The Basics of Aromatherapy for Self Care

Many times as moms, we put ourselves last on the to-do list then wonder why we feel terrible at the end of the day or week.

Taking care of yourself and making yourself is a priority is essential to being an awesome mom day after day. Without proper self-care, you’ll likely be burnt out or filled resentment instead of contentment.

One way to provide yourself with self-care is through aromatherapy.

I brought a special guest to share the basics of aromatherapy for self-care that you can either listen to the player above or read about in the blog post below.

Pin this for later!

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is a holistic treatment that uses aromatic essential oils to promote health physically and mentally.

Aromatherapy works through absorption through the skin and inhaling through the nose. Essential oils are the keystones for aromatherapy.

There are hundreds of different types of essential oils that can provide different healing properties and effects.

Aromatherapy has been proven to help with managing pain, improving sleep, decreasing stress and anxiety, treat headaches and migraines, and boost immunity.

The best part about aromatherapy is you can do it any time, anywhere. And since the oils are plant-based, they’re gentle, safe, and beneficial for many people.

Now, some safety precautions should be taken into consideration when using essential oils. If you are pregnant, for example, particular oils should be avoided.

And if you’re taking any medication, you should also look at the safety of the oils that you’re using to make sure that there’s no interaction with the medicine you’re taking.

The oils can be applied directly on your skin or used in body sprays, compresses, creams, salves, and bombs. Using the oils for massages is the most popular for self-care. But the oils can be infused or inhaled through a diffuser or through steam.

Getting started with essential oils for aromatherapy

If you’re just getting started with essential oils, you’re in the right place.

First, try to find a way to incorporate aromatherapy into your day.

For instance, you could include using scents in a diffuser when you come home from work. Or use some of the oils as a massage oil before you start the day.

Scents to get you should start with

So you’ve figured out how you can incorporate aromatherapy into your day. Now you’re wondering what scents you should start with.

Before getting started, it’s recommended that you dilute the oils.

Especially if you’re brand new to using oils.

Try doing a patch test to see if your skin has any irritation before applying any oils to your skin.

Lavender

Lavender is one of the most popular scents to get started with.

Lavender is a very safe, versatile, and calming oil that can be used on yourself and your kids.

Lavender oil has been used to promotes relaxation and believed to treat anxiety, fungal infections, allergies, depression, insomnia, eczema, nausea, and menstrual cramps. [source]

Lavender is famous for its calming effects and helps kids with their nighttime routines.

Starting with lavender is an excellent choice if you’re getting started with essential oils.

When you’re dealing with stress, you can take a bottle of lavender and inhale it, and that will give you a rapid effect on the stress levels.

You could also apply the lavender to your wrist, pulse points, or your feet.

As a bonus, lavender can also be used in skincare and on wounds and burns.

Lavender and chamomile

Another calming scent to try is a blend of lavender and chamomile. This blend is safe to use around kids.

These oils are helpful in a diffuser at night time to help the little ones get to sleep.

It’s recommended to check your diffuser and make sure you understand the settings. It’s recommended to do 30 minutes on and 30 minutes off with the diffuser.

This way, your olfactory system doesn’t get overloaded.

You could even use the combination as a massage oil. Massage the bottom of your feet with the oils to help set a calm relaxing environment.

Lemon

Lemon is another excellent scent that is uplifting and stimulating.

If you have a busy morning and you need calming and a little bit energizing blend, try using lemon and lavender.

Lemon and lavender are calming and energizing. This oil can also be used in household cleaning items.

Essential oils to try for headaches and migraines

I have watched one of my colleagues use essential oils for headaches many times.

After talking with Krystina, I learned the oils that are the most helpful for headaches are lavender and peppermint.

It’s not recommended to place the oils on your forehead or temples because of irritation.

Instead, deeply inhale the lavender or peppermint. Or you could try the oils in massage oil.

When you feel the headache coming, use the massage oil with the lavender or peppermint, apply it to the back of your neck or shoulders.

If peppermint is too stimulating, you can use lavender alone in massage oil.

Also, using lavender throughout the day through inhalation is excellent to help relax the senses and prevent headaches.

Things to keep in mind when using essential oils

When you are first getting started with using essential oils, it’s necessary to try the oils mentioned above and see how your body reacts to them and if they actually help you.

Many times it’s a personal preference.

For instance, some people love lavender at my job. But then others think it stinks.

Quality of essential oils

Also, the quality of your oils is critical. You want to be careful that you’re not using harmful products when you’re inhaling the oils or using them on your skin.

