[Buggy31]

Yes!  Yes!  I am so into aromatherapy.  It's something that works really well for me and my children.  When my mind starts to race it's something I can control in my environment and it helps a lot.  I'm not particularly fond of incense because most are scented with fragrance oils and I don't like those but I found these really AWESOME incense that are scented with essential oils.  They describe what the scent is used for and how it helps the mind for emotional clarity, cleansing, purifying etc.  I'm actually so into them that I'm going to start to create my own incense holders and sell them.  I'm dying to do something with my hands and these incense sticks inspired me.  THey are really great. Don't know if I can share the name here but if you PM me I can give it to anyone.  AROMATHERAPY is a way to bring you into the present. 

[stillhere]

yes buggy, I too use essential oils, thus the purchase of one at a time as they can be expensive.  I find mine in a local health food co-op.  I do have a little burner for the oils that I use sometimes.  Right now I'm focusing on oils that create calm, reduce stress, and men find "sexy." 

Mermaid--you might also try vanilla oil at first.  There is quite a bit of research on vanilla oil.  I'm not usually a vanilla scent fan, but it is calming and also one of the sexiest scents around for men.  (Talk about Freudian) 

I don't specifically recall why I selected geranium, but it was for similar reasons. 

[Rollercoasterider]

I buy my lavendar oil in bulk. I have used it to spray the linens...but not for awhile....should do that again. I have several essential oils that I keep handy. I make a blend with jojoba oil which I use as  massage oil and it is great for my hair, but expensive. I try to have another healing massage blend on hand that has tea tree oil in it. You can also get aloe and make up a blend of aloe and lavendar for use on cuts--refrigerate it.

I've wantedt o get vanilla, but the best is extra expensive for a tinier than normal size vial--normal seems to be about 10mL.

My friend Lingy was told to burn sage in areas of her home. I haven't but will possibly do it at a new place when I move.

I like incense and Sweetheart hates it--he thinks of hippies and that incense is bad. Whatever. I used it more when he was gone and usually specifically during meditations. I bought a high quality incense from the local metaphyiscal store which is alo where I would buy sage.

As for the essential oils, I go to the natural foods store. They even have jojoba oil in bulk which is good because it is expensive.

Buggy,
Definitely let us know what incense you use.

[LettingGo]

I burn highly scented candles for myself every day. I get them on sale at Marshall's, Ross Stores or T.J. Maxx. Also, I have a hoard of Tuberose scented candles (my favorite) from Henri Bendel through Bath & Body Works outlets... got about 20 of them on closeout last year. Tuberose is my favorite scent and very heady!

When I know husband is visiting, I burn a Grapefruit scented candle. It smells clean... can't describe it, but it's not sweet. I always have the house clean and fresh crisp sheets on the bed and soft music on the computer so the house seems relaxing and inviting.

So, YES, I use aromatherapy for me every day, BUT, when husband is home, I make it about comfort for him.

In fact, the best aromatherapy I use is the perfume I wore when we first met! It's Chanel COCO and I don't care for it anymore, but I noticed the last time he was here, he did a doubletake when he smelled it on me and nuzzled my neck. I am ruthless in my manipulations!! Trying to bring him back to me and he is about 19 years old right now, so what was I doing at that time? Uh Oh... dressing like Madonna! LOL!! 

[Buggy31]

I'll let you guys know the name this weekend.  Just ran out and need to get some more at the store.  Geranium I believe is a scent that is connected to emotions.  I also like Clary Sage which I used a lot last year when my H was slipping into replay and away from us.  THe house became filled with negative energy.  It would sit on top of me.  Clary Sage is supposed to be clarifying and help to purify negative energy or emotions. 

[LifeGoesOn]

Sage sticks sold at 'new age' stores are great for clearing negative energy from your home. I am sure the clerk can help you with the 'how-to' of it. Generally focusing on a prayer asking for positives to replace negative while you walk the perimeter of every room with the smouldering sage stick will do it. Start and end at the front door.

I do not think it is great for making the home smell good. Kinda burnt smell like cheap incense.

I like to simmer cinnamon in water on the stove. Vanilla smells too much like tobacco to me. While I enjoy a good cigar on occasion, I don't like the smell in my house! I love lavendar for relaxation and eucalyptis when I need to focus and get things done.

[Buggy31]

Here's the name of the incense I spoke about earlier in the thread.  They are hand rolled based upon herbs, flowers and essential oils, no glues so non-toxic, pastes are made from sandal and fragrant woods

True to Nature Incense Sticks
by Auroshikha

My all time FAVORITE is African Violet which the Greeks believed could send one off to sleep.  It is heavily floral and so is Rose which is another one of my favorites.  African Violet is cooling and can be used for a calming and relaxing effect during times of nervousness or extremes of emotion.  I think we could all use a little of that balance! They provide this fun info on the back of each package.  These are not your normal incense sticks in that they are not scented with fragrance oils so it's a beautiful smell. 

[LifeGoesOn]

Thanks for the info Buggy! I am shopping!

[StandandDeliver]

Thought it might be fun (and maybe helpful for each other and newbies) to have a thread where we post tips that have helped us turn the focus onto ourselves and our wellbeing.

My tips are these:

Food: I was saying on synicca's thread, I make a lot of smoothies these days - fun with kids, tasty treat and healthy.
Favourite ingredients include: banana, plain yoghurt, maple syrup/honey, fresh fruit, frozen fruit, canned fruit in juice, different flavoured fruit juices, milk or soya milk - things like fresh blueberries and maple syrup mean you are using superfoods packed with anti- oxidents.

Books: When things fall apart, Pema Chodron anything by her in fact!

Writing: Journal keeping

Spirituality: Meditation and prayer to higher power

Body: yoga http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bofQabiS3C4 this one is great, even for beginners
reflexology - had a free session a couple of weeks after BD thanks to a friend and it is the first time I slept properly in weeks - for an hour, deeply on my friend's sofa.

General: do new things, go new places, create new memories, create new habits (my kids and i pile into my bed for reading stories mid afternoon on weekends and it is a great bonding experience!) and new routines.

[Shantilly Lace]

We have 1 night a week when Dearheart isn't here so we have  'scratchit' for tea. Sometimes interesting results lol

Every second weekend the girls and I go somewhere. To a park usually with sandwiches snacks and drink. Stay for a few hours.

Just little things.