Aromatherapy is one of those simple pleasures that don’t get as much attention as it should.  Now, if you have experienced all the benefits of Aromatherapy before in the past then you are fully aware of all the benefits that it has to offer. 

Aromatherapy is a form of Holistic healing.  It has been around for thousands of years and has a host of benefits. Aromatherapy is used for both medical and religious practices. Aromatherapy also has both physical and psychological benefits. 

Essentials oils can be used in a variety of ways.  Some of my favorite ways are to use them are listed below

Facial Steamer

Diffusers

Face Creams

Warm Baths

Home-made Cleansers

Hot or Cold Compresses

Other Benefits include

• Pain management
• Improvement in overall sleep quality
• Helps to reduce stress, agitation, and anxiety
• soothe joint pain
• Possible relief from headaches and migraines
• alleviate side effects of chemotherapy
• ease discomforts of labor pains
• fight bacteria, virus, or fungus
• improve digestion
• improve hospice and palliative care
• boost immunity

There are well over 100’s of different types of essential oils… So you can experiment a little with which ones you prefer.  Many enjoy mixing some of their favorite oils together by creating the perfect scent. 

I have learned to not be overly creative and stick to the ones that tend not to bother my allergies as I am very sensitive to many different smells. 

All Essential Oils are not created Equal!

Some synthetic oils tend to dissipate relatively quickly and the smell might slightly differ from some essential oils that have a better quality.  You may find cheaper essential oils at places like the dollar stores.  I prefer to get my essential oils at places like Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, or other places that sell organic products.  Do your research on the best quality essential oils.  I also have a pretty good collection of DoTERRA essential oils.  

Popular Essential oils are

Clary Sage

• Antispasmodic
• Relieves Menstrual Cramps
• Aphrodisiac
• Relaxing
• Relieves anxiety/stress
• Labor pain management

Cypress

• Astringent
• Antispasmodic
• Treats Respiratory Complaints
• Edema
• Cellulitis
• Menstrual Pain
• Muscle Pain

Eucalyptus

• Expectorant
• Decongestant
• Beneficial for cold/flu season
• Clearing to the mind
• Energizing
• Bronchitis

Geranium

• PMS
• Indicated or hormonal imbalance
• Antimicrobial
• Nerve Pain

Ginger

• Digestive
• Useful to Eliminate Gas
• Constipation
• Relieves Nausea
• Warming Emotionally and Physically
• Anti-Inflammatory
• Relieves Pain
• Immune Modulator

Lavender 

• Calming
• reduces Anxiety
• Wound Healing
• Burns
• Cell Regenerative
• Insect Bites
• Antispasmodic
• Reduces Itchiness
• General Skin Care
• Great For Children

The above listed are ones that I personally use to help combat fibromyalgia. There are many people who consume essential oils.  However I do not! Be sure to research which oils can be consumed. The only way that I use them is in my diffuser or topical.  I may add them to a carrier oil like avocado oil, or vitamin E when I apply them.  Another thing to note is to make sure that your diffuser is cleaned after each use. The water can grow mold! And that is totally unsafe to inhale.  I personally like to clean mine with tea tree oil.  Tea tree oil is another oil that I use often.  It is a staple item for me and has tons of benefits. 

I suffer from Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is one of those things that does not have a one size fits all remedy and many of the soothing moments with Fibromyalgia are earned with trial and error. 

On a night, when I am having  hard time getting to sleep I have created a fibromyalgia night time routine.  I am just sharing my routine and this is not intended to replace any medical advice.  Please check with your physician before trying out any of the mentions in this post.

I generally average about 5-6 hours per night.  I would love to get 8 or even 9 hours of sleep per night but I have simply settled for a good 5-6 hours. I believed I was getting an adequate amount of sleep until my Fitbit sleep tracker informed me otherwise.  On one single night I had woke 12 times to my surprise. I said that it can’t be healthy.  I said to myself how can my body even recover when I am not getting enough rest. In the morning times I surely would pay the price for the restless nights.

