It can be a real challenge keeping balanced and on track when someone you love is going through a painful time and you become the caregiver. It is a challenge for both the person in need of care and the caregiver. Essential oils can be very helpful in a variety of ways.
This is what my husband Mark and I have been going through lately. I have had to step into the role of caregiver. It’s not the norm for us at all. Mark usually does 90% of the cooking and 50% of the cleaning. He loves to cook and just don’t. 😉 I run 90% of our home business, he runs most of the household duties. Well, things have changed a bit over the past year but dramatically in the past couple of months. Mark has 3 bulging disks pressing on the nerve in his spine. It is VERY painful. Lately it is so bad he has been bedridden most days. He can get up for a few minutes but can’t take sitting or standing for very long. He has an appointment with a neurosurgeon next week. Hopefully some help soon.
I thought I would share a bit of all of this with you because you may have need of this information now or sometime in the future. Lots of things can happen to put someone in need of care, even young people.
Take Care of YOURSELF While You’re Taking Care of Others
It is a blessing that I am able to be working from home with Young Living Essential Oils. It allows me to take care of Mark but also have all kinds of oils and supplements that are helping support both of us through this stressful time.
Some days I need a little Clarity oil to get focused on things I need to to. I am running back and forth from my office to our bedroom to check on Mark and care for his needs, plus cooking, cleaning and doing laundry. Shifting back into a business mindset after being in caregiver mode can be a challenge. I used Young Living Clarity oil to get my mind focused on writing this article today. I love Clarity oil blend on normal days but really thankful I have it during this time.
Stress Away is an essential oil blend that is wonderful during times when things are going on. I find myself getting hyper when I have things to do and the interruptions keep coming. Just put some Stress Away on your hands and inhale deeply.
Lately I find myself using a LOT of Young Living Joy essential oil blend. Things have really changed for us. It makes me kind of sad when I see Mark suffering. Well, that’s an understatement. He can’t do the things he loves to do. He also feels discouraged about that. Joy is an oil that can help emotional support for both the one cared for and caregiver.
Sacred Mountain is another oil I find myself drawn to lately. When I use it I feel strong like a tree. Sacred Mountain is a blend of Ylang Ylang and conifer oils that promotes feelings of strength, empowerment, grounding, and protection when diffused. I diffuse it but I also wear it like a perfume. I love the smell.
Valor or Valor II – Use on the bottom of your feet to feel more balanced and confident as you go through the process of helping your loved one through this difficult time.
Harmony – Use on each of the energy center points of your body. There are seven of them along the body: tail bone/root, naval, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, and crown (top of head). Helps with balance.
Peace & Calming – The name says it all. 😉
Sleep can be an issue when a person is caring for someone with a health issue. Sleeping next to Mark, I can hear the painful outcries in the night. It is really difficult to sleep knowing your loved one is suffering. The problem is, you need your sleep so you can have the energy to take care of them.
Lavender and Cedarwood are my favorites for relaxing before bed time. Other options are Roman Chamomile, Stress Away, Valerian, Tangerine, RutaVala and Peace & Calming.
DIY Relaxing Bath Salts
4 cups of Epsom Salts
12 drops of Lavender
6 drops Cedarwood
Glass Jar
Directions:
1. Pour Epsom Salts into the jar and drop essential oil on top of the salts.
2. Seal and Shake to blend well.
3. Add 1/2 to one cup of the salt mixture and add under warm running water.
3. Soak for 20-30 minutes.
3. Drink plenty of water after enjoying your relaxing soak.
DIY Bedtime Linen Spray
4 oz glass spray bottle
2 tablespoons witch hazel or vodka
6-10 drops lavender essential oil
6 tablespoons water
Directions
In the spray bottle, combine the witch hazel or vodka and the lavender essential oil. Place the top on tightly and shake well for 15-20 seconds to combine the oil and witch hazel or vodka. Then take the top off and add water so the the essential oil distributes into the water. Replace the top and shake well again. Spray a bit on your hand to test the smell. If you want the scent stronger, add a few more drops of essential oil.
Shake well and spray on linens or other fabrics as desired.
Night Time Body Lotion
1/2 cup shea butter
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup almond oil
10 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops Stress Away or Cedarwood
Melt Shea Butter and Coconut oil together. Then add almond oil. Cool until almost hardened. Whip with mixer while adding essential oils. Continue mixing until completely mixed. About 5 minutes.
Use before bed time.
When caring for someone, you sometimes can find that you have worked a little too hard and need a little soothing for those tired muscles.
Muscle Roll On
20 drops Wintergreen
20 drops Copaiba
20 drops Peppermint
Mix in 10 ml roller bottle fill to top with coconut oil.
Soothing Relief Recipe 1
10 drops basil
8 drops wintergreen
6 drops cypress
3 drops peppermint
Rub oil blend neat on location. Mix with V-6 Mixing Oil or or Base Recipe below.
Soothing Relief Recipe 2
3 drops lavender
4 drops cypress
3 drops wintergreen
4 drops marjoram
5-6 drops Roman chamomile
4 drops peppermint
Rub oil blend neat on location. Mix with V-6 Mixing Oil or Base Recipe below.
Base Recipe:
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Beeswax, Shea Butter, or combination of the two:
SOFT: Use 2 Tbsp Beeswax per 1/2 CUP of oil mixture
FIRM: Use 4 Tbsp Beeswax per 1/2 CUP of oil mixture
EXTRA-FIRM: Use 6 Tbsp Beeswax per 1/2 CUP of oil mixture
HARD: Use 8 Tbsp Beeswax per 1/2 CUP of oil mixture
SOFT – This is a good one if you are wanting something closer to a lotion.
FIRM – A little more firmness.
X-TRA FIRM – this version would be a good choice for a foot or elbow balm.
HARD – Good for a lip balm or deodorant.
DIRECTIONS
Place coconut oil, extra-virgin olive oil and beeswax and shea butter in small glass jar. Place jar into pan and fill with approximately 2-inches of water. Heat over medium-heat, stirring mixture in jar until everything is melted. Remove pan from heat. Using a clean kitchen towel or wash cloth, carefully remove jar from pan and place on cutting board to cool. While cooling stir with knife to make sure contents stay well mixed.
Before adding your choice of essential oils, let the mixture cool a little but not too much. Letting the mixture cool helps to preserve and protect the delicate chemical constituents in the essential oils. You can speed the process by gently stirring with a clean knife. Add the essential oils while stirring and mixture is just starting to turn opaque and beginning to harden.
Supplements to support balance: Super Cal, Super B, Mineral Essence, OmegaGize, NingXia Red, NingXia Nitro, NingXia Zyng
Love this article. You are in my prayers.
Thanks Linda. We really appreciate it.