The start of the year is often synonymous with renewal, projects, and ambitions. Whether it's getting back into exercise, getting more organized, or adopting a healthy diet, New Year's resolutions reflect our desire to improve ourselves and make a fresh start. But these resolutions are often abandoned before the end of February!
Why is it so difficult to stay on track? There are many reasons: loss of motivation, daily stress, lack of concentration, or even deep-rooted habits that resist change. Faced with these obstacles, a natural solution can help you stay aligned with your goals: essential oils.
Thanks to their unique properties, essential oils not only affect the mind, but also the emotions. They can boost your energy, strengthen your focus, and ease tension—all of which can help you turn your resolutions into lasting habits.
In this article, I invite you to explore how aromatherapy can become a valuable ally in overcoming the challenges of the first few weeks of the year. You'll discover essential oils suited to maintaining your motivation, cultivating serenity, and achieving your goals with confidence.
Boost your motivation with essential oils
When motivation begins to waver, it can be difficult to regain the momentum needed to move toward your goals. Essential oils can be a natural and effective way to boost your determination. Thanks to their aromatic molecules, they act directly on the limbic system, the seat of emotions and motivation, to help you stay focused and inspired.
Petitgrain bigarade: emotional balance
Petitgrain bigarade is an essential oil that's essential for soothing mental tension and restoring emotional balance. Rich in esters like linalyl acetate, this oil promotes a sense of calm while reducing negative thoughts that hinder your motivation.
- Top tip : Prepare a "Motivation Boost" roll-on with 2 drops of Petitgrain Bigarade essential oil in a 10 ml vegetable oil base. Apply to your wrists before starting an important task.
- Caution : Not recommended for pregnant women under 3 months - Prohibited for infants under 3 months.
Peppermint: The mental boost
Need an instant boost? Peppermint is ideal for stimulating your mind and combating mental fatigue. Rich in menthol and menthone, this oil acts as a true natural stimulant, improving mental clarity and alertness.
- Top tip : Apply 2 drops of Peppermint essential oil to a tissue and inhale for an immediate energizing effect. You can also inhale before a workout or an important meeting.
- Caution: Prohibited for pregnant and breastfeeding women - Prohibited for children under 7 years old - Dilute before application to the skin - Avoid application near the eyes and mucous membranes - Not recommended for people with epilepsy.
These two essential oils are great allies for maintaining your motivation. They support you in times of doubt or fatigue by providing natural and effective support.
Focus on achieving your goals with essential oils
Focus is essential for staying aligned with your goals, but it can be difficult to maintain attention in the face of everyday distractions. Essential oils, thanks to their direct action on the brain and emotions, can boost your cognitive abilities and improve your concentration. Discover two essential oils to stay focused and productive:
Rosemary cineole: an ally for memory
Rosemary cineole is renowned for its stimulating and neurotonic properties. Its main component, 1,8-cineole, acts on memory and concentration by promoting better cerebral circulation. It is ideal for study sessions, work, or during times requiring intense mental effort.
- Practical advice : Dilute a drop of Rosemary cineole essential oil in a vegetable oil and lightly massage your temples before a meeting or a task requiring high concentration.
- Caution : Not for pregnant or breastfeeding women - Not for children under 6 years old - Dilute with a vegetable oil for cutaneous application. Not recommended for people with asthma or epilepsy.
Lemon: clear and bright mind
Lemon essential oil is a powerful mental tonic. Thanks to its high limonene content, it clarifies thoughts, reduces mental confusion, and provides refreshing energy. It is particularly effective for combating procrastination and staying focused on the tasks at hand.
- Helpful Tip: Apply 2 drops of Lemon essential oil to a tissue and inhale deeply when you feel distracted or tired. You can also diffuse 5 drops in your workspace for a stimulating atmosphere.
- Caution: Prohibited for pregnant women under 3 months - Prohibited for children under 1 year - Dilute before application to the skin - Do not apply to the skin before sun exposure, as lemon oil is photosensitizing.
These essential oils are ideal for strengthening your ability to concentrate. By incorporating them into your daily routine, you'll be able to tackle your tasks with a clear and focused mind.
Manage stress to stay aligned with your goals with essential oils
Stress is one of the biggest obstacles to achieving our New Year's resolutions. It can paralyze us, make us doubt ourselves, or distract us from our goals.
Fortunately, certain essential oils possess relaxing and calming properties that help reduce mental stress and restore the serenity needed to move forward. Here are two essential oils that are essential for managing stress:
True lavender: the ally of serenity
True lavender is known for its powerful calming properties. Thanks to its linalool and linalyl acetate content, it acts directly on the nervous system, promoting a feeling of deep relaxation. It is an ideal ally for calming agitated minds and easing emotional tension.
- Helpful Tip : Add 5 drops of true lavender essential oil to a diffuser to create a calming ambiance in your living space. You can also blend a few drops into a carrier oil and massage it into your shoulders to relieve tension.
- Caution : Not recommended for pregnant women under 3 months - Prohibited for infants under 3 months.
Sweet orange: the concentrate of good humor
Sweet Orange essential oil is a true ray of sunshine in a bottle. Rich in limonene, it acts as a powerful natural relaxant, promoting a feeling of well-being and lightness. It's ideal for relieving stress and calming overworked minds.
