An  Aromatologist, is not a healthcare professional.   I do not offer diagnosis, I cannot treat or heal you and essential oils will not replace the need to consult with your doctor,

however, as an Aromatologist,

I can support your process of self-care. 

A holistic lens for self-care needs

Our physical, mental and spiritual levels of wellbeing are affected how balanced our habits and lifestyle choices are. These include eating habits, work habits, adequate exercise and what I refer to as maintaining a healthy equilibrium of mind.

A holistic approach to self-care during a consultation emphasises a body awareness that takes into consideration the different levels of your wellbeing which, in turn, will be an important factor in defining the best essential oils for your needs. 

All our levels of wellbeing require equal attention. Sometimes because we are giving one level plenty of attention, such as sports activities, we think we are exercising sufficient self-care, yet we don’t realise that we may be disregarding other areas.  Benefits to our health from sports activities will be rendered nil by poor eating habits and choices.

Also, by examining your needs for self-care you may find some negative habits that no longer serve you which you may want to let go of, starting with the “extras”, the “just one mores”, and all the other excess “doubles” and “triples” that blow out other areas where there’s not nearly “enough” to maintain balance in our lives.

Finding time for self-care

One of the main reasons our levels of wellbeing become unbalanced is because, with our busy lives, we find it difficult to allocate time towards taking care of ourselves. Consciously or unconsciously we can also feel guilty about taking time for our self-care, preferring to divert our focus on taking care of the needs of others and forgetting that we cannot find the energy to help others if we don’t have energy to give ourselves. 

Self-care as preventive care

Inevitably the day comes, the big OUCH, our overwhelmed body, no longer able to direct resources to facilitate balance, painfully expresses the consequences of our embodied self neglect. By exercising self-care and staying connected to your body you are taking preventive action against the physical, mental and spiritual imbalances that effect your wellbeing.

Ways of using essential oils for self-care

If lack of time makes up your self-talk, let’s look at the options provided by aromatherapy.

It also depends on your lifestyle preferences and how you want to implement your self care program.

Inhalation: self care can be as simple as just one breath.

Inhalation is an effective method of absorbing essential oils to restore balance to mind, emotions and uplift the spirit. Inhalation can be in the form of a 10 minute steam inhalation, a blend for a room diffuser (up to 30 minutes) or a personal inhaler. The advantage of a personal inhaler is that you can carry it around with you all day and inhale when you feel the need. You may find that this modest act of inhalation of essential oils will open up your airways, stimulate your breathing more deeply, increase air intake which facilitate the functions of the lungs and the systemic processes to oxygenate your body.

Massage: self care through mindful touch

Specially formulated massage blends will be soothing for physical concerns such as sports related strains and aches and pain and  painful joints. Massage is also relaxing for emotional exhaustion and stress. However, you need to allocate more time, 30- 60 minutes, to optimally benefit from a massage. If you don’t feel you can give yourself the time for a full massage there is also Abhyanga self massage, which I talk more about below.

Pulse points rollons are not just for aromatic perfumery but are also handy and helpful for soothing headaches, calming or uplifting frayed emotions, and improving mental focus. The absorption is enhanced by their application on strategic areas such as the wrists, inside the ankles, on the temples where the skin is the thinest. Then you can also make a ritual of bringing your wrists up to your face to breathe in the fragrant essences, amplifying the benefits through inhalation.

Self care as a daily ritual

Incorporating essential oils into a daily self care ritual, even in the most simple form of a pulse point rollon used throughout the day, provides a powerful step towards taking care for our body, mind and spirit. Simply because, by enjoying the fragrance through our nose, the volatile components of essential oils travel through olfactory system to the brain and through the respiratory system to our body.

The olfactory route is beneficial because it stimulates the release of feel good hormones, like dopamine and serotonin, which promote our sense of wellbeing. These hormones boost our energy levels, positive feelings, focus and awareness as well as calm our anxiety. Certain essential oil chemical compounds, as are found in Clary sage for instance, may also stimulate the secretion of two other hormones , vasopressin thought to play a role in memory and foster positive, sociable behaviours, and oxytacin, thought to play a role in strengthening emotional bonding, trust and empathy. This suggests that essential oils can nurture our capacity for compassion towards others as well as oneself, a key factor for sustainable self care.

Abhyanga: my ultimate self care ritual

 Abhyanga is by far my favourite self care ritual to start the day. It is a wonderful holistic modality for relaxation of the muscles and calming of the nervous system and just takes a few minutes before having a bath or a shower.

You simply massage your body from head to toe for as long as your able, I recommend at least five minutes, and stretching it to fifteen minutes if you can. You then continue to massage whilst under the shower or bath. The warmth of water combined with that of your touch enhances the absorption of essential oils through your skin, additionally the steam will carry the volatile essences which you’ll absorb through inhalation. Try to avoid using soap and gently pat yourself dry in order to continue to benefit from a light fragrant and emollient effects of the oil throughout the day.

References

Body Sense: The Science and Practice of Embodied Self-Awareness by Alan Fogel

Art of Self Love: A Pathway to Compassion, article by Camellia Lee

Read more about Aromatic rituals in this article by Camellia Lee