5 Ways To Beat Holiday Blues With Essential Oils

December 8, 2014

The holiday season comes with its fair share of fun. But it also means rushed shopping, last-minute dinner preparations and a lot of running around for many of us, so it isn’t unnatural to feel tired and cranky by the end of the day. A simple, inexpensive trick to ease the holiday blues and de-stress is to use essential oils.

These natural oils work differently for everyone. They can be calming or stimulating depending on what an individual needs, or could simply help restore balance. And you don’t really need to be an aromatherapy expert to make the most of it.

Here’s how you can use essential oils at home.

In A Diffuser
Diffusing essential oils is one of the best ways to get their healing benefits. You could use candle diffusers, which are specially designed to spread the essence of the oils over a large area. Electric diffusers are also available, but the candle-lit ones are way prettier.
Directions:
Pour some water in the bowl at the top of the diffuser and light a candle under it. Add a few drops of essential oil and mix lightly. The smell will waft across the room.
Which ones?
Although all essential oils can be diffused, geranium, jasmine, lavender and cedarwood are best known for their calming properties.

In Your Body Cream
Add an essential oil in your lotion or body cream to enjoy the aroma and reap its medicinal benefits.
Directions:
Add a couple of drops of oil in an unscented lotion and blend it well before applying.
Which ones?
Tea-tree oil is a great pick for skin care, as it can treat acne and breakouts and cure minor skin infections. You could also use another mild, non-irritating oil like orange blossom.

A Relaxing Foot Massage
Five minutes is all it takes to give oneself a foot massage. Use a pain-relieving essential oil for your muscles to relax after a shopping spree.
Directions:
Mix a few drops of essential oil with carrier oils like coconut, jojoba or almond and massage gently, rubbing clockwise and anticlockwise, alternately.
Which ones?
Marjoram oil is a muscle-relaxant and also helps cure skin-infections. Ylang-Ylang is a healing oil, which is great for anger and stress management.

An Aroma Bath
Aromatic baths are an excellent cure for tension and muscular pain, best experienced right before you go to bed.
Directions:
Mix 5-10 drops of an essential oil with 1 cup of bath salt, milk or sesame oil so that it blends well when you pour it in hot water.
Which ones?
Use mild oils like eucalyptus, lavender, clary sage, geranium, frankincense or sandalwood. These will nurture your skin, improve blood circulation and enhance your sleep.

Scent Your Pillow Cover
Sprinkling a few drops of essential oil on your pillow cover will make the room smell great and will also relax your mind each time you sit back.
Directions:
Dot your pillow cover with 3-4 drops of essential oil. You could also put some oil on cotton balls and place them inside your pillow case.
Which ones?
Lavender is best for this, as it is mild and smells wonderful. Be creative and mix it with citrus oils, or simply use the strong geranium oil. Rose and sandalwood are good choices that help promote a sense of well-being.

Sit back, relax and take in the natural scents to uplift your mood. A little scented oil will go a long way in making the holidays that much merrier.