(to the tune of that famous song, but with a condensed version as I don't find myself as creative to find 12!....)
On the 5th Day of Christmas, suggestions made for me:
5 acts of kindness,
4 mins of mindfulness,
3 happy smiles
2 hot baths
& a gift voucher for a therapy!
Whatever you are planning over the festive season, may it be peaceful, happy and perfect for you.
Wishing you a wonderful 2015, where your dreams and goals all become real.
Have a great one!
Louise
Saturday 13 December 2014
Friday 19 September 2014
No Pain No Gain
As a massage therapist this is something I hear a lot, but it's not something I'm into myself. Over the years my massage toolkit has begun to grow and I now use a combination of deep tissue, trigger point, Swedish massage and other massage movements. Sometimes I may use hot stones, but none of these techniques make me want to subscribe to the no pain, no gain mantra.
I know there are therapists out there who do advocate this approach, and if you really do believe it, then I would recommend you book a visit with one of them. Am I telling you to go elsewhere? If you feel the need to scream in agony, be left bruised and battered after your session in order to feel you've had a 'proper' massage, then yes, you do need to visit someone else.
Personally, I prefer a 'nice pain' approach, This sounds a bit strange, but I always say it should feel like things are loosening and releasing, rather than being pummelled into submission. What does this mean? Well, I may rest a while with some pressure on a muscle, waiting for it to release, so I can sink in further and work deeper. It may mean I hold a trigger point for a few seconds, to release the constriction in the muscle fibres - and while you may experience some pain, I never want you to feel your discomfort levels going above your personal 7 pain scale.
Personally, I prefer to work with the body - maybe it's because I'm lazy (you have to put a lot more pressure into fighting) or maybe it's because I'm an holistic therapist and at the core of that is that I listen to each person and treat them as an individual. Throughout a session I feel what a body is telling me and I work with it to create an optimal outcome. Whatever the reason, I am a great believer that people will find what works for them and that is especially true for massage, which is a very personal thing...but please, please, don't believe you have to suffer to get the benefit - your body sends pain signals for a reason!
I know there are therapists out there who do advocate this approach, and if you really do believe it, then I would recommend you book a visit with one of them. Am I telling you to go elsewhere? If you feel the need to scream in agony, be left bruised and battered after your session in order to feel you've had a 'proper' massage, then yes, you do need to visit someone else.
Personally, I prefer a 'nice pain' approach, This sounds a bit strange, but I always say it should feel like things are loosening and releasing, rather than being pummelled into submission. What does this mean? Well, I may rest a while with some pressure on a muscle, waiting for it to release, so I can sink in further and work deeper. It may mean I hold a trigger point for a few seconds, to release the constriction in the muscle fibres - and while you may experience some pain, I never want you to feel your discomfort levels going above your personal 7 pain scale.
Personally, I prefer to work with the body - maybe it's because I'm lazy (you have to put a lot more pressure into fighting) or maybe it's because I'm an holistic therapist and at the core of that is that I listen to each person and treat them as an individual. Throughout a session I feel what a body is telling me and I work with it to create an optimal outcome. Whatever the reason, I am a great believer that people will find what works for them and that is especially true for massage, which is a very personal thing...but please, please, don't believe you have to suffer to get the benefit - your body sends pain signals for a reason!
Tuesday 26 August 2014
Exciting courses for a boring requirement
Did you know therapists carry out Continuing Professional Development (CPD)? Now before you yawn & quickly leave, trust me, CPD is more exciting than the name suggests.... for you it means your therapist is serious about their profession; they're signed up to a professional membership which wants to ensure they are staying updated of current training methods and not stagnating doing the same thing all the time. For me it means I balance CPD requirements with courses I've seen that I just have to do because they sound so great! So, what have I been up to?
Recently I completed a lower back pain course. As a therapist I found it absolutely fascinating and it really helped me feel more confident about treating various muscles involved in lower back pain. To make sure I'm feeling confident when I've got a paying client on my couch, I'm also carrying out some case studies - so in about 10 weeks time I'm going to be happy dealing with problems with the piriformis, poas, quatratus lumborum & other associated muscles (Don't worry, you don't have to know where they are - you just need to know where it hurts & be able to point to it!)
