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Digestion and Sleep Tips: Survive Holiday Feasting with a Little Natural Help

Ah, the holidays—the season of good food, family, and maybe a bit too much “sampling” in the kitchen! For anyone who loves to cook (or just eat!), it’s tough to resist trying every dish on the table, especially when you’ve put love into each one. I’m usually the chef in my house, and trust me, I’m sampling everything I made. But as much as I love the flavors of the season, I’ve noticed that my digestion and sleep don’t always love me back.

We’ve all been there: indulge a little too much, feel way too full, and then lie awake feeling less “jolly” and more... uncomfortable. And that discomfort doesn’t just stay in the stomach—it can affect our sleep, energy, and our overall holiday vibe! Luckily, I’ve got a bit of a “secret weapon” that I turn to whenever my self-control gets a little loose (which is definitely around the holidays!).

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love doTERRA’s DigestZen blend. One drop in water and a little rubbed on my belly, and within 15 minutes, I’m back to enjoying the evening instead of regretting that last helping. It’s truly a miracle worker! What’s great about DigestZen, and many other doTERRA products, is their purity and reliability—they’re 100% natural, third-party tested, and really work because they’re made from actual plant material, not just fragrance.

And the best part? DigestZen and other pure essential oils and supplements are natural solutions that I feel totally safe using for my family, helping us all stay feeling great throughout the season and beyond.

In this newsletter, I’ll share some of my favorite natural ways to support digestion and sleep so you can fully enjoy the season without losing a wink of sleep over it.

Happy feasting (and sleeping)! 🎄😊

Surviving Holiday Feasting with a little NATURAL HELP

To get good quality sleep…

Let’s talk sleep—or as I like to call it, my “on-again, off-again relationship” 😆. The holidays are coming, and while I’m all for the festivities, we all know the combo of late nights, rich food, and *ahem* stress doesn’t exactly set us up for good sleep. If I’m lucky, I can get everyone to bed by 9, but if my brain is still running through all the things, I’m not exactly getting quality sleep either. Sound familiar?

Here’s the good news: I found my sleep BFF in the Serenity Sleep System, and it’s like hitting the reset button on my bedtime routine. This is my personal sleep trifecta, and it includes three things that together give you real rest.

  1. Serenity Essential Oil Blend: This is my “sleepy time” go-to in the diffuser. I pop a few drops in and let it work its magic while I drift off. The science part? The essential oils in it—lavender, cedarwood, and roman chamomile—are well-known for calming the mind and slowing down the nervous system. It’s like having a spa night every night (minus the childcare and drive, of course!).

  2. Serenity Softgels: These are little capsules of sleep-support goodness that I take about 30 minutes before bed. They’re filled with calming ingredients like Tart Cherry, which actually helps the body produce melatonin naturally. So it’s like nudging your body to make its own melatonin instead of relying on outside sources. And the best part? They’re safe for the whole family (anyone who’s old enough to swallow pills, that is!).

  3. Serenity Sleep Stick: Okay, so I am OBSESSED with this stick. It’s like your very own dreamy roller wand you can swipe under your nose, on your wrists, or the bottoms of your feet before bed. It’s got Valerian root, which has been shown to promote deeper sleep by calming those brain signals that say, “Hey, remember all those things you forgot to do today?” 🙃

 

And yes, all of this is safe for kids too, which is the cherry on top of the bedtime sundae. You can even swipe a little of the Sleep Stick on your kids’ feet if they’re having trouble winding down.

I’ll tell you, this system has saved me from many “mom-zombie” mornings and actually lets me wake up feeling rested and ready to tackle the day. And the best part? When you grab these three as a set, you’re saving money too. Win-win!

So here’s to less tossing, more resting, and a serenity-filled holiday season. 😴💤

My #1 secret weapon

Alright, let’s talk about that holiday blood sugar rollercoaster 🎢—you know, the one we end up on after one too many gingerbread cookies and just a few extra servings of stuffing. I get it. The holidays have us practically surrounded by carbs, and not the “slow-burn” kind, either. So, if you’re like me and want to actually enjoy the holiday treats without feeling like you’re on a 24/7 carb-crash, you’ll love what I found in the MetaPWR Metabolic Assist.

This little hero is basically like taking your fast carbs (hello, holiday mashed potatoes) and slowing them wayyy down. Instead of hitting you with a sugar spike that makes you feel like a squirrel on espresso one minute and ready to hibernate the next, it evens out those blood sugar swings. Here’s the science in mom terms: MetaPWR actually slows down the conversion of carbs into glucose. So, it’s kind of like getting a slow-release carb experience instead of a carb explosion. More stable blood sugar = fewer crashes, more balanced energy, and a little less holiday “hangover” after those big meals.

For the curious mamas who like data, some MetaPWR users have even worn continuous blood glucose monitors and seen seriously steady levels. The takeaway? This stuff works, and you can see it in action.

It’s easy, too: just take 1-2 capsules with your biggest meal, or if you’re in “holiday mode” (aka, treat yourself mode), you can take a capsule with each indulgent meal. I even keep a few in my purse in case we pop out for a holiday lunch or have an unexpected “oh-let’s-eat-out” moment while shopping.

