Holiday Stress? Finding Your Inner Peace the e3 Way

By Caryn Gehlmann, Clinical Aromatherapist

Peace, love, and goodwill — these are words many of us associate with the holiday season. But sometimes other words slip into our consciousness this time of year. I’m hearing words like stress, anxiety, disconnect… With all the hustle and bustle around the holidays, plus the extra time with family, we can sometimes feel our inner peace slipping away. Is finding your inner peace possible? Yes! Aromatherapy can help you create a more peaceful holiday for you and your loved ones.

That’s the topic for this month’s Q&A with Caryn — How can I use essential oils to create a peaceful, cheerful holiday season? And while these tips are focused on the holiday season, you can use them for finding your inner peace and keeping  your stress level in check year-round:

• Recharge Yourself with Quick Aromatherapy Moments
• Create a Peaceful Aromatherapy Atmosphere for Guests
• Connect with Aromatherapy Gifts & Activities

Tip #1 — Recharge Yourself with Quick Aromatherapy Moments

Yes, I know you’re busy but taking a moment to recharge can make a huge difference. I appreciated this advice from Maria Connolly in her article, You Can Be Merry and Be Healthy – It’s Okay to Take Care of Yourself!, “Your ability to handle all of these stress triggers revolves around one thing…your self-care… What you really need is permission to take care of yourself – to be told it’s not selfish to nurture your own wellbeing.”

Aroma is therapy! Aromatherapy, at its core, is the use of scent to promote physical, psychological, and emotional balance. Let’s look at some simple suggestions to use aromatherapy to give yourself a quick recharge.

• Have your aromatherapy inhaler on hand at all times! e3’s personal aromatherapy inhalers are reusable, travel inhalers that make it easy to take your aromatherapy wherever you go. They’re just a little larger than a chapstick tube – and can easily be tucked into pockets, purses, backpacks, and more for a quick aromatherapy moment when you need it. Try one of our soothing e3 aromatherapy blends like Stress Relief, Nerve Calming, Rebalance, or Meditate. Give yourself 1 minute to close your eyes, use your inhaler to breathe deeply, and feel your mind and body recharge.

• Take a relaxing Epsom Salt aromatherapy bath. This is a great way of finding your inner peace as it transports you from stressed out to calm and relaxed. The warm water increases circulation and begins to relax muscles, including tense breathing. You’ll benefit even more by adding your favorite essential oils to the Epsom salts, like 4 drops of Roman Chamomile and 4 drops of Lavender, or an e3 blend like Relax or Sleeptime. (Never add essential oils directly to the water, read here to get tips on How to Safely Use Essential Oils in Your Bath Water.)

• Create your own stress-busting holiday blend. I asked Wendy, our accounts manager, for ideas on this since I know she likes to rotate between these three blends during the busy holiday season to stay grounded. Try one of these or make your own — get tips on how to create blends here.

Blend 1: 3 drops Juniper and 3 drops Cedarwood Atlas or Cedarwood USA

Blend 2: 3 drops Patchouli and 3 drops Vetiver

Blend 3: 2 drops Rosemary, 2 drops Bergamot, 2 drops Petitgrain

Tip #2 — Create a Peaceful Aromatherapy Atmosphere for Guests

You’re probably not the only one feeling a little overwhelmed during the holidays. Creating a peaceful atmosphere with essential oils during the holiday season can enhance the overall experience for you and your guests. Here are some ways to incorporate essential oils to create a peaceful atmosphere for guests. Just remember to consider the preferences and sensitivities of your guests, and be mindful of the strength of the scents you use. Too much can be overwhelming!

• Use an essential oil diffuser to fill your home with calming scents. Oils like Lavender, Chamomile, and Cedarwood can help create a serene environment. e3’s Revitalize blend is also a blend most people enjoy for its bright citrus scent. Start diffusing a few hours before guests arrive to set a peaceful tone. If you don’t have a diffuser, make a DIY room spray by combining water and a few drops of essential oils in a spritzer bottle. Spritz the air in the dining and living areas periodically throughout the day to maintain a peaceful atmosphere.

• Create a relaxation corner. Designate a corner of your home as a relaxation zone. If the kitchen gets too hectic or the game is on full volume, it’s nice to give your guests a place where they can quietly recharge. Have soft music playing in the background and a comfortable seating area. You can provide a Little Comfort Heart Pillow™ or Aromatherapy Plush Animals to snuggle with or use an essential oil diffuser to create a serene atmosphere.

• Infuse the kitchen with calming scents. Add a drop or two of essential oil to a pot of simmering water or to a diffuser in the kitchen. Consider scents like Rosemary, Thyme, or citrus oils for a fresh and uplifting atmosphere. Or try baking with essential oils for another fun way to try new flavors.

Tip #3 — Connect with Aromatherapy Gifts & Activities

If you’re reading this post you probably love essential oils. This passion you have for aromatherapy can be a great way to connect with family and friends. Here are a few ideas to get you started…

• Set up a smelling station for guests. Do you have a variety of essential oils and blends on hand? Set them out and have your guests take a whiff and rate their favorites. I always find it fascinating to see what scents people prefer. This can be a fun and hopefully non-controversial topic. Although I have to say, lavender is one of those oils people love or hate. 🙂

• Prepare small gift bags for guests. Give guests a calming essential oil, along with a note expressing gratitude. This can serve as a thoughtful parting gift, allowing your guests to continue the peaceful ambiance at home. Get more personal aromatherapy gift ideas in our gift guide.

• Give the gift of massage. Mix your favorite calming essential oil with a carrier oil or massage lotion for a relaxing massage. This is a lovely, thoughtful gesture and can be a simple hand or foot massage.

I would love to hear if you have other ways you like to use essential oils for finding your inner peace and promoting a peaceful holiday season. If you want to learn more about the power of scent and how to use aromatherapy to support your well-being, download a copy of our free ebook, Listen to Your Nose – An Introduction to Aromatherapy. You’ll also receive a coupon for 20% off your first order.