The other training I've recently carried out is story massage. I initially went on this training as I facilitate baby massage classes and was asked about a possibility of a class for toddlers. I thought this would provide parents with more tools to try to engage with their children who aren't that keen on traditional massage. Well, the story massage day blew my mind with the versatility and the realisation the only limits on this are your own! I came away with my mind wandering with lots of possibilities and I've managed to rein it into two ideas I want to progress in my private practice.
So, what is it? Story Massage is based on the idea that children love a story - whether its a book, something they're doing with their teddies or a game they're making up with their friends. It's having your child fully clothed (something different to traditional massage) & using massage moves while a story is being told. This means it can be done anywhere (we saw pictures of teenagers massaging each other in a supermarket!), can be adapted to any situation (it has been used to help Japanese parents reach out to their children affected by a tsunami), any age (& during the training it was fascinating to hear how the other attendees were thinking of using it in their own environments for different ages & how it has already been used with adults suffering from dementia).
For me, I plan to use it with younger children who need help calming down, whether it's for sleep, anxiety or another issue. Depending on the age, it may involve making a story before the child arrives, or a collaboration to produce a story they can own and which can help empower them. Like a lot of my business I'm expecting this to develop as time goes on, but I'm excited by where this CPD has taken me & what I'm going to be planning from October!
So, if you see your therapist has been completing Continuing Professional Development don't switch off - look at how their new skills can help you & know they're serious about their business, passionate about learning more & hopefully inspired to try doing things differently!
Recently I completed a lower back pain course. As a therapist I found it absolutely fascinating and it really helped me feel more confident about treating various muscles involved in lower back pain. To make sure I'm feeling confident when I've got a paying client on my couch, I'm also carrying out some case studies - so in about 10 weeks time I'm going to be happy dealing with problems with the piriformis, poas, quatratus lumborum & other associated muscles (Don't worry, you don't have to know where they are - you just need to know where it hurts & be able to point to it!)
The other training I've recently carried out is story massage. I initially went on this training as I facilitate baby massage classes and was asked about a possibility of a class for toddlers. I thought this would provide parents with more tools to try to engage with their children who aren't that keen on traditional massage. Well, the story massage day blew my mind with the versatility and the realisation the only limits on this are your own! I came away with my mind wandering with lots of possibilities and I've managed to rein it into two ideas I want to progress in my private practice.
So, what is it? Story Massage is based on the idea that children love a story - whether its a book, something they're doing with their teddies or a game they're making up with their friends. It's having your child fully clothed (something different to traditional massage) & using massage moves while a story is being told. This means it can be done anywhere (we saw pictures of teenagers massaging each other in a supermarket!), can be adapted to any situation (it has been used to help Japanese parents reach out to their children affected by a tsunami), any age (& during the training it was fascinating to hear how the other attendees were thinking of using it in their own environments for different ages & how it has already been used with adults suffering from dementia).
For me, I plan to use it with younger children who need help calming down, whether it's for sleep, anxiety or another issue. Depending on the age, it may involve making a story before the child arrives, or a collaboration to produce a story they can own and which can help empower them. Like a lot of my business I'm expecting this to develop as time goes on, but I'm excited by where this CPD has taken me & what I'm going to be planning from October!
So, if you see your therapist has been completing Continuing Professional Development don't switch off - look at how their new skills can help you & know they're serious about their business, passionate about learning more & hopefully inspired to try doing things differently!
Tuesday 22 July 2014
Sunshine
It's shocking but we seem to be having a summer! I hope you've been enjoying this weather, but obviously there are a few things to consider if you're having therapies and heading out in this hot climate.
If you've been using massage oil on your skin, take care when you go outside. A carrier oil is a vegetable oil and by going out in the sun with the oil on your skin you are encouraging your skin to burn (imagine when you're cooking and you put oil on your food, it's the same thing). If you have put a carrier oil on young children, babies or the elderly you need to take even more care due to the composition of the skin (ie it tends to be thinner and even more susceptible to burning).
