Hi there!

I'm back in the blogging groove and it feels good!  I started a health and wellness blog back in 2013, and used to loved pouring my heart out...rambling basically about running, vegan eats and motherhood.  That was long before the vestibular stuff hit and I had any idea how it would shift my world.  Launching my first site did ignite the fire to connect with others wanting to thrive in this beautiful life though.  That's still my goal with Bliss Out and I believe that glowing wellness is at the heart of it all.  

When it comes to life with vestibular migraines my whole goal is basically not to have vestibular migraines...so essentially life without vestibular migraines.  This takes my being proactive in my wellness routine.  Not waiting for an attack and then figuring out what I'll do, but rather putting myself in a position so that attacks are a lot less likely to happen and if I start to feel symptoms creep, I know I need to step up my game.

I share my full wellness routine and essential oils routine, but today I'm focusing on what I do when I start to feel a light ache.  As if the pain wants to break through, but my body is trying really hard to fight back.  It's a signal to me that things could get a lot worse.

During the 18-months when my symptoms were much more intense, I rarely dealt with any migraine pain (the classic symptom).  To be honest I'd take pain any day over the vestibular symptoms (migraine dizziness, pressure in head and ears, derealization, disconnected/off kilter feelings, nausea).  However, these days (three years later after my initial attack) my symptoms are no longer 24/7 and they do not make a daily appearance.  When I do feel anything, it's generally much more subtle and a sign to me that I need to turn to my holistic toolkit.

Copaiba (the oil I'm using in this clip) is one of the most anti-inflammatory substances on earth and I love it!  It's properties also include antibacterial, antioxidant & antimicrobial.  Good stuff, friends. 

When I feel migraine pain trying to breakthrough, my first step is always to grab a glass of water and my oils. 

-I chug the glass of water (and make sure to stay hydrated) and think through how I want to combat the symptoms and support my body with my oils.  I used to be awful at drinking water and it's something I now know I need to remind myself to do.  "Step away from the latte, Emily.  Water, now!"

-I then use my essential oils throughout the day.  Not just once, but generally every hour.  Copaiba essential oils (certified pure therapeutic grade oil, only!) can be used topically and taken internally.  This oil's properties combat pain and inflammation therefore helping with headaches and migraines.  I take two drops of the oil in a veggie capsule every 3-4 hours (or use the softgels depending what I have on hand at the moment).  I use the roller bottle every hour applyint it to my temples, forehead and back of my neck.  [I added Adaptiv oil blend to my roller bottle as well for all the calming vibes]

Three years ago I knew close to nothing about essential oils.  I had no idea how to use them or how they could support my glowing wellness.  

Today they are the main component in my wellness routine, along with a plant-based diet and exercise, when it comes to thriving in this life with vestibular migraines- and BEYOND. 

​My mission is to basically lead a life without vestibular migraines.  That would be the ideal vestibular migraine life.  That makes sense, right? ;)

Oils are certainly not the only thing I depend on to support my health and help me maintain my balanced state.  If you feel drawn towards oils, visit my other resources and please reach out to me with questions.

Vestibular Warrior Oils Routine

My Routine During a Vestibular Migraine Attack [to thrive!]

Below are several other vestibular migraine natural treatments that I embrace to promote vibrant health:

Vestibular Migraine Prevention Diet [my version is vegan!]

move + meditate workouts

I hope that you have a wonderful day!

Em :)

Hi there!

It's been a week of reflecting over the last three years over here.  Today marks three years since vestibular neuritis hit, which triggered a cycle of vestibular migraines, none of which I could make sense of or understand in the beginning.  Everything is only so much clearer in retrospect.  I shared an episode today on the Bliss Out Vibes podcast talking about the power that we hold when it comes to our healing.  I also tell a story about an experience with a doctor that felt soul-crushing at the time, but created the shift I needed to keep showing up and relentlessly pushing forward.  

