How to Survive the Holidays (with essential oils)
Updated: Nov 23, 2020
Does the thought of the holidays stress you out? Do you dread getting together with certain family members? Are you the one who always has to do the preparing and cooking with little to no help? Are the holidays an added expense that you can do without? All of these situations can have an short term impact on your health. Literally stress can shut down your immune system and your digestive system - and you definitely don't want that to happen.
There are ways to get through these issues and essentials oils can play a huge role in helping to manage those difficult moments. So take a look below at my top tips for surviving the holidays.
1) Dealing with Difficult Family Members
Whether it be someone you feel is always being judgmental, or a relative whose boisterous personality is more than you can take, you want to make sure that you set your expectations for the day.
Realise that it may not be an easy day, and don't get overly stressed with things being perfect and trying to impress. Limit alcohol so that tensions and feelings don't get the better of anyone.
Oils to use:-
Harvest Spice (the Gathering blend) - a blend of Cassia, Clove, Nutmeg, Cinnamon Bark, Cedarwood and Eucalyptus to invoke feelings of thanks, warmth and happiness. (Harvest Spice is a limited edition item and is only available to purchase during the holiday season.)
Click Here to Buy Harvest Spice
Cedarwood - this is a the Oil of Community to help you regain feelings of belonging, social bonds and finding joy in relationships.
Forgive (the Renewing Blend) - a blend of Spruce Leaf, Bergamot Peel, Juniper Berry Fruit, Myrrh Resin, Arborvitae Wood, Nootka Tree Wood, Thyme Leaf, Citronella Herb. This can help with feelings of forgiveness, understanding and tolerance.
2) Rushing for Gifts
Do you find you are the one who, no matter how much you promise yourself it will never happen again, you still always end up leaving gift shopping to the last minute?
That last minute hunt for gifts when all you see are empty shelves can leave you in a panic, or you think you are being smart by ordering online, only to discover the kids main Christmas gift won't ship until after January 2nd (Aaaggghhhhhhhh).
The best thing really to do is get into the habit for buying gifts earlier. I hate crowds - so the thought of doing my christmas shopping amongst hundreds of other people makes me breathe heavily. I start my shopping in November with the intention to be done by November 30th. I order online, so there has never been a situation where my gifts have not been delivered to me on time. I want my December to be as relaxing as possible!
Oils to use:-
Balance (the Grounding Blend) - for those times when your racing heart just feels as though it will burst out of your chest, get your bottle of Balance, open the lid and breathe in the aroma. The grounding effect is instantaneous. Balance is a blend of Spruce Leaf, Ho Wood Leaf, Frankincense Resin, Blue Tansy Flower, Blue Chamomile Flower, and Osmanthus Flower essential oils in a base of Fractionated Coconut Oil.
Ginger - the oil of empowerment can help you feel empowered and capable. It helps you assume responsibility and accountability.
InTune (the Focus Blend) - this can help with completion of tasks and projects, living in the present moment and keeps you calm. This blend contains Amyris Bark, Patchouli Leaf, Frankincense Resin, Lime Peel, Ylang Ylang Flower, Hawaiian Sandalwood Wood, Roman Chamomile Flower essential oils
3) Cooking, wrapping, shopping = Major Overwhelm
Planning is the key to this one. Make an extensive list for everything you need to get done and realistic times to get the task completed. You will love seeing the boxes ticked off with your accomplishments. Got a spare 10 minutes? - look at the list to see if there is something you can do/ prepare/ make a call/ shop online.
When it comes to preparing that major holiday dinner, plan in advance what you will make and write down how long it takes to prepare the ingredients, and how long it takes to cook. That way you will know what to make first. Also plan for where the food will cook - Turkey's already hogging the oven? So how about steaming the veggies?
Using crockpots will also be your friend.
And what are the kids doing whilst you are juggling a thousand different things? Hopefully not sitting in front of the TV or video game. Have them help - set the table, help cut up veggies or stir the dishes (if they are old enough), walk the dog or at least go outside and play with the dog if there is no time for walkies.
Oils to use:-
Tangerine - this is the oil of cheer and creativity. It will help to diffuse it when you feel overwhelmed with responsibilities and promotes feelings of cheerfulness, spontaneity, optimism and fun.