This week I thought I’d step away from all the deep stuff and keep it light with EOs. By now you probably know that I love using essential oils to help me stay dysautonomia strong and often lean on them for pain management too. BUT, did you know that I also like to use my EOs for fun, self exploration, and real life shit?! One of my biggest beliefs is that life should be full of joy.. even when going through the hard shit. No matter what my day looks like I aim to create moments of light and gratitude throughout and I often use essential oils to help me do that. So, today I want to share a few of my favorite ways to use these little guys for that extra oomph. P. S. they make great holiday gifts too!

Baths. Bathing is a long-time love of mine and essential oils make it even better. One of my favorite ways to indulge is to make a beautiful bath salt mixture and soak until my heart’s content. This bath mixture makes a great friend gift too! I simply fill a glass jar 3/4 full with course Pink Himalayan salt, dissolve essential oils in one to two teaspoons olive, avocado, or fractionated coconut oil, pour this into the salt, shake jar, top off with more salt and all done. For an extra special treat I like to mix various types of salt. This looks so pretty in the jar! If making for gift giving simply tie a bow around the top and it’s good to go.

Scents to try: One of my favorite mixtures for this time of year is Frankincense and Myrrh with a smidge of Rose. The mixture feels luxurious and a bit self-indulgent. If I’m looking to open airways I often use dōTERRA Breathe or Rosemary. If I want to soak away the pain and promote an inner glow I opt for Copaiba, Bergamot, and Patchouli. Bonus tip, if bones or muscles are particularly achy add some apple cider vinegar and soak away.

Smelling Sassy. One thing I often miss is perfume. Fragrance is a major trigger for me (once I learned about all the toxic chemicals in most perfumes this made a lot of sense), but I still like to smell delicious. There’s something about wrapping myself in scent that feels ultra-feminine and indulgent. It makes me feel oh so special. So, even though my signature scent is more geared toward earth and grass than flowers and fruit I still wanted to find a way to pamper myself minus the toxins and headaches that came from traditional methods. That’s when I started experimenting with making my own “perfume” from essential oils. I love this idea because I can blend whichever oils I’m feeling in the moment to create a one of a kind scent that sticks with me all day long. For the scents I use most often, I like to create rollerballs to take with me on the go. This makes for easy reapplication and is handy when I need to clean up in a pinch (like after a major sweat attack - you spoonies know what I mean). Date night or day in, I’m covered!

Ideas for combos: Create scents with several notes. For instance, maybe try mixing a woodsy oil with something a bit spicy or floral. The idea is to create a scent unique to you, so go crazy with experimentation!

Yoga. The hippie in me absolutely LOVES slathering myself in grounding, earthy oils, and getting my groove on in a good yoga session. Using EOs during my yoga practice puts me in mind of the way courtesans cared for themselves back in the day. If you haven’t seen the movie Dangerous Beauty I highly recommend it. One of my favorite quotes from it, “You must know pleasure to give pleasure.” While you may not have thought of it as such, yoga is quite sensual when done with connection and intention. During practice I often feel the walls melt away, putting me in greater contact with higher power, self, and the other and the magical powers of essential oils take that up a notch. Bonus tip - close your eyes while you flow for an extra trippy experience! P.S. adding EOs elevates meditation sessions too.

Oils to try: For greater connection with higher power try Clary Sage, Copaiba, or Myrrh to open the third eye or Rose or Frankincense for the crown chakra. If you’d like to connect with your more earthy self maybe go for a Arborvitae or Patchouli.

Diffusing. This is one of the most simple ways to use oils and I think one of the most overlooked. Few things can set the tone like scent. We know that scent is one of our strongest brain emotion connections, yet we don’t use it often enough to create the moods we’d prefer. I diffuse oils daily when I’m at home. Whether I’m getting some work done solo or having a family dance party or stay at home rest day, you can bet there’s a diffuser going in our home. Don’t have a diffuser? No problem! They can be found almost anywhere these days - grocery stores, discount shops, online - and are available at a variety of price points. dōTERRA is even offering one that comes with the perfect oil for the season, Holiday Peace, in this year’s Holiday Offers.

Options to try: dōTERRA Holiday Peace or Holiday Joy to evoke cozy warmth; Cedarwood, Cypress, and Grapefruit for an energizing and grounding blend; Wild Orange and Peppermint for a boost of happy; dōTERRA Peace and Cedarwood to promote comfort and calm. It just takes a few drops of each oil, so a little goes a long way!

Body Scrubs. This time of year my skin often gets dry and flaky. Homemade body scrubs are super simple, toxin-free, and feel luxurious. Once every week or two I take leftover coffee grounds and allow them to dry by placing on a plate or in a large bowl. Side note, if you want to use the coffee grounds right away drying is not necessary; they just won’t keep more than a day or two. Once dry (usually overnight) I mix the coffee grounds with olive oil and a few drops EO of choice. Olive oil is my favorite for this time of year because it’s heavier, which is perfect for my exceptionally dry skin. If your skin is less dry you may want to opt for fractionated coconut or avocado oil.

Some of my favorite essential oils for this application: Grapefruit or Lemon for a mood boost while brightening and clarifying skin; Cypress and Cedarwood for an invigorating and grounding experience that smells like straight forest (remember, I’m a sucker for earth and grass); Rosemary for improved circulation and an overall pick me up; Frankincense and Myrrh for soothing and pampering

Treats. Last but not least, I like to use essential oils to spice up my food game. Whether I’m making a smoothie on the go or putting out a plate of something yummy for friends and family it’s always fun to experiment. Swirling some Basil or Rosemary EO into plain hummus can elevate it just enough (perfect for holiday get togethers). Adding some Cinnamon or Peppermint to melted down Lily’s chocolate is divine. Adding a couple drops of EO into mulled wine or spiced sangria can make your holiday drink extra special, setting it apart from all the rest. I even find it fun to add a drop to my water for a mid-day pick me up. And don’t forget coffee and tea! Create your own lattes without the sugar and chemical flavorings. Enjoy winding down with your favorite tea while supporting sleep with oils scientifically proven to help. You can even add EOs to your baked goods!

A few to try: Grapefruit for a citrus blast, boost of energy, and to help stabilize blood pressure; Peppermint for minty fresh treats, energy, and digestion; Cinnamon for better circulation and a punch of flavor; Bergamot for increasing autophagy and alertness while flavoring teas with an extra special something; Clove for a bit of spice, better circulation, and increased immunity; Basil for added herbal flavor and to support the nervous system

Whatever your needs, essential oils can offer support. Happy, sad, and everything in between, emotions are real and normal.. so is our need to spice things up from time to time! Whether you are seeking assistance with feeling and processing what you’re going through or attempting to pull yourself out of a funk, essential oils are a great addition to the journey. I use them daily to increase vitality and joy, whatever the day brings, including the heavy stuff. Questions? Just ask! I’d love to more deeply support your process.

New to oils and not sure where to get started? Here’s an idea: Pick one or two feelings you’d like help evoking. Then, choose an oil that supports each. For instance, if you’d like to feel more grounded and uplifted perhaps go with a woodsy oil like Sandalwood or Siberian Fir (Cedarwood is another favorite) and a citrus like Bergamot or Wild Orange. Then use some of the ideas above to begin incorporating oils into your daily routine. Still stuck? Reach out! I’m always here to support your journey.

Big love! XOXO ~Amanda