Aromatherapy Blend for a Cozy Night In

As part of the Ambassador Program I received product samples and compensation from NOW Foods to thank me for my participation, but the product selection and all opinions are genuinely my own. #NOWWellness

I feel like I don’t write about aromatherapy enough on this blog, considering how often I indulge in it on a regular basis. Some of my favorite candles, bath soaks, room & linen sprays, body lotions, and hand creams have one thing in common – they are crafted with aromatic essential oils and oil blends. A long time ago I used to think of aromatherapy as a kooky practice, and rolled my eyes when my parents lit up those incense cones and sandalwood sticks from India. They preferred this method to potpourri, which was also popular when they were younger, because one cone had the potential to scent several rooms at once. I used to shut my door, and even lined a blanket along the bottom to prevent any of those exotic fragrances from getting into my room. It always makes me chuckle when I reminisce about the good old days, I was such a brat. Sorry, Mom! 🙂

What I didn’t understand back then as a teenager, I totally get now that I am approaching my mid-30s. Aromatherapy can be an effective tool to help ease the mind and body, helping me to feel calmer and get to sleep faster. There are numerous studies studying the therapeutic benefits of certain natural oils and oil blends, so I am not at all surprised that I have become a huge fan of some of them over time.

I don’t know about anyone else here, but aromatherapy makes my every day just a little bit happier. When I wake up, the first thing I do is take a shower with invigorating citrus-scented body wash. It instantly makes me feel more alert and zaps me out of that drowsy morning slumber. I also carefully choose AM and PM body lotions to make sure they don’t conflict with my circadian rhythm. In other words, it basically means that I won’t be using a coffee-scented lotion in the PM or a lavender one in the AM, if that makes sense. In the evening I add a few drops of lavender oil to my air humidifier to relax and unwind after  an eventful day. Without notice, aromatherapy became a part of my life, and I can’t imagine going about my day without these little indulgences.

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, I thought it would be appropriate to dedicate this post to a wonderful aromatherapy blend I recently discovered. I know that a lot of couples are planning to go out for a date night this year [I saw the stats in some infographic last week], but there are almost as many who will have their date night at home, with a nice dinner, a movie, and a bottle of wine. This blend is basically the equivalent of a cozy blankie and warm socks, and it’s just so perfect for a movie night with your loved one! I find it hard to describe the fragrance, but it really makes me feel both relaxed and alert at the same time.

I didn’t find this recipe online, this was 100% my original creation, so if you plan to share it on your website, please credit me somewhere 🙂

Disclaimer: Natural essential oils are highly concentrated and should be used with care. For topical application dilute with a carrier oil such as grapeseed or sweet almond oil prior to use.

Aromatherapy Blend for a Cozy Night In:

• 15 drops of NOW Foods Sandalwood Essential Oil Blend – Distilled from wood, bark, and roots of Santalum album, this blend contains 14% pure sandalwood oil and grapeseed carrier oil. With hints of wood, fruit, and florals, Sandalwood Essential Oil is perfect for focus and balance.
• 7 drops of NOW Foods Spike Lavender Essential Oil – Steam distilled from fresh flowering tops of Lavandula latifolia [not the same as the sweet & floral Lavandula officinalis], this 100% essential oil has purifying, cleansing, and clarifying qualities. In other words, it helps me stay alert.
• 3 drops of NOW Foods Bergamot Essential Oil – Cold pressed from fresh fruit peel of Citrus bergamia, this 100% essential oil has sweet and fruity aroma, and is widely used in aromatherapy for its uplifting qualities.
• 1 drop of NOW Foods Cinnamon Cassia Essential Oil – Steam distilled from the leaves and twigs of Cinnamomum cassia, this 100% essential oil smells just like your favorite spice – warm, stimulating, and refreshing 🙂 Cinnamon can easily overpower the entire blend, so I used just one drop and it was the perfect amount!

The measurements above worked well for my NOW Ultrasonic Dual Mist Essential Oil Diffuser, which holds 250ml or 8.75 fl. oz. of water and covers a 400 square feet area. This is such a great and multi-functional little humidifier! I switch it to red LED lights in the evening and use it as a night lamp. The diffuser also makes a quiet humming sound, kind of like a pot of water boiling in the distance. It’s perfect for sensitive sleepers like me who can’t sleep without the white noise. I also love that the water vents rotate, so I can set them in a way that they blow the mist toward the center of the room instead of the walls. I am seriously considering getting one of these for every room in the house. It’s the easiest diffuser to refill, and one full tank lasts about 8-9 hours in continuous mode. It does have an intermittent mode to extend the duration to 16 hours, but I haven’t tried doing that yet.

NOW Foods has become my go-to place for essential oils and oil blends. I have collected dozens of bottles, and every day I try to invent a new mix. Sometimes I fail, and sometimes I hit a home run, like I did with the blend above. Playing mix and match is also part of the aromatherapy experience, and I can’t imagine letting go of this little hobby anytime soon. I just hope my future kids won’t line their door with blankets, like I did. 😉

Do you use essential oils for aromatherapy? What are some of your favorite home scents? Do you have any plans for Valentine’s Day? Let me know in the comments below!

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