Some of these plants are a rich source of essential oils, which are used in aromatherapy to promote physical and emotional well-being. Some of the most popular Australian native essential oils used in aromatherapy include Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Sandalwood and Fragonia.
Eucalyptus oil is known for its refreshing and invigorating properties that target cold and flu symptoms such as congestion. With so many Eucalyptus varieties available as native to Australia it can be difficult to choose between them. Let us break it down for you:
Eucalyptus Blue Mallee – a household staple that’s been around for decades. Made famous by Bosistos, it’s also the eucalyptus of choice for the popular euco-drop lollies. Whilst we don’t recommend ingesting Eucalyptus oil straight we do recommend keeping this one handy for when the winter blues hit or hayfever season kicks up a storm in the sinuses.
Eucalyptus Lemon Scented Gum – a sweet and unique Eucalypt used to purify the body, mind and spirit. Anti-fungal and anti-septic in nature this Eucalyptus oil is a great option for household cleaning products like bench sprays, room fresheners, floor cleaners and even window cleaners.
Eucalyptus Lemon Ironbark – another unique Eucalypt with a bushy lemon odour, relaxes and calms the spirit and mind so is a perfect companion around the house. We love a few drops in the laundry and dishwasher, addition to bath salts and just a general diffuser or oil burner. Ironbark is the new number 1 for 2022 and 2023 in terms of high demand so make sure you get your hands on this one before it sells out.
Eucalyptus Peppermint Gum – a deep menthol eucalypt that can help clear sinuses congestion and relieve cold symptoms. A different approach to the quintessential Blue Mallee, this minty fresh Eucalypt is invigorating and stimulating. We recommend for household cleaners and in wearable perfumes (diluted in a carrier oil such as olive or sunflower).
Tea Tree oil is another popular native Australian essential oil choice, thanks to its antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is often used to treat acne and other skin conditions, as well as for its ability to boost the immune system and beat those pesky head lice breakouts.
Other popular Australian essential oils include lemon myrtle, which is known for its uplifting and refreshing properties, and sandalwood, which is prized for its calming and grounding effects. Kunzea oil is another popular choice, thanks to its ability to relieve muscle pain and tension and fragonia for its anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic and emotional balancing properties.
In addition to their therapeutic benefits, Australian essential oils are also used in a range of beauty and personal care products, including shampoos, conditioners, and skincare products – you’ll likely see these in abundance across supermarkets and specialist beauty stores around the world. They are often used in massage oils and blends, as well as in candle-making and other home fragrance products.
If you're interested in incorporating Australian essential oils into your wellness routine, it's important to choose high-quality oils from reputable suppliers like earthYARD.com.au that are pure and free from additives or synthetic ingredients as they come straight from the farmgate. With the right essential oils, you can enjoy the many physical and emotional benefits of aromatherapy and experience a sense of well-being and relaxation.
]]>It is super important to choose a carrier oil that is suitable for your skin type and the specific essential oil you will be using. Some carrier oils may cause irritation or allergic reactions – especially those with nut allergies, so it is always a good idea to test a small patch of skin before using them. When using with essential oils the aroma of a carrier oil can bring out the best or the worst in the essential oil – for example, some carriers such as Tamanu, Hemp and Neem are potent in aroma – so may have a negative impact in cosmetics, though in saying that, some people find them rather pleasing. Preference is everything. Most of our carrier oils are fairly neutral in aroma, but never neutral in benefits.
]]>As one of the worlds most sought-after essential oils and natural resins scrutiny on the full chain of supply is necessary. We touched a little on the importance of understanding the transparency of Frankincense production a few weeks back and today we are just a little teary over the huge drum of Frankincense oil that has just made it to our doors. We are so excited that we wanted to share the story of its origin.
The frankincense comes from 6 harvesting sites around the village of Doonyaha, in Sanaag region of Somaliland. This is an arid desert environment, dependent on seasonal rainfall. Limestone mountains rise out of this landscape, and it is in the rocky mountain wadis and hillsides that you can find the frankincense trees, where they grow directly on rocks. The harvesting sites are remote, requiring hours of hard hiking to reach, and harvesters often have to climb steep slopes to gather the frankincense resin. The resin is harvested and stored in caves on the harvesting sites, then is brought down to the village to be collected and sent to the port. The resin is distilled in the UK and shipped to us from there.
Fair Source Botanicals believe that ethical treatment of the frankincense trees and ethical treatment of the people harvesting them are fundamentally intertwined. They strive to promote long-term sustainable harvesting of the trees and management of their ecosystems by working directly with harvesters and their communities, rather than through middlemen as is so common in the industry. These middlemen strip out value, which means lower prices are ultimately realized by harvesters and they are put in a precarious situation where they have to harvest as much resin as possible each year, regardless of the impact on the trees. To combat this, Fair Source Botanicals focus on paying fair prices directly to harvesters, supporting them to have stable livelihoods and be able to make long-term sustainable management decisions for the frankincense trees. They believe that by creating transparency and direct linkages to harvesters, we can ensure that everyone - trees, harvesters, and their communities benefit from the trade in frankincense resin.
