R-E-L-A-X
As parents, easier said than done, right? Sometimes, it can be a challenge to turn off your mind and enter the sweet realm of CALM, especially at bedtime. Are lunches packed? Did I email my boss? Is PTA tomorrow? Our endless lists spin in our minds until sleep becomes a misnomer. Some people go to sleep aids for help, and some try a more natural approach. Herbals, essential oils, and aromatherapy remedies have mixed results depending on your goals, but they won’t cause harm and can certainly be relaxing. And in today’s hectic world, who doesn’t need to relax a bit?
One natural ingredient many people go to for its calming effect is lavender. Lavender is an adaptogen, so it can help the body with stress and imbalances. It has anti-bacterial and healing properties and has been used on cuts and abrasions for many years. (Centuries!) The fragrance is also very calming and soothing, promoting relaxation. Many baby bath products, eye masks, bath salts, and sleep balms contain lavender for this very reason.
An oil mixture containing lavender is great for a perfect calming effect. Take a couple drops of lavender oil and place them on you pillow before bed, or your temples when you feel stressed. This blend is gentle enough to add to a bath or your lotion. You can even add a drop to a boar bristle hair brush and scent your hair.
Oils for de-stressing:
Lavender – Realxing, calming, aromatic, therapeutic
Sandalwood – Located in Hawaii. It “promotes healthy & smooth skin, reduces the appearance of scars and blemishes, enhances mood and promotes sleep and frequently used in meditation for its grounding and uplifting properties.”
Cedarwood -” Known for promoting healthy skin and clear breathing, Cedarwood has a warm, woody, balsamic fragrance that relaxes the mind and body and is perfect for massage therapy.”
Clary Sage – “known for its mood-lightening properties and ability to ease monthly menstrual cycles. It has a warm, herbal scent that is uplifting and relaxing, making it a perfect choice for supporting a normal, healthy attitude during PMS.”
You generally want to blend your essential oils into a carrier oil to dilute the potency. Try the following carrier oils: apricot seed oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, rosehip oil, macadamia nut oil, an coconut oil. Each one offers benefits related to soothing skin, healing scars and /or reducing blemishes.
Enjoy the calming effects of Essential oils:
- add a couple drops to your warm bath
- rub a drop on the back of your neck or on temple to relieve tension
- Place a three drops on a cloth tucked into your pillow case
- place a drop on the outside of a sleep mask
- add a drop to your favorite lotion or even just shea butter as a scented moisturizer
- Rub a couple drops into dry patches on the soles of your feet
- you can even add a couple drops to your dish soap and make dish washing by hand a more enjoyable experience