Health In The Home
It's been a decade now since I really took the initiative to be the gatekeeper of the health of my home and naturally, my children. Being intentional about what I allowed to fill the spaces of the place where we literally live and breathe became a role that I saw as fundamentally vital and altogether fulfilling. It's no secret that essential oils have an unchanging place in our day to day rhythms for our wellness, cleaning, and even overall mood. The easiest way for me to set the tone to our days is firstly, through my own choice of attitude, and secondly, through the essential oils I diffuse.
Ditch the Dirty
While I do enjoy the occasional clean candle, I primarily choose the aromatics of the home by using essential oils. I choose the word aromatics over the word scent because it does so much more than just affect the smell-it has the ability to affect our overall emotions, enhance positivity, productivity, focus, and is a passive way for everyone to experience the respiratory and immune supportive benefits of the therapeutic compounds found in the oils. It's nature's gift of lovely aromas, and I'm grateful for them everyday.
How To Diffuse
If you've never used a diffuser before, it's a simple tool that you can purchase at a variety of retailers. Target carries some really cute options, as well as on the Amazon. I personally have been purchasing mine through doTERRA the last year since their new diffuser releases that I find to be so aesthetically pleasing and also of great quality- my favorites are:
This diffuser sits on a charging base, but also allows you to move it to another location wirelessly to avoid cords and outlets for when you need the diffuser to sit in just the perfect spot. Love this one. Bonus: it's made of a beautiful white stone.
This is a beautiful stone and glass diffuser that has such a lovely output for it's nice concise size. The neutral colors work well in every room, and the controls are on the cord and allow you to diffuse with or without lights, which is great for keeping a bedroom lit or dark during bedtime diffusing.
For years I have been on the hunt for a diffuser that also acts as a humidifier and while I've found a few alternatives this one is the ONE. It has massive output, impressive humidifying effects, and has a sleep mode that allows for a completely blacked out version of the diffuser, which like I mentioned before is often really helpful for sleep.
Maintenance
I'm often asked how to keep your diffusers working effectively, and while I consider a diffuser a consumable item that I replace every few years, it's fairly simple upkeep. Here's the basics:
- You can use basic tap water as your diffusing base solution
-Add oil(s) of choice to create a diffusing blend. For the basic diffusers I add 4-8 drops and for the larger Dawn diffuser I use 10-16 drops.
-Clean every week ideally (I clean mine on Sundays to prepared for a new week, and gather them all into a room and add vinegar to the inside, then wipe clean. You will see a small membrane where you add your water and oils (this is the part that vibrates to disperse the oil in the water vapor). Be gentle with this part of the diffuser, and clean with a cotton tip applicator.
Favorite Blends
I love releasing some of my favorite blends every month in my newsletter and through my Instagram page. My diffusing is very seasonal, but I have some basic favorites that never get old for me! The best part of diffusing is that you can adjust it to meet your personal aromatic preferences, some people prefer citrus scents, some herbal scents, others floral, etc.
Many years ago I learned through an experienced aromatherapist that a blend of citrus + conifer (tree oils) was the best way to gently stimulate a healthy immune response in the body, so I normally gravitate to some form of this in my blends.
You'll also see that I love me some geranium. Floral oils can seem very overwhelming and less than satisfying straight from the bottle, but this is simply because of their intense concentration. You might find that you love how it smells once it's diluted in some water and floating around the room. Give it a try!
Get The Kit!
If you're new to oils- or just new to dōTERRA- we created a kit that gets you everything you need to get started filling your home with plant magic. Our Aroma Essentials Kit comes with our Laluz™ Diffuser with an 8 hour running time, as well as 5 ML bottles of:
Peppermint: Peppermint provides a stimulating, energizing aroma that many go to for a quick minty refresher.
doTERRA Balance®: doTERRA Balance Grounding Blend offers a tranquil aroma that reminds you to find harmony and balance in both mind and body.
doTERRA Breathe®: This incredible oil blend helps maintain feelings of clear airways and easy breathing, while also minimizing the effects of seasonal threats.
Wild Orange: With an uplifting, energizing aroma, Wild Orange has become one of the top-selling doTERRA essential oils.
doTERRA On Guard®: doTERRA On Guard provides a warm, spicy aroma that can be diffused to help freshen the air.
Citrus Bloom®: Citrus Bloom welcomes spring into your home with its blend of Wild Orange, Grapefruit, Lavender, Roman Chamomile, and Magnolia essential oils.
doTERRA Serenity®: The calming and soothing aroma of doTERRA Serenity Restful Blend helps create a tranquil atmosphere at bedtime.
doTERRA Cheer®: Fresh and bright, doTERRA Cheer Uplifting Blend combines citrus and spice essential oils to provide an uplifting and cheerful aroma that helps when you’re feeling down.
Adaptiv®: The soothing aroma of Adaptiv Calming Blend is perfect for life’s most stressful moments.
Northern Escape™: A proprietary blend of the best wood and fir oils, Northern Escape has a fresh, green aroma that creates an atmosphere of harmony and peace.
To make everything as streamlined as possible for you, I created a set of blends that you can make using only the oils in this kit!
Let this be fun!
I hope you let yourself enjoy the process of using aromatherapy to change the modo of your home, office, classroom, etc. It's truly a gift and an art and act of intention to set the pace, change the attitude, and affect the overall well being of your physical surroundings. It's one of the sacred parts of my day, and I know you'll find a way to let it be one of yours as well!
For more information on the other kits that I use and love, you can check out this page detailing all of those!
