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Bee propolis is a fascinating natural substance that honeybees produce by mixing their saliva and beeswax with resins collected from tree buds, sap flows, and other botanical sources. I found this product at a local market this past weekend. 

Often referred to as “bee glue,” it is a sticky, brownish substance used by bees to seal and protect their hives from bacteria, viruses, and other potential threats.

Propolis has been valued for centuries for its medicinal properties. 

Flavonoids & Polyphenols – These are plant-based antioxidants that help protect the body from damage caused by stress, toxins, and infections. They’re found in many superfoods (like berries and green tea) and are known for their immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties.

Antibacterial, Antiviral, Antifungal, and Anti-inflammatory Effects – This means propolis can help fight off bacteria, viruses, and fungi (like those that cause infections or sore throats) while also reducing inflammation in the body. This is why it’s used for wound healing, oral health, and immune support.

Common Uses – Because of these properties, people use propolis to strengthen their immune system, heal small cuts or burns, and ease throat irritation, making it a go-to natural remedy during cold and flu season.

One of the standout benefits of bee propolis is its potential to enhance immune response. Studies suggest it can help the body fight infections, making it a popular natural remedy for colds, flu, and oral health issues. 

It has also been studied for its potential role in wound healing, as it can stimulate skin regeneration while preventing infections. Some research indicates it may have antioxidant properties that support overall wellness and even gut health.

The product I found was a bee propolis throat spray, and it is a great natural remedy, especially if you’re dealing with a sore throat, dry throat, or just want some immune support. Since propolis has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties, it can help with a range of issues related to the throat and mouth.

Using it regularly can help:

  • Soothe a sore or scratchy throat – The anti-inflammatory compounds can reduce irritation and swelling, making it easier to swallow.
  • Fight bacteria and viruses – Propolis has natural antibacterial and antiviral properties, which can help combat infections like colds, flu, or even strep throat.
  • Support oral health – It can help with canker sores, gum inflammation, and even minor mouth wounds, thanks to its healing and antimicrobial effects.
  • Coat and protect the throat – If you talk a lot, sing, or just deal with a dry environment (hello, Calgary winters!), it can create a protective barrier and keep your throat from getting too dry or irritated.
  • Boost immunity – Since it has immune-supporting flavonoids and antioxidants, it can help your body fight off infections before they take hold.

 

You can use it preventatively (like before heading into crowded places during flu season) or at the first sign of a sore throat. Some people even use it daily as a natural immune booster. Just be mindful if you have a bee allergy, as propolis can trigger reactions in some individuals.

As business owners, we can prioritize everything and everyone else before ourselves, but the truth is, you are the most valuable asset in your business. Keeping your health in check isn’t just about feeling good—it’s about ensuring you have the energy, resilience, and clarity to lead, create, and grow. 

Whether it’s adding small wellness habits like using a propolis throat spray or simply recognizing when your body needs support, investing in your well-being is an investment in your success. After all, a thriving business starts with a thriving you. 

We all get 24 hours of time in a day. No more, no less. And how we spend those hours is usually split up between a few competing things, family, work, friends, exercise, spirituality. These are outlined clearly on my website. But what if I told you that there is another way to calculate your day, and it doesn’t have anything to do with a clock. 

It’s your energy. You can never give someone 100% of your time, but you can give them 100% of your energy. 

About a month ago I started really watching my energy management throughout the day. This was part of my social media break, I just didn’t have the energy to spend. 

Energy can not be split equally between things, or something suffers. Think of the main 5 areas of life … family, health, career and money, social and spiritual. If you gave 20% to each part, every day and if you get what you give, you would only get 20% back in each area. Which isn’t enough to see any real growth or success.

For myself, I spent 20% of my energy responding to social platform DM’s, or posting reels, or just scrolling through the gram … that’s 20% less that I have to spend on family, my career, my clients. It’s math. There is no arguing it. I have 100% of my energy to spend at the beginning of my day. How I spend it is up to me. 

So, I decided to take that 20% during the day and use it elsewhere. For me, it’s been really good. 

According to Jay Shetty, energy management is “when a person brings the best of themselves to a situation, they are the most productive in what they are doing at that moment. Even if they spend less time on it, but apply all of their energy for a shorter period.” That makes sense doesn’t it. 

Just think about it, do you want 100% of my energy for 1 hour, or do you want 1 day of distracted time? Obviously you would want the energy, because energy multiplies time.

I’ll say that one again. Energy multiplies time. When you apply zero energy over a long period of time, you will have zero results. If you apply maximum energy over a short period of time you should get good results. This is all depending on the importance of the task of course. 

Just enough time multiplied by maximum energy multiplied by the importance of the task = the outcome. I had to read that one a few times, but once you understand it, you can apply that formula to so many things in your life. Work, family, exercise, whatever task requires your energy. Think of a time where you have spent a few hours working on a project, and it just didn’t feel like you got anything done. My guess, you spent time on it, but no energy. Or maybe you have read pages of a book, and then realize that you don’t even remember what you read. Again, time spent but no energy spent. 

Now, spending energy means you need to replenish your energy. By stepping away for a while. This looks different for everyone, so you have to do what works for you. Sometimes it is physical rest, or for some it’s exercise, or even just going for a walk and clearing your mind. I use meditation a lot throughout my day, in fact, I have meditated every day for 244 consecutive days. For me, that one has the most impact on replenishing my energy. Downtime is about replenishing and recharging your energy reserves. It is a necessary part of the day. Call it self care, call it an afternoon nap, call it whatever you want. It is a really important part of managing your energy for the day. What it is not is scrolling through instagram, or watching netflix, or online shopping. Think of it as time for you. No competing thoughts or sounds, just you time.

Reframe your thinking to be less about trying to have balance (with life, work, family, etc) and more about energy management. It’s always been more about managing our energy than managing our time. As I said above, you can’t get more time. But you can replenish your energy. 

Arianna Huffington said it best, “you can have it all. Just not all at the same time”.

Try switching your thought process to energy management, and see what happens with your day. My guess is that where you spend the most energy, you will see the biggest return.

After all, it has never been about the time.

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