MY NIGHTTIME SLEEP ROUTINE

I began taking magnesium at night 1 tablet

I filled my diffuser with distilled water and add 3 drops of lavender

I also take a bath with lavender epsom salt 

I drink a half of cup of sleepy time tea

I always make my bed up rather i do it in the morning or just before getting in the bed

I purchased a L shaped pillow

A neck pillow

I use a little deep blue on my neck or any other area where there is pain

This is the only thing that works to make sure I get to sleep.  I always share with my friends that I am the real life version of the princess and the pea because I feel every little thing on my bed. I can’t even sleep if there is a  tiny crumb on my bed.  So, it is important to make everything as close to perfect as possible.

In the morning I always stretch.. Not for too long but at least 3 minutes because I tend to get very stiff.  

Disclaimer: I will make a small commission for purchases made through links in this post. For more information please see our disclosures page.

REFERENCES:

https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-aromatherapy#benefits

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Think about the benefits that you might want to reap out of practicing deep breathing exercises.

Well I say give it a try. Let’s talk briefly about deep breathing . Deep Breathing is a relaxation technique performed by purposefully taking slow and long deep breaths. When practiced regularly  and effectively, deep breathing provides both immediate and long –term relief from stress anxiety. 

Sometimes when you experience an anxiety attack you may feel that you cannot breathe. You may feel our chest about to tighten and feel instantly uncomfortable.  During periods of anxiety, the body triggers a set of symptoms called the stress response. Breathing becomes shallow and rapid, heart rate increases, and muscles become tense. In opposition to the stress response is the relaxation response.  Breathing becomes deeper and slower, and the symptoms of anxiety fade away. Deep breathing triggers this response. 

Let’s give it a try now…

Sit back or lie down in a comfortable position. Close your eyes, if you would like to do so.  When you’re learning, try placing a hand on your stomach.  If you breathe deeply enough, you should notice it rising and failing with each inhalation and exhalation.

1. Inhale.. Breathe in slowly through your nose 4 seconds
2. Pause, Hold the air in your lungs for 4 seconds. 
3. Exhale, Breathe out slowly through your mouth for seconds. ( Pucker your lips, as if you are blowing through a straw, to slow your exhalation. 
4. Repeat. Practice for at least 2 minutes, but preferably 5 to 10 minutes..

A few tips * If it isn’t working, slow down!  The most common mistake is breathing too fast. Time each step in your head, counting slowly as you do so. 

• Counting out your breaths serves a second purpose. It takes your mind off the source of your anxiety.  Whenever you catch your mind wandering, simply return your focus to counting.
• The times we use for each step are suggestions, and can be lengthened or decreased. 
• Lengthen the time if it feels natural to do so, or decrease the time if you feel discomfort.       

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How to find joy in life?

Let’s start off by saying that happiness is an inside job.

 It is solely up to you to decide what happiness means to you. You may need to do a little self-exploration. 

Finding joy in life can be achieved with self explorations. 

Read more >> How to find yourself as a woman

What does self explorations mean?

The first thing it will take is for you to take ownership. Taking ownership means no more pointing fingers.

 No more blaming others when things don’t go in your favor.

 Ask yourself do you have a hard time apologizing? If the answer is yes then it is probably likely that there are plenty of things that you still may have not taken ownership of.

 No worries you have time to start now!

First, we have to talk about what does happiness means anyway. 

What does it mean to you to be happy?

• Does it mean being married?
•  Having the perfect job? Having a lot of money?

Once you figure out what does it mean for you to be happy then you can decide what it is that you need to do to get it.

The first question that might come to you is Why do I find it difficult to be happy?

Let’s take a look at few reasons why you find it difficult to be happy.

Why do I find it difficult to be happy?

-Reasons why You can’t Find Happiness

1- You don’t know what you want

For you to feel happiness in life, you should know what you really want? 

Do you find yourself being picky about general things?

Things such as when trying to find the perfect spouse. 

Remember the whole tall, dark, and handsome spiel back when our parents used to watch soap operas.

 Surprisingly, many still watch soaps! Nothing is wrong with Soaps but the men on there are pretty close to perfect. You refuse to give up your 100 item list of must-haves.  

2- You don’t know your values

It’s important to have values and stay true to them.  So, if someone does not meet your core values then you deserve to paddle on past them.

How to fix that?

Take the word “perfect” and remove it from your vocabulary.  

