HEALTHY MIND and BODY

Essential oils are excellent for a whole range of requirements that heal our body mind and soul. One of my favourites is Frankincense as its psychological benefits are that it helps us to let go on every level, releases fears from the past and promotes hope for the future. Letting go of the past is an important strategy so that we can move on.

Often when people are feeling sad it is because they are not engaging in the present moment. They are still thinking about things from the past. However bad the past was, it has made you the amazing person that you are today. Once we have made our peace with the past, we can enjoy the present moment and move forward into a bright future.

If you’re finding it difficult to do this then find a therapist that you trust to explore this with so that you can have the life that you want and deserve.

My favourite essential oils are Rosemary as a memory booster and antidepressant. Tea tree as its anti-viral, antifungal, antiseptic and antibiotic whilst also stimulating the immunity system. Geranium is a good balancer of our hormones as well as our emotions and I love the fragrance of it. I use Litsea cubeba (May chang) to fragrance my bathroom as it smells very citrusy and fresh. For a stimulating warming bath, I run my bath to the right height and temperature and then add two drops of ginger. By using only a small amount of essential oils we are doing what is called ‘subtle aromatherapy’. By using less essential oil it has an impact on the body, mind and spirit. Whereas when we use lots of aromatherapy oils it will only work on our physicality.

When using aromatherapy oils remember that actually less is more. Avoid using citrus oils in the bath as these are caustic to the skin.
Why don’t you pick a book on the benefits of aromatherapy oils to get you started? Or try the Aromatherapy Lexicon that is easy to use as a great reference guide for a comprehensive range of conditions.
https://www.quinessence.com/aromatherapy-lexicon

Most books will concentrate on the physical aspects so what I thought would be more useful for you is if I gave you the psychological aspects of essential oils.

Basil resonates to concentration and understanding. Benzoin to self-love and clarity. Bergamot to acceptance and honesty. Black Pepper to excitement. Grapefruit to certainty and trust. Fennel to hope and peace. Frankincense to letting go. Geranium to balance and flexibility. Ginger resonates to forbearance. Jasmine to ecstasy and exhilaration.

Lavender to insight. Lemon to change and influence. Mandarin to childhood and happiness. Marjoram to the frequency of order. Patchouli to wants and desires. Sweet Orange to joy and happiness. Rosemary to learning and self-will. Sandalwood to protection and confidence. Tea Tree to cleanliness and purity and finally Ylang Ylang resonates to truth and nerve.

One the most important things that we can do for ourselves is to ensure that we have daily opportunities for Relaxation. This could include having an aromatherapy massage or Reflexology for instance, as these can help to release stress and anxiety.

It is vital that we maintain a balance between work, rest and play for our overall well-being. We have a tendency to be applauded for continual overwork, and to be praised for working long hours, skipping meals, and having very little time for recreation and time with our families. If we could just look at ourselves holistically, we would gain a better understanding of how important rest, fun and pleasure are. Today treat yourself as if you were your own best friend. Give this friend lots of compliments about how well they are doing. Affirm yourself. I guarantee this will be beneficial when you do this consistently.

Make sure that this ‘friend’ finishes working time to set aside some relaxation and fun time. By making this commitment to yourself you are setting up a good habit. One of the strategies I suggest to my patients is to write down a relaxing treat, pamper treatment, or a walk nature in your diary for 21 days. It is said in many cultures and by many psychologists that any habit that you do for 21 days becomes ingrained behaviour. So, whilst we may have less healthy addictions such as drinking or smoking that have a negative impact on us, the make time for me strategy daily can make a significant positive impact.

With Love and sparkling Blessings Annie x x x x