I'm sharing my story so that someone sitting in their beginning with vestibular neuritis or vestibular migraines is given a piece of hope.  So they know that they are not alone even though vestibular conditions can feel so isolating.  I'm sharing because three years ago I needed to hear someone else's story to help me find the light in mine, and I have since connected with many incredible Vestibular Warriors who have been such a light in my life.  It's a gift that I want to give back.  

I'm going to share what the last three years looked like merely to paint a picture of what healing has been for me.  Of course our stories will be different and just because my story looks a certain way doesn't mean it's right or wrong, it's just how the path unfolded for me.  I'm still traveling along that path.  I can gratefully say that I've recovered my wellness and continuing to do everything I can to promote vibrant health.

I went to many doctors before the term vestibular neuritis was said to me.  It was a physical therapist who stated that it probably was what I was dealing with, but I had come across the term on the internet prior to meeting with her.  The symptoms made sense and I so badly wanted to put a label on what I was experiencing.  My youngest was three months old when it hit.  I was full of so much love and so thankful for my beautiful baby while simultaneously feeling stuck in the darkness of my vestibular something searching for answers.   [For more information on vestibular neuritis, visit here]

Around a year in, I felt like I had climbed a huge mountain.  The floating feeling had faded along with the mental fatigue.  I was feeling so much more like myself; although, changed from the experience (I talk about mindset (our superpower) in my e-book Vestibular Warrior).  My symptoms became more erratic though, with ups and downs that I couldn't make sense of.  I'd have days of feeling 80% better and then I'd get swarmed with symptoms.  I started talking more with other Vestibular Warriors and a fellow mom mentioned to me that my symptoms seemed a lot like what she was dealing with, which was vestibular migraines.

It all started to make sense... the periods of feeling better (not 100%, but so close) and then unexpected regressions as I had called them.  The vestibular migraine label fit and so I started working to address that. [For more information on vestibular migraines, visit here]

My main symptoms included:
-derealization, like I was looking at my life from behind a window
-my eyes not wanting to focus, more intensely during episodes
-out of the blue anxiety attack
-like I was walking on a trampoline during attacks
-nausea + dizziness during an attack
-rarely any migraine pain

Nourishing plant-based diet, supplements, essential oils, move + meditate workouts, chiropractic adjustments, running (eventually)... it all became so important to maintain my wellness and continue to heal during the second year.  Diet + essential oils are still, and always will be, a crucial part of my everyday wellness routine to thrive.  I started a migraine-preventive medicine 19 months in that broke the constant cycle of attacks that happened weekly.  That's a whole other story though that I share here.  

I hit 100% around the two-year mark and have enjoyed the last year with a gratitude that cannot be explained.  I haven't been completely symptom free, but they only make an occasional appearance these days.  I had three intense episodes in the last year that I was able to dig myself out of within the day. 

It's felt like the greatest gift and I'm reminded of that gift - the grounded, balanced state - every day.

As I mentioned in a recent post, I'm working to wean off the migraine medicine.  I believe in holistic health and I want to give my body the opportunity to find its balance.  It's going to be a process and something I will share here.  

HOLISTIC NUTRITION

I'm back in school studying holistic nutrition all inspired by my journey with a vestibular something.  I want to be deeply in touch with the art of healing.

SHARING THE OILS LIFE

I'm sharing the essential oils life because it's been such a happy place even in the darkness of the vestibular stuff.  I love giving others the gift of owning their wellness through a holistic toolkit.

OWNING OUR WELLNESS

I want to be a part of the empowered movement for all of us living with a vestibular condition to take ownership of our wellness.  The movement already exists which is evident, but so many are still lost in the darkness.  There was a time that I was sinking in it.

​We all deserve to find light.

This three-year anniversary marks a year of finding my balance and making life shifts in the direction of my choosing. 

I want this next year to be a deeper focus on holistic health and what that means not only for me, but all of us Vestibular Warriors embracing life and embodying  glowing wellness- with a vestibular condition and beyond.  It's a beautiful thing.

