A Natural Mom's Guide to Summer

The summer season is finally here.

Summertime means longer days in the sun, more time outdoors, and lots of playtime with the kids. I look forward to creating a “summer fun” list with the kids each year, as we are untied from school schedules and commitments. We free up more of our time for play and making those sweet memories together. I read somewhere that we get roughly 18 summers with our kids, so not to waste a single one. That really puts how precious this time is in perspective.

While summer holds a lot of good times, things can creep in (like bugs!), or slow us down from all the fun. I want to share how our family prepares for those little emergencies and just the every day essentials for the season that’ll make summer all that sweeter.

Keep the Bugs Away Naturally

Bugs come out in full force during the summer months and it’s no surprise that bug spray be a summer necessity. The challenge we face is finding one that effectively keeps them away, without all the toxic chemicals.

Growing up I remember being sprayed head to toe (I had to cover my face and keep my mouth closed) in a fog of mosquito repellent. Growing evidence suggests many of the chemicals used in conventional bug sprays contain chemicals that are known carcinogens and have other adverse health effects. It’s important to remember that what goes on your skin is absorbed into the blood stream, so it’s important to be very picky about what you choose. Had my mom known what we know now about those type of buy sprays, she would’ve found an alternative. That’s the beauty in this, that when we know better, we can do better.

You may have already done some research on this topic and find it frustrating on the mixed messages regarding DEET and even natural bug sprays. Here’s what we do know, MANY essential oils are effective at deterring bugs, for example peppermint, lavender, cedarwood and citronella to name a few. Lemon Eucalyptus is one of the superstars that has been recognized for repelling insects. The question we need to ask next is what is the purity and sourcing of these essential oils, because you could have a natural bug spray that contains “essential oils”, but those essential oils may not have been tested for purity AND potency. Your bug spray may be called “natural” but its’ effectiveness will be lacking because you’re really working with subpar oils and ingredients.

Our family personally has been using the outdoor blend by doTERRA called Terrasheild. It has all the star players of essential oils in a base of fractionated coconut oil to hold onto the skin for better absorption. These oils not only are the perfect blend for the critters of the outdoors, but they have many health benefits and are excellent for your skin. Isn’t it nice to know you don’t have to trade the good for the bad? That you can have a natural product that has side benefits! doTERRA tests their essential oils well above industry standards and they go right to the source around the globe to bring us the most potent and pure.

Another summer must-have is a Bug Bite roller blend that’ll help soothe and calm a bite if it does happen. Here’s the simple recipe to make ahead of time:

In a 10ml roller bottle add 10 drops each of frankincense, lavender, and tea tree oil and top with fractionated coconut oil. Be sure to label so it’s an easy one to grab when the moment strikes. This is a great blend to keep with you in your bag. You may hang on to this all year!

Natural Sun Care

I want to start off by saying I’m so hopeful that the company doTERRA will come up with a stellar natural sunscreen, but at the time of this post, it’s still just a prayer. I will certainly update this post if one becomes available. The good news is you do have a few great options out there for natural sunscreen. I have also personally made my own and had great success in doing so.

When I do need to quickly grab a sunscreen, I stick with Honest Company brand (you can purchase it from Target or direct from the company), as well as Beauty Counter’s sunscreen. Both of these I’ve personally used on myself and with my family.

After Sun care is simple to prepare in advance. Lavender essential oil will be your friend if your skin has gotten a bit too much sun. I make a spray with lavender, frankincense, and a few drops of peppermint (very cooling) in a base of fractionated coconut oil. You can spray it directly onto the skin to soothe.

Natural Travel

There are some must-haves that we bring with us when we travel that offer us simple solutions.

The first biggie to address is digestive issues. These are the WORST and usually strike at the most inopportune times. Digest Zen roller blend (aka Zen Gest to my Canadian friends) is a digestive supporting blend of oils that helps bring everything back to balance. It’s in a base of fractionated coconut oil, so you simply roll it right over the abdomen (or draw a little heart around the belly button of your kids’ tummy) to help with any discomforts. This blend is very supportive if there is motion sickness or if you’ve just eaten too much food and feel gross. Digest Zen is the oil I share that really makes people a believer.

Next, lets chat about sore muscles. Obviously this can occur year round, but with all the outdoor play, hikes, runs, and fun we are having during the summer it definitely made the summer list. Deep Blue soothing blend of oils (or the Deep Blue rub, which is the lotion form) is a natural solution to help soothe any discomforts, increase circulation, and support those sore muscles. This is equally an effective blend for head tension. It’s very soothing, thus the name.

Natural Sleep Solutions

Lets wrap things up with how to get some of the best sleep of your life this summer. You can take these essentials of ours and bring them into your home to benefit the whole family.

An essential oil diffuser is super important to help get a deeper, more restful sleep. You can diffuse oil blends like Serenity and Breathe to help relax and rest. I take a diffuser (or three!) with me wherever we travel! I put them in our kids’ rooms and my room to diffuser every evening.

Natural sleep solutions don’t start and stop with aromatherapy. doTERRA makes a supplement called Serenity (different than the oil blend, but working toward the same outcome) that contains L-Theanine among other things that helps to ease anxious feelings, stress, and help with sleep. Copaiba softgels are another great solution. I have pulled the description of Copaiba right from doTERRA’s description as they explain the benefits of much better than I could:

“Copaiba oil contains the highest levels of β-caryophyllene (BCP) among currently known essential oils. An irregular cannabinoid and sesquiterpene, BCP is a potent constituent within copaiba essential oil. BCP selectively binds to CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system (ECS)—a signaling and regulating system comprised of enzymes, receptor sites throughout the body, and endocannabinoids produced by the body. With cannabinoid receptors found widely in the body and all major organs, the ECS acts as a major regulator of human health. The CB2 receptors in this system are of particular importance because they are mostly found within the immune system. When Copaiba is consumed, the BCP binds to these receptors to aid healthy immune and inflammatory responses.* It also influences multiple signaling pathways to promote healthy liver, digestive, kidney, heart, and brain function.* With its wide influence on key organs, BCP supports general well-being.” -doTERRA

You can take one or both of these around thirty minutes before bed to help you get a good night’s sleep. If you’re a mama who is still waking up at night with your babies, you will still be alert and functioning when you need to be with these. You will just feel more relaxed and better able to fall back to sleep. Who doesn’t want that!

So I hope you found this guide useful for some natural solutions to whip up, to stock up on, or just to know you don’t have to compromise with other harmful products. doTERRA really helps to make healthy living simple and when you can live more naturally, you certainly are setting your health up for success.

Have the most amazing summer!

Thanks for reading!