

Clean, fresh air in your home is immeasurably valuable to your health in the winter. Get those diffusers going! If you really want to get in the holiday mood, Christmas Spirit is one of my favorites to diffuse this time of year with Orange, Cinnamon Bark, and Black Spruce oils.

You know what else helps your home air quality in the winter? House plants!

Soothing Warmth

 

Sometimes you just need some warmth & comfort in the winter. I don't mind the cool, crisp air for the first few months, but eventually I just want to be warm already. Winter is too long in my opinion! Drippy sinuses are my first sign that my body could use some special care, and I LOVE the Thieves Cough Drops for this. I could easily go through a bag a month if I wanted to! They're great for clearing my sinuses even if I don't have a cough! (I try not to let things get that far.)

 

Thieves tea is next on my list. I drink warm drinks in the winter just to stay warm, but if my body is struggling, I'll add a drop of Thieves Vitality essential oil to some raw honey and add warm water. Don't add boiling water- it should be drinkable or able to put a finger in the water and keep it there comfortably. If the water is too hot, you'll lose some valuable properties from both the oil & the honey. If you prefer stronger flavors, steep a bag of Throat Coat tea as well as the honey & Thieves. I also love doing this with Peppermint Vitality and Lemon Vitality.

Comforting Wellness

The key to making winter wellness happen is having a comfortable routine that you can make into a habit. I keep my personal morning oils on the bathroom counter so I can use them when I wake up in the morning and before bed at night. Many of my friends keep their Thieves roll-on by their kids shoes so they can roll it on their feet before they put on their shoes & socks. You can take the roll-on in your purse if you're gone more than you're at home. Make a habit of rolling it on after lunch or in the school pick-up line- just pick a time that happens every day that you can tie this new habit to.

 

When I get home in the evenings, before I make dinner or get busy in the kitchen, I start the diffuser. People are coming home often stressed, tired, and depressed in the winter. The sun is already down, and having a pleasant scent in the house will lift everyone's mood and clean the house of any stale air.

 

When the going gets tough, the tough put a bunch of oils in a capsule and take them internally. I've found 00 sized capsules hold about 20 drops. One of the best combinations is Thieves Vitality, Oregano Vitality, and Frankincense Vitality. Be forewarned, you'll want to take this with food if possible. Oregano flavored burps are weird. This combo supports the immune system and allows you to get that army of oils that I mentioned in your body and working for you right away.

Dealing With the Sniffles - We've talked about so many ways we can support our immune system this winter, but even if you're trying to do all the things, that doesn't mean you'll never get the sniffles. The sniffles aren't all bad- better out than in, I always say. So what can we do about it?

 

Whether you're young or old, SniffleEase is there to help ease those symptoms. SniffleEase is part of the KidsScents oil line & is formulated and pre-diluted to be ready to use on your kids! I got a bottle last month & promptly put a roller top on it so that when my niece is with my & feeling sniffy, it's ready to go.

 

Grown ups can certainly use SniffleEase themselves (I do!), but the roll-on Breathe Again is also a family favorite! A special trick I like with Breathe Again is to apply it to my chest 3 times in a row with a 15 minute break in between. Someone recommended it to me once, and it's worked like a charm ever since!

 

When my sinuses are getting intense, I like to put Peppermint oil straight on them & then close my eyes for 15 minutes to avoid getting the peppermint in my eyes. However, this is way too strong for most people, and Lavender would be a great one to start with if you're not sure how your body will respond. I also like to put a little peppermint on my thumb and press it to the roof of my mouth. Again, this is intense, so know your body, and start slow. A few more oils I like for the sniffles are R.C., Xiang Mao, and Myrtle.

Restful Winter Nights - Getting a good night's sleep is one of the big keys for staying well during winter (and every season). When we sleep, our body does it's healing, restoring, cleaning, etc. When we don't get sleep, some things don't get done. Then, the inside of our bodies starts to look like our houses when we don't have time to clean them but keep living our lives day after day. Imagine always leaving a few dishes by the sink that never get washed. Over time, they pile up! To avoid a metaphorical (or literal) trash build up inside of our bodies, we need to get plenty of rest!

 

Immupro is a supplement that contains anti-oxidants and immune supporting herbs along with melatonin to help your body do it's work while getting you a good night's sleep. Because it contains melatonin, it's not recommended that you take it every night. Use it when your body is feeling stressed and/or sleep is hard to come by.

 

Lavender and Cedarwood are best buddies for bedtime. A few drops of each in the diffuser or on the bottoms of your feet can help your body drive off into a restful sleep. I find Lavender calms my mind down when I have a lot going on. Using the same oils in your diffuser every night can create a habit that helps tell your body it's time to rest. This is a game-changer for kids who don't like to calm down at bed-time friends. Let them help you start the diffuser, and then the scent begins to tell their bodies it is time to sleep!

 

Tranquil roll-on is a great multi-purpose tool. It is calming and relaxing for bed-time, but in the middle of the day can help sharpen your mind into focus. *This is a great oil for teens!*

Recap

 

We talked about so many oils tonight!

*Thieves *Peppermint *Lavender *Hyssop *Immupower *Exodus II *Ravintsara *Purification *SniffleEase *Lemon *Raven *R.C *Xiang Mao *Tranquil *Cedarwood *Frankincense *Oregano

 

We talked about supplements that can support your body:
*Inner Defense *Ningxia Red *ImmuPro *Super Cal Plus *Master Forumla *Life 9

 

There are SO many names I did not call, but rest assured, the best oils to use are the oils you have! (As long as they're Young Living, of course!)

What do you think? Do you need to order some of these oils & supplements? If you are a current Young Living member, you can log in to your Virtual Office and place a One-Time Order to have these items shipped directly to you. Better yet, order through the Essential Rewards program and earn rewards points for free products! What's Essential Rewards? Learn more here- https://www.youngliving.com/e…/opportunity/essential-rewards

 

If you are not a Young Living member and are ready to add these products to your life, reach out to the person who invited you to this class, they will be happy to help you get started- make sure you ask them how to get a 24% discount!

 

Thank you so much for joining this class! Here's to staying well this winter!