 One of my favorite ways to find out more about what I am missing in life is to use Reality Therapy. Reality Therapy was founded by William Glasser M.D. back in the 1960s where he explored the unsuccessful attainment of basic needs. 

 Fulfilling essential needs is a part of a person’s present life and it does not focus on your past, just the here and now which I like!

 Learn more about Reality Therapy Here. 

 Side note: In no way shape or form am I saying that you need a spouse to feel complete but a life partner can definitely aid in your journey in finding happiness. 

2.  You Overthink

   Have you ever just sat in your own thoughts.  I mean like in complete silence to determine what you really want out of life.

 What will it take to really make you find joy?

  Some people really have challenges with being alone and really despise the thought of being in their own sole presence.

How to fix that?

One thing to help you in this problem is to journal and let out your thoughts to just flow without judging them.

And if you hate journaling, try to go on a rant with yourself and then decide to let it go. 

3.  You compare yourself to others

Turn the TV off and ditch the magazines for a second.  Social media and Reality Television have given us this false narrative that we need to have all these things to feel complete.

 Many of us can’t afford their suggestions and oddly enough we will still try to keep up with others.

 Many people including those on television are only showing us a small portion of their lives. 

How to fix that?

Remember it’s hard to see the picture if you’re always in the frame. 

You don’t need to cut on social media at the beginning but what you can do is to only watch and follow other women or people who make you feel good about yourself.

This way you won’t fall into the trap of comparing yourself to women who make you feel low. 

4- You don’t know how to love yourself.

This might seem pretty simple, but how can you expect to be completely happy when you don’t love yourself?

How to fix that?

 Loving yourself consists of learning to accept every flaw that you can think of.  Even those flaws that you don’t want to think about the need to be included.  This is when you dive deep into all the things that you don’t like about yourself and accept them. 

Ask yourself the reasons why you don’t like these things about yourself. 

Although in your eyes your opinion of yourself may be valid it does not mean that you are not deserving of the things that you want in life. 

And lastly, 

5- You take yourself so seriously 

If you want to be happy you just need to know how to Chill.

Chill, relax, take a load off, etc. …  Seriously,  why take yourself so seriously. 

How to fix that?

 True enough you may need to take some things seriously in life but not all things.  We indeed have the ability to pick and choose our battles, and over the years you will learn all battles aren’t even worth the fight.

 So next time you find your panties in a bunch quickly redirect your thoughts to a lesser challenge. 

Do a little soul searching, Self Exploration, and Re-create the perfect version of yourself.  You can even check out my ebook. 

Finding joy in life can be hectic but it doesn’t necessarily need to be. 

Here are 2 ways that you can use to find joy

How can I find happiness?

 1- Create A Theme

Get out the frame and draw your own picture. What does happiness mean to you and better yet what does it look like, what does it taste like, what does it feel like. 

 These are all of the things that you are going to want to know.

 You want to know these things so that you can visualize exactly how you want them to be. 

2- Create A Vision Board 

 A few things that I like to do is to create vision boards. Visions Boards help me stay focused on my goals and it also serves as a constant reminder of what I want so I don’t lose track.

 I also am a firm believer in the laws of attractions. One of my favorite movies and books to read, when I was first introduced to the LOA, is the “Secret”.

 You can probably find it on a streaming service or you can purchase it here.  Another good read is the Four Agreements.

Final Note 

If you still struggle on how to find joy in life there might be another issue outside of your control that makes you feel this way. 

Regardless of what’s causing your unhappiness know that there is always a way to fix it.

Related post:

• How to find yourself as a woman
• 9 Ways to Make You Feel Like A Empowered Woman in 2021
• Self awareness activities to find yourself as a woman 

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Just know there is a difference between self-care, self-worth, and self-esteem. Of course they all involve “Self”. Take the time to get to know yourself and the things that you enjoy that actually make “you” happy. We are often the 1st ones to neglect ourselves and our needs. Check out the list and ask yourself which of these items can i truly commit to a few times a month, and if your schedule permits then a few times a week.

The great thing about self-care is you can always add or take away from your list. You ask how do I get started? Try setting a specific time day and time to do these times. Next, how often will you be able to commit do doing them. Let’s look at how attainable this goal is. Is it realistic ? Can you really do this?

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