Today I’m stoked to bring a dose of blissfulness into your lives, for those stressful times in your life and well-deserved ‘me time’. If you want to achieve your potential in fitness, wellness & in all life has to offer, my friend Mary from Ananda Fitness (see her tweets here) is the person to talk to. She is an aromatherapy expert specializing in personalized toxic-free skin care and a seasoned life coach.
Now, Mary will take over and share 2 of her favourite ways to de-stress with lavender.
Next week, I will bring you a calming lavender infused recipe.
The first time I came across lavender was when my grandmother gave me several sachets of dried lavender flowers when I was a young teen. Needless to say, I wasn’t impressed – or interested – but dutifully put them in my clothes drawers as instructed. But lavender isn’t just a thing for old ladies. It is now the most popular and most sought-after essential oil in the planet; the most popular scent used in cosmetics, and is being increasingly used in popular household products.
Lavender has a beautiful, light, and lovely scent. But its true importance rests in its wide-range of therapeutic properties. Lavender can be used as an anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-depressant, anti-rheumatic, immunity-boosting, decongestant, hormone-balancing, calming agent. As with most floral essential oils, it is non-toxic, good for all skin types, and safe to use on children. Note: There are over 20 species of lavender, but not all of them have the amazing properties of Lavandula angustifolia (true lavender).
Just about the only strike against lavender essential oil is that it’s a victim of its own popularity. In the rush to satisfy increasing global demand for this go-to essential oil, less-than-scrupulous companies are putting adulterated, synthetic and/or diluted lavender on the market. To avoid poor quality essential oils, check the label to make sure you are buying pure, high-grade oil from a reliable and respected source.
The beauty of essential oils is that they positively affect so many of our senses. We normally associate their greatest quality with their impact on our skin, but, in fact, it is through inhalation where essential oils can affect mood and emotions – and resultant physiological responses – through receptors in the nose sending chemical messages to the brain’s limbic system. And this is where lavender shines: it is supremely calming, reducing anxiety and stress, and helping us get back to emotional balance. Lavender’s relaxing properties promote sleep and ward off insomnia.
Anxious? Try this blend in your diffuser:
Stress-busting Diffuser Blend
This diffuser blend is calming, reducing anxiety and stress, and helping us get back to emotional balance.
Prep Time
5 min
Total Time
5 min
Ingredients
6 drops clary sage
2 drops lemon
3 drops lavender
If you don’t have a diffuser, you can make a room spray, which you can also spritz on your pillow to help you sleep, or on your clothes (just to be careful, spray on the inside to avoid any stains) for the fragrance.
Lavender Room Spray
Add a de-stressing touch to any room!
Prep Time
5 min
Total Time
5 min
Ingredients
1.5 ounces distilled water
1.5 ounces vodka (alcohol locks in the scent)
30 drops lavender (or use a blend of your favourite oils; make sure of safety guidelines)
On the go? No problem!
If you’re on the go and facing a stressful-situation that has you racing in mind and body, you can simply inhale lavender straight from the bottle, or just put a few drops on a tissue (added bonus, you can easily do this in a crowded room without anyone noticing) and inhale. It’s amazing how long the scent can last this way.