Take a Breath

Okay.  Anyone else shaking their head and wondering how we got here?  Take a deep breath, say a prayer or spend five minutes in meditation (watch a kitten video?). 

And now, during this time when we need one another more than ever, we are supposed to “social distance.” 

I’m trying to make small, significant changes and yet keep myself sane as well as safe.  Everyone knows exercise is really important to me, so, for now, at least, I am keeping to my gym routine, and am using a lot of sanitizing wipes and washing my hands like crazy.

Some gyms are closing or exercise classes are being cancelled, but with warmer weather coming, many people are taking their activities outside.  The spring sun is stronger than you think, so it’s a good time to talk about sun protection.

Protect Your Skin

Personally I think a little sun is good for my body (my bones are very happy!) but I have to be cautious about too much sun on my skin because I. Love. Being. Outside.  I do wear sunscreen, but I’m also concerned about the chemicals they contain.  My adorable friend Cassie asked me to write about the chemical concerns of sunscreen, so here is a little bit on it.

The American Academy of Dermatology states that the contents of sunscreen is regulated by the FDA and any products sold in the US are deemed to be safe.  However, the FDA is asking manufacturers of sunscreen for more data on several ingredients.  Oxybenzone and octinoxate are the ingredients getting a lot of attention because of the potential for hormone disruption and damage to coral reefs.  This is a really interesting article of PeoplesPharmacy.com.

I always see parents slathering sunscreen on their children, and I doubt most of them have read the labels or researched the ingredients they are using.

Now, many of your favorite cosmetics might also contain these ingredients, so I’m certainly not here to slam the sunscreen industry, but I try to minimize the chemicals my skin is drinking in. 

I often check in with EWG.org (the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit nonpartisan organization). On their site, you can search on any cosmetic, cleaner, food and see their safety rating. It’s a great site and has a lot of helpful articles.

Wash Your Hands

I’m sure everyone has heard about the run on hand sanitizers (and how hoarding has gone awry for some).  As a worker in hospitals, I am very familiar with using hand sanitizers in addition to washing my hands frequently.  And here’s the thing.  I try to avoid using them as much as possible.  My skin already runs pretty dry, and those sanitizers just finish my hands off. 

But they are really handy (pun not intended) to have around, so I made my own.  All the ingredients I have on hand.  Super easy and easier on the skin.

Homemade Hand Sanitizer

• ¼ cup isopropyl alcohol
• 1/8 cup aloe vera gel
• 8 drops essential oil (I used lavender from Young Living)

I have an aloe vera plant I keep around not only for its beauty, but also for cuts and burns.  I took a large leaf, sliced it open and the gel from that leaf equaled about 1/8 cup.  I then used double that amount of alcohol and added the drops of oil.  I stirred it up and put it in a travel bottle.  All set!

I am praying for all my buddies and joining others who voices are lifted to God during this crazy time. Please do whatever it takes to keep yourself calm and happy as possible.