An easy way to determine the quality of the oil is to look for the Latin name of the oil on the ingredient list.

You want to be careful that the oils don’t have a lot of synthetic ingredients that can irritate your system.

Or they’re already diluted in a carrier oil. So make sure to check the ingredient list.

Another thing to note is the oil must be in a dark bottle because the oil deteriorates if it’s exposed to light for long periods. Follow your sense of smell.

Many times you can smell the synthetic ingredients in some of the oils. If there is a tester bottle, drop some on your finger and see if it has an oily consistency.

If it’s already oily, then it probably is diluted in a carrier oil because it shouldn’t feel greasy.

Remember, you don’t have to purchase expensive oils to have good quality. If you know what to look for, you can find affordable oils and start experimenting more with different scents.

Carrier oils

When using essential oils when you’re starting out, it’s vital to use a carrier oil.

A carrier oil is any kind of plant-based oil that doesn’t have a scent that can be used to dilute the essential oil.

The general rule for diluting an essential oil in carrier oil is one drop of essential oil in 1 tsp (5ml) of carrier oil.

Some of the most popular carrier oils are coconut oil and olive oil. Some other carrier oils that you can use on your skin are Jojoba oil and avocado oil.

If you’re looking for an oil to use on your face, try rose hemp seed oil.

Olive oil is a popular carrier oil. But be careful not to use it on your face because it can clog your pores.

When purchasing a carrier oil, get an organic, cold-pressed oil.

Aromatherapy for self-care routines

Incorporating aromatherapy for self-care in your morning routine doesn’t have to be complicated.

Depending on what your day looks like you could try incorporating:

When you get out the shower, use lavender (with a carrier oil) to massage on your skin
Lemon in your diffuser while you’re getting dressed
Taking deep breaths of chamomile after getting dressed, but before you walk out of the door
Placing oil on your wrist after journaling

It’s easy to make it complicated and feel like you have to do so many things, but it only takes small shifts to make a significant impact.

“I feel like women should just start small, and that 1% shift can really make a huge impact for the rest of their day.”

You could even weave in aromatherapy throughout your day by inhaling your favorite scent when you’re getting stressed. Y

ou could also put a few drops of lavender in your unscented lotion and use the moisturizer during the day as well.

Try making an inhaler stick that you can keep in your purse.

Krystina has a video that you can watch here on YouTube and make one yourself.

These sticks last about 2 to 3 months and are great when you need a pick me throughout the day.

A simple challenge

Make sure to take your time, do your own research, and start experimenting with essential oils for aromatherapy.

There’s a challenge issued to you.

Take the rest of the week to slow down. Slow down and take your time to do self-care. Remember that it doesn’t have to be complicated.

A small 1% shift can change can cause a world of change. Have you accepted the challenge?

About Krystina

Krystina is a Certified Aromatherapist and Wellness Coach in California.

As a wellness coach, Krystina helps moms to put yourself on the top of the to-do list so that they are not stressed and can enjoy their lives.

You can visit her website at Motherly Journey. You can also find Krystina on Instagram @motherlyjourney and YouTube.

Links mentioned in this episode

Timestamp

02:18 – About Krystina
04:24 – What are aromatherapy and its benefits
06:34 – Getting started with aromatherapy
10:51 – Essential oils for headaches
13:02 – Quality matters
18:47 – What to look for when purchasing essential oils
25:54 – Incorporating aromatherapy into routines.

Subscribe & Review in iTunes

Have you subscribed to the Real Happy Mom podcast? If not, I’m encouraging you to do it today.

I don’t want you to miss any upcoming episodes. I am planning on adding some bonus episodes that you won’t find on this website, and if you’re not subscribed, you might miss out on those. Click here to subscribe in iTunes!

I would be so happy and grateful if you left me a review on iTunes too. Reviews help iTunes to know that this is a podcast for other moms so that other moms can find this podcast. Plus, it makes my day to read the reviews.

Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thanks in advance!

Don’t have iTunes? You can subscribe to the podcast Google Podcast, Anchor, Spotify, Breaker, Castbox, Overcast, RadioPublic, and Stitcher.

Featured Mom Win

This week’s mom win comes from Annah B @proudmum263

If you want to share your mommy win and be featured on the podcast, go to Instagram and follow me @realhappymom. Then go to the DMs and say, hey. Press and hold the microphone button on the lower right-hand side of the screen, then tell me your name, IG handle, tell us what you do and how you are winning. Anything big or small is welcome, we want to celebrate with you.