And this is why earthYARD stand behind Fair Source Botanicals.
earthYARDs top ideas for sustainably sourced Frankincense Oil:
earthYARD has partnered with Fair Source Botanicals to bring you ethically sourced Frankincense. Without over-tapping trees, and without scrimping on fair pay to farmers. This is what we call businesses doing better.
]]>Of course, they all share one key “ingredient” if you will, the ingredient being “to be used as part of an overall healthy eating and daily exercise program”. These miracle workers are not in fact working miracles, they are offering a kick-starter and a motivator.
Before I go on to answer this question which, according to Google is one of the most searched questions when it comes to essential oils, I want to talk a little about how essential oils essentially, work their magic.
Hormones and neurons
The modern medicine world is often trotting out the implications of alternative and esoteric medicine against pharmaceutical suggestions. In some cases doctors may go so far as to advise their patient to avoid certain essential oils that may interfere with traditional courses of medicine. Why? Essential oils contains hundreds of chemicals and some oils such as Eucalyptus and Lavender have significant quantities of certain chemicals such as linalool, eucalyptol, 4-terpineol, limonene and so on. Research whilst still ongoing has linked exposure to these chemicals as endocrine-disrupting and in some cases can cause abnormally high levels of estrogen during periods of exposure.
The endocrine system includes the pancreas, pituitary, thyroid and other glands. This system is the one responsible for hormone regulation and an imbalance in either estrogen or testosterone can cause fat accumulation.
Whether you inhale, ingest (not recommended), apply topically, any exposure to significant quantities of essential oils it seems may alter your hormonal balance.
On the therapeutic side of things, our psychological neurons (or, nerve cells), are responsible for our thoughts, feelings and many aspects of behaviour. Essential oils have been used medicinally for thousands of years to treat disease and have been studied in modern science for their biological activities such as antifungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects.
Some of these studies suggest that chemicals within essential oils such as linalool and limonene contribute significantly to anxiolytic and antidepressant effects. Synthetic medicines such as tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibiters (common antidepressant and antianxiety medicines) have been said to produce weight gain amongst many other side effects.
Fat burning triggers
Diet and exercise are not the only two major components to weight loss, scientists have been researching the nervous system and it’s involvement in the process of shedding kilos. In 2012 a 12 week study found that individuals with significantly higher resting nerve activity also had a higher weight-loss success rate.
Leptin is a hormone released by fat cells that tell the brain how much fat you have stored and how much energy you need to burn or how many calories to eat. Leptin fluctuates naturally across the day, like after you’ve had a meal, gone for a walk or had a high stress moment. If leptin levels are out of whack this can cause your body to not respond properly to the need to either eat, not eat or burn fat.
Metabolic stimulation
Just as odour stimuli plays a role in food flavour, it also has been shown to increase rates of appetite, release gastric acid and insulin. However this is a learned response as we grow up associating some smells with food we either like or dislike.
The olfactory system (the system of smell and brain connectivity) stores and sends information that can alter the activity of hypothalamic neurons (your main brain control centre). Olfactory perception guides decisions regarding food consumption. There is however no conclusive evidence to support that an aroma can increase metabolic stimulation.
The simple answer
All signs point to no, essential oils themselves can not help you to lose weight, however, they can play a role in balancing or producing the hormones needed to help your body understand if it needs to eat or exercise. Essential oils are also becoming a recommended complimentary medicine to synthetic anti-depressant and SSRI drugs to help reduce such side-effects as weight gain. Just be careful not to over-do it, too much linalool and limonene can produce significantly high proportions of estrogen which can inhibit the bodies ability to produce leptin. Science is never simple but moderation is always key.
]]>Crystal healing is one such practice. This alternative therapy involves using gemstones for balance and is a practice that has been used widely throughout history. Ancient civilizations used crystals ornamentally, in functional medicine and in ritual; medieval writers often used crystal imagery and many cultures around the world use crystals to heal the mind, body and spirit.
Today, crystals remain a popular tool, especially for wellbeing. Varied practical uses and products plus a wide array of applications make crystal healing appealing to both ardent and casual consumers.
By far the most common use for crystals is for emotional, energetic and spiritual support. Crystals used in healing are naturally occurring concentrations of minerals found in rock with unique molecular makeup. The microscopic structure (down to atoms and molecules) of crystals is repetitive but varies with each crystal. The unique makeup and characteristics of each crystal are believed to give it unique healing powers that may affect the energy and mood of the user.