I hope this post finds you well.  But please know, that if you are in your beginning with vestibular neuritis, vestibular migraines, or another vestibular condition, and feeling utterly lost, just know that your beginning is a beautiful place to start.

​Em :)

Hi! 

Today I'm talking about what self-care means to me.  And this is something that has evolved, and will continue to, but it’s not a “maybe” if I get time, it’s a priority, because my wellness is so damn important (and yours is too by the way)!

If I care BIG about my wellbeing, then it’s reflected in every area of my life: motherhood, marriage, my work, the energy I put out there, how I approach my vestibular condition + how I approach (and can emotionally + physically take on) every twist and turn in my life.

So in no particular order, here’s my world of self-care:
​
-eating a plant-based diet to nourish my body
-taking supplements to fill the gaps (and gain superhero status)
-climbing into bed and watching Netflix to just chill out
-starting my day with Balance essential oil blend on my feet bottoms to ground me and ease anxious and nervous feelings
-laughing with my husband
​-cuddling with my two-year-old and talking about our favorite superheroes (mine: Ironman, his: Hulk)
-learning from my 4-year old
-going to the chiro
-constantly advocating for myself because vestibular migraine is a label but I want to get to the of it
-move + meditate sessions
-wearing clothes that I feel good in
-talking about all life things with my vegan bestie (hey Char!)
-listening to music that makes me feel lots of emotion + embracing it
-blogging
-dreaming
-relentless goal setting
-connecting with other vestibular warriors
-sharing about my holistic support system (oils...yeah!!)
-knowing when I need to rest
-accepting the ups and downs of life because they make ME
-therapy
-DIY dry shampoo (on the blog)
-recognizing my faults and my attributes
​-drinking water (need to more)
-smiling
-wearing Juice Beauty makeup because it makes my skin happy
-listening the podcasts that set my soul on fire: One Part Podcast and Hol:Fit talks lately!
-gratitude for all the little things
-a big cup of Four Sigmatic mushroom coffee because this mama did not get enough sleep last night.  
That’s a glimpse!  Think on what self-care means to you.

I'd love to hear from you! 

for more about me and the Bliss Out Movement, visit here.

Hey hey!

Today I'm talking about the daith piercing I got 7 months ago.  My inspiration to get it was reading that it may help with migraines.  There's a lot of chatter about that topic and I think the common theme is that it helps some people and for others does nothing.  I love the way the piercing looks so I figured even if it didn't do anything, at least I'd have a cool piercing.

Did it hurt?

Well, I think we all have different pain tolerances, but I don't think it was too bad.  Yes, for a very quick moment it didn't feel great, but it's so quick that the moment I went to wince, it was done.  

What was the healing process like?

It took a long while to heal.  Protocol is to clean it daily with a very gentle soap or just stand in the shower and let hot water run over it.  It definitely was bloody for a few days and I had to make sure it stayed clean.  Within about a month in I developed a keloid and I was really bummed about that   (a keloid is an area of irregular fibrous tissue formed at the site of the scar).  I knew I was prone to keloids so I wasn't shocked, but I hated that I had a bump at the location of the piercing.  

How did you get rid of the keloid?

THANK YOU Turmeric essential oil.  One day I decided to take my oil and apply a few dabs around the piercing location.  I knew turmeric's properties were anti-inflammatory so I was hoping it would help it heal.  Sure enough within a week the keloid was GONE.  I honestly couldn't believe it.  I'm sure if I had used the oil sooner it would have helped the piercing heal quicker.  I highly recommend getting yourself turmeric oil if you plan to get this piercing.

Have your migraines (vestibular migraines in my case) gone away?  Did the piercing help?

This is a tough question to answer because I got the piercing at the same time that I was embracing several holistic practices to support my wellness.  I would definitely say in the six months that followed I entered a much better stage with migraines (and the vestibular stuff in general), but I can't credit that solely to this piercing.  {to learn about my journey with a vestibular disorder, read here}

I can definitely say that I'm happy I got the piercing!  It may be helping the migraine symptoms and like I mentioned, I think it looks great.