Using Essential Oils, Herbal Teas, Inspirational Quotes and Meditations
“Life is difficult.” I’ll never forget these first words in the book The Road Less Traveled, by M. Scott Peck, M.D. It is such a simple statement, with such profound meaning.
It’s true, life is difficult. Sometimes it’s hard to imagine how you will get through a certain situation or even the day. It is more difficult for some than it is for others. But really, all situations can be difficult to some degree.
Once I was asked, “If you had the option to put your problems in a cookie jar, along with several other peoples, and then you got to choose a random problem from the jar, would you want to handle that problem instead of your own?”
Not a chance! You see, as bad as your problems may seem, at least they are your own. I would take mine any day over someone else’s!
And, being the eternal optimist that I am, I am always looking of the good in things. But we all know that this is difficult for some of our loved ones that suffer from depression and anxiety. Maybe you are one of those people. Not everyone is an optimist, nor can we be optimistic all the time. Everyone has bouts of self-doubt or wonders how they will make it through today every now and then.
Inspirational Quotes
When I have difficult times, I love reading inspirational quotes like these. They make me feel like I’m not alone. Others have experienced difficult times, also, and made it through to write these!
Try Not To Dwell On The Past
“You can’t have a better tomorrow if you are thinking about yesterday all the time.”
– Charles F. Kettering
This quote reminds me of a loved one who is always bringing up past situations that didn’t have a favorable outcome. It helps us remember that we can’t change the past. We can remember it and learn from it, but we cannot change it.
Therefore, it’s best to let go and concentrate on today. Concentrate on ways to make today better and to not let those mistakes happen again. Yesterday may be in the past, but today is here in the form of a gift. A “present,” if you will. Try not to waste it!
Don’t Stop!
“The best way out is always through.”
– Robert Frost
Sometimes it’s difficult to do, but try not to dwell on current situations. In fact, if I sit and do nothing to make my situation better, it actually makes me more depressed and anxious. So, I keep going.
What do they say? “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” It certainly helps me to do something. Then I don’t feel like I’m in such a rut. I might not be where I want to be, but I’m far from where I don’t want to be. And that feels good.
Look For the Bright Side
But what about those circumstances that arise when you didn’t chose to be in a situation, but CRAP, here you are? Who hasn’t been here? All three of these quotes apply:
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
– Maya Angelou
“When difficulties arise, the positive thinker takes them as creative opportunities.”
– Norman Vincent Peale
“We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them.”
– Epictetus
Ah yes, always try to find the positive in a difficult situation. For example,
- Instead of thinking, “why is this happening to me?” Ask, “what am I supposed to learn from this situation?”
- Instead of thinking, “I can’t pay for this. I don’t have the money!” Think, “how will I pay this bill?” It’s your chance to be creative.
- Instead of thinking, “I hate the way I look. I’ll never get a date.” Think, “how can I love myself?” It’s hard to not love someone who loves themselves!
Some of the most profound growth comes from those who see their difficulties as creative opportunities.
End Your Emotional Suffering
And last, but certainly not least:
“Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.”
– Dalai Lama
Does it ever seem to you that we live in a world where people are insistent on suffering? We really
To reduce our suffering as much as possible, sometimes it’s good to just stop and do a little self-reflection. Whether that be reading the quotes above in times of stress or doing a simple meditation to promote self-love and possibly spark some creativity. After all, only YOU can end your own emotional suffering. See below for two wonderful meditations to consider doing.
Essential Oils
Essential oils can be used for emotional healing. They are most often applied topically or inhaled for benefits. Some essential oils can be ingested, but only if they are of 100% therapeutic grade and specifically direct you to do so.
Although I always recommend using 100% therapeutic grade essential oils, I would not recommend ingesting essential oils, unless directed by a professional. Ingesting essential oils can cause harm to the body internally. Here are some essential oils to consider for letting go:
- Basil (renewal of emotions and spirituality),
- Bergamot (self-love and confidence),
- Cardamom, Clove or Cinnamon (help you move forward)
- Cedarwood (increases stability and grounding),
- Citrus oils, such as grapefruit, lemon, lime and sweet orange (cleanse negativity),
- Frankincense (helps eliminate depression),
- Geranium (helps eliminate people pleasing tendencies)
- Helichrysum (reduces panic, loneliness & grief)
- Hyssop (self-love and acceptance),
- Jasmine (relieves stress)
- Lavender (relaxation and emotional balance),
- Melissa or Lemon Balm (emotional detox),
- Palmarosa (enhances security and unconditional love),
- Patchouli (grounding & emotional balance),
- Roman Chamomile or Calendula (calming & reduces irritability),
- Rose Otto (enhances spiritual focus; relieves depression),
- Rosewood (reduces grief & sadness),
- Sandlewood (calms emotions),
- Vetiver (promotes calming & grounding) and
- Ylang Ylang (promotes illumination and facing fears).