Crystals are used in new age and traditional therapies – often in conjunction with other therapies such as reiki and meditation to amplify beneficial effects. The recent resurgence of alternative therapies in popular culture has seen the uptake of crystals in beauty and lifestyle products to promote mindfulness and a greater sense of wellbeing.
Curious as to how crystals can support you? Here’s a round-up of 8 everyday use cases for crystal healing.
When you want to enhance your spirituality or become more open to receiving from the spiritual realm, crystals can help you connect. For example, Labradorite is often used to stimulate intuition, enhance psychic abilities and aid spiritual journeys. Crystals can be used to promote openness, offer protection and help guide you to alignment with psychic abilities.
Crystals to try: Labradorite, Peridot, Smokey Quartz or Clear Quartz.
When dealing with change, turn to crystals that support grounding, healing, transformation and growth. For example, Smokey quartz can be effective in processing and letting go of the past while also offering clarity to lead you forward. Crystals that promote strength and help you feel rooted in your sense of self can also be helpful when dealing with frantic energy that can come during times of flux.
Crystals to try: Smokey quartz, Peridot, Citrine or Lapis Lazuli.
To help you reach a sense of calm during overwhelm or times of stress, reach for crystals that promote good energy flow. Stress can build up and manifest in the body as tension or blocks in energy flow. Amethyst is a popular cleansing stone that can clear blockages and be soothing. Crystals that assist with finding focus during meditation can also be beneficial for relaxation.
Crystals to try: Amethyst, Labradorite, Clear Quartz or Citrine.
When your confidence is waning or you need a boost to deal with a challenge, try crystals that help you let go of your insecurities and promote resilience. Lapis Lazuli is also known as ‘The Wisdom Keeper’ as it encourages your sense of self and enhances connection with your inner strength. Crystals that encourage clarity can help you move past negative self-views toward purpose and your best mind, body and spirit.
Crystals to try: Lapis Lazuli, Smokey Quartz, Labradorite and Peridot.
If you want to nourish existing relationships, welcome new ones or encourage self-love, crystals that encourage a sense of compassion can open your heart. Rose Quartz is commonly known as ‘The Love Stone’ and is used for healing and empathy that can help enhance or mend relationships. When you want to feel connected, crystals that foster openness and energy flow can help you be ready to receive connection.
Crystals to try: Rose Quartz, Peridot, Amethyst or Clear Quartz.
When you need rest or are working through a tough situation, protective crystals can help. Look for crystals that ward off negativity and restore your energy and clear blockages to shield you while you recover. Clear Quartz can be especially helpful as it amplifies the properties of other stones. It is also known as the master healer used to cleanse, dispel negative energy and allow pure energy to manifest.
Crystals to try: Clear Quartz, Labradorite, Peridot or Smokey Quartz.
For times when you’re feeling low in energy, crystals can help give you a boost. Sunny-hued Citrine is an example of an energising crystal with regenerative potential. Those that cleanse and promote positivity can help give you a motivating push.
Crystals to try: Citrine, Clear Quartz or Lapis Lazuli.
When life throws you off-kilter, crystals can bring you back to balance. Even if you’re unsure of how or why you’re feeling off, the corrective vibration of the right crystals can bring you back to a feeling of equilibrium. Peridot is commonly used for regulating physical, mental and emotional life cycles and to dissipate negative patterns. Crystals that remove blockages and promote energy flow can help you move through difficulties and return to wellness.
Crystals are most commonly available as small whole stones – about the size of a pebble. Their seldom used counterpart are crystal chips. These are essentially smaller, usually less than a centimetre and are designed to be used as a batch. They can be kept in small Buddha bowls and placed in strategic areas around the home; carried in small pouches for when you’re out and about or infused into your DIY skincare and home care products to boost the benefits of carrier and essential oils.
Remember each crystal has its own set of benefits and will be better suited to different uses. It’s best to get to know what you need and what crystal chips will be best for your situation.
The best thing about crystal chips is that they can be cleansed, re-energised and reused. Just be sure to follow the specific care instructions for each crystal to ensure that its properties are protected and preserved.
]]>If you’re wondering where in the ever-expanding world of self-care to begin, we would suggest time. Modern life is a busy one, with social obligations, work and family responsibilities all competing for our time. This is why we think squeezing self-care in to a tight schedule is the ultimate (and necessary) indulgence.
What you do in that time is completely up to you, so long as it nourishes your soul, spirit or heart. There is no single recipe for self-care that will work for everyone so it’s important to listen to your mind and body and do what you need.
If you’re stuck for inspiration we do like the Dutch idea of Niksen which is the art of doing nothing. More specifically, doing things that one might think of as ‘unproductive’, like a crossword puzzle, watching MAFS, meditating or painting by numbers. It’s time to create space in your life for joy, rest and play.
