Sober Tips

How to use essential oils for sobriety

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essential oils

How essential oils aid in sobriety

I love using essential oils as part of my sober toolbox!

Last year, I believed with my whole heart that wine was the only thing available in my handy little toolbox. But times change and so do people!

[Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and purchase.] 

Essential Oils and a Sober Toolbox

Once I started reading books written by people who got sober, are in recovery or suffered from addiction, I noticed many of them mentioned the use of essential oils. For example, Bex Weller, author of A Happier Hour, wrote that she started to incorporate essential oils into a bedtime routine that had her looking forward to something after attending a special event:

“I put fresh sheets on the bed, and placed a new essential oil and a great book on my bedside table.”

Image courtesy of Young Living

Also, Holly Whitaker from Hip Sobriety added essential oils to her sober toolbox as a necessity, among rosary/prayer beads and good tea and healing music!

So I wanted to address how to incorporate essential oils into a daily regimen. And I really appreciate insight from Joy, of Lemon and Joy Life! Here are a few basics about what essential oils are – and how to use them. She also provides a few special blends that are great to promote relaxation and reduce stress. Follow her on Instagram at Lemon and Joy Life – and definitely reach out to her if you have any questions!

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are the highly concentrated version of the natural oils found in plants, trees, shrubs and flowers. They are the lifeblood of plants and contain therapeutic properties when properly distilled.

Image courtesy of Lemon and Joy Life

How to add essential oils to your sober toolbox

To use oils aromatically, you can:
  • open the bottle and take a whiff
  • rub a drop in your hands, cup them together and breathe in
  • diffuse them in a diffuser.
According to Joy, research shows that the constituents in pure essential oils stimulate olfactory receptors in the brain and activate the limbic system which is associated with memory and emotion. Simply inhaling an oil can ease daily stresses and emotional ups and downs. Many oils can also be used topically. To use oils topically, you can apply to your wrists and breathe in. Or you can apply to your neck or chest.

Essential Oils in Sobriety – Young Living Oils to promote relaxation or relieve stress:

Since many of us use alcohol as a way to relax or unwind, the following essential oils can aid in sobriety by giving alternate options to relieve a stressful state.

Lavender –

Lavender is the most popular of all essential oils because most people have heard of Lavender being a relaxing aroma even if they aren’t familiar with essential oils or aromatherapy. This one can be diffused, applied topically, made into a pillow spray or room spray.

 

FUN FACT: Lavender is frequently called the “switch blade oil” because it has so many uses.

Stress Away

Stress Away is a blend of Lavender, Vanilla, Lime and Cedarwood that smells like a tropical getaway. Keep the roll on you in a bag and take it with you to help calm the mind and body while on the go. It is great to use during rush hour traffic or before a difficult meeting.

FUN FACT: Both Lavender and Stress Away are also available in all natural bath bombs that are a great way to relax after a rough day. They are fun, fizzy and relaxing and so nourishing for your skin – and a great replacement for alcohol when trying to relieve stress.

Tranquil

Another handy roll on, Tranquil has Lavender, Cedarwood and Roman Camomile. This one is a favorite of parents and children.

FUN FACT: Joy suggests taking it with you to calm a tantrum on the go, you can apply it to children or adults at bedtime to promote a restful atmosphere and prepare the body for a good night’s sleep.
Peace and Calming
 “This one is a favorite to diffuse at bedtime in our house,” says Joy. Peace and Calming a blend of Tangerine, Orange, Ylang Ylang, Patcholi and Blue Tansy. “We love the aroma and the sense of calm it brings to our house. I have been known to diffuse this during playdates too!”

Image courtesy of Lemon and Joy Life

FUN FACT: Essential oils have been around since biblical times but they have had a resurgence in popularity in recent years and now you can buy them any where. They are not all the same, even if the label says “pure” or “all natural.”

According to Joy, Young Living has the Seed to Seal guarantee meaning they have the highest standards in every step of the process, starting with the best seeds, grown in optimal conditions, harvested at the optimal time, then distilled with the utmost care and precision and, finally, every batch of oils is tested in house and by a 3rd party with multiple tests to ensure every bottle of oil contains the correct amount the therapeutic constituents. Young Living has been around for 25 years and truly sets the standards for the industry.

So grab yourself a book, select your favorite essential oil and enjoy a little quiet time to yourself when you can. It will make all the difference in your alcohol free journey!

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