How Do You Use Essential Oils?
After your bath or just before bed, or really anytime during the day, you can put a drop or two of your essential oil of choice (mixed with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil) on your feet for increased effectiveness. You can also put any of these oils in a diffuser and diffuse the oils at home, at work, or even on the go in your car. Just smelling the scents will enhance your mood.
Meditations
If you have never meditated before, it can definitely take some practice. It can be difficult to clear your mind and concentrate. But as with anything, practice makes perfect.
It’s not often that we do a task perfect the first time. Nor is there a perfect way to meditate. We usually get better at what we are doing each time we do it. Here are two easy meditations to try for emotional healing and letting go.
Meditation 1:
Fill a bath with warm bath. Add magnesium flakes or Epsom Salt and 10 to 20 drops of essential oils, if you like.
Imagine that all of your negative past memories, disappointments and emotions just seep out of your skin and into the bath water. Say out loud: “I put all of my troubles and worries into this water. Now, I’m ready to release them.” After 20 to 30 minutes of soaking, imagine all of your troubles and worries going down the drain with the bathwater. Imagine that what you put inside the water will drain away and never come back.
Decide to move forward and change your life for the better. Say to yourself, “I have the power to change my life and it starts with this moment. I am strong enough and always deserve the best.” You can also add something like this, “I am worthy of happiness,” “I am strong and confident,” or “I love myself, I am beautiful.”
Meditation 2:
Find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. Sit or lie down in a comfortable position that allows you to be calm and peaceful.
Close your eyes and concentrate on your breath. If you feel like other thoughts still pop up on your mind, say out loud: “Breathe in. Breathe out.” Do it until you are completely focused only on your breath.
Imagine a bubble (in whatever color you like) in front of you. Imagine putting everything into it you want to let go of; all negative past memories, disappointments or emotions. Once you do so, say out loud: “I put all my past experience into this bubble. Now I’m ready to release it so it will fly away with all that I’ve put inside and never come back. I’ve decided to move forward and change my life for the better.”
Imagine this bubble flying away and slowly disappearing in the distance until it disappears completely. Keep your eyes closed and repeat: “I’m in the here and now. I have the power to change my life and it starts with this moment. I am strong enough and always deserve the best.”
Herbal Teas
It might not be the first thing you think of, but herbal teas can also be used for natural emotional healing. And it’s easy! All you need to do is steep a bag of tea or a teaspoon of loose leaf tea in hot water for 5 to 15 minutes.
I generally drink at least one cup of tea every morning. But really it can be consumed at any time of day, such as in the evening to calm a restless mind and ensure a good night sleep. (For loose leaf tea, you will need to use a tea ball or a tea pot with an infuser.)
Here are some herbal teas that can provide many added benefits for days when you are struggling:
- Calendula (activates innate healing abilities),
- Chamomile or Chamomile with Lavender (calming and relaxation),
- Dandelion Root (cooling and grounding),
- Ginger (releases anger and frustration),
- Hibiscus (heals past wounds and promotes forgiveness),
- Lavender (calming and relaxation),
- Lemon Balm (restores feelings of joy, relaxation and hopefulness),
- Lemongrass (wards off distraction and procrastination),
- Nettle (increases energy and ability to recharge),
- Peppermint (helps motivate and inspire you),
- Rose Petals & Rose Hips (opens hearts to love, appreciation and acceptance),
- Rosemary (promotes positive attitudes & aids concentration),
- Skullcap (relieves feelings of worry and anxiety),
- St. John’s Wort ( relieves feelings of depression, anger and sadness) and
- Thyme (enables you to speak & write with passion).
It Can Only Help
Of course, these remedies will not take the place of professional help, such as if your situation is one of clinical depression or anxiety. However, these methods of letting go and promoting emotional healing can certainly be added to any mental health plan. It wouldn’t hurt to try and might be calming and relaxing, if nothing else.
And let’s not forget that some people suffer from hormone imbalances, which might require more than some inspirational words of wisdom, essential oils or teas. I, too, suffer from this. I want to bite my husband’s head off and eat my children alive at least one day out of every month. (Ok, not actually, but you know what I mean!) But these remedies can certainly help in those matters, also. It is worth a try!
Good luck making the best of your days. Because remember, you will only live this life once. And you can never get back the days of the past. So, make every day worth living. And live each day as if it were your last…
How do you let go in tough times and remain positive? How do you treat every day as a “present?” Please share! I’d really love to know.
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