Unbottling Your Energy

Ever watched a toddler and thought to yourself, if I could only bottle than energy!? Me too. Me too.

One of the simple living thing strategies we've been working on is energy - put good things in, to get good things out, organizing, and everything in between.

A few weeks ago, I tried Reiki. Needless to say, I was pretty skeptical. Sleep issues are not a problem in our house, but letting go and truly relaxing are. All that running causes fatigue and crankiness. Enter Groupon and a path to Reiki was cleared.

Reiki is a Japanese technique, believed to channel energy to reduce stress, promote relaxation, and support your body's natural healing. (Hmmm...I thought quick nap, pretty music, essential oils, mom time - I'm in). I will say that I'd like to try this a few more times, but, my cranky is gone. There were some things I was holding on to that I've excused from my thoughts, which has been fab-u-lous! 

Given my limited Reiki knowledge and the brief information I was given by the Reiki therapist, I started digging in to the connection between essential oils and the chakras, to support energy post-Groupon. We've always used the essential oils that appeal to us through aromatherapy, but we've been ignoring the connection between particular oils and our bodies. There are some pretty great ways to use essential oils to support your health, and if nothing else, your thoughtful well-being just because they smell good.

Chakras are wheels, so imagine this wheel as the hub for the center of your energy in your body. I learned that I hold a lot of energy in my head, which didn't surprise me. My mind is always going, making connections, looking for meaning. Energy swirling around in there and getting stuck wreaks some havoc on my peace and joy. The two chakras at the top of your head and between your brows are referred to as the crown and the third eye, respectfully. Think of the third eye as a bit of intuition and the basis of your decision making. (Stick with me here, I too was thinking, uh - right...but it's true, energy is constant and it makes a body move).

If this chakra thing has you listening, you can gather a little more information here.

There are many ways to support your energy. You might find out there that running and meditation are ways to support the crown. Great ideas, except they involve running and meditation. Give me another ten years and I may be saying that meditation is the thing of the fifties, but for now, dark lights, pretty music, nice smells, zzzzzz - sleep.

This might all be a little much for you and that's okay. If you don't run unless you're being chased or meditate because it's weird or also makes you snooze, you might find a boost through aromatherapy from diffusing some essential oils. Our minds and bodies are impacted by scent in a significant way. If you've ever walked by someone wearing a perfume or cologne a loved one wears, or smell a great recipe cooking that a loved one has made for you, you know how smells can impact your memory.

Some essential oils have similar aromatherapy benefits. There are a few of these in the blends below with options to choose from depending on the scent you prefer or what you have on hand. If you're not sure where to start, try our favorite oils.

Grab your bottles and diffuse your way to balance!

Relaxed
3 drops Frankincense
2 drops Cedarwood (or Sandalwood)
2 drops Jasmine (or Neroli)
1 drop Lavender

Connect
3 drops Juniper Berry
2 drops Rosemary
2 drops Lemon (or lemongrass)


In all of this I started to wonder, how many of us hit forty and have what kind of feels like a mid-life crisis, when maybe what's going on is our energy is out of whack? We've put so much time and effort in to one or a few things and have forgotten about balance for ourselves. Then, something clicks, we work toward alignment. Not everyone needs this or gets there, but we look at those who are doing this work and think huh, mid-life crisis.

What if we do this work before we get there and lead a balanced life every day?