If the thought of dropping everything to do nothing is anxiety-inducing, take a deep breath and relax. We’re all about small steps remember? So in the spirit of playfulness, we’ve collected a few ideas for how you can spend a sliver or chunk of time loving thy self.
1 minute
5 minutes
10 minutes
30 minutes
Lots of time (1 hr or more)
Some days it will be easier to find time to spare than others – that’s just life. But just remember that whatever you can fit in is all you need to do. The first step is to reframe self-care from ‘selfish’ to ‘must-do’ – this might help making time for it less guilt-ridden. To do good deeds you have to tend to yourself because it’s impossible to fill from an empty cup.
]]>In our ever-growing global world where we’re constantly connected, we’re also increasingly disconnected. Even before lockdowns kept us physically apart, Swinburne University’s Australian Loneliness Report of 2018 showed that over half of Australians felt a lack of companionship. It also found that 50% of people felt lonely once a week and 30% felt lonely for three or more days per week.
It’s easy to think of loneliness as an affliction reserved for the single and broken-hearted, but it’s so much more complicated than that. A report on the effect of COVID-19 on social isolation and loneliness found that it can affect people living alone, with a partner, with families, with kids, men, women, young and old both in and out of lockdown restrictions. The effects of loneliness and social isolation mentioned in both reports range from social anxiety, inflammation, sleep deprivation, depression, decreased wellbeing and increased mortality. It’s clearly significant and now more than ever emphasises the importance of fostering meaningful connections.
It might seem surprising that so many of us feel lonely despite having a wide web of people within our digital reach. Staying connected digitally during strict lockdowns was a blessing, but it also gave us a practical lesson in the difference between real-life social and online interactions. There’s something grounding and human about tangible physical connection, so it makes sense that we turn our attention to the connections we’re likely to have regularly because of proximity. That is our neighbourly bonds.
According to the Australian Loneliness Report, less than half of us feel like we have neighbours that we can call on for help. And if you think about the restrictions we’ve lived through, feeling alone in and around your home is a scarier thought.
The good news is that it only takes a connection to six neighbours to reduce loneliness and feelings of anxiety. This was reported in a 2020 study conducted by loneliness experts from around the world with the neighbourhood-based online platform Nextdoor. The report also studied the results of a 4-week ‘kindness challenge’ where participants were encouraged to perform small acts of kindness for their neighbours. This could be providing emotional support by listening to a problem, running an errand, providing helpful information or community volunteering. By the end of the challenge, the number of participants that felt lonely decreased from 1 in 10 to 1 in 20.
If doing the altruistic act can be beneficial to your health, imagine the impact you could have on someone that really needs it. Which begs the question… who around us might really need it? Even stopping to think about the people in your neighbourhood and their circumstances is an important small step. You’re widening your awareness to people that might be vulnerable in your own community. It could be a single parent, new parents, an elderly person living alone, a homeless person, the owner of your local café that was closed for months, the person that works from home alone all day every day – these people could all need support in different ways and it may not be as obvious.
So start small. Look up and around, say hello or offer up a smile. It’s so easy to get swept up in huge issues that are happening around the world, but we shouldn’t forget the immediate and potentially profound impact we can have on our neighbours.
It could be something as small as bringing in your neighbour’s bins, helping an elderly neighbour carry their shopping, asking your barista for their name or simply offering a smile and introducing yourself. Doing one good thing can turn what often feels like a big bad world into a warm and welcoming one where everyone matters. If we can all make it our mission to help a neighbour feel seen, the positive effects might ripple through our streets, communities, countries and maybe even the world.
It might seem some days that there isn’t much we can control, though if we all tried just a little bit to care for what and who we can – our neighbours around us be them human, winged, four-legged or flowering – we think the world might be a better place. So as we settle in for the year ahead, we’re challenging ourselves and our community to do just one good thing a month, starting with our neighbours.
]]>How you look back on your year will depend on what mindfulness practices you already have. If you meditate, you might dedicate a meditation to this exercise; if you journal, you might want to write it out, or it might be more helpful to talk your reflection through with someone you trust. The point is that you take the time to stop and meaningfully look back on your year.
If self-reflection is a new thing for you, it might be helpful to put pen to paper with some questions to prompt your thinking. Unless you’re very good at meditating, it can be hard to stop your thoughts from swirling in your head for long enough that you can understand them. Writing (be it in a notebook, your phone or computer) is a great way to gather your thoughts because it takes time and gives you a chance to take your thoughts out of your head and organise them in front of you.
The most important thing is that you take it slow, answer with honesty and reflect without shame – this is about learning and celebrating your effort.
Some questions that you might want to reflect on:
It’s easy (and common) to be overly critical and focus only on the things you could do better. It’s good to acknowledge where we might feel like we’ve fallen short so that we can learn from it. Even feeling the emotions serves as a helpful reminder of how much a goal means to us. Dwelling on it in excess can hold us back whereas trying to understand why we didn’t get there can help us make positive changes.
