We all pledge to make New Year’s resolutions come January 1st, whether it’s promising to get back to the gym, meal prep on Sunday’s, get a full 8 hours of sleep, the list goes on… But setting such large goals can sometimes put a lot of pressure on ourselves to commit and see those goals through, especially when we don’t quite know where to start.

Saje Wellness recently launched their #SpreadWellness campaign, encouraging their community to set and celebrate daily wellness goals. Kiara LeBlanc, VP of Brand and Creative Director at Saje, says it best: setting a daily wellness goal is a commitment that she makes to herself that invests in her happiness. Watch members of the Saje team explain the concept of #SpreadWellness including their own personal wellness goal in the video below….

The NKPR team accepted the Saje Wellness #SpreadWellness challenge! See some of our daily wellness goals:

Natasha: I’m pledging to take more time for me. That includes taking the time to stretch before AND after every workout instead of rushing through it.

Kristin: My wellness goal is to workout in the morning before coming into the office. It gets me energized for the day! 

Erin: Daily office squats starting today!!

Cassie: Eat whole, healthy foods and snacks and drink lots of water; Go to the gym at least three times a week; Set aside a little “me” time every day.

Aisosa: My wellness goal is to try and drink 1L of water a day!

Olena: My wellness goal is to get 8 hours of sleep every night.

Cait: Get 8 hours of sleep; Start every day with a sun salutation; Quit smoking; Be aware of posture at desk (and stop slouching).

Lauren: My wellness goal is to get stronger!! I want to commit to the gym 5x a week this month. Even if it means a 5:30AM wakeup!

Katie: My daily wellness goal is to take a 10-15 walk during my work day!

Nathan: My wellness goal for today is to drink an entire 1 litre of Flow Water.

Rebecca: My wellness goal is to work out 3 days a week!

Yulia: I’d like to drink more water each day and get into the habit of healthy snacking (Flow Water and Eat Nakd snacks will be my go-to!).

Now, we’re challenging you! What daily wellness goal(s) will you set for yourself? Tweet us at @natashankpr and be sure to tag @SajeWellness + #SpreadWellness to join the conversation!

At NKPR, we start thinking about gift guides pretty early in the year (think 30 degree weather and open-toe sandals early!)… And with the holidays creeping up ever closer, we thought it was time to share our favourite picks of the season! Behold, we’ve put together the ultimate 2015 gift guide with the best of beauty, wellness, fashion, home & more.

Winter Beauty

Who doesn’t love receiving something a little self-indulgent? From beautiful-smelling home décor to the beauty products we couldn’t live without… we rounded up our favourites to keep you feeling merry and bright this season!

Saje Wellness aromaBright Electric Ceramic Diffuser

At NKPR, you can always count on the sweet scent of Saje Wellness drifting through the office. Bring the healing power of essential oils into any room of your home or office this season with the festive aromaBright Electric Ceramic Diffuser! Choose from gold, silver or white.

OGX Beauty Argan Oil of Morroco Creamy Hair Butter

Face it: with the winter chill comes dry, damaged hair. Enter OGX Beauty’s Argan Oil of Morocco Creamy Hair Butter! Infused with argan oil, shea butter extract and more, this leave-in or rinse out treatment is a winter refuge for soft, shiny hair!

TWENTYSIX by Natasha Koifman for Aromachology

The gift that gives back… Created in collaboration with Aromachology, this philanthropic fragrance is the gift that will make you smell good AND feel good! 100% of Natasha’s profits from each sale of TWENTYSIX will go directly to a cause that means so much to us: Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ) and the children of Haiti.

Racinne Lady S Home Spa Device + Hydra Perfection Serum 

We’ve been huge fans of Korean skincare line Racinne for a while now and love the Lady S Home Spa Device. Pamper the beauty lover on your list this year with this portable 5-in-1 beauty gadget designed to firm and tone the skin, reduce puffiness, minimize pores and leave the skin with a youthful glow. Pair it with the ultra-luxe Hydra Perfection Serum to for that extra boost of moisture for the cold winter months ahead.

