Life can be hard. Work out your lingering stress with this tried and true method.
We’re living with more stress in our daily lives than ever before — between work, side hustles, family life, and the pressures of our everyday realities, it can be difficult to find peace in our over-connected world. This may explain why so many of us have turned to essential oils to support calm in our lives. Whether you diffuse them at home, use them religiously throughout your routine, or just really, really appreciate strolling through that particular — and very good-smelling — aisle at your local health food store, essential oil use has been on the rise over the past several years. Once relegated to our most crunchy and earth-minded friends and family, essential oils have made their way into the mainstream thanks to their stress-relieving, mood-enhancing properties — and for good reason. We can all appreciate the power of scent, and whether or not you subscribe to the beliefs associated with specific oils, you’ve likely experienced at least some of their effects, however fleeting, diffused during a yoga practice or massage, added to a bath, or as an enhancement to a body oil.
But what are essential oils? Essential oils are compounds known as hydrophobic liquids that are extracted from plants that carry their scent (they’re known as “essential,” because they carry the essence of the plant). The compounds are typically extracted using distillation and steam extraction, and depending on the oil, are often suspended in a carrier oil. Essential oils are incredibly potent and should always be diluted before use — either in water before diffusion or in an oil before application. Applying essential oils directly to the skin isn’t recommended, as they can cause burns and allergic reactions due to their high potency. But when used correctly can add a gorgeous aroma to the home and other areas in your life: oils, baths, etc.
If you’re looking for ways to support stress relief and reduce tension in the new year, why not try one of our favorite ways to use essential oils: in an oil roller. The how-to below will show you how to make your own tension-relieving essential oil roller, perfect for when you’re feeling the strain from sitting at your computer or experiencing a headache. Make your own, then make some as gifts for those close to you. Who wouldn’t love the gift of stress relief?
DIY Essential Oil Roller for Tension Relief
Materials:
- Lavender Essential Oil
- Rosemary Essential Oil
- Peppermint Essential Oil
- Eucalyptus Essential Oil
- Carrier Oil (Grapeseed, Apricot Kernel, Hemp, or Jojoba)
- Oil Roller Vessel
How to:
1. Add your essential oil a few drops at a time to the oil roller vessel. Depending on what you’d like the dominant scent to be, add more or less of each oil. For a more relaxing blend, focus on top notes of lavender, or for an uplifting blend, add more peppermint. You only need a few drops – 1 to 3 – of each oil.
2. Once you’ve reached a scent that you like, fill the vessel nearly to the top with the carrier oil.
3. Cap the oil roller vessel and gently shake to combine the oils.
To use:
In times of stress or tension, roll the oil roller over the back of your neck or across your forehead. Breathe deeply. You can experiment with different oil combinations to create different moods. Think uplifting citrus or grounding earth scents.
Those with sensitive skin should do a patch test on the inside of their arm before using to ensure safety. Roll a bit just below the inside of the elbow and wait 24 hours. If no rash occurs, you’re good to go!
How do you use essential oils? Share your stress relief tips with us on social by tagging @AvocadoMattress and #AvocadoGreenMagazine!
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