Wellbeing Survival Tips
We're in, we're out, we're half in and half out.
Let's be honest the last 12 months has been a year that we all hope never to see again.
It's been tough, I will be the first to admit that like you, I have had moments of despair, frustration and moments of awe, yup, Captain Tom, I am talking about you.
I talk a lot to my customers about the importance of looking after themselves, taking time for you, carving some you time out, even it it's just the briefest of moments.
And the irony is that I am rubbish at following my own advice.
But I am trying.
So here's what I have learned and my tips for surviving what we all hope are the last few weeks of lockdown.
Essential Oils
Essential oils, the highly concentrated and super potent essence of a plant have been my best friend over the last year.
What Are Essential Oils and do they work?
They are compounds extracted from plants, capturing the plant's scent or other properties, they are produced via steam distillation of the plant or sometimes mechanical means for example by cold pressing.
Essential oils and the chemicals they contain interact with a person in different ways, through the practice of aromatherapy.
When applied to the skin, they are absorbed and it is thought they harness the properties associated with the plant, for example essential oils can be naturally healing, antiseptic, anti-fungal or anti-inflammatory.
Inhaling the oils, either via delicious bath oil, or via a natural wax candle can promote wellbeing and can have a stimulating or de-stressing effect.
It's thought that the fragrant essential oils positively impact the part of our brain called the limbic system which helps control our emotions and behaviour.
The limbic system interacts with our brain and helps control breathing, stress levels, memory and balances hormones.
When you breathe in that first hit of scent, that's the volatile compounds doing their thing.
The word 'olfactory' comes from the Latin 'olfacere' to smell, and it is via the olfactory nerve that the magic happens. The inside of your nose is formed of special nerve cells that connect direct to the brain via the olfactory nerves.
My favourites right now? For relaxing at the end of a day, I am all about the florals, rose geranium, ylang ylang
Dive into a decadent bath, or grab my limited edition Winter Rose Body Oil - roses, geranium, ylang ylang, the perfect scent to relax with.
During the day I'm all about lavender, geranium and cypress, my Soothing blend. The lavender helps me relax, while I find the geranium uplifting.
Stress Busting Reading
If there's every been a time to escape into the pages of a book, it has been the last few months.
But here's the catch. As any small business owner will tell you, the work is never done, and most of it is glued to my laptop.
I love reading, but I've been suffering with a serious case of eye fatigue, and audio books have been my unsung hero.
Using the Audible app, (and no I'm not on commission I just love it!) I have been downloading my favourites and plugging myself in and escaping to reduce my emotional stress.
The best bit is that there's something for everyone, and audiobooks are so versatile. Some of my customers use them to send themselves to sleep after a stressful day, while walking or simply when they have a few moments to switch off.
Here's what's next on my list:
Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens, there been lots of hype on this one, a slow burn story set in the sweltering Tennessee summers.
Sherlock Holmes read by Stephen Fry. One of the best story tellers ever and Stephen Fry (secret crush) what’s not to like?!
At Home - A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson. We've all been spending so much time at home, this delves into the history behind our homes and habits, and I am a huge Bill Bryson fan.
The Outdoors
At the start of Lockdown, I missed my gym visits, and felt hard done by. They were part of my routine, and I like the discipline. But like most of us, being able to escape into the outdoors has been key to my sanity.
There's something about the natural seasonal beauty that restores our spirits, invigorating and lifting us in dark times.
And it's backed up by science.
A 2011 study published in Environmental Science & Technology showed that following some sort of outdoor physical activity, resulted in individuals feeling less mental tension.
The power of scent - Aromatherapy & Emotional Wellbeing
Studies have shown that aromatherapy oils can have a stimulating and sedative effect on both our nervous and immune systems.
And, let's be honest, right now, we could all use a little emotional help!
It's thought that the fragrant essential oils positively impact the part of our brain called the limbic system which helps control our emotions and behaviour.
The limbic system interacts with our brain and helps control breathing, stress levels, memory and balances hormones.
When you breathe in that first hit of scent, that's the volatile compounds doing their thing.
The word 'olfactory' comes from the Latin 'olfacere' to smell, and it is via the olfactory nerve that the magic happens. The inside of your nose is formed of special nerve cells that connect direct to the brain via the olfactory nerves.
De-Stressing on The Go
Hand bag sized, portable aromatherapy has become a thing.
I've madly been sniffing my blissful aromatherapy roller ball treatments to Calm, De-Stress or Soothe when I need it most.
Applying to my pulse points, breathing deeply and feeling the aromatic blend do its stuff. It's not magic.
But the essential oils help.
These have been my lockdown saviours. What are your favourite ways to take time for yourself?