Aromatherapy

Self Care

About this Activity

Looking After Yourself

Self Care: what is that, and who has the time? Caregivers are often so busy caring for others that self-care is a last-minute thought, if a thought at all. But self-care is such an important part of caring for others. Just like on an airplane, when an oxygen mask deploys, they ask you to put your own oxygen mask on first and then help others with theirs.  This is true in the rest of life-, especially for caregivers. But how do you begin to practice self-care, and what do you do? Self Care is a huge subject ranging from nutrition to emotional well being and exercise, so I am just going to focus on one idea to get you started: 

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a great way to give yourself a treat using one of your senses: smell. It’s also a great way to get yourself to sit still for a moment. Aromatherapy is easy to do: you can put essential oils in your bath, dab a little on your wrists and neck to carry the scent with you, use a diffuser in your room and take a minute to breathe it in, and take a break. Lavender is a great all-around scent to use for relaxation and to relieve nerves, ease pain, and help with sleeping.  Peppermint is also a great oil to boost energy, relieve muscle pain, ease headaches, and clear respiratory issues.  The point is to get yourself to stop for just a moment and do something for yourself.

My favorite treat after a long day is to draw a hot bath with some bubbles, coconut oil, and lavender essential oil.  This mixture moisturizes my skin, gives me a moment to myself, and the scent relaxes me, releases my tension, and gets me ready for bed.

I hope you can take a moment today and smell your favorite scent!

Liv Fagerholm

Creation Associate, Maria’s Place