Fuzz Wax Bar Pre and Post Wax Care Collection

Give the gift of Fuzz this season! The wax bar recently launched its own skincare line designed specifically for pre and post wax care – but also as the perfect product to complement your everyday routine. The range of products is 100% natural, including a Skin Perfecting Body Scrub, Skin Hydrating Body Lotion and the ever-famous V-Mask!

For Her

For the fashionista in your life! Whether her style is uptown chic or downtown cool, our selection of gifts for her are sure to put a smile on her face!

LINE Jacob Sweater

No one does knitwear quite like LINE! We chose the Jacob sweater for the most stylish girl on your list. It’s perfect for cozy nights curled up on the couch watching all of the Holiday movie classics (like Love Actually & Home Alone!)

JOHN + JENN Onyx Faux Fur Jacket

As the temperatures drop lower and lower, it’s difficult to find an outwear option that offers both fashion and function. We love JOHN + JENN’s Onyx Faux Fur jacket for just this reason… it combines comfort, style & warmth! It’s the gift that will make someone cozy (and fabulous looking) from the inside out!

Mulberry Clemmie Clutch

We love this metallic clutch from Mulberry’s metallic collection. It makes the perfect carry-all when hopping from one holiday soiree to the next! and who wouldn’t want to unwrap a little #MulberryMagic this season?

DAVIDsTEA Gold-Dipped Porcelain Tea Cup

There’s nothing more comforting than a hot cup of tea on a cold night during the holidays. Even more so when it’s sipped out of a beautiful tea cup! Give the gift of DAVIDsTEA with this dreamy gold-dipped porcelain tea cup!

‪SHOES.com ‬Ilse Jacobsen Rub 2 Boot

The snow hasn’t started falling yet but when it does, we’ll be ready with these Ilse Jacobsen Rub 2 boots! The perfect mix of style and function, these cool kicks will make any girl’s holiday wish.

For Him

We’re taking the guesswork out of finding the perfect present for the man in your life. Whether your boyfriend, brother-in-law or dad, we selected unique items that are sure to top his wish list this year!

RUDSAK Charleroi Aviator Jacket

A warm winter jacket is a necessity for those of us living in Canada, but warm doesn’t always equal stylish. Enter RUDSAK’s Charleroi Aviator jacket. Shearling paired with a fur collar make it the perfect topper for the sartorialist who wants to look good and battle the cold at the same time!

PATRICK ASSARAF Short Sleeve Crew Necks

For the man with Effortless Style, we love PATRICK ASSARAF’s Pima Stretch Short Sleeve Crew Necks! This ultra-soft t-shirt combining 95% Peruvian pima stretch cotton with 5% spandex, resulting in an elevated luxury basic that forms the foundation of countless looks!

SHOES.‬com Richer Poorer The Long Weekend 3 Piece Gift Pack

Let’s face it, it’s not the holiday season without unwrapping a few Paris of socks! We love SHOES.com brand Richer Poorer for their stylish selection. Gift the man in your life with The Long Weekend 3 Piece Gift Pack, perfect for the trip home or a New Years Eve ski weekend!

Stocking Stuffers 

Check off the last of your gift list with these fun and festive stocking stuffers for your loved ones. Because let’s be honest, everyone’s favourite part of Christmas morning is opening their stocking!

Bottlegreen Pomegranate & Elderflower Sparkling Presse

We love sipping Bottlegreen at the office… Not only does it make the perfect stocking stuffer for the drink lover on your list, the Pomegranate & Elderflower Sparkling Presse is a perfectly festive addition to your holiday meal or cocktail menu!

Eat Nakd Wholefood Bars

The holidays are inevitably a time to indulge, but why not help your nearest and dearest get ready to hop back on the healthy band wagon come the New Year! We love these vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free snack bars… great for travel or snacking on-the-go!

