It’s the busiest time of the year. With all of our competing priorities around the holiday season, it can be difficult to make time for self-care. Ironically, it is during those busy periods that we have the most need for self-care – to protect us from stress, enrich our mental and physical health, and provide some much-needed relief.
Aromatherapy has been used for centuries for its therapeutic benefits. Most notably, relaxation, sleep, physical recovery, pain relief, and mindfulness. But how exactly can you incorporate aromatherapy into a self-care routine for yourself and your environment? Read on to find out.
Invite The Ritual
Essential Oil-Infused Skincare
Many of us breeze through our skincare routines in the morning before work or in the evening before bed. This is the perfect opportunity to slow down and take a self-care moment.
Before you begin your skincare routine, take a moment to gently splash some warm water on your face. Experience the texture of the water and the feeling of warmth on your skin. Breathe and be in the moment.
During the last step of your routine, massage our Nootka Rose and Yarrow Facial Oil into your skin. Using upward motions and intentional movements, gently massage the oil into your face and neck and breathe in the relaxing neroli and nootka rose oils. Performing a calming facial massage during skincare is one of the most luxurious and accessible forms of self-care.
Aromatherapy Body Care
After a long day on our feet, an intense workout session, or an energetic sports game, our muscles are often tired and in need of extra care.
First, draw yourself a warm bath. Infuse your bath water with our Calm Soak, a salt blend of detoxifying kaolin clay, sea salt, and relaxing essential oils. Cue up a tranquil playlist and sink into the rejuvenating waters. Take your time in the bath to practice mindfulness and pay attention to your breathing.
Once you are dry, massage our Natural Muscle Salve into the areas that feel tight, tired, or achy. This salve is made with a blend of chilli seed essential oil, arnica, and menthol designed to support and de-stress our muscles. Be in the present moment as you massage the salve and inhale the essential oils.
Create a Peaceful Environment
Diffuse & Elevate
We encourage setting time aside for self-care and relaxing rituals. But if you’re running low on time, try incorporating aromatherapy into your daily tasks. Whether you’re doing the dishes, organizing your closet, preparing dinner, or working from home, adding essential oils to your routine can help elevate your mood.
In the morning, we love to add the Wake Blend to our diffuser. The energizing combination of lemongrass, sweet orange, frankincense, and grapefruit stimulates our senses and gets us ready for the day.
If you’re feeling a little stressed out by your workload, we recommend adding a few drops of the Woods Blend to your diffuser. The grounding blend of cedar, balsam fir, pine, vetiver, and spruce will help rejuvenate your space.
When it’s time to wind down in the evening, we love diffusing the Waters Blend. The calming combination of cedar, lavender, and spearmint helps to soothe the senses and clear the mind.
Journaling Through Scent
Regular journaling has skyrocketed in popularity over the last couple of years. This activity has a myriad of benefits and, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center, can help you:
- Manage anxiety & reduce stress
- Organize and prioritize tasks and to-do lists
- Promote positive-self talk
- Identify limiting behaviours
The good news is that we can use the power of positive neuroplasticity to change our brains and grow our inner strengths so we can be happier, more confident, and more calm—no matter what life throws our way. Exploring the best grief courses or mindfulness, for instance, is a great idea too since this way you can learn practical techniques to manage challenging emotions and cultivate resilience. This way you can strengthen emotional endurance, helping us adapt to life's ups and downs with greater ease.
While you’re journaling and writing down your thoughts, we invite you to take the activity one step further and add an aromatherapy element. We love the idea of lighting a clean-burning, naturally-scented candle made with sustainable coconut and soy wax. From the fresh scent of the beach to a bouquet of blooming wildflowers, there’s a scent for every mood and environment.
A New Approach To Home Cleaning
We know that essential oils can add a fresh and pleasant scent in our homes. But did you know that they can provide purifying and refreshing properties to our home cleaning? That’s right.
Adding a few drops of our Wind Blend to your dryer ball or homemade all-purpose spray cleaner can add a fresh boost to your cleaning routine. The combination of eucalyptus, rosemary, and peppermint revitalizes both the air and the countertops.
Reset Your Routines
Prioritize Rest
In a world of to-do lists and never-ending tasks, it can be challenging to take the time you need to recharge. You can’t pour from an empty cup and in order to be the best version of yourself, self-care and relaxation have to be a priority. Take these moments of serenity and rest whenever you can and be gentle with yourself.
Anytime you’re feeling overwhelmed and need to add a little tranquility to your day, take a moment to apply our Stress Release Roll-On. Massage the oil between your wrists and inhale the calming blend of lavender, chamomile, and calendula.
Are you looking for other ways to relax? Discover more of our top tips here.
Resources
Journaling For Mental Health. University of Rochester Medical Centre. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentID=4552&ContentTypeID=1