You should also take particular care if you're using citrus oils and especially bergamot. Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) has bergaptene in it, which is a furocoumarin. So, what does that actually mean? If it is used in a blend on your skin and you go out in the sun you could face severe burning. The bergaptene is phototoxic so it reacts with the sunshine. You can buy FCF free bergamot but it does mean the oil composition has been changed. Personally I use bergamot with bergaptene and warn people to avoid the sun for a few hours.
So, in this hot weather how can you cool down?
One of my personal favourites is peppermint hydrolat. You need to buy it without any preservatives and then you can spray it as and when needed (including on the face or your feet) as often as you feel the need. It is much gentler than an essential oil, you can't overdose on it and it's safe to use around any ages.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) or cornmint (Mentha arvensis) essential oils can be used instead of hydrolats and are also beneficial in this warm weather. To use in a similar way to hydrolats you need to dilute the essential oils in water, shake before use and take care to avoid your eyes. If you're around young children I would recommend you do not use cornmint. If you do not have sensitive skin then you can place a drop of either essential oil on your wrist points, but you need to take care not to put it near your eyes, or use it around young children. If you're in any doubt you should contact a suitably qualified aromatherapist or aromatologist who can advise you of an appropriate method or produce a rollerball blend for you.
So, whatever you get up to this summer, have a fantastic and safe time!
If you've been using massage oil on your skin, take care when you go outside. A carrier oil is a vegetable oil and by going out in the sun with the oil on your skin you are encouraging your skin to burn (imagine when you're cooking and you put oil on your food, it's the same thing). If you have put a carrier oil on young children, babies or the elderly you need to take even more care due to the composition of the skin (ie it tends to be thinner and even more susceptible to burning).
You should also take particular care if you're using citrus oils and especially bergamot. Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) has bergaptene in it, which is a furocoumarin. So, what does that actually mean? If it is used in a blend on your skin and you go out in the sun you could face severe burning. The bergaptene is phototoxic so it reacts with the sunshine. You can buy FCF free bergamot but it does mean the oil composition has been changed. Personally I use bergamot with bergaptene and warn people to avoid the sun for a few hours.
So, in this hot weather how can you cool down?
One of my personal favourites is peppermint hydrolat. You need to buy it without any preservatives and then you can spray it as and when needed (including on the face or your feet) as often as you feel the need. It is much gentler than an essential oil, you can't overdose on it and it's safe to use around any ages.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) or cornmint (Mentha arvensis) essential oils can be used instead of hydrolats and are also beneficial in this warm weather. To use in a similar way to hydrolats you need to dilute the essential oils in water, shake before use and take care to avoid your eyes. If you're around young children I would recommend you do not use cornmint. If you do not have sensitive skin then you can place a drop of either essential oil on your wrist points, but you need to take care not to put it near your eyes, or use it around young children. If you're in any doubt you should contact a suitably qualified aromatherapist or aromatologist who can advise you of an appropriate method or produce a rollerball blend for you.
So, whatever you get up to this summer, have a fantastic and safe time!
Monday 23 June 2014
Massage and growing children
If you've been on a baby massage course, the chances are that by the time your baby has started crawling you may have given up. It can be harder to massage your child, but I always say it's easier to know if a moving child wants a massage or not. I have been facilitating groups when moving children have led still for a massage - sometimes to the amazement of the parent!
I am realistic though, and do warn parents that by the time their children are toddlers there is likely to be very little massage. Your child tends to want to explore and will only want a massage on their terms when there's nothing better going on and they're in the right mood. It may be that you just massage the head, stomach or feet when you get a quick minute. Introducing your child to more fun ways of massage can help to encourage them to carry on with massage through this period of intense learning.
As your child gets older, even if you've stopped massaging completely, it is possible to reintroduce the full sequence to your child. As your child approaches 3 you are likely to find that even if your child did not want a massage as a toddler they are likely to be much keener to sing along and tell you what parts they want massaged. If you're lucky you may even have a child that wants to massage you back!
