The word ‘wellness’ is everywhere right now. It’s so widespread, it's become meaningless. But we think wellness gets a bad rep. Right now, little acts of self compassion make a real difference to our mood. And it’s especially important in the winter, when the dark mornings and colder days can leave us feeling a little blue.
So how can we cut out the fluff, and make wellness work for us? Here at Abbey Essentials, we think the five senses play a hugely important role in our mood. Here are four ways you can amp up your wellness routine, and feel good inside this winter.
Breathe easy
As if we didn’t have enough to think about this year, out comes the dreaded winter cold. And while a balanced diet and exercised can work wonders in staving off the sniffles, we still seem to end up congested.
If you’ve ever used a vapour rub to ease a chesty cough or flu symptoms, you might have spotted two key ingredients - menthol and eucalyptus. But you don’t need to use the pricey branded stuff to clear your airways.
Try diffusing peppermint and eucalyptus oil for an hour in your bedroom before going to sleep for a restful slumber. Alternately, a few drops applied to your pillow and bedding will keep your airways clear overnight. During the day, a rollerball applied to the wrist and inhaled is a savvy option.
Soothe frozen muscles and joints
The cold weather always seems to bring new aches and pains with it. If you suffer with stiff joints and achey muscles as the weather gets colder, massaging them with a special concoction of warming essential oils can ease the pain. Not sure where to start?
Look for essential oils that are typically spicy - think cajaput, cinnamon, and clove. Then you’ll need a carrier oil or base cream to dilute your oils down. If experimenting isn’t your thing, we’ve made it pretty simple with our new muscle balm. No mixing necessary; apply a generous amount to the affected area and massage in circular motions.
Lift your mood
In last month’s blog post, we analysed a study from America, that identified properties in bergamot oil which helped lift the mood in a mental facility waiting room. And this isn’t the first time essential oils have shown potential in improving our mood and balancing stress levels.
Some of the most popular essential oils with mood boosting properties are sweet orange, lemon, bergamot, and ylang ylang oil. Try diffusing one or a combination of them for an hour a day, and track your mood during those times. For a more immersive experience, add them to a steamy bath instead.
When it comes to essential oils, everyone responds to the fragrances differently. Take some time to experiment with aromatherapy massage, meditation, and bathing. And always dilute your oils to 1% for topical application!
Show gratitude with handmade gifts
This is less about you and more about your loved ones, but we think it’s the best way to take care of your wellbeing and promote positivity. Because essential oils are so versatile, it means you can create all kinds of things with them. If you’re feeling creative, crafting your own soaps, lotions, and diffuser blends is a great way to focus your mind and channel that energy into something productive.
Soaps and wax melts make excellent stocking fillers, and you can grab most of the ingredients from our online store. Finding the right fragrance combinations can take a little more time - but that’s the joy of it! Once you find the dream recipe, we won’t blame you if you end up keeping your creations for yourself.
Looks like we’ve nailed this wellness thing. We love hearing stories from our customers too, tell us which wellness activities help you stay positive in the winter. Check out our Facebook and Instagram for more essential oil inspiration.