If there’s one thing the pandemic has taught us, it is that we need to prioritize our health and well-being. Incorporating essential oils into your daily routine is an easy way to introduce wellness into your day-to-day life, whether you’re at home, at work, or on the go. Not only do they have captivating fragrances, but they also possess many health benefits.

Curious to know more? Let’s delve deeper into the world of essential oils and explore why they’re worth being a part of your daily regimen.

Reason #1: Essential Oils Connect Us To Nature

Essential oils are plant extracts derived from various parts of flora, such as fruit, flowers, leaves, rind, bark, roots, wood, and seeds. While commonly used in aromatherapy, essential oils have applications in other industries, including herbalism, culinary arts, perfumery, and even pest control.

Aromatherapy is a form of therapy that uses plant essence, also known as essential oils, to promote relaxation, improve a sense of well-being, and support the body’s natural healing processes.

The great thing about essential oils is that there is a vast selection of essential oils to choose from, ranging from top notes such as citrus orange, to middle notes such as floral geranium, to base notes such as grounding Ylang Ylang. You can pick the ones that work best for you. As you begin incorporating essential oils into your routine, you will experience their positive effects on your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It’s normal to find yourself using them frequently, even several times a week! Essential oils are concentrated essences so care must be taken to prevent overuse. You can always read the bottle labels and instructions for best use.

Not All Essential Oils Are Created Equal

Care must be taken when you buy essential oils. There are different grades of essential oils, from Grade A being the highest quality to lower quality oils with some even made from synthetics. It’s important to do your research when it comes to buying essential oils for use. You can read the bottle label (look for therapeutic-grade essential oils or 100% pure essential oils on the label) to see what grade of oil it is or ask the shop for more information.

Reason #2: There Are Health Benefits to Using Essential Oils

How do essential oils work on the body? Inhaling the aromas of essential oils can impact both the emotional and cognitive aspects of the brain. The emotional brain, responsible for emotions and memories, can be influenced by these aromas, leading to improvements in mood, such as reducing feelings of depression or anxiety. Additionally, they can aid in promoting relaxation and deeper sleep. These effects extend beyond the emotional brain. As the cortex which is responsible for physical states processes these aromas, they can affect even autonomic functions like blood pressure, respiration, and cognitive ability.

“Essential oils are a fantastic way to help with myriad [of] issues such as sleeplessness, nausea, anxiety, allergies and pain,” says Michele Mack, LMT, CPMT, a licensed massage therapist at Ohio State Integrative Medicine.”

— How and why to use essential oils, The Ohio State University

One of our signature essential oils is peppermint. If you’re new to the world of essential oils, be sure to check out this scent! Its refreshing and minty aroma has therapeutic effects that aid in the reduction of nausea, allergies, and is fantastic to help ease headaches!

For more information on the benefits of other essential oils we offer at Soulful Indulgence, please refer to the chart below. Our selection to date has been based on ones that are most appropriate for in-office environments, as we incorporate these as an option during our customized chair massage experience but are also available for purchase.

Reason #3: Essential oils are versatile for a wide range of applications.

In addition to appreciating their scent, did you know that essential oils can become handy remedies for warding off pests and can become natural non-toxic cleaners?

Here are some ways to incorporate essential oils into your daily living:

• Diffusers: This is a popular way to use essential oils. These devices disperse the oils into the air, allowing you to inhale the fragrance and enjoy their aromatherapy benefits.
• Topical application: Applying essential oils topically is another common way to enjoy the aroma. It’s important to dilute the oils with a carrier oil (Such as jojoba oil, coconut oil, or pure rice bran and organic high oleic sunflower oil) before applying them to the skin. This helps to reduce the risk of skin irritation.
• Inhalation: You can also inhale essential oils by adding a few drops to a bowl of hot water or a steamer. This method is particularly useful for respiratory issues.
• Outdoors: Enhance your outdoor living experience by utilizing essential oils to repel insects. Apply a few drops onto your cushions (after testing for staining) or use a diffuser device. Then massage the oil all over to intensify the fragrance. With this approach, you can relax in the tranquility of the evening outdoors without being bothered by pesky bugs. Lemongrass, Peppermint, and Rosemary are among our top picks for this purpose.
• Bathing: Adding a few drops of essential oils to a warm bath can be a relaxing and therapeutic experience. It is important to mix the oils with a carrier oil or a dispersant (such as epsom salts) before adding them to the bathwater.

• Eliminating Odors at Home: Have you ever been bothered by the unpleasant odor coming from your garbage can? A quick and easy solution is to add 3 drops of Tea Tree oil and 3 drops of Lime oil to the bottom of the can before putting in the garbage bag. This will provide instant refreshment.
• Naturally Non-Toxic Cleaners: It’s so simple to add ¼ cup vinegar, a dash of dish soap, and 8-10 drops of Lemongrass or Lime. Fill a spray bottle with water and mixture. Powerful stuff. Try wiping out the fridge with it and your countertops as well. Everything shines.

Reason #4: Use essential oils to make you more productive at work

Essential oils are not just used in the home, they have energy and mood-boosting properties that can help you become more productive at work. Do you have an office space with a closed door or work remotely from home? Plug in the diffuser and enjoy your own signature scent that keeps you grounded, focused, and motivated. Oils such as Peppermint, Sweet Orange, and Rosemary are great to help you focus.

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As you can see, using essential oils is a quick and easy way to introduce wellness into your everyday living. If you have any questions about the benefits of essential oils or would like to order from our Soulful Indulgence Essential Oil Collection, contact us today.