Aromatherapy and wellness are a perfect match. Aromatherapy takes holistic approach encompassing the whole body, mind and spirit to enhance an individual’s innate healing process. It is about preventing illness, as much as maintaining and promoting general health. Wellness is defined as “an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. Wellness is more than being free from illness, it is a dynamic process of change and growth.”

I work as Aromatherapist and I am pregnant. It calls for sharing with you my personal journey on how Aromatherapy helps me to promote my wellness and well-being. Information that I am about to share with you can be used by any woman that wants to feel the wonderful benefits of essential oils to maintain mental and emotional balance.

As any pregnant women I experience some kind of symptoms that are common for expectant mothers: morning sickness (I have had it only once, so no complain here!), nausea, insomnia, anxiety, aching joints, hemorrhoids, tiredness. Some other symptoms you might also experience include backache, swollen legs and ankles, stretch marks, constipation, depression and headaches.

To access essential oil’s therapeutic properties, all you have to do is smell the oil or gently rub it into your skin. You can also start using the essential oils on a hot/cold compress  or in a bath, oil burner or diffuser.

I would like to share with you some Aromatherapy tips and techniques that can be very beneficial to maintain and promote the health of any women and are safe for expectant mothers (if you are pregnant, please refer to my article Pregnancy and Essential Oils Safety to find out which essential oils you can use during pregnancy).

Aromatherapy and Wellness. Natural Ways To Uplift Your Spirit.

Massage

I cannot recommend it highly enough, because of all the benefits coming from Aromatherapy massage. There are two options here. One is to book an appointment with aromatherapist to experience the therapeutic benefits of aromatherapy and essential oils. Secondly, you can choose to do self-massage and massage any part of your body that is in need. You can massage your head, face, belly, hands or show love for your feet as they are being neglected too often. A facial massage is a delightful and uplifting experience.

Blend 7-10 drops (1.5%-2%) in 25ml of carrier oil for a complete massage. If you are pregnant, please refer to safety rules in pregnancy.

Aromatherapy and Wellness Bath

Bath can become your favourite bed time ritual as it the ultimate way to relax. Simply immerse yourself into infused water. While bathing, practice deep breathing until you feel your chest is fully ‘open’. The scent will put you into a meditative state, quietening your mind. And when you come out of the bath, it will feel as if it has released something deep inside you.

Mix 3-5 drops of essential oil(s) with carrier oil (plant oil) of your choice and add it to your bath. Alternatively, you can use bath salts Wild Rose Bath Salts or Pregnancy Bath Salts.

Inhalation

The quickest way to benefit from essential oils is by deeply inhaling the scent, and then just allowing your brain to psychologically process it. Sounds too scientific? Just allow yourself to inhale beautiful scent deeply and let it work its magic.

Inhalation will bring relief in cases of common cold, flu, bronchitis, sinusitis,  and  allergies. What’s equally important, it also helps reduce stress levels. If you are feeling stressed or anxious, then essential oils can help you find balance.

Add 2-3 drops of essential oils to a bowl of hot water (600ml) draping a towel over your head and breath in the steam for 2-5 minutes. You can also apply 1-2 drops of oil to a tissue to experience the scent.

Compresses

Hot compresses are suitable for cold conditions characterised by a fixed, cramping pain such as back and joint pain.

Cold compresses are for hot, swollen conditions, but also pain of ‘burning’ nature. Cold compress can bring relief to swollen legs and ankles.

Add 2 drops of essential oils to 1 pint of warm water and soak a cotton cloth in it. Apply compress to affected area, change it frequently.

Meditation

Regular use of essential oils during meditation can enhance the experience by grounding you and promoting a sense of peace and calm. A single drop diffused into the air or massaged into your temples and soles is enough to promote calm, boost mood, or relieve stress, making them a great addition to meditation practice.

• Sandalwood
• Cedarwood
• Palo santo
• Vetiver
• Lavender
• Elemi
• Frankincense
• Patchouli

Diffuser

Add 3-5 drops of essential oil(s) to a diffuser and allow it work for 10-15 minutes in your room. You can use it at any time of the day, at work and home. Choose from relaxing and calming or refreshing and energising essential oils, it really all come down to your personal needs.

All of the above are wonderful aromatic and therapeutic ways to promote your general health and allow your body and soul to thrive.

But there is one more thing I want to share with you here today. Mental and emotional wellness starts in your heart.

Jason Silva in his inspirational talk “Speaking from the heart” explains why it can be so cathartic and meaningful to tell the truth from the bottom of your heart. For some, who hasn’t done it for a while, or ever, I would suggest trying ‘ecstatic vocalization’ and ‘enraptured articulation’. In addition to what the author is trying to say, I think, that speaking from the heart allows us to feel emotionally balanced. And that can itself prevent stress that can lead to many illnesses and simply let you live the life you want.

I suppose we all know the feeling once we revealed the deepest truth from the inner core of our heart, how cleansing and healing it felt.

Please try all of the above, or just some things, but definitely, SPEAK FROM YOUR HEART.