One Herb That Can Help Keep You Sane Through All the Holiday Chaos

Lavender can be your best friend for both the mind and body.

Probably about now you might be doing some last minute shopping, baking, cleaning or still wrapping gifts as you prepare for the holidays.  Perhaps, you’re even having out-of-town family and friends on their way to stay with you.  As much as you look forward to all that celebrating ahead, you also might find all the activities and rushing to get everything done on time can leave you extra tired and stressed.  You may think there is nothing much you can do, but there is something that helps restore your mood and body--lavender.

The lavender that I am referring to is not an artificial lavender aroma from a pretty scent, but the power of the real herb.  There are quite a few proven studies on the effects of lavender on the nervous system for calming, improving concentration, brightening your outlook to relaxing you enough to bring on sleep.  

Of course, you might be tempted just to burn a natural lavender aromatherapy candle that is made from its essential oil.  Though helpful, if you want to get all you can from lavender then you are better served using lavender essential oil and applying it to your wrist.  

Unlike many essential oils that need to be diluted first with a carrier oil, this is safe to apply directly to your skin.  Direct skin contact of lavender essential oil has also been shown substantially reduce blood pressure, the heart rate and its temperature.

So before you get tied up in knots this holiday season, think of yourself and those you love by looking into buying some lavender essential oil for your total well-being.     

Save 50% On Vanity Planet’s Cor 3 Blood Pressure Monitor With My Coupon Code!

Disclaimer: This post is based on a free product provided by a company as a press sample so that I may offer my own opinion, which may be the same or differ from yours.

Vanity Planet's Cor 3 Home Blood Pressure Monitor

In a previous post, I explained the value of keeping hearts healthy in my review of Vanity Planet’s Cor 3 home blood pressure monitor.   

Hardly the most romantic or typical type of Valentine’s Day gift you might expect, a home blood pressure monitor such as Vanity Planet’s Cor 3 ($99) is a sincere way to show that love. 

Thanks to Vanity Planet, Nuts 4 Stuff readers can save 50% off the price of that blood pressure monitor by entering coupon code BPCOR3 at checkout.

Read my Cor 3 review for all the details on how this monitor works.

*Disclaimer: Free product was provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*

Blood Pressure Monitor Review--The Cor 3 From Vanity Planet

Blood pressure is something you may not think about since many of its symptoms can often mimic other common ailments like headaches, fatigue, dizziness, nosebleeds or a flushed face. You may also be under the false impression that it does not happen to the young but older people.  If so, then you are treading on dangerous ground because you may be putting yourself unnecessarily at risk.

To determine blood pressure, you need to take two different measurements when you sit or lie relaxed for five minutes.  The first is the systolic number (the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats), being the top and largest number over the diastolic number (the pressure of the heart during rest as it refills with blood), which is at the bottom.

Normal blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg, but it can fluctuate quickly.  Therefore, you could get several different readings in a span of a short time.  

Nonetheless, if you get a systolic reading of 140 or above or diastolic 90 or above, you need to pay attention to what it is telling you.  This does not mean panic, but the best way to know for sure is if you continue getting that same reading. 

To do this at home, a good way to monitor yourself is with a home blood pressure monitor like the one I received from Vanity Planet.  The model that I selected was their Cor 3, which is a wonderful thing to have to keep healthy.

Vanity Planet's Cor 3 Blood Pressure Monitor

The Cor 3 is an electronic blood pressure monitoring device that operates on 4-AAA batteries with an extra-large LCD display for easy viewing and an ergonomic arm cuff that auto-inflates.  This handy machine measures both systolic and diastolic pressures, besides also letting you to keep track of your pulse, and even has an irregular heartbeat detector for catching pulse irregularities.  Furthermore, it can store up to 60 readings with a date and time for an accurate record of your testing.

Vanity Planet's Cor 3 Blood Pressure Monitor with ergonomic arm cuff 

The health of a heart is an important thing.  Though not the most romantic or typical type of Valentine’s Day gifts, a home blood pressure monitor such as the Cor 3 ($99) is a genuine way to express that love.  Visit Vanity Planet and check out this monitor as well as their other selection of products.


**Update**Thanks to Vanity Planet, Nuts 4 Stuff readers can save 50% off the price of that blood pressure monitor by entering coupon code BPCOR3 at checkout!  

*Disclaimer: Free product was provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*

How to Take Charge of Your Blood Pressure

Keeping a check on your blood pressure can save your life.

Women are developing more cases of hypertension these days.  Stress, diet, and our own heredity has a lot to do with the problem.  However, there are some unexpected ways to control your blood pressure.  Whether you currently take medication or not,  you can help yourself even further. 

Lower Sodium Intake or Turn to Spices and Herbs to Season

Try cutting back on sodium when possible.  Reduce or cut out the salt in some of your recipes.  Experiment with substituting different herbs and spices when cooking instead.  Herbal salt-free blends like the one I posted a while is back help bring out the flavor of foods.  I will share other delicious blends tomorrow!

The recommended allowance for salt for each of us is one teaspoon a day.  And yet, we are addicted to salt.  I know I consume way too much.  Gradually, I am weaning myself away, working with herbs and spices in my recipes, and learning to read food labels more carefully also.  Taking precautions now can only be beneficial in the future for any of us.

Make Sure to Get Enough Magnesium and Potassium 

Something you may not realize is the importance of magnesium and potassium in your diet.  In one study, the recommended amount of magnesium is between 350-400 mg and 4,700 mg of potassium.  In simple terms, you need to eat about 2-1/2 cups of fruits and vegetables a day with those two minerals.  The best sources are soybeans, spinach, potatoes, kidney beans, and bananas.

Avoid Cured or Luncheon Meats and Other Foods That Contain Tyramine

Other foods you try to limit are any aged cheeses, fermented, pickled or cured foods like sausages, bacon and luncheon meats.  Besides the sodium, these particular foods contain tyramine, an amino acid-based compound that can increase blood pressure when on certain medications.

Taking a nap can also be help.  The best way is to stick to a time for your nap break and fit it into your day, if you can squeeze this routine into your schedule.   

One last thing to try is taking up yoga and meditation.  These are proven to calm and help lower your blood pressure.  If those are not for you, try to set ten minutes aside in your day to stretch,  close your eyes, and clear your mind while you breathe deeply even can help.