I have recently started a very intense Herbalism course, a home study type thing, that I am very excited about but am having a very hard time getting my mind to settle down enough to make it possible to concentrate on the enourmous amount of material. I've been having a serious case of "monkey mind"!

I know this is partly due to the time of year, the fact that I'm walking down the menopause road, and things like that.

Do any of you, who are more knowlegeable in the area of herbs and stuff, have any suggestions on infusions, eo's for diffusing, or anything else that will help me settle this zooming mind of mine? I'm driving myself nuts and really need to buckle down and get into these studies!

Any help would be appreciated greatly.

Breathing might be a good thing too..... You feel so anxious and excited...calm yourself by taking a warm (not hot) shower and placing some rosemary essential oil in a diffuser. Sit down at your work space....and take about 3-5 full deep breaths...in thru the nose and out thru the mouth.....then relax...

I would also try some chamomile tea as well....

Studying should be done as something of leisure....something that is a treat...something to savor....

Enjoy this time in your life...and rejoice in the fact that knowledge is eternal......

Blessings Bright and Dark,

Yes! breathing is a gooood thing!

LE, your suggestions got me to thinking that perhaps preparing for study in much the same way that I prepare for ritual may help me to get my mind to "shift" and settle.

Alora, Until I started reading your daily's, I didn't realize just how important it is to be aware of what energies are at play on any given day and how much that awareness can help balance what inside myself is out of whack. I definetly plan to educate myself more in this area and endeavor to incorporate what I learn more fully into my life.

Thank you both.

I have been having the same problem, usually at work, and I know it is mostly due to having to stop my HRT, so menopause is my problem also. I found that playing my meditation music works very well. I always begin with calming breaths, and listen to the music for a few minutes. My mind just calms right down, and I am able to get a lot of work done. My boss is getting tired of the sound of pan pipes and pennywhistles drifting thru the office, but I tell him that without the music, I wouldn't be able to get his tax information to the accountant in time!

Mentalpause! Yes, exactly! What you describe, Raevynkiss, is just what I'm experiencing and it's very frustrating for this Aquarian who tends to be an air head, already. Pun intended, LOL.

Thank you all for your suggestions, I'll be trying them all.

I'm also going to be giving up the stimulants (coffee). If I'm not careful I find myself consuming an entire 12 cup pot and that can't be helping with this bouncy mind. I'm almost done setting up my study and am hoping that having a regular place to settle and work will also trigger the focus.

Black Cohosh helped me immensely with the hot flashes....and I still take it everyday. I had my hysterectomy and ovariectomy, along with my cervix being removed in 2004. I am currently taking HRT as well. I am comfortable with my choice, and eventually will wean off the HRT....but for now, it helps to keep me sane. Well, as sane as I can be... :roll:

Blessings Bright and Dark,

I agree, Lady Elaine, Black Cohosh is very helpful. I loved HRT, I was on it for 12 years, but I got breast cancer last fall, so that was the end of HRT for me. I don't believe the HRT caused the cancer, the doctor doesn't think so either, but they won't prescribe HRT for you if you have cancer. I am also taking butterburr for migraines, and I think it has helped me with concentration, also, because it is advertized as being "for brain health". I do concentrate better than before I began taking it.

I'm so sorry about your breast cancer, Rainbells, and hope you are recovering well from that.

I was perimenopausal for about 10 years before I started this full blown adventure. I think that I am lucky as I have only had the occasional hot flash, although I have been experiencing the night sweats and lack of sleep. The most bothersome aspect of this, for me, is the mental stuff. Lack of concentration, moodiness when I have always been very even-tempered, (and as far as hubby is concerned, the worst) the lack of sex drive. Seems that sometimes NOTHING can light my fire.

At 46 (next month) I'm still trying to get my head around the fact that I am middle-aged much less mentalpausal! Not that I don't accept it because I do....it's just, well, where did all the time go??? I like the woman that I have become but am grieving for that young sexy woman I was. It's terrible and I find myself feeling guilty for thinking so shallowly.

Brigga, the most important lesson I have learned is this: Be gentle with yourself. At one time or another, we have all wished for our young, healthy and sexy bodies back, I think it is just human nature to feel that way. Feeling guilty is low energy stuff, so instead of that, why don't you try some affirmations? They really do work, as long as you keep at it. The next time you wish you were a young hottie, just say to yourself, (out loud, if possible) "I am a vibant woman, sexy in my experience and beautiful in my wisdom. I love myself just the way I am." Believe it or not, you will begin to really see yourself that way, and you will walk taller and just oooze confidence and vitality. And people will begin to see you that way, too, because it will really happen. After a while, you will find that you wouldn't trade your own hot self for anything.

And maybe try the butterburr (get Petodolax, the harmful stuff has been removed from that) I think it might help you concentrate. The lack of sleep contributes to the inability to concentrate, and I have recently discovered Melatonin for sleeping. It works GREAT!

Good luck to you.


bedtime

Thank you, thank you, thank you all for your loving generosity. Each time I log in to this site I am reminded what a blessing it is.

Rainbells, I've written out that affirmation and taped it to my vanity where I will see it and will be using it often, I'll also be looking into the butterbur. Thanks so much.

Thank you for your responses Alora. You've got so much going on today and despite that took the time to take care of me and I am honored. In the last few years, I've developed an alergy to fish but do take flax seed oil for the omegas. It's helped a lot and I love what it's done for my hair and skin!

EponaAnu....I loved the welcomes to the sisterhood! I really got a sense of celebration from them. Awesome!