Advice
Why Self Care is Important

Self care isn’t a luxury, it’s a must
Daily life can get pretty crazy sometimes. In fact, lately with everything that’s been going on in the world, it may seem downright overwhelming. That’s when you need to set aside some time for self care.
“Yeah, riiiight!” I hear you thinking. “Who’s got time for that?”
Self care isn’t a luxury, it’s a must.
When it comes to dealing the stress and chaos of everyday life you need to remember the instructions they give you on an airplane. Yup, you know the one. You hear it when you get on an airplane. Every. Single. Time.
“If you are traveling with someone who needs assistance put your mask on first before helping them.”
That’s because if you’re not wearing a mask you are less able to be helpful to the other person.
Well, when you think about it, we’re all traveling through life together. And sometimes you need to put on your own mask, or take care of yourself, first.
Let’s face it, if you’re overwhelmed and not feeling great, how well are you going to be able to help those you love?
Your self care strategy
The good news is that self care doesn’t have to be extravagant. I’m not talking a trip to a luxury spa in Fiji. There are small things that you can do every day to take care of yourself.
One of my favorite quick care tips to add a little serenity break is to use essential oils.
If you’re like most people, when it comes to calm, relaxing essential oils you’re probably automatically thinking about lavender or chamomile.
Sure, those are great, I love ‘em too. And it turns out there’s actually another really wonderful essential oil that is just as supportive for stress. Bergamot.
Berga-what?
I know, you may not be familiar with it. After all, it doesn’t get the same press as the other two so you don’t hear about this amazing essential oil very often. But believe me it’s pretty fabulous and I’m a huge fan.
The basics about bergamot
Bergamot is a citrus fruit from the Mediterranean. For all you Latin fiends, it’s known as citrus bergamia.
The oil is extracted from the peel of the fruit. It’s used for flavoring in food, beverages, added to cosmetics, and is even used in perfumes. You may be familiar with the bergamot smell and taste if you like drinking Earl Grey tea.
There is a bit of bad news about bergamot essential oil though. It’s very popular. Really popular. You may not have heard of it, but believe me, it’s big news in the food and perfume industry.
And because it tends to be produced in tiny quantities, there’s a big temptation to dilute or adulterate it in order to make more money. This means adding lower cost oils, poor quality distilled essences, or even synthetics in order to stretch the amount available for sale.
That really pisses me off. See I don’t think that you should have to pay full price for less quality. That’s why I personally source and curate the oils in all of my Bara blends, including bergamot. If you’re using essential oils for stress reduction, you shouldn’t be worried about whether you’re getting the read deal or not.
The Benefits of Bergamot
More than just smelling or tasting good, it turns out bergamot actually has some pretty cool health benefits. Studies have shown that it can reduce anxiety and stress levels. It also helps to lower cortisol, improves sleep quality, and may even help to reduce pain levels in the body.
One study found that women in a mental health center waiting room who were exposed to the aroma of bergamot for as little as 15 minutes began to feel more positive.
That’s your fifteen minute self-care plan right there.
Simply place an essential oil diffuser in the room you’re working in, add some bergamot, and allow its soothing, supportive scent help you to lower cortisol and reduce stress.
Blends Are Better
There’s something about the synergy of different oils that increases each of the benefits of the individual oils. It turns out that together the sum is much greater than the parts.
The really good news is that Bara Calming Blend 06 has just what you need when it comes to stress relief. This fabulous blend is a mix of bergamot, lavender, and chamomile. All three are known to have great benefits when it comes to lowering stress. Together? It’s a top-notch combination.
Other Uses For Calming Blend 06
In addition to putting Bara Calming Blend 06 into your diffuser there are other great ways to use it as well.
One is to dilute it with a carrier oil and apply it to either to your wrists or behind your ears.
You can also use it in a detox bath with Epsom salts and baking soda. Who needs Calgon? You’ve got Bara Calming Blend 06.
Yup, a bath, I’m a big believer in this amazing self-care strategy. Guys love, and need, detox baths too, they’re not just for girls.
Related Posts:
- Make A Non-Toxic Room Freshener
- How To Use Essential Oils In The Shower
- Properly Clean Your Diffuser
- How To Freshen Your Car…Fast!
- Safely Deodorize Your Trash Can
Sources
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Burfield, T. “The adulteration of essential oils – and the consequences to aromatherapy & natural perfumery practice”. Presented to the International Federation of Aromatherapists Annual AGM London Oct 11th 2003.
Cotroneo, A., Stagno d’Alcontres, I. and Trozzi, A. (1992), On the genuineness of citrus essential oils. Part XXXIV. Detection of added reconstituted bergamot oil in genuine bergamot essential oil by high resolution gas chromatography with chiral capillary columns. Flavour Fragr. J., 7: 15-17. doi:10.1002/ffj.2730070104
Han, Xuesheng, et al. “Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) Essential Oil Inhalation Improves Positive Feelings in the Waiting Room of a Mental Health Treatment Center: A Pilot Study.” Phytotherapy research: PTR vol. 31,5 (2017): 812-816. doi:10.1002/ptr.5806
Hwang, Jin-Hee. [The Effects of the Inhalation Method Using Essential Oils on Blood Pressure and Stress Responses of Clients With Essential Hypertension]. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe chi vol. 36,7 (2006): 1123-34. doi:10.4040/jkan.2006.36.7.1123
Brenda McDonnell and Patricia Newcomb.The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.Dec 2019.1193-1199. http://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2019.0222
Rombolà, L., et al. Bergamot Essential Oil Attenuates Anxiety-Like Behaviour in Rats. Molecules 2017, 22, 614.
Robert Tisserand. Tisserand Institute. https://roberttisserand.com/.
Watanabe E, et al. Effects of Bergamot, (Citrus bergamia (Risso) Wright & Arn.) Essential Oil Aromatherapy on Mood States, Parasympathetic Nervous System Activity, and Salivary Cortisol Levels in 41 Healthy Females. Forsch Komplementmed 2015;22:43-49. DOI: 10.1159/000380989