What makes MetaPWR so effective? It’s all in the blend—there’s mulberry leaf extract and cinnamon bark powder, which actually work with enzymes in your digestive system to slow down those carbs. It keeps the glucose from flooding your bloodstream all at once, giving you a smoother ride. And honestly, I’ll take any help I can get if it means a little more “calm mom” energy and a little less sugar-crash drama.

So, if you’re ready to enjoy all the fun (and food!) of the season without the crashes, give this a go. Your body will thank you—and you just might feel a little more on top of things, even in holiday chaos.

Peppermint

Alright, friend, let’s talk heartburn—because nothing says “fun night” like that burning feeling that decides to pop up right after a delicious meal, right? It’s like the ultimate buzzkill.

Here’s a little hack I swear by: Peppermint essential oil. And no, I’m not talking about the peppermint flavoring you put in hot cocoa (although I do love that, too). I mean a pure drop of doTERRA’s Peppermint oil rubbed right over the stomach. There’s a bit of science behind why this works, too: peppermint contains menthol, which has a cooling effect and can help relax the muscles of the digestive tract. So when that fiery feeling hits, a dab of this oil can bring some serious relief.

For me, it’s been a lifesaver on nights when I might have overdone it on the pasta. One drop, right over the stomach area, and it calms things down pretty quickly. And since it’s pure peppermint, it’s just as natural as it gets—no extra fillers, just the real plant oils doing their thing.

So, next time the heartburn fairy shows up, give this a try.

DigestZen

Alright, let’s talk about those times when we’ve fully committed to a big meal, and then… regret sets in. You know, when you’re leaning back, feeling like a balloon ready to burst. 🙃

Here’s my absolute go-to for that bloated, “what-was-I-thinking” feeling: DigestZen. It’s this powerhouse blend we keep on hand because it just works. My husband, who’s a pediatric gastroenterologist (so he knows his stuff with digestion), is as hooked on it as I am! One drop rubbed over the lower abdomen works wonders for that bloated discomfort. And if I need a little extra help, I’ll actually swallow 1-2 drops and follow it up with a glass of water—no joke, the relief kicks in fast.

There’s some cool science behind it, too. DigestZen is a blend of ginger, peppermint, and fennel essential oils, which help relax the muscles in the digestive tract and support healthy movement, so things aren’t just “sitting there.” And it’s all natural, so I feel good about using it anytime.

So, next time you find yourself a little too full, give it a shot—your stomach will thank you!

Epsom salt bath + essential oils

Alright, let’s talk baths and why they’re secretly one of the best tools for both digestion *and* sleep. Ever notice how a warm bath can practically melt your stress away? Well, there’s some science to back up why it’s so effective, especially when you add a cup of Epsom salts and a few drops of essential oil. Here’s the scoop:

When we’re stressed, our bodies burn through magnesium—like, *a lot* of it. Magnesium is crucial for managing stress, so if we’re low on it, both our digestion and sleep take a hit. Epsom salts are loaded with magnesium sulfate, so when you soak in a bath, your body actually absorbs it right through your skin. This replenishes those magnesium stores naturally, helping you feel more relaxed and calm.

Add a few drops of a soothing essential oil like lavender or Serenity blend, and you’ve got a perfect recipe for winding down. Not only does this help you drift off easier, but it also supports digestion by helping the muscles in the digestive tract relax.

If you can, try making this a few-times-a-week ritual—honestly, it’s one of the easiest ways to support your body, get better sleep, and keep your digestion on track. Plus, it’s a pretty dreamy way to end the day, right?

Trouble falling asleep?

Alright, let’s chat about those nights when you lay down and your brain decides it’s party time instead of bedtime. If that’s happening, it might be a little clue that your adrenal glands are feeling out of whack. But don’t worry—there are some simple tricks to help you unwind and get the sleep you need!

First up, grab your diffuser and fill it with some lavender essential oil. Not only does it smell heavenly, but a recent study found that inhaling lavender can actually help lower cortisol levels—the hormone that’s often responsible for stress and sleeplessness. So, that little bottle of magic is doing some serious work while you’re trying to catch those Zs!

While you’re at it, consider having a small snack before bed, like a piece of raw cheese or a spoonful of almond butter. This can help stabilize your blood sugar levels through the night, which is super helpful for keeping your body balanced.

If you’re looking for an extra boost, I’ve got to mention the doTERRA Serenity Softgels. They’re my go-to for a natural sleep aid that won’t leave you feeling like a zombie in the morning. They help you ease into sleep without the morning grogginess that comes with other sleep aids.

And speaking of new and exciting, have you tried doTERRA’s Shinrin-Yoku blend? This one smells like a peaceful walk through the woods—seriously, it’s divine! Clinical studies show that it’s great for reducing cortisol levels, which means better sleep and a more refreshed feeling when you wake up.

So, if you find yourself tossing and turning, give these tools a try. Your body will thank you, and you might just find yourself drifting off into dreamland a little easier!

Waking up in the middle of the night?

If you wake up in the middle of the night & can't go back to sleep, again, eat a small snack + put a drop of lavender on your chest. The small snack + lavender will both help reduce your cortisol levels so you can go back to sleep.

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