Aromatic Self-Care to Lift Your Spirits & Feel Good Again

By Joni Keim, Certified Aromatherapist,, Licensed Esthetician,Certified Nutritional Consultant

Self-care is the foundation of a nurturing, supportive relationship with yourself. It is what you do to be healthy and feel good—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. When you take care of yourself, you acknowledge the requirements and rewards of being your own true friend. Self-care can prevent and help manage life’s inevitable stresses and can support you for your multiple responsibilities and relationships. It is how you can lift your spirits, when life feels flat and uninspiring. Self-care is not selfish or indulgent; it ought to be a priority.

“If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.”

 –Jack Kornfield, author and educator

What’s in your toolbox for “lift your spirits” self-care?

As human beings, we have tremendous potential, and every positive emotional experience is available to us. Make a list of everything that can lift your spirits. It might be going for a walk, visiting a friend, or working in the garden. It can be different things at different times, and it will likely change over time. Add to this list when you discover new ones. Every day, as best you can, do something that is on your list, even if it’s only for a few minutes, because every time you practice self-care, you are telling yourself, “I care for you.”

Emotional growth comes not only from hardship; it also comes from joy. It would seem obvious that seeking pleasurable experiences would lift our spirits, but it may elude us. Pleasure relieves pain. Pleasure is therapeutic. Pursue and focus on spending time with things that make you feel good and warm your heart. One of my favorite quotes from Darlene Cohen, author of Turning Suffering Inside Out, is foundational:

“The reason we might take the trouble to cultivate ecstasy and build it into our lives occasionally is because it rejuvenates us so thoroughly.”

Aromatherapy can be an integral part of your protocol to restore. Aromatherapy, as a holistic modality, correlates beautifully with the holistic nature of human beings: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. It can be especially valuable to you when supported by other healthy lifestyle habits, such as wholesome food, clean water, quality rest and sleep, regular exercise, fulfilling work and hobbies, happy relationships, being part of a community, and embracing a personal spiritual practice.

My new book, Aromatherapy for Feeling Good, is a collection of aromatic self-care practices designed to lift your spirits, using essential oils in practical and accessible ways. The aromatic practices, which are designed for adults, include using essential oils for skin care, for body care, with alternative health modalities, and with theoretical systems, such as astrology.

The central principles throughout the book are:

1) practice self-care,

2) understand that essential oils can be used a variety of ways with a variety of modalities,

3) use your chosen essential oils with intention and visualization.

Intention is being fully present and mentally clear about the purpose of using the essential oil and holding that in your mind. Visualization creates a positive mental picture of what you want via your imagination. Shakti Gawain, in her ground-breaking book, Creative Visualization, said, “Simply having an idea or thought, holding it in your mind, is an energy which will tend to attract and create that form on the material plane.”

When you pair an aroma with a feel-good experience, with repetition, the aroma alone can trigger the positive feeling. For example, if you regularly receive a relaxing massage with a Lavender massage oil, it is possible that when you simply smell Lavender, your body and mind might respond by feeling calm and relaxed.

Lift Your Spirits By Pausing To Create Stillness

In Aromatherapy for Feeling Good, you might be drawn to the chapter on “Emotions/Moods & Essential Oils.” Following are a few examples of calming properties and three suggested, associated essential oils and how to use them. Choose an essential oil that has an aroma you like. Smelling something that pleases you is a positive experience, and it can be transforming. Note: Be aware that response to an aroma can be unique to you.

Acceptance: Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender

Contentment: Cedarwood, Chamomile Roman, Sandalwood

Peace/Inner Peace: Chamomile Roman, Frankincense, Lavender

In addition, the essential oils most associated with Joy are the euphorics: Clary Sage, Jasmine, and Ylang Ylang. Those associated with Optimism are Bergamot, Clary Sage, and Orange. Those for Self-love are Bergamot, Geranium, and Sandalwood.

Direct Inhalation

1. Put 1 or 2 drops of your chosen essential oil on a tissue and inhale the aroma through your nose. Avoid touching the tissue to your nose or mouth. As you experience the aroma, hold your intention in your mind and visualize your goal.

2. Close your eyes, relax, pause, and breathe.

3. Inhale the aroma again with intention and visualization.

4. When you are finished, acknowledge that the exercise as complete. Be gentle with

yourself. Return to your day slowly and mindfully.

Chest Rub

1. In a small glass jar, add 2 tablespoons of a natural, fragrance-free moisturizing body lotion or jojoba oil. Add 6 to 10 drops of your chosen essential oil. The number of drops depends on the sensitivity of your skin and what level of aroma you prefer. Stir well.

2. Apply your preferred amount to your chest and gently and slowly massage.

3. Close your eyes, relax, and breathe. As you experience the aroma, hold your intention in your mind and visualize your goal.

4. When you are finished, acknowledge that the exercise is complete. Be gentle with yourself. Return to your day slowly and mindfully. Store the jar, capped, in a cool, dark place.

“One cannot use essential oils without being transformed.”

–Jeffrey Yuen, master of traditional Chinese medicine

Aromatherapy for Feeling Good is a collection of ways to use essential oils to lift your spirits. My greatest gratitude to essential oils is their ability to shift our consciousness in a positive, inspiring way. May you discover the techniques and the essential oils that “rejuvenate you thoroughly.”

Thank you, Joni, for sharing with us points from your new book. Joni, is an e3 consultant, and works in the alternative health field as an author, educator, and consultant. She is trained in aromatherapy, esthetics, and nutrition.  You can visit her website: https://www.jonikeimbooks.com/  We love all of her aromatherapy books: Aromatherapy for Feeling Good, Practical Aromatherapy, Natural Skin Care, Daily Aromatherapy, Aromatherapy & Subtle Energy Techniques, Aromatherapy Anointing Oils, and Angels & Aromas.