It will be tempting to spring right into action and start planning for 2022 after spending some time reflecting on the past 12 months, but we’d really encourage taking some time to pause. Looking back before the year’s end isn’t a call to start the next year early – it’s a chance to unload, slow down, rest and take a break before the new year.
If you feel compelled to take some sort of forward action after your moment of self-reflection, write a list of goals or wishes for your future self to come back to in the new year after you’ve had a chance to rest and refresh.
If there was ever a time to unburden ourselves with constant forward-thinking – it’s now. We can never be certain of what the future holds, but we can support ourselves by taking rest and energising ourselves by celebrating all the wins. Every little bit counts.
If there is an example of small cumulative actions making a big impact, it’s with the earthYARD community! Our intentions at earthYARD are to do all we can to help our environment and the industry. We’re so proud to have had a stellar year for package recycling with the returns program; to be able to give to community charities and support local farmers and producers. But none of that would be possible without earthYARDians choosing to support these initiatives. Your little wins help our little wins – thank you!
We hope your moment of reflection helps you to see the light in yourself and that being present in the festive season helps you shine brighter. May your holidays be merry and bright!
PS. earthYARD will be closed from December 22nd to January 10th 2022 for a much-needed Ho Ho Holiday.
Spring is the time to shift from the idle energy of winter to the vibrant liveliness of the warmer months. The earth is abloom in spring: eggs are hatching, seedlings are sprouting and flowers are blooming. There’s an undeniable energy to all of this new life, and as the natural world goes through its annual reawakening, we should too.
Take advantage of the earth’s ‘growth’ energy to hatch new plans and actually bring them to life. Step into the light and make things happen. It’s time to shed that cocoon and unfurl our colourful wings. Spring is the perfect time to revisit our goals, action our dreams and do more to live life with vigour.
Oils to boost springtime energy: Our Force Blend is the perfect mix of essential oils to boost focus and energy. It combines Rosemary, Grapefruit and Peppermint with Myrrh, Citrus and Cedarwood and will help you shake off the darkness of winter and get going.
For a more playful option to ring in spring, try the Dreamcatcher Blend. A mix of Cedarwood, Orange, Tangerine, Myrrh, Patchouli, Ylang Ylang and Peru Balsam will help you find joy, reconnect with your inner child and reboot your soul.
Giving your home a spring clean may sound tired, but there’s a reason why it’s a tradition in so many cultures. Traditionally Jewish households would clean in preparation for Passover, a Chinese New Year cleaning spree was done to ward off evil spirits, as would did cleaning by the Persians as part of the Norouz festival. Historically, western households were thought to ‘spring clean’ the winter build-up of soot when it was warm enough to open doors and windows. While we might not have any evil spirits or layers of soot to get rid of these days, but a spring clean can still be beneficial.
Deep-cleaning your home of course has the obvious health benefits of ridding it of impurities that can lead to illness. It also works wonders for mental health as decluttering can also lead to clarity of mind and reduced stress. There’s also the undeniable satisfaction of getting the task done and being able to relax and enjoy a space that you put energy into taking care of.
Essential oils to freshen up your home: Our favourite oils for freshening up the home are Lemon, Tea Tree and Eucalyptus. This is because they all have wonderful cleansing and therapeutic properties.
Lemon oil contains antiseptic, disinfectant, and anti-fungal properties. Its refreshing sweet citrusy aroma is the quintessential scent of clean used in many commercial and DIY cleaning products but is also energising and uplifting.
Tea Tree oil is used widely for its antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties, usually in skincare applications, but it is a fresh alternative when used in cleaning. It also promotes a sense of calm and may help to reduce anxiety.
Eucalyptus Blue Mallee oil also has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. Its sweet menthol scent is cooling and crisp and may work as a natural insect repellent. It also helps to relieve feelings of tension and promote relaxation.
All three oils may also help to clear congested airways which can be beneficial for those that get sick when seasons change or feel congested because of seasonal allergies. We also have a wonderful surface cleanser recipe that uses all three oils here!
There’s no better time to embrace the clean slate of a new leaf than spring. And with the winter that many Australian’s have had, there’s probably a few heavy emotions that we could benefit from letting go of. We’ve been living in a heightened state of worry and tension over the past few months. While the end of lockdown will alleviate a lot of pressure, it is inevitably up to us to step out without the mental baggage we’ve built up.
Letting go is tough, especially when the emotions in question relate to our health and wellbeing and our loved ones. Double especially if they’ve been festering for months. But it is worth trying. Physical freedom will be much sweeter if we feel mentally, emotionally and spiritually liberated and that’s something we have to do for ourselves. The best thing about wielding that power is that we’re not beholden to anyone but us. We can choose that freedom for ourselves as soon as we feel ready.