Pure Hazelwood Necklace

Give the gift of natural healing this season with Pure Hazelwood, perfect for the entire family! From your Frozen-obsessed niece to your mom and grandparents, Pure Hazelwood products offer natural healing properties in a fashionable way!

Saje Wellness Travel Safe Kit

No one wants to get sick during the holidays but it tends to be the time of year when stress is high, temperatures are low and travel takes its toll. Gift your loved ones with Saje Wellness’ Travel Safe Kit! A collection of products to help stay healthy and energized throughout the busy holiday season.

What will you be gifting your loved ones this year? Tweet us @natashankpr!

Happy Holidays!

Love,
NKPR

Last week, Thomson Toronto generously donated their Screening Room for two back-to-back screenings of the film “Move With Us – A Transcanada-ish Documentary”. The film follows three Canadian men cycling from Vancouver to Toronto in the month of November to raise funds for Movember. The public event saw over 100 attendees visit the Screening Room and raised over $2,000 for Movember supporting men’s health – adding to the $125,000+ already raised by the “Moustache Ride” team! Below, read an interview with one of the stars of the film, Jordan Gildersleeve.

Have you always been a bicyclist?

What is your hope for the future of the Mo Ride?

No major plans to do any crazy rides. Ben, Kevin, and I are still best friends and I expect we’ll eventually do the rest of the ride from Toronto to St. John’s, Newfoundland.

Any new items on your bucket list?

I’ve always been intrigued by the El Camino de Santiago, an 800km walk in Spain.

This was such an amazing initiative inspired by your family and friends. Is your hope to inspire others to get more involved?

Absolutely. I hope this film inspires people to get involved with Movember, but also for people to not let the excuses not to do things get in the way of doing it. There were a lot of reasons why we shouldn’t have done this ride (e.g., We had to quit our jobs, it was winter time), but I am so happy that we did.

What is the one thing you hope others will take from this film?

Movember is all about starting conversations about men’s health. If people watch this film and talk to a few men in their lives about getting their prostate and colorectal examinations regularly and aren’t afraid to take advantage of many of the mental health initiatives that exist to support men, that the film will be a great success.

One of NKPR’s own, Tory Nash, is growing a moustache in support of Movember. To donate to his page, click here!

 

Last week, we announced our 26 Hours Of Kindness initiative! To recap: on November 26th beginning at 6:00am, the NKPR team will spend 26 consecutive hours giving back to the community! The response we received for those interested in participating was overwhelming and appreciated. As promised, we’ve put together a snapshot of our activities. There are plenty of ways you can get involved… if interested, please contact rebecca@nkpr.net!

Essentials Drive
From now until November 26th, we’re collecting gently used clothing, bags/purses and non-perishable food items. Do you have something you’d like to contribute? Drop by 312 Adelaide Street W from Monday to Friday 9:00am to 6:00pm! Your contribution will help support Canadian Diabetes Association, Red Door Family Shelter & Fred Victor. A big thank you to Spin Master, who generously donated children’s toys to our cause!

Pilates for a Cause
7:00am – 8:00am
Join us for a pilates class at Ultimate Athletics! Your $20 admission will be donated to a charitable cause and NKPR will match all donations made! To sign up, please contact lauren@nkpr.net.

Holiday Decorating with Caspar Haydar
The NKPR team, along with designer Caspar Haydar, will do some festive holiday decorating for the residents at Belmont House home for seniors. Afterwards, we’ll spend time with the residents, playing board games and chatting!

Best Buddies Program
A cause dear to our hearts, the NKPR team will spend time with students in the Best Buddies program at Gracefield Elementary School in North York.

Operation Christmas Child
We’ll pack 26 Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, hygiene items, personal notes & photos for children in need.

Text-to-Give Matching Game
2:00pm – 2:30pm
The NKPR team will walk along Queen St W, encouraging passersby to play our matching game. If you text JOY to 45678 and make a $5.00 donation to Make A Wish Foundation, we’ll do the same!