With your child getting ready for nursery and school, reintroducing massage can be a great way to help manage their anxieties about the changes. If you are planning on further children, massaging your elder child is a fantastic way to show your child you still care for them and you haven't forgotten them despite and addition to the family.
While called baby massage, it's worth remembering that many of the techniques can be used with your children as they get older, until your child says they'd prefer to see their own massage therapist!
I am realistic though, and do warn parents that by the time their children are toddlers there is likely to be very little massage. Your child tends to want to explore and will only want a massage on their terms when there's nothing better going on and they're in the right mood. It may be that you just massage the head, stomach or feet when you get a quick minute. Introducing your child to more fun ways of massage can help to encourage them to carry on with massage through this period of intense learning.
As your child gets older, even if you've stopped massaging completely, it is possible to reintroduce the full sequence to your child. As your child approaches 3 you are likely to find that even if your child did not want a massage as a toddler they are likely to be much keener to sing along and tell you what parts they want massaged. If you're lucky you may even have a child that wants to massage you back!
With your child getting ready for nursery and school, reintroducing massage can be a great way to help manage their anxieties about the changes. If you are planning on further children, massaging your elder child is a fantastic way to show your child you still care for them and you haven't forgotten them despite and addition to the family.
While called baby massage, it's worth remembering that many of the techniques can be used with your children as they get older, until your child says they'd prefer to see their own massage therapist!
Wednesday 28 May 2014
Aromatherapy & Pests
Have you ever considered using aromatherapy for a little pest problem?
As well as being fragrant, they're a great alternative to the harsh products and are designed to deter the pests rather than kill them. I was reminded of this when we spotted ants beginning to run across the kitchen floor, obviously mistaking it for the great outdoors. I didn't really fancy buying the ant poison and was grateful to remember that if you have a problem with ants or mice, then peppermint (Mentha piperita) is great.
So how do you use it?
It's nice and simple, as you literally just place a few drops on a cotton wool ball and tuck it in places that are out of the reach of children & pets & near where you think your little visitors are arriving. As I had no cotton wool balls to hand & I found the kitchen roll worked just as effectively. Having done it the night before I was pleased to see they got the message overnight, however they did try to revisit a few days later, so I had to re-do it so they got the idea. Since then, several days ago, we've had no further sightings. I also have a friend who has successfully used it for a little mice problem, so if you find yourself with one of these pests I'd recommend peppermint as your first go-to choice.
What if your problem isn't ants or mice? Valerie Worwood gives some guidance on other oils for pests:
Fleas - lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratrus), lavender (Lavendula angustifolia)
Flying insects in the house - it's best to deter them before they get there, so consider fragrancing your room naturally & adding essential oils to paper strips, cotton ribbon or kitchen towel strips and hang them by open windows. Flies and moths dislike lavender, while moths also dislike citrus oils
Mosquitoes - peppermint, lavender or lemongrass can all help to keep them away
Plant lice - spearmint (Mentha spicata) or peppermint
Snails - cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) and patchouli (Pogestemon cablin)
So, to keep little pests at bay without killing them, consider keeping a small collection of essential oils. Each can be used neat, as long as they are kept out of the reach of children and pets and once the pests realise there's a smell they don't like, they'll soon decide to move somewhere that suits everyone better. Enjoy the fragrance, summer and a pest-free zone this year!
As well as being fragrant, they're a great alternative to the harsh products and are designed to deter the pests rather than kill them. I was reminded of this when we spotted ants beginning to run across the kitchen floor, obviously mistaking it for the great outdoors. I didn't really fancy buying the ant poison and was grateful to remember that if you have a problem with ants or mice, then peppermint (Mentha piperita) is great.
So how do you use it?
It's nice and simple, as you literally just place a few drops on a cotton wool ball and tuck it in places that are out of the reach of children & pets & near where you think your little visitors are arriving. As I had no cotton wool balls to hand & I found the kitchen roll worked just as effectively. Having done it the night before I was pleased to see they got the message overnight, however they did try to revisit a few days later, so I had to re-do it so they got the idea. Since then, several days ago, we've had no further sightings. I also have a friend who has successfully used it for a little mice problem, so if you find yourself with one of these pests I'd recommend peppermint as your first go-to choice.