Oils to support a mental refresh: Take a cue from the Chinese Zodiac, where spring is represented by the wood element and let your woody essential oils help you find mental balance. Peru Balsam’s warm, Vanilla-like aroma is great for releasing stress, nervousness, or anxiety. Sandalwood Album may also ease stress and enhance mental clarity. Cedarwood Atlas is another oil with sedative properties that can help you relax and ease tension.
Humans once lived so in tune with the seasons, but as we’ve transitioned into a society that depends on dwellings we’ve lost a bit of that. Of course, it’s a wonderful trade-off – to have shelter and our own spaces to live – but seasons and the natural world don’t have to be shut out completely. All we have to do is crack a few windows!
In spring the air is warmer and pure and should be welcomed into our homes. By literally opening up our doors and windows, we’re letting the joyous energy of spring inside and also helping clear stale air that’s built up over a winter indoors.
Essential Oils that bring the outside in: For days when the air isn’t quite as warm as we want it, diffuse Breathe Free Blend. With Eucalyptus, Ginger, and Peppermint, you can recreate outdoor freshness inside. If you’re one of the many that suffers from seasonal allergies, Eucalyptus Blue Mallee or Lavender essential oils both have natural antihistamine properties that may help you breathe that spring air without getting irritated.
The darkness of winter is done and we’re moving into the warmth of the light. Let it thaw our hearts too. It’s 100% understandable that some of our good intentions for living well might have fallen by the wayside over winter, but we’re hopeful that the energy of the earth and the warmth of the sun will fill our cups. So much so that we’ll have some left to give.
Remember at the start of the year when we shared a post about all the ways we would live more consciously? This is a good time to revisit that. How will you show care to yourself, those close to you and those beyond your inner circle? What do you care so much about that you want to put energy into it? In this season of openness, one of the more beautiful ways to flourish is to open our hearts and show compassion.
Essential oils to foster care: In Buddhist and Hindu culture it is believed that in the centre of our chest is our heart chakra – the energy centre for love, compassion, connection, forgiveness, acceptance and unity. To foster feelings of care, boost your heart chakra with essential oils like Rose Otto, Bergamot or Ylang Ylang to promote love and gentleness.
‘But why should I bother? My mind is already a minefield!’ This is valid.
Although it sounds like living consciously is more work – it’s not – it’s just a different way of living. Living life on autopilot still takes time and effort. You’re still going through motions, feeling emotions and making decisions. By choosing to live consciously, you are at least choosing what you want to put your time, effort and even thoughts towards.
Within Yourself
Living consciously is all about making sure that the actions you take and the decisions that you make are well thought out. It makes perfect sense that you start your conscious living journey with the person that matters most – yourself.
First, understand that you are not your thoughts. Radical right!? You have thoughts, but you aren’t them. Creating separation from your ‘self’ and your ‘thoughts’ gives you power over them. This is essentially what mindfulness and meditation are about. They’re a practice of taking a step back and observing your thoughts. That’s it.
This is a helpful skill to have when you start to live consciously, because you understand that the thoughts you have don’t dictate the action you should take in a situation.
You’ll naturally react to things and the first manifestation of a reaction is an internal dialogue. But this doesn’t have to form the basis of your response to something. For example, a friend might say something that you disagree with. Your inner voice might get deeply offended and even angry – but your response can be completely different. You have the power to see those thoughts in your mind, and choose to respond in a different, more measured, calm and considerate manner regardless of how you feel or what you think. You can consciously respond! Magic!
Being conscious about your thoughts, why you are having them and whether they are worth acting on helps differentiate your emotions and biases from your sense of self. It will give you the space for perspective, reasoning and empathy that can help you choose how to respond in many different situations. In short, being conscious of your thoughts gives you the power to choose which ones will serve you best.
With What You Value
What do you care about? What kind of life do you want to live? What do you want to achieve? These are all important questions that too often, go unanswered in our busy lives. Most of us have a rough idea of what we care about deeply. It could be valuing time with loved ones, social issues, or self-care. The more concrete we are about our values, the more beneficial they become.
If we lived life according to our values, instead of living without direction, or worse, being guided by other people’s expectations – we’d be much better off. Take time to consider what you value and practice bringing these values to the forefront of your consciousness.
That way, more of your decisions will be based on what you want and care about.
Within Your Home
Broadly speaking, living consciously at home is about being mindful of how our home serves us. Rest and refuge are an important part of our wellbeing, so the space that we live in should cater to that.
When you’re at home, you should feel relaxed, safe and filled with joy. Will filling it with more things add to that or take away from it? Asking that sort of question the next time you consider buying something new and bringing it home is living consciously. The goal isn’t to have less stuff, or spend less money: it’s to understand why you want something and decide whether the reasoning is beneficial for you.