Random Acts of Kindness
Throughout the duration of our 26 hours of kindness, NKPR will conduct random acts of kindness including but not limited to:

– Free coffee at Yonge & Summerhill from 6:00am-7:00am
– Gifting colouring books to community centres in the city & flower arrangements for staff
– Handing out gift bags with DAVIDsTEA tea sachets to people walking on Queen Street from 2:00-3:00pm
– Surprise and delight coffee & snack deliveries to local fire, police stations and hospitals around the city
– Working with MADD to identify high risk areas for drunk driving, we’ll hand out free taxi rides home
– Giving out weekly metro passes to people on the 320 Blue Night bus route
– Working with local artists to create and display motivational signs around the city

Community Dinner Programs
There are many local community programs that provide nutritious meals, a safe space and the opportunity to socialize. NKPR will help cook and serve meals at:

– 3:00pm – 6:00pm: The St Felix Centre
– 6:00pm – 8:00pm: The First Interfaith Out of the Cold

All-Nighter For A Good Cause
26 Hours doesn’t stop overnight! The CAMH Darkness to Light Challenge is a spin-off of the original all-night challenge to defeat mental illness. NKPR will stay up all night to raise funds for lifesaving mental health care, research and awareness. All funds raised will go towards purchasing the most urgent needs within the CAMH Gifts of Light program.

#HiddenCashTO
4:00am – 5:00am
We’ll hide cash around the city and tweet clues to where the gifts can be found! You can follow along @natashankpr 🙂

GRAND FINALE – CAROLLING!
6:00am – 8:00am
To end our 26 hours of kindness, the NKPR team along with special guests (to be announced soon!) will serenade commuters with all of your pop & holiday favourites… Location TBC! If you’d like to carol with us, contact rebecca@nkpr.net.

Follow along in the lead-up to November 26th through the hashtag #NKPR26! We hope you’ll join us 🙂

The temperature is dropping, gift guides are popping up and festive retailer windows are being unveiled… it’s safe to say the holiday season is upon us! This year at NKPR, we want to deliver something truly meaningful. As things get busy, the effort to be nice can fall by the wayside. In lieu of giving traditional gifts, we’ve decided to donate our time and resources to try and alleviate a bit of that holiday stress.

On November 26, 2015 beginning at 6am, we’ll spend 26 consecutive hours giving back to the community through different acts of kindness!

Drawing on the support of our clients, strategic partners and friends, we’ve created a 26-hour program that focuses on giving back. Some of the activities during our 26 Hours  of Kindness will include:

·      Collecting and delivering clothing to the Canadian Diabetes Association
·      Decorating and beautifying seniors’ homes at Belmont House
·      Participating in a text-to-give program supporting Make-a-Wish
·      Cooking dinner for families at the St. Felix Community Centre
·      Brightening someone’s day on social media with a #randomactofkindness
·      Handing out hot pizza at midnight
·      Caroling for commuters
·      And much more!

The number 26 holds a lot of meaning for our president, Natasha Koifman. In addition to the 26-hour initiative this holiday season, she’s collaborated with custom scent expert Aromachology to create a philanthropic fragrance TWENTYSIX, with 100% of the profits supporting Artists for Peace and Justice. The fragrance, which combines 26 ingredients including noble Haitian Vetiver, is available to purchase at select Hudson’s Bay locations across the country and online at www.26forAPJ.com.

We hope that our efforts to spread a little holiday cheer inspire others to do the same. We’d love for you to join us and get involved with the 26 Hours of Kindness initiative! Later this week, we’ll post the full list of activities taking place on November 26th and November 27th. If you’d like to participate, contact Rebecca Kogon at rebecca@nkpr.net.

Plus, be sure to follow all 26 hours of kindness through the hashtag #NKPR26. We hope to see you all out there! 🙂

Another amazing Toronto Fashion Week has come and gone. Taking place once again at its new home in David Pecault Square, the downtown core was a constant buzz of excitement as incredible Canadian talent and Toronto’s finest gathered to debut and take in the Spring Summer 1016 collections.

