Emotional Health

Girl Talk Lowers Cortisol and Raises Sanity—Science Says So

08/03/2025 04:00 AM Central
AJ Flanagan
cortisol, emotional decluttering, Emotional Health, Girl Talk, Intentional Wellness, Mindset Shifts, Science + Self-Care, Small Wins for Wellness
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Turns out, that heart-to-heart with your bestie is basically brain medicine.

I saw this meme the other day claiming that when women vent to each other, it actually helps us lower cortisol, boost serotonin, and build stronger neural pathways. At first, I laughed and thought, Well that explains a lot. Then I did a little digging—and guess what? That meme wasn’t just internet fluff. It was onto something...

Unlocking Emotional Wellness: The Impact of Essential Oils on the Limbic System

Nov 24, 2023 07:15 AM Central
AJ Flanagan
aromatherapy, Emotional Health, essential oils, Holistic Wellness, Mind-Body Connection
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Discover the profound impact of essential oils on our limbic system, the emotional control center of the brain, in our latest blog post. Dive into the world of aromatherapy and explore how subtle scents like lavender and chamomile can promote relaxation and sleep support by influencing our limbic system. Discover how essential oils like cedarwood and frankincense can offer emotional stability and support during times of unrest. Customize your emotional well-being journey by creating personalized blends that cater to your specific emotional needs. Learn how essential oils like rosemary and peppermint can enhance cognitive function and memory recall while uplifting your mood and invigorating your mind. Integrate these powerful tools into your daily routine for a more balanced and harmonious subconscious state, and embrace the aromatic journey towards emotional well-being. Join me on this holistic and personalized quest towards a more harmonious and balanced psychological state through the power of essential oils.

✨ My blog exists because I know what it feels like to keep everything jumbled in your head — like a messy pile of clothes you can’t sort through.

Writing it all down brings clarity, calm, and sometimes even healing answers I didn’t know I was looking for.

Honestly, that’s why I keep showing up to write — it helps me make sense of things.

Even if you have no intentions of ever publishing your work, I highly recommend writing stuff down. It doesn't have to be a literary masterpiece or even full, grammatically correct sentences... just dump those random thoughts onto paper... you'll see what I mean.

*This blog centers the GenX experience, simply because that’s the lens I live through—but anyone looking for connection, natural wellness, grief support, or a little real-talk in this messy stage of life is more than welcome.

Hi! I'm AJ Flanagan.

Hey there — I’m AJ.

I’m an empty-nester and a widow who had a wake-up call about the hidden toxins in everyday products most of us grew up using. Our parents didn’t know. We didn’t know either. But once you start paying attention, it’s hard to ignore.

Life shifted in 2018 when my husband, Eric, was diagnosed with leukemia — and again in 2023 when we faced a second cancer diagnosis. Supporting him through treatment changed how we looked at just about everything, including how we cared for our home, our bodies, and our day-to-day routines.

We didn’t aim for perfection or extremes. We focused on simple, meaningful changes — reducing toxic load in our home, choosing better ingredients, prioritizing nourishing food, and building calmer rhythms into daily life. Tools like aromatherapy, music, meditation, and intentional rest became part of how we coped and stayed grounded.

Caring for Eric deepened my commitment to living well — not as a trend, but as a way of showing up with intention and grace, even in the hard seasons.

Now I share our story, the lessons we learned, the small changes that made a big difference, and how I'm moving forward. My hope is to make wellness feel more approachable, less overwhelming, and rooted in real life — especially for anyone who wants healthier options without pressure or perfection.

If you’re here to find what actually works for you, you’re in the right place.

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