Living consciously at home isn’t just behavioural, it’s also about having a deeper understanding of what we bring into our home. The products that we consume at home, be it food, skincare or home cleaning products have an impact on us physically too. So, to live consciously would be to understand how these products affect us.
Simply asking the question: ‘will this make me better or worse off’ is living consciously. If you decide that yes, ‘this chocolate will make me better because it will make me happy’ – that’s living consciously. So is the choice to DIY your skincare because you value natural ingredients.
The flow-on effect of considering your product choices is knowing more about them – and this is a good thing! Knowing more about what is in your products, where they came from, who made them and where your money goes isn’t a prerequisite of conscious living, it’s a very positive by-product.
It gives you more confidence in your products, empowers you as a consumer and can even shape the world around you.
With the Natural Environment
Living consciously with the natural environment is part of understanding how your lifestyle and consumer choices impact the planet. This means that you use what you know, or try to find out more about your impacts on the environment, then act. It doesn’t mean that you’ll always make the right choice, or that you’ll even be fully confident with your choice. This is because everything is connected and the world is fraught with issues – this is inescapable. But by being more conscious about how your actions impact the environment, you can take some of the burdens away.
Every small bit counts.
Energy is tricky to define because it relies a little on the eye of the beholder. If you’re open to new age beliefs, energy can be described as a life force that flows through all things. If you’re more pragmatic, energy is something’s potential for work and cannot be created or destroyed but instead gets passed from one thing to another. If you’re somewhere in between, you might see that there are parallels – energy is everywhere and it’s shared.
When it comes to refocusing our energy, trying to define it can complicate things, and really it’s an unimportant step. Our experience with energy is that it’s felt. We feel full of it, or lacking in it; we sense the ‘vibe’ of something; we recharge it with the power of our focused attention, and it’s the difference we feel between an ordinary day and the first day of the new year.
Our energy goes where we focus our attention, so it makes sense to try and move forward with our energy aligned with the person that we impact the most – ourselves.
In the words of Aldous Huxley, “There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self.”
There’s no getting around the fact that the state of the world is, well, negative. Most of us have a passive role to play in the forces shaping reality right now, but we have full control of how we react to it.
A good first step is slowing down and allowing ourselves to be more mindful. Whether that is through meditation or journaling, or practising mindful actions – the good that comes from mindfulness is just from being with yourself in the moment. By doing so you’ll get more familiar with your thoughts and emotions and can start paying attention to how news, experiences or people affect your energy.
Once we understand what puts us in a negative space versus a positive space, we can latch onto the positive and let go of the negative or avoid triggers altogether.
Our own thoughts are also a form of energy and if our thoughts are negative, we’ll be drawn to other negative energies. We’ll also be putting more bad juju out into the word which can affect our relationships.
Changing thoughts from negative to positive isn’t easy and will take time. A good place to start is by introducing a bit of flexibility. If you notice a negative thought and it feels fixed like, ‘I’m in lockdown and I can’t leave my house’, instead try and say ‘I’m locked down for the next week’. The second statement isn’t 100% positive, but it’s changeable. It’s telling you that whatever negative you’re feeling isn’t permanent. It can change, and there’s a lot of hope in that.
TIP: Mindfulness practice isn’t one size fits all. Give yourself time to find what works for you and start with things that already suit your habits. If you’re a writer, try a journal; if you like exercise, try yoga; if you have a green thumb, try mindful gardening. If you get creative with earthYARD oils (or anything hands-on hobby) focus on your craft and tools: try to really smell each scent, feel each texture and observe how the oil flows. It’s just about doing something in focus where you can be at one with yourself.
For some people, lockdowns solidified the need for nurturing relationships. Others may have felt a sense of freedom from the need to commit time and energy to relationships that didn’t serve them well. Reflecting on your relationships and how time away from them has impacted your energy will help you to prioritise people that have a positive impact on your life.
But before you distance yourself from anyone, take a moment to think about what role you play in a relationship. We may think that a person is having a negative impact on us, but we could be projecting our own insecurities into a person’s actions or comments.
For example, if you’re feeling insecure about work, you might be more sensitive to someone asking you about it. If they aren’t aware of how you feel, they probably have no idea that they’ve asked a question you aren’t ready to answer. It’s a classic case of miscommunication but if left unaddressed, it can harbour ill feelings.
If you can, work on improving communication so that there is no need to read between the lines. Relationships are much easier when both parties are open with one another – they’ll also be so much more rewarding.
If improving communication isn’t an option, then the next thing you can do is to act on empathy. If you’re more mindful of your thoughts and emotions use your own experience with introspection as a reminder of how complicated it is to be human. Remember, the reason why someone is putting out negative energy is unlikely to be because of you.
So much of what we do here at earthYARD relies on the fruits of mother nature. This is why we want to focus a big chunk on of our energy in 2021 to caring for the planet. It needs it.