We rounded up some of our favourite looks from the SS16 runway… Read on!

Sid Neigum 

At just 27 years old, this Alberta-born designer is making waves on the fashion scene. After winning last year’s Mercedes Benz Start-Up Award, Sig Neigum returned to World MasterCard Fashion Week (WMCFW), debuting his Spring Summer 2016 collection on day one at David Pecault Square. The collection, a decided departure from his signature monochromatic aesthetic, incorporated stunning sculptural silhouettes in dramatic blues, military greens, blacks and whites.

Mikhael Kale 

Always a favourite at WMCFW, Mikhael Kale’s Spring Summer 2016 collection did not disappoint! From hand-sewn pearls to beaded embellishment and floral embroidery, it was all about the details. High slits and shoulder cutouts added to Kale’s signature wow factor, while slicked back hair and dewy makeup let the clothes take centre stage.

Beaufille 

Sisters Parris and Chloe Gordon debuted the Beaufille Spring Summer 2016 collection on day three of WMCFW. The chic and effortless collection had a distinct 70’s feel, from the cropped flares, modern crochet detailing and burnt orange and rich brown hues. Silver cut-out ring details and the use of high-tech materials added a futuristic cool factor to this beautiful debut.

Sears No 99 Wayne Gretzky 

Sears Canada put on a show to be remembered, debuting the No 99 Wayne Gretzky collection with Spring Summer 2016 runway show! Developed in partnership with the great one himself, the collection offers a line of elevated casual menswear, inspired by Gretzky’s own modern classic sense of style. Mercerized cottons, cashmeres and merino wool give this collection a luxurious feel, offering men complete looks at affordable prices. Gretzky sat front row with members of his family and the Sears Canada team as they debuted this uniquely Canadian collection – which received the FASHION Magazine Award for Best Styling!

RUDSAK

Canadian luxe leather fashion brand RUDSAK unveiled its Waterways Spring Summer 2016 collection at an intimate, offsite show held at Malaparte to close day four of WMCFW. The show unveiled the limited edition Emily Haines signature leather jacket, with zip out clutch, and saw notable guests including Winnie Harlow, Danny Fernandes, Ana Golja, Tessa Virtue and many more in attendance. Inspired by the graceful ebb and flow of water, the collection featured playful splashes of colour, liquid-effect marble prints, fringes full of movement and even swim goggles and caps!

Stephan Caras

As usual, womenswear designer Stephan Caras wowed with his Spring Summer 2016 FLORÀL collection on the final day of WMCFW. Mixing prints, fabrics and colour, Caras proved that elegant can also be fun!  Inspired by the sensuality and delicacy of the blossom, featuring delicate French lace, exaggerated slits and bold geometrical beaded accents, the collection was created for the elegant and sensual modern day woman.

Photos: George Pimentel / Getty Images

Did you catch any shows at WMCFW? Which was your favourite?

Hot on the heels of Toronto International Film Festival and the NKPR IT Lounge, World Master Card Fashion Week is in full swing! It’s always a nonstop flurry of excitement running from meeting to event to fashion show to after party (& repeat)! The days are long and the nights are late. Here are our #WMCFW essentials that keep us going from morning until night…

Botox In A Tube! 

Racinne is an advanced Korean bio-tech skincare company whose products have been a life-saver for many of us on the NKPR team. The Ultimate Youth Power Series Anti-Aging Mask is an amazing treatment to use after a late night. Known as “Botox in a tube”,  the collection has amazing preventive properties including Korean Ginseng Callus Extract, Hyaluronic Acid and vitamin E. Ten minutes is all it takes to moisturize, smooth and plump the skin!

As a special offer for NKPR followers, use promo code #NKPR20 to receive 20% off all regular priced items from Racinne! 

iPhone (& Charger!)

Who could survive fashion week without their phone?! From tweeting looks from the front row to answering last minute emails about guest list, a fully-charged phone is a must. We carry a back-up portable charger to ensure we’re always at 100%! 