- Practical advice : Diffuse 3 drops of Sweet Orange essential oil in your work or relaxation space to reduce stress and create a warm atmosphere.
- Caution : Prohibited for pregnant women under 3 months - Prohibited for infants under 3 months - Dilute before application to the skin - Do not apply to the skin before sun exposure, as orange oil is photosensitizing.
By incorporating these two essential oils into your daily routine, you can transform your environment into a calming space that promotes your emotional well-being. With less stress, you'll be better prepared to achieve your goals and keep your resolutions throughout the year.
Recipes to help you stick to your resolutions
Incorporating essential oils into your daily routine can greatly help you stay motivated, focused and calm as you face the challenges of the first few weeks of the year.
“Motivation” Roll-on: Energy boost at your fingertips
This synergy, which you can take with you everywhere, is ideal for finding a dose of motivation when you're feeling down.
Ingredients :
- 3 drops of Petitgrain bigarade essential oil
- 2 drops of Peppermint essential oil
- 10 ml of jojoba vegetable oil
Preparation :
- Mix the essential oils and vegetable oil in a 10 ml roll-on bottle. Shake gently to combine.
Use :
- Apply the roll-on to your wrists or temples when you need a boost to move forward. Inhale deeply after application to maximize the effects.
Precautions:
- Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Do not use in children, pregnant or breastfeeding women.
“Focus & Energy” Diffusion: Clear and focused mind
This diffusion synergy is perfect for working in a stimulating and productive environment.
Ingredients :
- 3 drops of Rosemary cineole essential oil
- 2 drops of lemon essential oil
- 1 drop of Peppermint essential oil
Preparation :
- Add essential oils to an essential oil diffuser. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Use :
- Diffuse for 30 minutes in your office or study space to stay focused and energized.
Precautions:
- Diffuse in a well-ventilated room and keep young children and pets away while diffusing.
“Express Relaxation” Spray: Reduce stress quickly
A room spray is ideal for calming tension and creating a soothing atmosphere in any room.
Ingredients :
- 5 drops of true lavender essential oil
- 5 drops of Sweet Orange essential oil
- 30 ml of mineral water
- 10 ml of alcohol (vodka or 70° alcohol)
Preparation :
- Mix the essential oils with the alcohol in a spray bottle. Add the mineral water and shake well before each use.
Use :
- Spray into the air to create a calm and relaxing atmosphere, ideal after a stressful day.
Precautions:
- Avoid spraying directly onto skin. Store the spray away from light and heat.
General precautions for the use of essential oils
To take full advantage of these synergies, follow these tips:
- Specific diffusion precautions: Do not diffuse for more than 30 minutes per session to avoid saturating the air. Use a diffuser appropriate for the size of your room.
- Dilution : Dilute essential oils before skin application to avoid irritation.
- Tolerance test : Before use, carry out a skin tolerance test by applying a small amount of the diluted synergy to the inside of the elbow and wait 24 hours to check for an allergic reaction.
- Do not use in children, pregnant or breastfeeding women without medical advice : It is imperative to consult the essential oils sheet and consult a health professional before any use in these specific cases.
- Precautions for medical conditions : People suffering from chronic illnesses (asthma, epilepsy, hypertension, etc.) should consult their doctor before using essential oils, as some may have adverse effects or be contraindicated with their treatment. Your doctor is the only primary player in your health.
- Beware of photosensitizing oils : Some essential oils, such as citrus oils (lemon, bergamot, grapefruit), can cause skin burns or spots if exposed to the sun after application. Do not use them before direct sun exposure.
- Avoid mucous membranes and eyes : Essential oils can cause severe irritation. In case of accidental contact, rinse thoroughly with a carrier oil, not water. Consult your doctor.
Each new year brings its share of hopes and challenges. Keeping your resolutions can seem complex, but with the right support, it becomes much more accessible. Essential oils, thanks to their unique properties, are true allies for boosting your motivation, strengthening your concentration, and managing stress—three essential pillars for achieving your goals.
Remember, the key to sticking to your resolutions is consistency. Combine aromatherapy with healthy habits, such as a balanced diet, taking breaks, and regular exercise, to maximize your chances of success.
May this year be a bright one for you, dear members of the Maison Jacynthe community, filled with success, serenity, and natural well-being. Best wishes to all!
Aude
References
Sources of information (bibliography):
Michel Faucon, Sensory Approaches in Aromatherapy, Dunod Edition, October 18, 2023, 1200 p., ISBN: 978-2100851362
Françoise Couic-Marinier, Dr Anthony Toubol, The Living Earth Guide to Essential Oils, Living Earth Edition, November 17, 2017, 477 p. ISBN: 9782360982752
Karin Parramore, Aromatherapy with my essential oil diffuser: 160 formulas for healing yourself, Éditions La Plage, February 20, 2019, 180 pages, ISBN: 978-2842216450
Maison Jacynthe disclaims all liability. All information contained on this page is not intended to replace justified allopathic treatment or to disregard the expertise of the medical profession. It is up to each individual to take charge of their own health, to inform themselves, and to make the necessary changes to improve their condition. Therapeutic supervision by a qualified health professional is obviously recommended.
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