There are many things we can do to lessen our negative impact on the environment, and these are largely personal choices that depend on individual circumstance. But something we can all do is to reconnect with the planet.
In an energetic sense, this can mean getting spiritual and grounding. This is the practice of literally reconnecting with the earth by spending more time on natural surfaces barefoot. The idea is that you reconnect your body with the earth’s supply of negatively charged ions (which many consider good for your body). This is anecdotal, but we think that spending time in nature (barefoot or not) is good for you. It’s time in fresh air and away from a screen for one.
Focusing our energy and attention on our planet will make us more aware of its wonders, and its plight. Do what you will with what you learn, but at least you’re taking that first step remembering that it’s there. Modern life can easily leave us feeling detached from the earth, but everything we do has an impact on it. It’s worth reconnecting to it and caring for it however we can. It’s the only one we’ve got and we need it.
Realigning or becoming aware of our energy is big, tricky and important stuff. It’s a process! But you can get really far, even if you need to go slow. And there’s no rush – you’ve got a whole new year.
“I’m so busy”, “My weekend is so full”, “I’ve got so much to do”.
I’m sure we’ve all used a variation on one of these statements lately, and are all too familiar with the feeling of being slightly overwhelmed by the number of commitments we’ve made. We’re often in a rush, feeling like we don't have enough time to ourselves, and that we’re a little behind on all the things we need to do, let alone all the things we’d like to do. This modern life can be fast-paced and frantic. With work taking up more and more of our time, the rising cost of living, social media and 24/7 news intruding into our homes at all hours, the pressure can take its toll on our mental and physical wellbeing.
It’s interesting to note, then, the emergence over the last few years of many small movements that seem to counter this frenzied pace by encouraging us to slow down and find balance. The Danish concept of Hygge, Marie Kondo's methods for decluttering our space and mind, mindfulness and meditation apps and practices, and the resurgence of aromatherapy for an instant mood boost. These form a part of the increasing global movement focusing on the importance of self-care and the maintenance of our mental wellbeing. Some of these trends you may have heard of, or perhaps have tried yourself, some may seem like a bit of fun, and some more practical, but there is a similar idea behind all of them: slow down, relax, reflect, and find content, even if it’s just for those few moments.
Here at earthYARD we combat stress and find calm by tapping into what we know best, the restorative powers of essential oils. Here are just five ways you can use essential oils to help you find peace and calm or to help you find the inner strength needed to tackle your day:
Frankincense Oil is extracted from tree resin, and has been used and valued since ancient times. It smells balsamic and slightly sweet and spicy, and blends well with Bergamot, Black Pepper and Sandalwood. You may find the aroma of Frankincense Oil to be warm, uplifting, and stimulating, which could make it great for times when you need to de-stress and give your mind or mood a boost.
Usage suggestion: Try adding 1-2 drops onto facial blotters or a little strip of baking paper and pop into your wallet or handbag for a mobile calmness wherever you go.
Buddha Wood Oil is extracted from a small tree native to Australia, and it is often used as a meditation aid. It has a beautiful, deep woodsy, whisky scent, and blends well with Sandalwood, Bergamot and Clove Bud Oil. The aroma of Buddha Wood Oil may bring balance and grounding to your day, which could make it great for those times you want to encourage feelings of relaxation and peace.
Usage suggestion: Diffuse 5 drops of Buddha Wood with 3 drops of Orange and 2 Drops of Sage for a peaceful ambience at home – perfect for a post busy day quick meditation session.
Created by earthYARD combining Grapefruit, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Marjoram, Lavender, Orange, Petitgrain and Ylang Ylang. Hush Blend was designed to be calming and comforting, which could make it great for when you are feeling anxious, or wish to refocus and be in the moment.
Usage suggestion: Splash a few drops across the shower floor before stepping in (not too much or you may slip) let the steam fill the room and focus on the sounds of water.
Designed by earthYARD and features Rosemary, Grapefruit and Peppermint with Myrrh, Citrus and Cedarwood. Force Blend was created to help you rally your inner resources and push through the day, you may find it useful for those times you are running on little sleep or when you need to find a little motivation.
Usage suggestion: You can wear Force Blend on diffuser jewellery but my personal favourite is 3 drops into a small amount of our base cream for an all-over wearable armour.
Sandalwood Oil is derived from the aromatic wood of the Australian Sandalwood Album tree. It’s aroma is sweet and woody, and it blends well with Ylang Ylang, Frankincense, and Orange among many others. You may find the aroma of Sandalwood to bring clarity, and be soothing and sensual, which could be great for when you need to clear your mind and focus, as well as for setting a romantic mood.
Usage suggestion: Dilute into Jojoba or your favourite carrier oil for a natural meditative perfume or add a few drops to some natural laundry detergent and create mindful wash.
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