Happy August! Welcome to the long, hot days of late summer – and yet, just around the corner, school bells are ringing. While picking out bookbags and purchasing school supplies, you might be asking yourself: how can you help your kiddos – and yourself – thrive during this upcoming school year?
Below are a few suggestions on utilizing the benefits of essential oils during those long school days – especially when dealing with stressful schedules, reduced sleep, and of course, sickness during the upcoming cold and flu season.
Please note – it is always important to do your research when utilizing the benefits of essential oils for yourself and your kiddos. According to an article published by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, essential oils can be helpful for children – when used in accordance with safe practices.
1. Stress Management. Back-to-school is one of the busiest times of the year for people of all ages.
The American Psychological Association (APA) has proven that stress has negative effects physically, emotionally, and mentally, and per Medline Plus, children are not immune to the detrimental effects of excessive stress.
Essential oils also have long been studied for their calming and centering benefits. For example, in 2020, a review of 27 studies found that aromatherapy was beneficial in calming anxiety in adults prior to heading into surgery – especially lavender oil, citrus species preparations, and rose oil. At Inshanti, we suggest diffusing one of our calming oils into the atmosphere for overall stress reduction, or one of our blends massaged into the skin for grounding and centering throughout the day.
Two of our favorites? A blend containing six different Inshanti essential oils high in sesquiterpenes, which are known to increase oxygen around the pineal, pituitary and hypothalamus of the brain, Center™ essential oil blend is supportive of mental clarity and function – perfect for the hectic days leading up to back-to-school. Originally crafted by blend master Deb Stoltzfus as a supportive blend for children with autism, Center™ is useful for anyone needing to de-stress and focus.
We also love our signature In Perfect Peace™ blend – a 6-oil combination perfect for reducing fatigue and worry, In Perfect Peace™ was crafted by our master blender Debra Stoltzfus for her own use when she was traveling for her aromatherapy studies.
2. Encourage Sleep. Amid the stress of finishing school projects, participating in late nights of activities,
or watching “just one more episode” to relax, it’s easy to forgo the necessary shut-eye. The APA has reported alarming statistics related to the amount of sleep individuals are getting, making them prime for a cycle of stress, sluggishness, and other mental health issues.
Incorporating essential oils as part of your sleep routine will only take a few minutes – and can pay with hours of restful sleep. Oils such as lavender, chamomile and ylang ylang are celebrated for their calming properties and ability to reduce anxiety and promote rest. Blend one with a carrier oil to massage into skin pre-bedtime, or even just drip a few drops onto your pillow for an aromatic send-off into dreamland.
3. Utilize Immune Support. In addition to best practices for avoiding sickness, such as washing your hands, minimizing hand-to-face contact, and disinfecting high-touch surfaces, certain essential oils can supercharge your immune system while also killing off bacteria and viruses. A 2019 study found that certain oils – especially eucalyptus and ginger – have been proven to support immune strength.
At Inshanti, we have a variety of virus-busting and immune-supportive products. One of our favorites? A blend of six different immune-boosting oils, Rev It Up!™ can be applied to the bottoms of feet, on the chest, or under the arms to provide a strong defense against viruses. This blend is great for both before school and before traveling – to avoid those annoying traveler’s colds!
We also love our super-concentrated Armor™ inhaler. Originally created by request for a client looking
to avoid illness and allergies, this versatile inhaler contains ingredients that help decongest the sinuses, boost the body’s immune response, reduce allergic reactions, and destroy microbes.
Finally, stop germs where they start – by sanitizing high-touch surfaces. One of our favorites is our Essential Mists – safe enough for daily use and contained in an easy-to-use spritz body, our Mists combine Inshanti pure essential oils specially chosen not only for their powerful sanitizing properties, but also their mental health benefits.
So amid gathering up new clothes and school supplies, stock up on some of your favorite essential oils and oil blends and kick off the school year in style – through the power of plants!