The holidays can mean so many different things, and while it is often a happy time, it can also come with its fair share of stresses. From long line ups at the mall, to a jam-packed schedule, to more than a little family time, there’s no doubt that stress and anxiety can flare up.
While we may not be able to avoid all holiday stresses, we can have tools in place to help us cope better. Some great tools for both preventing and managing stress include self-care, exercise, deep breathing, spending time outside, and therapy. Another one of our favorites is aromatherapy and we wanted to share some of our favorite ways to incorporate it into our stress-management routine.
What is aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to help balance the body on a mental, emotional, and physical level. One of their most common uses is for calming and relaxing the mind and helping
to relieve stress and anxiety.
There are lots of essential oils available, but if you’re new to oils, lavender is a great one to begin with. It’s one of the best oils for relaxation and it’s also one of the most affordable and multi-purpose.
Make a pillow spray
You can make a simple pillow spray by mixing equal parts water and witch hazel with a few drops of essential oils and spritzing it on your pillow before bed. This will allow you to breathe in the oils throughout the night and have a more restful sleep. Or, even easier, shake a few drops of essential oils onto a tissue and tuck it inside your pillowcase.
If you have light colored pillowcases, make sure you’re not using any oils with a tint to them as they may stain the pillow. Lavender oil is our top pick for helping you to have a good, restful sleep, but other great options include roman chamomile, clary sage, bergamot, and valerian.
Add into your moisturizer
Mix a drop or two of your favorite oil into your body lotion or an oil and apply directly to your skin. Not only will you get the mental and emotional benefits of the oil, but it will also be great for your skin!
Keep a diffuser running
Diffusers are a great way to enjoy the calming and soothing benefits of essential oils all day long, while also making your home smell delicious! Place a diffuser in a main area of your home, like the kitchen or living room, and keep it running throughout the day with your oil of choice. Many essential oil companies create oil blends, which combine complimentary oils to create a unique scent. Around the holidays, you can find some lovely wintery scents that really help to set the holiday mood.
Incorporate it into a meditation practice
Essential oils combined with a few moments of meditation or deep breathing can do wonders for your mood and stress levels. You can use the oil in any of the ways we described above (i.e. in a spray, a diffuser, or an oil), set a timer (it doesn’t have to be long- even five minutes is
great!), and begin focusing on your breath. Some oils that are great for centering and calming your mind include frankincense, sandalwood, clary sage, and of course, lavender.
Smell right from the bottle
If you need a quick hit of essential oils, you can actually just smell it right from the bottle. Open a bottle of your go-to oil and inhale for a few breaths to get an instant dose of calm.
Wishing you all a happy and stress-free holiday! And one more way to destress? Our holiday sale! Use code holiday20 to save 20% off your entire order.