Healthy Fuel

Eat Nakd‘s vegan & dairy-free snack bars make a great way to refuel when running between back-to-back meetings and shows. Pop a couple in your clutch and you’re all set!

Hydration is key… We keep a stash of Flow Water in the office and behind-the-scenes to grab-and-go when needed. 

Quick Pick-Me-Up

It can be hectic running from event to event… if you feel a headache coming on, turn to Saje Natural Wellness‘ Peppermint Halo Headache Remedy to reduce pain & pounding.

What are your essentials during Fashion week?

The Thanksgiving long-weekend is always a welcome time at the NKPR office. It’s the telltale indicator that fall is officially upon us and with it, some of our favourite things… The leaves changing from green to beautiful shades of red and orange; the crisp chill in the air signalling the re-introduction of our favourite fall fashion (or just a friendly excuse to do some wardrobe updating!); and of course, the quality time that we get to spend with family, friends and loved ones… 

In honour of the upcoming Thanksgiving long-weekend, we pulled together a few more of our fall-inspired favourites. 

The Sweet Scent of Fall 

Is there anything better than the scent of Fall? (Other than Thanksgiving dinner, of course!) We love Saje Natural Wellness‘ Woodland Spring 100% Soy Wax Candle. With notes of eucalyptus, peppermint and atlas cedarwood, it’s the perfect way to bring the autumn air inside!

Cozy Sweaters To Snuggle In 

One of our favourite Canadian designers Patrick Assaraf‘s fall collection proves that casual-wear need not be sloppy. From cashmere crew-necks to cable-knit zip-ups, Patrick Assaraf’s designs will keep you warm while looking your best, all season long!

The words LINE and “cozy” go hand-in-hand, which is why the label’s luxe fall offerings are our go-to when the temperatures begin to drop. One of our favourite pieces from the collection is the CLAREMONT – this wrap was handcrafted by local artisans in Uruguay and is so splendidly soft, we never want to take it off! 

Long-Weekend Getaway? Yes Please! 

The Thanksgiving long-weekend is the perfect opportunity for a spontaneous trip out of town! We love the Hotel Tonight app… use their Escape function which will curate spots only a driving distance away.

Stay Warm, Look Chic

This Jessica faux fur shoulder wrap – available at Sears – is fashion forward, super cozy and best of all, affordable!

Switch up your handbag game with this fun-for-fall RUDSAK ALEP statement bag! With this on your arm, you’ll be ready to brave the colder temperatures, without sacrificing your style!

#PumpkinSpice Season

DAVIDsTEA‘s collection of Thanksgiving-inspired tea is the perfect gift to take home to mom, or any host or hostess. With comforting flavours for fall, like Pumpkin Spice and Honeycrisp Apple, this set of 8 teas and infusions is the perfect end to any Thanksgiving dinner!

Not Your Grandmother’s Cranberry Sauce

Nothing says Thanksgiving like the tangy taste of cranberry sauce. We also love Bottlegreen‘s Cranberry Orange Sparkling Presse! Made with real cranberries, this refresher is fresh, fruity and crisp on the palate. Serve it alone, or with your liquor of choice as a fall-inspired cocktail!

Baking, with a Twist 

Inside NKPR, we love Eat Nakd‘s wheat-, dairy-, gluten-free snack bars. With 6 delicious flavours – Cocoa Orange, Cashew Cookie, Cocoa Delight, Berry Delight, Strawberry Crunch and Banana Crunch, they make the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving snack menu. Another fun tip? Bake fun, healthy desserts with your favourite flavours! Check out some recipe ideas here: https://www.naturalbalancefoods.com/recipes/

What is your favourite thing about the fall season? Tweet us @natashankpr! 

Inside NKPR, we’ve long been enjoying the therapeutic properties of Saje Natural Wellness’ incredible essential oils…but wanted to know how exactly it all works! We talk to the brand’s product and sales trainer Linnette Carriere, who shares her wisdom on the healing powers of scent….

