How are all my mama friends out there doing and feeling lately? I was just talking to a good friend of mine who said she feels like she’s living in Groundhog Day and is in such a funk. She is able to put on a happy face during the day but in the evenings, she breaks down and can’t even relax or sleep well. I feel her! I feel her so much on that one! So, what can we do to support ourselves during this odd time we live in? I think one of the things we should be focusing on in unwinding and relaxing, because I think that’s one thing a lot of us are struggling with. I’m going to share with you 8 ways to relax and unwind with essential oils.
There is so much going on in the world these days it’s hard to relax and find joy.
I love my kids. I love having them home with me (most of the time lol). But this corona virus lock-down/shutdown/quarantine that is causing a lot more of us to reevaluate (in most situations forced to reevaluate) our schooling situation and it’s no joke.
If you were already a homeschooling family, I don’t know how much this impacts you. But for the rest of us, it kind of feels like the rug was ripped out from underneath us and our whole house shook and turned upside down.
Where do we even begin with homeschooling, virtual schooling, distance learning, a hybrid model or whatever the case may be for you? We’ve all been stuck at home for so long already, longer than we imagined or hoped. Now the realization that this is going to continue longer is really sinking in and affecting so many of us emotionally and physically. It is downright overwhelming. It’s so important to make sure we get some time to relax and unwind and freaking just breathe!
And what about everything else in the news? It’s heartbreaking and disturbing. And it definitely adds another level of stress and uneasy feelings.
Just Breathe
So how do we do that? How do we just breathe? How do we relax and unwind? Sometimes that is a struggle bus I’m riding for sure. But we have to take control and not let this pull us so far down into a funk that it’s hard to get out of. Being overwhelmed definitely plays a key role in lack of sleep and lack of relaxation. I know for me, when I’m overwhelmed, I can’t sleep or relax because my mind runs ten million miles a minute with the what ifs, what I should have done, what I can do different, what I will do, etc. The weight is heavy! In able to relax and unwind I think we need to step back and breathe.
Let me share with you some of my absolute favorite ways to do that.
1. Diffuse
There are some amazing oils out there that promote relaxation when you inhale them. One of the best ways of inhaling essential oils is by diffusing them. Some of the best and most popular essential oils for promoting feelings of calm and relaxation are Lavender, Frankincense, Stress Away and Peace & Calming. Any of these are great for bedtime or if you just need to escape the chaos of the day for a few minutes. Fill your diffuser with a few drops of any of these oils and turn it on. I like to let it run in a closed room for about 15 mins before I go in so that the air is filled with the oils. But these are also great to diffuse during the day where everyone in your home can benefit from them all day long!
2. Massage
Create a relaxing massage experience. If you are lucky to have a partner who spoils you with massages, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil (not sure what to use? Go with one of the 4 mentioned above) to a massage oil or lotion and have them massage you. My husband does this and I literally feel like I’m melting into the massage table. Or take your oils with you to your massage therapist (when things like that open up again). If you don’t have someone to help out with the massage, you can still get a great experience by adding some essential oils to your favorite moisturizer or lotion after a relaxing bath. Your skin will absorb all the goodness from the essential oils and your mind and body will thank you!
3. Warm Tea
Relax with a warm cup of tea. Did you know you can add essential oils to your tea?! Yep! Just make sure they are labeled for consumption. Young Living has a line of essential oils, called Vitality oils that are safe for ingestion and have FDA approval for just that. Ever tried a cup of warm lavender tea? If not, try it asap. It’s a great treat after the kids go to bed and you are sitting in silence. Just heat up your cup of tea and add one drop of lavender vitality to it. Make sure to give it a swirl before sipping.
4. Escape
Use a car diffuser. Sometimes the most stressful times of the day can be our commute. But sometimes, especially these days, escaping your house for just a few minutes for a drive is not stressful, but relaxing. Either way, you can use essential oils in your car. There are a lot of different options for car diffusers ranging from ones you plug into your cars usb port to car vent diffusers where you just put a little diffuser in your car vent. It’s a great way to relax while even just escaping your house to go run a few errands.
5. Just breathe
Seems simple enough, yet I feel we oftentimes forget to stop and slow our breathing. Put a drop of your favorite essential oil in your palms and rub together. I love to mix Frankincense and Lavender for this. Then cup your hands over your nose and mouth and inhale deeply and slowly several times. Think about inhaling in all the relaxation and exhaling the negative feelings. Sometimes this needs to be done several times a day depending on what is going on around here lol. I like to take the remaining essential oil from my palms and rub it on my neck and shoulders and then down my arms. Bonus, you will smell great too. Super bonus, when your kiddos come up to you to give you a hug they will benefit from the oils too.
6. Roll it
Young Living makes an awesome roller bottle (aka roller ball) called Stress Away. Imagine that. They took their famous Stress Away essential oil and put it in a convenient roller for you. You can also make your own roller using your favorite oils too. I get my 10 ml rollers here (so many different pretty ones to pick from too) and fill them with whatever oils I want and top off with grapeseed oil. This is a super easy way to just take a quick minute for yourself during the day. And those quick minutes do add up. When you’re starting to feel the stress or tension or sadness creep in just do a quick swipe down the sides of your neck, your wrists, or where ever else you feel called. Think about rolling on all the goodness and think about every cell in your body taking in the oils and using them for positive feelings and relaxation.
7. Spritz it
I love making bedtime sprays for our bedding. We use the 2oz spray bottles and add 20 drops lavender essential oil. Top it off with witch hazel or water (make sure to give it a little swirl before spritzing so the oil and water mixes) then spritz on your pillow and sheets. This is an awesome way to get those relaxing oils close to your nose and body as you put your head on your pillow at night.
8. Relaxing bath
After the kids go to bed, I love to have a warm bath filled with Epsom salts and essential oils. I usually change up what oils I use depending on my mood but my favorite for this is usually Peace & Calming. It’s the perfect blend to literally bathe in. It’s actually my 5 year old’s favorite oil too and she knows it calms her down and will ask for it (isn’t it great to have these tools our kids can use?!). The combination of the warm water and the essential oils triggers not only your body to relax but your mind as well. This is one of my favorite ways to relax and unwind.
Now imagine this…
The kids are in bed. You go to your room and start diffusing a beautiful combo of Lavender and Stress Away. Add 8 drops of Peace & Calming to a cup of Epsom salts and add that to some warm bath water. Sink in to the warm relaxing bath, feeling the warmth take over your body and inhaling the super relaxing and calming aroma of Peace & Calming. After your relaxing bath add a few drops of Frankincense essential oil (which is AMAZING for your skin btw) to your body lotion. Before climbing into bed spritz your sheets with your lavender spray. I’m telling you; this is how to relax and unwind for the night. This is one of my favorite night time routines.
I hope you get the chance to experience these. Let me know if you have a favorite way to relax and unwind! I always love trying new things!
Still need your essential oils?
I do have to say one more time, I ONLY USE YOUNG LIVING ESSENTIAL OILS. They are 100% pure. No pesticides touch the crops. There are no additives in the oils. No watering down. Distilled at the right time of year for the specific plant. They are distilled at the right temperature, for the right amount of time (no short cuts here). To read more about Young Living and their seed to seal guarantee go to www.seedtoseal.com and you will see why I only use them. PLUS, I cannot speak to the quality of other brands and can’t guarantee they will be any good at all.
I’m giving a $20 Amazon gift card to all new members who purchase any of the Young Living Premium Starter Kits using my link! I’ll also keep in touch with you and share all about how to use essential oils (unless you want me to leave you alone, then I will lol). To order your kit click here. To learn more about the Premium Starter Kit click here.
