This year I’ve been trying to be more conscious of how I care for myself. While I wouldn’t say I’ve had nearly as much success as noticing and taking care of my needs (this self care piece is much harder than I thought I would be), I have found a few ways of engaging in better self care. One of these has been with essential oils, and as such, I am thrilled to share this guest piece on self care using aromatherapy. Enjoy!
Whether you work in a 9 to 5 job or you’re a full-time mom, chances are you’re not giving your body the relaxation and care it needs. With so many things to finish and people to look after, spending several hours in the salon just to relax and unwind can sound impossible.
Fortunately, the salon isn’t the only place you can de-stress. Using specific essential oils, like the ones on this list, can also help you get that much-needed break.
If you are feeling too down and depressed, massaging ylang-ylang essential oil on your skin can trigger positive moods and emotions. Using it with a diffuser can give you the same benefits, too.
The oil can help release anger, jealousy and even low self-esteem during the process. It can help you sleep better at night and combat fatigue.
One good explanation to this is the oil’s ability to affect your olfactory system. Once inhaled, it can instantly uplift your mood. Just think of it as a natural and safe anti-depressant.
Bergamot essential oil is one of the best options when it comes to clear skin. It contains antibacterial properties to fight the acne-causing bacteria on your skin.
In addition to helping you be literally comfortable on your own skin, the oil can also make you feel more confident. It promotes self-love and self-acceptance so you won’t have a hard time embracing your uniqueness.
If you are feeling worthless and inadequate, this oil can help you get through these emotions.
You can use it with a diffuser or apply it directly on the skin. You can also add a few drops of the oil into your favorite skincare products.
For times when you feel stress, anxiety and depression, another great essential oil you can rely on is geranium.
It’s known to be powerful enough to uplift the spirit, calm anxiety and relieve nervous tension. It can also make you feel less fearful and abandoned.
There are three ways you can use the oil. You can diffuse, inhale or apply it directly on the skin.
Rosemary oil is somewhat a relative of lavender. It features a citrus-like fragrance which makes it highly popular as a staple kitchen ingredient.
In addition to smelling and tasting great, you can actually get a handful of therapeutic benefits from this oil. It can fight fatigue, burn out and inability to concentrate.
It can also decrease the level of the stress hormone cortisol which is linked to several negative health issues. It’s known to increase a person’s risk of diabetes, obesity and heart problems.
If you frequently indulge yourself in yoga and meditation or you simply just want to be in a meditative state, using frankincense oil can do the trick. You can rub it onto your soles or behind the ears.
Frankincense is a perfect pick-me-up oil. It contains sesquiterpenes, a chemical which can pass through the blood-brain barrier for relaxation and to improve your mood.
It can elevate the way you feel and think about yourself, making it effective in addressing depression as well as mental fatigue. Apart from these benefits, the oil can also help you be more spiritually connected.
Self care is extremely important to do on a daily basis. It won’t only give you enough time for your self every day, but it can also lessen your stress level before it starts to overwhelm you.
Stress, particularly at a high level, is never healthy on anyone. In addition to making you sick, it can also negatively affect the way you look.
Essential oils are great natural remedies to stress and lack of motivation. They are relatively cheaper than getting treatments, too.
You only have to know which essential oil is for you and how exactly you can use it.
Hannah Do is the founder of Thank Your Skin, a beauty blog dedicated to provide honest skin care advice and information. She aspires to help her readers achieve their most beautiful skin by sharing personal tips learned through both years of experience and thorough research. Check out her latest article. You can find her on Twitter, Pinterest and Face
4 thoughts on “5 Must-Try Essential Oils For Self Care”
This is the first time I heard about ylang-ylang oil. Will give it a try.
It smells lovely! Very strong, though, so start with very little.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. you did a wonderful job.
Thank you for your kind words! 🙂