Maintaining a positive mood and attitude can be very challenging when the demands of our kids seem never-ending. They feel like black holes of need sometimes. Our brain is actually wired to shut down if it’s too stressed in a particular relationship. When it comes to managing your mood, essential oils can help restore your emotional balance and improve your overall attitude in any situation.
Everybody experiences stress from time to time. But adoptive and foster families experience unique challenges and stressors. There are also a lot of BIG feelings flying around our houses. While emotions are a natural response to the world around us, they need to be handled and addressed appropriately in order to maintain good mental health. There is a wide variety of essential oils to choose from when it comes managing emotions.
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What are essential oils?
They are naturally occurring, volatile aromatic compounds which are found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants. Essential oils give plants their distinctive smells, protect plants, and play a role in plant pollination. In addition to their intrinsic benefits to plants and their beautiful fragrance, essential oils have long been used for food preparation, beauty treatment, and health-care practices.
How do I use them?
Aromatically
Essential oils are quickly absorbed by the smell receptors, which have a direct link to the limbic system. The limbic system is part of the brain that supports emotions, behavior, and memory.
Topically
Topical application is a very effective method for applying essential oils because they penetrate the skin. They can be used in therapeutic touch techniques that promote trust.
Internally
When ingested, essential oils directly enter the bloodstream via the gastrointestinal tract, where they are transported throughout the rest of the body. Use this method sparingly and with caution.
Hack #1: Use them on yourself first
When I first heard of using essential oils for mood and emotions management for kids from hard places, I set out to try as many oils on my kids as possible. I was looking for that magic fix. Quite frankly, I didn’t care if they were on board.
But, we can only control ourselves.
And while that seems anti-climactic, research on mirror neurons tell us that if we’re regulated, our kids will be too.
Hack #2: Less more often
Essential oils are powerful ways to influence biological processes. Think of an oil experience as a mini-therapy session.
A couple minutes of aromatherapy every hour is more effective than a prolonged experience once or twice a day.
For the rest of the hacks, download the free e-book!