How and Why to use Aromatherapy and Aromacology in Recovery

I wanted to talk about how I go about using these products to help me in my recovery.  All of the daily rituals had to become positive instead of negative. I also had to have my home be my "safe" place. A place where I could surround myself with positive influences and get some serenity. By turning of the TV and putting on some soothing music, I was able to achieve a home that was a good starting point for giving my mind and spirit a break. I like to scent theme my home so I usually have one blend for the living areas and one for the bedroom. The bathroom always smells like our Clean and Serene product.

My daily routine used to be all about self destruction and even in recovery I had kept some bad habits. That morning cup of coffee and half a pack of cigarettes was the way I started my day. So I took the smoking outside (I am still trying to quit), and got a oil burner. Now when I get up in the morning, the very first thing I do is select an essential oil blend, usually one of our energizing blends, and light the oil burners. Then I turn on my funky meditation music. Then I sit down have one cup of coffee and read my daily meditation. I also spend a little of my morning taking care of myself. I have a light, but healthy breakfast and take my vitamins. I have started stretching out in the morning, but still haven't started that exercise routine I've been promising myself.

I started researching aromatherapy after I noticed much less stress while doing my step work with my favorite candles burning. I had no idea what a complex and well studied art form working with essential oils would turn out to be. I have struggled with fatigue and depression all of my adult life, so I originally focused on oils that were known to help with my conditions.  My best friend suffers from anxiety and fear when it comes to coping with life's challenges so we tried oils for relaxation for her. This is about when the idea for a business came to be. Elizabeth's Escape was the first blend we introduced to our friends and it was a huge hit with our friends in recovery.

I have had to cope with anxiety, depression, loneliness, fatigue, and bad insomnia.  By doing some extensive research into essential oils for these problems, I have been having less and less of these problems everyday. Like most treatments, aromatherapy works for you if you think it will and I am a pretty skeptical person. It took quite of bit of reading scientific studies and testing on myself to convince me, but now I wouldn't try to live without essential oils in my daily life.  In Europe, aromatherapy is practiced as a form of medical treatment and is much better understood and regulated than it is here in the US. As you can imagine this has more to do with money than the scientific validity of aromatherapy. With these plants growing wherever they wish and anyone being able to steam distill the proper parts, no corporation can patent these medicines and exploit their therapeutic value. I am still reluctant to go to a physician for every little problem and I have found that taking better care of myself and using essential oils, trips to the doctor are not as frequent. I am not saying that you should use aromatherapy instead of going to the doctor. Just try taking some of your physicians suggestions like; drink more water, less fat intake, less sodium intake, less sugar intake, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, eat more fiber, get aerobic exercise. The things we have all heard a thousand times and still refuse to do. Start easy, pick one of these suggestions and start doing it everyday. When you get that down, try another. It is amazing how far a little preventative maintenance will go.