Creative ways to enhance your wellbeing
Incorporating aromatherapy into daily life can offer an uplifting and therapeutic experience for people of all ages. From playdough to jewelry, sleep sachets to potpourri, there are countless ways to enjoy the calming and invigorating benefits of essential oils. Let's explore how you can harness these aromatic treasures to bring creativity, relaxation, and joy into your life.
Aromatherapy Playdough: A Therapeutic Twist on a Classic Activity
Aromatherapy playdough is a delightful way to combine the joys of creative play with the soothing effects of essential oils. This versatile activity enhances creativity and fine motor skills in children while providing sensory stimulation and emotional comfort for adults, especially those with dementia. Crafting your own playdough allows you to tailor the texture and fragrance to your preferences.
Ingredients for Aromatherapy Playdough - play around with the ratios to find the right texture for your preferences
1 cup flour
1/4 - ½ cup salt
1-2 Tbsp cream of tartar
1-1.5 Tbsp of vegetable oil
1/2 to 1 cup hot water
~5 drops of essential oils of choice
food coloring (OPTIONAL)
Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.
Slowly add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients.
Stir until the mixture forms a dough.
Blend/knead in the essential oil to the dough.
Optionally, if you'd like, divide the dough into sections and knead in a few drops of food coloring until you reach the desired shade.
Keep the playdough in an airtight container to maintain its softness and aroma.
Exercise appropriate supervision and stop using if any irritation occurs.
Great Essential Oil Options for Aromatherapy Playdough
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil: Calming & eases anxiety
Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) essential oil: Uplifting & energizing
Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) essential oil: Calming & relaxing
Lime (Citrus latifolia) essential oil: Uplifting & lightens the mood
Lemon (Citrus limon) essential oil: Uplifting & purifying
Cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana) essential oil: Inspires focus & relieves stress
Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) essential oil: Brings peace & rebalances emotions
Frankincense (Boswellia carterii) essential oil: Relaxing & eases stress
Spearmint (Mentha spicata) essential oil: Refreshing & inspires enthusiasm
Sleep Sachets: Crafting Your Way to a Peaceful Night
Aromatherapy can support restful sleep, which is essential for well-being. Homemade sleep sachets, filled with aromatic herbs and essential oils, offer a natural remedy for a good night's sleep. These sachets are easy to make and can be customized with different blends to suit your needs. Enjoy the creative process of crafting (and maybe gifting) your sachets. Sleep results will vary.
Mix dried aromatic herbs in a bowl: i.e. lavender, rose petals, chamomile, etc
Fill a sachet about 2/3 full with the dried herb mixture
Add 5-8 drops of essential oil and tie shut the sachet
Shake well to incorporate the oil throughout
Place it under your pillow or in your pillowcase
Great Blends for Sleep Support
Citrus: Dried lavender & citrus peels with lavender & bergamot essential oils
Minty: Dried lavender & lemon balm with lavender & bergamot mint essential oils
Woodsy: Dried lavender & aromatic fir tips with lavender & cypress essential oils
Herbal: Dried lavender & hops with lavender & clary sage essential oils
Aromatherapy Jewelry: Wear Your Scents in Style
Why not take your favorite scents on the go? Aromatherapy jewelry offers a fashionable way to enjoy passive diffusion throughout the day. By using materials like lava beads, raw wooden beads, locket with a felt pad, or even create your own terracotta or clay beads and pendants. Get creative and craft something beautiful!
Great oils for Diffuser Jewelry
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)
Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides)
Lemon (Citrus limon)
Mandarin (Citrus reticulata)
Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)
Spearmint (Mentha spicata)
Ho wood (Cinnamomum camphora)
Cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana)
Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
Add 1-3 drops of your favorite essential oil (or blend) to a bead or pendant, let it dry slightly to avoid direct contact with an undiluted oil on your skin, and wear your stylish aromatic art while enjoying the benefits!
Potpourri: Infuse Your Space with Natural Fragrance
Potpourri is a classic way to enhance the ambiance of any room with delightful scents. By mixing dried flowers, fruits, and spices with essential oils, you can create a fragrant display that doubles as decor.
Add 4-5 drops of your essential oil blend to the potpourri. Adjust the drops based on your blend's aromatic strength and dried material amount. Refresh the scent as needed, but avoid overpowering it.
Great Potpourri Blends
Woodsy Blend - does double duty in cleaning the air & calming the mood, try putting this blend over a bowl of pine cones
20 drops Siberian fir (Abies sibirica) essential oil
20 drops black spruce (Picea mariana) essential oil
10 drops cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana) essential oil
10 drops juniper berry (Juniperus communis) essential oil
Citrus Sparkle Blend - bring clear focus with this blend, try putting this blend over a bowl of dried citrus slices
20 drops lime (Citrus aurantifolia) essential oil
20 drops mandarin (Citrus reticulata) essential oil
15 drops bergamot mint (Mentha citrata) essential oil
5 drops peppermint (Mentha piperita) essential oil
Grounding Blend - bring cheerful, grounding calm to the room, try putting this blend over a bowl of cinnamon sticks and dried rose petals
Conclusion
Aromatherapy offers endless possibilities for enhancing well-being through creative and enjoyable activities. Whether you are crafting playdough with your kids, making a sleep sachet for a friend, wearing a piece of aromatic jewelry, or refreshing your home with potpourri, these simple projects bring the healing power of essential oils into your daily life. Embrace these delightful practices and discover the transformative effects of aromatherapy in your life.
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