What if your problem isn't ants or mice? Valerie Worwood gives some guidance on other oils for pests:
Fleas - lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratrus), lavender (Lavendula angustifolia)
Flying insects in the house - it's best to deter them before they get there, so consider fragrancing your room naturally & adding essential oils to paper strips, cotton ribbon or kitchen towel strips and hang them by open windows. Flies and moths dislike lavender, while moths also dislike citrus oils
Mosquitoes - peppermint, lavender or lemongrass can all help to keep them away
Plant lice - spearmint (Mentha spicata) or peppermint
Snails - cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) and patchouli (Pogestemon cablin)
So, to keep little pests at bay without killing them, consider keeping a small collection of essential oils. Each can be used neat, as long as they are kept out of the reach of children and pets and once the pests realise there's a smell they don't like, they'll soon decide to move somewhere that suits everyone better. Enjoy the fragrance, summer and a pest-free zone this year!
Sunday 20 April 2014
Hot Stone Massage
I've been busy this last month with lots of baby massage and clients, however I still found time to fit in some new training.
I've carried out training for hot stone massage, so can now offer this amazing treatment. So, is it all placing stones and leaving you for a while to relax? No! While in a full 90minute treatment you'll be lying on hot stones while I heat and then massage your arms and legs I definitely don't get to just leave you to it!
Some people also think you massage with the stones - yes, this is true and it is a therapy I will be offering, as I realise not everyone will be able to afford the full treatment and I'm keen to make it as accessible as possible for people.
The full treatment however will be a combination of the two. So, what happens?
In a full treatment you lie on several stones that heat your back and neck while I then place stones between your toes and in your palms. I then place stones on your arms and legs before using stones to massage each of your limbs in turn. Once you're lovely and toasty and your limbs have been massaged, you'll then turn over, more stones will be placed on you and I'll massage your back and the backs of your legs, again using hot stones.
The basalt hot stones are heated in water and the stones allow a deeper massage, this is combined with warm oil and can also include aromatherapy oils if you choose. Obviously if you choose the aromatherapy oils, I'll make you up a bespoke blend so its more personal for you! So, if you're looking to show yourself how much you do care for yourself, why not consider treating yourself to 90 minutes of hot stones, massage and warm oils? It's available now from the clinics I work at in Sea Mills and Redfield and advance booking is essential.
I've carried out training for hot stone massage, so can now offer this amazing treatment. So, is it all placing stones and leaving you for a while to relax? No! While in a full 90minute treatment you'll be lying on hot stones while I heat and then massage your arms and legs I definitely don't get to just leave you to it!
Some people also think you massage with the stones - yes, this is true and it is a therapy I will be offering, as I realise not everyone will be able to afford the full treatment and I'm keen to make it as accessible as possible for people.
The full treatment however will be a combination of the two. So, what happens?
In a full treatment you lie on several stones that heat your back and neck while I then place stones between your toes and in your palms. I then place stones on your arms and legs before using stones to massage each of your limbs in turn. Once you're lovely and toasty and your limbs have been massaged, you'll then turn over, more stones will be placed on you and I'll massage your back and the backs of your legs, again using hot stones.
The basalt hot stones are heated in water and the stones allow a deeper massage, this is combined with warm oil and can also include aromatherapy oils if you choose. Obviously if you choose the aromatherapy oils, I'll make you up a bespoke blend so its more personal for you! So, if you're looking to show yourself how much you do care for yourself, why not consider treating yourself to 90 minutes of hot stones, massage and warm oils? It's available now from the clinics I work at in Sea Mills and Redfield and advance booking is essential.
Tuesday 11 March 2014
Drenching
An aspect of aromatology which is different to clinical aromatherapy is 'drenching'. This is one of the techniques used by an aromatologist to deal with an acute or chronic health complaint. Following an in-depth consultation which helps to provide a starting point in identifying a suitable holistic approach, it may be identified a drench could be suitable.
