Could I have SAD??

     I currently live in a state with 300 days of sunshine.  I grew up in a state that had about 300 days of grey skies.  When I moved out to Colorado, I was amazed that the sun was present all winter long.  I didn't know that it made a difference, since I was so used to the grey sky.  Boy, was I in for a big surprise.  I realized that I am now active all winter long, versus holding myself hostage on the couch with a blanket on until March! It was miserable to get out of bed. I felt no motivation to do anything but survive during those long, long months.  I used to think it was funny to see all the advertisements for the sun lights. How could it really make a difference?  As with most good things in life, I learned to take for granted that which was before me.  Of course, until it disappears.  Our beautiful state has seemed to fall under a heavy blanket of grey.  It all began with the terrible fires burning in Montana and California. The smoke moved in and hung over us.  We recently had a weather change due to a storm system blowing in from the North West.  I don't mind the cooler temps descending upon us, but the sky is where I take issue.  I feel that lackluster. pressure headache, survival mode mood encroaching. I can see it also happening to my children. My 15 year old and I had a discussion about feeling the blues lately.  So, what is an Essential Mama Bear to do?

     I began to do research.  Most people feel more vitality through the Spring and Summer months.  Why is that?  More sunshine seems to be a recurring theme, but there has to be more to it.  Since I have no control over the sun, I wanted to find something I did have control over.  This is what I found...
   
     During the Spring and Summer months, we have more citrus fruits around than any other time.  I started to read about what our Citrus Fruit Essential Oils offered by way of effects.  Each one of them indicted that they were uplifting while also creating a calming and relaxing atmosphere.  So it makes perfect sense that dōTERRA would make a blend called Citrus Bliss (Invigorating Blend).  Reading about what using this blend achieves was spot on for my needs.  Everything I was looking for was right there in that fabulous little brown bottle. 

     Diffusing Lavender to create a calming atmosphere may not be the best decision I ever made!  I already felt like I could nap at a moments notice, this was not helping.  It appears that I was on the right train, I just needed to jump the track.  By adding Citrus Bliss and Peppermint to my Lavender, I will now be able to improve my focus and clarity.  I came home from dropping my kids off to school (late, by the way) and fired up my diffuser.  In the 1.5 hours since I began running this blend, I got rid of my headache, cleaned my kitchen, started laundry, wrote this post, finished a document I have been dragging out, reached out to 5 clients, and  made a healthy breakfast.  When I was driving the kids to school, my only thoughts were on finding a way to fit in a nap today. 

     I do believe I found a winning combination and can kick these grey sky, seasonal blues to the curb! Time to get back to living and not just surviving.  I am going to begin playing with some of the other recommended diffuser blends I found created by a fellow wellness advocate. 
     I may not see the sunshine today, but I can feel it!