Chase Away the Winter Blues
As the days shorten and the temperature drops our thoughts turn to ways of staying warm and healthy during the dark winter months. Maintaining optimal health and well-being in autumn and winter calls for energy conservation, rest, and the revitalisation of the body and spirit. Aromatherapy is a natural antidote to the negative effects the dark winter months can have on us.
Lack of greenery, grey skies, reduced activity and cold temperatures bring s with it a range of seasonal discomforts. The ‘winter blues’ involve feelings of sadness, depression and loss of energy. Our immune systems are hit with a barrage of bacteria and viruses. As we wrap ourselves up warm and keep the windows tightly shut against the elements our homes can become stuffy and stale.
Bring a little sunshine back into your life by utilising essential oils around the home. Citrus oils are wonderful for helping combat the effects of the long, dark days. The bright, fresh scents lift the spirit, cleanse the air and transport us back to the long, warm days of summer. Orange, lemon, bergamot and grapefruit oils are inexpensive and are enjoyed by most people.
Orange has a warming, comforting effect. It is a natural antidepressant that helps to dispel gloomy thoughts. Orange oil is a gentle oil that can assist with insomnia and tension.
Lemon has a fresh sunny sent that instantly reminds us of summer. Its antiseptic and antiviral properties make it useful to diffuse around the house to freshen the air. Lemon contains compounds that have been studied for their positive effects on the immune system, aiding the body to fight infections.
Grapefruit is a vibrant, stimulating oil with a sharp refreshing smell. Try choosing shower gels and soaps that contain grapefruit oil to use in the morning as this oil energises and will set you up for the day. Overall grapefruit is uplifting and reviving and can have a very positive effect on stress.
Bergamot is an uplifting, delicately sweet and fruity essential oil. It is particularly useful for lifting feelings of sadness and depression. As it has a mild sedative action it is a useful oil to use in the evening to relax and unwind.
Citrus oils have the potential to irritate sensitive skin due to the method of extracting the essential oil from the fruit. So stick to adding these lovely oils to diffusers, as they blend well together two drops of each of the oils mentioned added to a diffuser will fill the home with sunshine (and kill a few airborne bugs as well!).
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