What I am about to describe is such a simple yet brilliant idea, I don’t know why knowledge of this technique isn’t more widespread. But hopefully, that will soon change, because this is a winner.
I heard recently that putting essential oils on a cloth in your car is a great way to relax and that’s probably very true. We tend to spend long periods of time in our cars – commuting, driving children to school and sporting events or just taking trips to visit friends, family or to go on holiday.
It makes sense, therefore, to use that time to relax and de-stress. Even if your commute takes you through a great deal of traffic, there is much that can be done with essential oils.
Here are some suggestions and I wonder if anyone has invented a car-powered oil burner yet? Could be a winner!
Relaxation
Lavender: a calming and balancing oil, this is the ONE oil that almost everyone loves and uses. In preschool, the teachers used to spray the air with a lavender oil blend when the children were getting too hyped up – it can work for adults too. A bit on a sachet in your car may help you to de-stress on the road.
Sweet Marjoram: Is superb for calming and regulating the heart. Overall it is sweet, nourishing and balancing in the way that can help relieve stress, worry and over thinking.
Frankincense: Can promote tranquillity and liberate the spirit. May help relieve nervous tension and exhaustion. Great for irritation, restlessness and insomnia (all things you don’t want to experience when you’re behind the wheel).
Increased Energy
Cinnamon: Not only will your car smell like a hot apple pie about to come out of the oven, but both the essential oil and the spice are thought to increase circulation and brain function which are potentially life-saving benefits when you’re on the road. Studies have shown that people who use cinnamon improved their scores on cognitive activities such as attention span, virtual recognition memory, working memory, and visual-motor response speed.
Clove: Clove is a real multi-purpose oil. Used topically, it can be both antiseptic and analgesic, having a long history of helping with toothache and similar pains. When inhaled, it is thought to convey a dual benefit of being an excellent relaxing agent whilst increasing brain function and concentration.
There are many other oils which you can consider using in your car, your home, your office, your closets (many of these are natural insect repellents too – bonus!), and just about anywhere to be honest.
To learn more about essential oils and their uses, here are a few good links to start with. Consulting a competent aromatherapist may also be helpful.
Aromaweb – article archive on essential oils and aromatherapy
Experience Essential Oils – this is a commercial site but it has an excellent range of information and links.
Nature’s Gift – another commercial site, this page has a range of tutorials about how to use, make and mix essential oils. It is well worth a look.
One other thing to consider – instead of listening to the radio during your car time, you can combine your oil-treat with some great listening from Stress to Strength.
There is the great 10-hour audio download, Good Stuff from John that will help inspire you to become a ‘miracle magnet’. And the Design Your Best Life audio recording from Dr Judy Hinwood will guide you through the decision-making process to achieve brilliant results in your life.
You can find other fantastic audio files to download and take with you by clicking this link.
By using your car time for productive, relaxing and energising purposes, you can de-stress and turn down-time into gold. So what are you waiting for? Ladies and gentlemen – start your engines!
By Wynn Grossman
For the Stress to Strength Team