Describe scent and the way it impacts and affects the human body?

Scent in its 100% natural form is derived from the root, fruit, wood, plant, flower and herb and called essential oils. When inhaled, these minute molecules enter the nose and affect the limbic system. The limbic system retains our memories and emotions and release hormones which effect the whole body. When we smell something we enjoy, this floods the body with endorphins making you feel great and changing your mood 100% naturally.

How can scent help us with creating and living the life we envision for ourselves?

When we send an intention, the more we focus on the intention, the better we attract what we desire. There is such a connection between scent and memories that the brain can be “trained” to remember the intention you set. If I sent an intention to overcome my fear of public speaking and engage an audience with a presentation, I may choose to smell oils that give me confidence like orange, rose, and bergamot. When I smell the oils I set my intention and visualize a positive outcome. Just before the presentation, the oils are inhaled deeply and the Limbic system is activated to recall the desired emotions of the outcome before it has even happened.

What scents are you most inclined to choose when you are feeling stressed or having an off day?

It is rare but I usually “follow my noise” to what smells great. I love the complexity of the blend Stress Release that Saje created. It is so powerfully supportive of the adrenal glands. We live busy lives and anything that addresses symptoms of stress help lift my mood.

Let’s talk more about feelings and how essential oils can influence our moods. How can we….

Increase feelings of happiness…

Essential oils of fruit like Orange, Bergamot, Lime, and Mandarin are great for boosting cheerfulness and happiness. Research has been shown that orange helps to reduce pulse rate and salivary cortisol in an anxiety state.

Combat feelings of anger…

Essential oil of Jasmine, Patchouli, Rose, Neroli, and Ylang ylang address symptoms of anger. It is best to follow what your body likes the smell of. Your noise will be attracted to what it needs to rebalance itself. Floral essential oils are known to promote deeper breathing, which serve to alkalize the blood
and naturally lower blood pressure levels.

Ease feelings of sadness or grief…

I gained so much knowledge in this area when my father passed. I diffused oils through his last month and during the grieving process after. Similar to the oils recommended for anger, these oils help with grief and releasing emotions. I personally used Grapefruit, Rose, Cananga, and Geranium.

Decrease stress…

Essential oils that are grounding like sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli, and trees help promote feeling of peace. They affect the limbic system, which then send hormones through the body and lowers blood pressure naturally.

Ground an overactive mind…

Ancient oils used for ceremonial purpose are recommended to tap into inner wisdom. Sandalwood, Cedar-wood, Sage, and Green Spikenard help deepen meditation because they are grounding. They calm the body and mind, which can be challenging to turn off sometimes.

What exactly happens when the brain encounters scent?

When inhaled, these minuet molecules enter the nose and effect part of the brain, the limbic system. The limbic system retains our memories and emotions and release hormones which effect the whole body. When we smell something we like, this floods the body with endorphins, our happy chemicals, making you feel well and lifting your mood.

Essential oils are also know for their detoxify properties which may increase more energy, heighten mental focus and clarity, and improve sleep quality.

Do you believe that scent has the power to heal?

For over ten years, I have had the pleasure of watching people receive the healing power of plants and it is impossible not to believe. From headaches/migraines, depression/anxiety, chronic pain/severe debilitating pain, allergies, digestive disorders, and beyond, essential oils heal on a body, mind and spirit level.

Is the trend of mindfulness and healthy living fleeting, or is it here to stay?

We are starting to notice that change needs to happen in the world. Naturally healing is making a resurgence because we understand that drugs are not a solution to every ailment. It has been 75 years since the golden age of the pharmaceutical industry. The boomer generation is becoming more open to traditional and natural remedies that have been used for hundreds of year. Trendsetters are increasingly adopting this lifestyle and this has an influence on how people think. When someone hears about his or her favourite musician or actor endorsing a more natural lifestyle change, they start to look at ways they can do the same thing.

For more Saje Natural Wellness and natural well-being, visit their blog!