A drench means a blend is devised using neat essential oils in a chemical combination likely to produce a desired result but reducing the risk of irritation (although in some situations, such as a frozen shoulder you may wish to irritate the skin to encourage the blood flow to the area).
The area to be treated is cleared of any dead skin cells and then warmed, to encourage the essential oils to enter the body. The oils are then applied neat to the skin and the area is wrapped in a clingfilm to prevent the evaporation and encourage the essential oil absorption rate into the body. After a drench the results are monitored and a treatment plan is devised.
Aromatology, otherwise known as aromatic medicine, is intended as a short term approach to help the body restore its own wellbeing before moving back into clinical aromatherapy for ongoing support. Drenching can give the body a boost or provide a kick to remind the body of what it is currently not doing.
NEAT ESSENTIAL OILS SHOULD NEVER BE PLACED DIRECTLY ON THE SKIN UNLESS YOU HAVE RECEIVED SUITABLE ADVICE FROM A PROFESSIONAL AROMATHERAPIST OR AROMATOLOGIST.
This warning is very important (so important I've even used capitals!) Many people believe that as essential oils are natural they cannot do much harm. If the wrong oils are used in incorrect dilutions it can cause severe skin irritation or burning if exposed to the sun. This technique should only be carried out by a suitably qualified professional and should never be used as a substitute to seeking appropriate medical help.
A drench means a blend is devised using neat essential oils in a chemical combination likely to produce a desired result but reducing the risk of irritation (although in some situations, such as a frozen shoulder you may wish to irritate the skin to encourage the blood flow to the area).
The area to be treated is cleared of any dead skin cells and then warmed, to encourage the essential oils to enter the body. The oils are then applied neat to the skin and the area is wrapped in a clingfilm to prevent the evaporation and encourage the essential oil absorption rate into the body. After a drench the results are monitored and a treatment plan is devised.
Aromatology, otherwise known as aromatic medicine, is intended as a short term approach to help the body restore its own wellbeing before moving back into clinical aromatherapy for ongoing support. Drenching can give the body a boost or provide a kick to remind the body of what it is currently not doing.
NEAT ESSENTIAL OILS SHOULD NEVER BE PLACED DIRECTLY ON THE SKIN UNLESS YOU HAVE RECEIVED SUITABLE ADVICE FROM A PROFESSIONAL AROMATHERAPIST OR AROMATOLOGIST.
This warning is very important (so important I've even used capitals!) Many people believe that as essential oils are natural they cannot do much harm. If the wrong oils are used in incorrect dilutions it can cause severe skin irritation or burning if exposed to the sun. This technique should only be carried out by a suitably qualified professional and should never be used as a substitute to seeking appropriate medical help.
Tuesday 11 February 2014
Storing Essential Oils
If you're buying good quality essential oils you are probably buying
them for their therapeutic qualities. To get good value from your
oils it is important to look after them, as otherwise the quality
will deteriorate much more rapidly.
The quality of essential oils changes with use and over time, part of this is because every time the oils are exposed to the air the chemicals all interact with one another. Every time you use essential oils you should put the lid back on as soon as you can, as this helps to reduce oxidisation. Citrus oils tend to react to air the most and its important to observe the use by date. Robert Tissserand in 'Essential Oil Safety' recommends throwing out bottles which oxidise quickly when they are 90% empty or after 6 months of opening.
Another way to keep your essential oils for longer is by keeping them cool - keeping them in a fridge is fine. Once cold some essential oils can be difficult to get out of a bottle, however if you hold the bottle in your hand for a few minutes the essential oil will warm up and you will then find it easier to use. Make sure you keep your essential oils away from sunlight or any heat sources as essential oils are flammable and heat can change the chemical properties of the oils.
Observe the use by date on essential oils, or alternatively use within 12 months of first opening. Some oils will last longer than 12 months if stored in the right conditions.
