Essential Oils for Self-care

Essential Oils

I use essential oils to set the mood in my home/yoga space.  They smell great but these oils are much more than just fragrant perfumes!

Essential oils have been used around the world for thousands of years to help people look and feel better. Oils can ease stress, boost your mood, improve skin conditions, help you recover from colds, relieve pain from headaches and migraines, support healthy digestion, and help you sleep peacefully.  

The most common way to use essential oils is to inhale them.  This way you enjoy their fragrance and therapeutic properties. A simple way to do this is to cup your palm and sprinkle a drop or two into your hands. Then just inhale deeply, taking a few moments for yourself in the midst of a busy day. They can also be used in diffusers and humidifiers or diluted with a carrier oil and applied to the skin.

I like to combine the therapeutic benefits of the oils with the therapeutic benefits of deep breathing. So I add a few drops of essential oils to my shower walls and inhale deeply as I shower. For calm, I might use lavender and for a little pick-me-up I might use lemon.

You can also add a few drops of diluted essential oil to a warm washcloth.  Then you can inhale deeply into the washcloth and afterwards use the cloth to gently exfoliate your body. For a beautiful self-care practice, add a few drops of essential oils with a carrier oil to your bathwater. This is great just before bed. 

I have suggested below a few common oils below to start to your collection with:

• Lemon oil is energizing and purifying. 

• Lavender oil is calming and relaxing and helps clear sinus congestion.

• Peppermint oil helps to improve respiratory function and digestion.

Remember to always use caution with essential oils, especially when you first start trying them. Keep your eye out for any adverse reactions and be mindful of potency.