My Everyday Oily Routine
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it a thousand times again, but essential oils have been an incredibly welcome gift in my life, and they are probably the method I use most consistently to reduce my environmental impact and minimise my personal chemical exposure. In my most humble opinion, Young Living are the bomb.com, and are working wonderful magic in our world by enabling people to access natural alternatives, before reaching for conventional chemical products. In my experience, the oils are incredibly pure and effective, moreso than any other essential oil brand I have ever tried. They have played a massive support role in healing my IBS, and I have now figured out how best to incorporate them into my daily routine in order to maximise their benefits.
In a nutshell, essential oils are plant extracts that are highly concentrated to separate the powerful healing compounds of the plant into a single oil. Because of their antibacterial, antiviral, antidepressant, detoxifying, and calming properties (just to name a few), they are rapidly gaining traction as natural, environmentally-friendly and cost-effective solutions for a multitude of concerns.
I use these oils every single day without exception. Here are 10 ways that I incorporate them as non-negotiable staples in my daily routine.
1. Morning Face Serum
As soon as I wake up, I wash my face and apply my morning face serum. This is something super simple that I make up myself every month or so, and consists of Frankincense, Lavender and Jojoba oils. Frankincense is also known as botox in a bottle and helps to smooth out your skin, supporting your anti-ageing routine.
2 Perfume
Not meaning to open up a can of worms, but conventional perfumes contain a cocktail of chemicals and toxins that cause lasting damage to our health and to the environment. Manufacturers aren’t required to disclose these toxins, and instead label them as ‘fragrance.’ I use natural essential oils as a chemical-free alternative that smells DIVINE. My favourites at the moment are Stressaway, Rose oil and Joy.
3. Immune Support
It’s winter, and colds and germs are spreading rapidly. I have been diffusing Eucalyptus essential oil every single day to help reduce the spread of germs and also to boost my immunity. A word of caution when using Eucalyptus – it does matter which brand you choose. Eucalyptus is a perfectly good example of this, though it is the same for all oils. Grab a bottle of store-bought Eucalyptus and compare it to Young Living’s. The difference is astounding.
4. Cleaning Products
Another pet peeve of mine is how we use conventional cleaning products without a second thought. Similarly to perfumes, cleaning products contain a whole host of toxic chemicals – a good exercise to do is to take your cleaning products out of the cupboard and google the toxicity of the first 5 ingredients. That in itself should be enough to scare you off. Most of the toxins cause endocrine problems, skin and organ damage, as well as harming our ecosystems as they get washed into our waterways. Instead, I reach for Thieves cleaner every time I wipe down my sink or clean my house. Chemical free and effective as hell!
5. Cuts, Grazes and Burn support
Lately I’ve been spending my weekends camping, and whilst this is a whole ball of fun, I often come home with a number of cuts and scrapes on my body. I cannot believe how many hazards continue to attack me in the bush, whether it’s the fire pit, sticks, or slippery mud! Each day I dab Frankincense or Lavender on any injuries from the weekend to support my recovery. The speed of healing is incredible!
6. Energy Boost
Come mid-afternoon, I’m hanging out for a boost of energy. My go-to when I need a little pick me up is to dab a drop of Peppermint oil on the back of my hand and to lick it up. Not only does it light your mouth on fire but Peppermint has also been shown to boost performance, energy and concentration. Not a bad alternative to coffee!
7. Muscular Support
As soon as I finish a big workout session, I reach for my Panaway and coconut oil. Panaway is a powerful blend of Wintergreen, Clove, Helichrysum and Peppermint, and works wonder to help support the release of muscular pain. I either rub this on my legs and back in the afternoon, or run a nice, hot bath and drop a few drops of Panaway in the water. Heaven!
8. Digestion
One of the reasons I first fell in love with Young Living was the relief I found from my IBS symptoms, something I’d struggled with for a long time. If I have a particularly large or rich dinner, I grab my Digize oil and rub a drop in a circular motion around my stomach. Wait for 20 minutes and notice how much better you feel!
9. Skin Support
Before bed, I dab a drop of Tea Tree oil neat on any pimples or bumps I see appearing through my skin. Many studies have shown the effectiveness of Tea Tree oil for treating acne, and my personal experience is no exception to this.
10.Sleep Support
Finally, I reach for a Sleepy roller I have made up which contains Lavender, Ruta Vala and White Angelica. I roll this onto the back of my neck and the insides of my ankles. Lavender and Ruta Vala are both oils that are highly relaxing, and White Angelica helps to protect your energy throughout the night and ensure any nightmares are kept at bay.
Essential oils are incredibly easy to incorporate into your daily routine. There are so many conventional products that can be swapped out for chemical-free, natural alternatives that also work wonders. If you’re looking to kickstart your natural living journey, or make some positive changes in your life, drop us a message at @youressentialstothrive, and let’s get started!