While not part of maintaining the quality of essential oils, it is important to keep essential oils out of the reach of pets and children and never remove the dropper from the bottle. Some pets, such as cats, cannot metabolise essential oils. There are reported cases of poisoning in young children due to them getting hold of essential oils and being naturally curious without understanding possible dangers. While accidents may happen, keeping oils out of their reach and having a dropper in the bottle means a child has less chance of consuming a fatal amount of oil.
If you follow the above points you should find your expensive essential oil remains at optimum quality for longer, ensuring you get the results you're expecting from your oil.
The quality of essential oils changes with use and over time, part of this is because every time the oils are exposed to the air the chemicals all interact with one another. Every time you use essential oils you should put the lid back on as soon as you can, as this helps to reduce oxidisation. Citrus oils tend to react to air the most and its important to observe the use by date. Robert Tissserand in 'Essential Oil Safety' recommends throwing out bottles which oxidise quickly when they are 90% empty or after 6 months of opening.
Another way to keep your essential oils for longer is by keeping them cool - keeping them in a fridge is fine. Once cold some essential oils can be difficult to get out of a bottle, however if you hold the bottle in your hand for a few minutes the essential oil will warm up and you will then find it easier to use. Make sure you keep your essential oils away from sunlight or any heat sources as essential oils are flammable and heat can change the chemical properties of the oils.
Observe the use by date on essential oils, or alternatively use within 12 months of first opening. Some oils will last longer than 12 months if stored in the right conditions.
While not part of maintaining the quality of essential oils, it is important to keep essential oils out of the reach of pets and children and never remove the dropper from the bottle. Some pets, such as cats, cannot metabolise essential oils. There are reported cases of poisoning in young children due to them getting hold of essential oils and being naturally curious without understanding possible dangers. While accidents may happen, keeping oils out of their reach and having a dropper in the bottle means a child has less chance of consuming a fatal amount of oil.
If you follow the above points you should find your expensive essential oil remains at optimum quality for longer, ensuring you get the results you're expecting from your oil.
Thursday 2 January 2014
One Step at a Time
Well, ten years ago this year I was working full time in an office job
and I went for an interview. At the interview I got told I was accepted
onto an 18 month aromatherapy and massage diploma course. Wow! I remember returning from my lunch break a bit late but also really excited, I didn't know what I had let myself in for and where it would lead, but itfelt right. So in March I started it. There were only 6 of us on the
course and 3 dropped out due to the level of work, by Christmas I found
myself asking what on earth I'd done, but I peservered....and the rest
is history.
It's this time of year we often review what we want to do, where we are etc. One thing I dont tell many people is that every year I write a little list of things I want to do. It can relate to any areas of my life and I review it from time to time through the year to see how I'm getting on and I may add things or take points off. At the end of the year I'll tick off the ones I've done, consider if some of the list needs to disappear & possible move some onto the next year - its my list so I make the rules.
So this year, why not have a little think about what you'd like to achieve and maybe take one tinsy winsy step trying to do one of them....who knows where it could take you? (And dont worry, even if you change your mind along the way, it's ok - dont let that fear stop you from giving it a little go). I can honestly say when I said 'yes' 10 years ago I didn't expect so many positive changes and I'm so glad I did. Wishing you all a fantastic 2014, and may you find your dreams easily coming to reality.
It's this time of year we often review what we want to do, where we are etc. One thing I dont tell many people is that every year I write a little list of things I want to do. It can relate to any areas of my life and I review it from time to time through the year to see how I'm getting on and I may add things or take points off. At the end of the year I'll tick off the ones I've done, consider if some of the list needs to disappear & possible move some onto the next year - its my list so I make the rules.
So this year, why not have a little think about what you'd like to achieve and maybe take one tinsy winsy step trying to do one of them....who knows where it could take you? (And dont worry, even if you change your mind along the way, it's ok - dont let that fear stop you from giving it a little go). I can honestly say when I said 'yes' 10 years ago I didn't expect so many positive changes and I'm so glad I did. Wishing you all a fantastic 2014, and may you find your dreams easily coming to reality.
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