Have you ever visited a lavender farm during the blooming season? It's a memorable experience you won't soon forget. The calming fragrance will waft through the air leaving you feeling very mellow and in a complete state of relaxation. Lavender has always been synonymous with relaxation and stress relief, but it also represents refinement, grace and elegance. The violet color from lavender is considered delicate and precious. Lavender's medicinal benefits and pleasant aroma make it one of the most used essential oils in the world. Because of this, we've rounded up some benefits of lavender for relaxation.

BENEFITS OF LAVENDER FOR RELAXATION

A Remedy for Anxiety Relief

Studies show that breathing in the scent of lavender or applying lavender oil can decrease anxiety and improve your mood by inducing a calming effect on the central nervous system. If you are struggling with anxiety or bouts of sadness (the non-clinical kind), mix lavender oil with a carrier oil (such as sunflower seed oil) and apply it to your skin or add it to your bath. It can help you to feel calm and improve your mood.

Lavender Improves Sleep Quality

Lavender is also a natural remedy for sleeplessness. Studies have shown that the scent of lavender can increase your sleep quality by 20%. Lavender may help quiet the brain and nervous system activity, which makes you feel relaxed and decreases the feeling of stress. By doing so, lavender can increase the time you spend in deep sleep. However, lavender cannot make you fall asleep, it is only an aid to induce relaxation. Mix a few drops of lavender essential oil with water in a spray bottle and lightly mist your pillow and linens before bed to see how it helps to improve your sleep quality.

Lavender Helps Relieve Pain

Lavender oil can also help you reduce pain. If you are struggling with headaches, try to put lavender essential oil in an aromatherapy diffuser or apply it to aromatherapy jewelry. You also can massage lavender essential oil (with a carrier oil) into the skin to relieve menstrual pain and cramps in the lower abdomen. A Girl's Gotta Spa! Synergy Himalayan Salt Scrub contains lavender essential oil and is a great way to take advantage of the aromatherapy and skin care benefits. If you have tried lavender essential oil before, please share your experience below. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Or check out our natural bath and body line!

We all know that a steam room can be relaxing, but did you know that there are many health benefits to using one? It's true. There are many reasons why you should definitely spend time in the steam room during your next spa visit.

Improved Circulation and Lower Blood Pressure

If you have a problem with circulation, especially in your arms and legs, a steam room can help. Not only will the heat improve circulation, but it can also lower blood pressure. Blood pressure is also lowered when the hormone aldosterone is released. The time in the steam room releases the hormone in some people and help them relax.

Reduced Stress

Many of us are walking around with at least some level of stress. Spending time in a stream room can slow the production of cortisol. When this happens, you feel relaxed and more in control. Increased cortisol is also factor in weight gain, so think of the steam room as a tool in your weight loss arsenal.

Congestion Relief

The same way drinking a hot beverage helps clear congestion so does sitting in a steam room. If you’re fighting allergies, time in the steam room can be wonderful. The wet heat will help break up the congestion allowing you to breathe more easily. Oftentimes spas use eucalyptus essential oils in the steam room, which also help to open nasal passages.

Clearer Skin

The wet heat helps to expand skin around your pores and allow built up dirt and debris (like dead skin) to be released. This will greatly improve the look of your skin. Make sure you drink plenty of water before and after your session and use a good cleanser post-steam room session.

Treats Sore Muscles and Stiff Joints

Heat is a wonderful tool for naturally helping sore muscles and stiff joints. A steam room session after a workout is great for workout recovery. The heat gets deep into the muscles and encourages the muscles to loosen. The same goes for stiff joints. Applying heat to stiff joints helps the joints become more relaxed and flexible.

Weight Loss

Before you get excited, it’s important to note that the weight loss from a steam room is water weight and will be replaced as soon as you drink water to rehydrate. However, spending time in the steam room on a regular basis can help with your diet and fitness routine. If you bypass the steam room at the spa or gym, it’s time to rethink it. There are so many great health benefits to using it and it's often included in the price of your treatment. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Or check out our natural bath and body line!

Tucked away in the Northeast corner of Pennsylvania is a resort that is almost like its own city. Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in the Pocono Mountains has something for everyone and in every season. While the spa is always a must, time spent together with family creating memories through experiences is something I am trying to do more of as family health and well-being is just as important as our individual well-being. Family travel with a large family like mine is typically complicated. There are 7 of us, and when my step-son is here, 8 is enough. Most family getaways cater to families of 4, 5 max. That means jumping through hoops to configure a way for all of us to travel, stay and play somewhere without pricing us out of the ability to go. Most times I give up and going on a specific family vacation (or staycation) just remains a "maybe someday." Out the gate, the one great thing about Kalahari is that they offer room sizes for everyone and there is typically some sort of promotion going on to make it more affordable. For this specific trip, we stayed in the African Queen suite, which is a two bedroom, two bath room that can accomodate up to 8 people. Perfect!

First Impressions

Pulling down the long stretch of road that leads into the resort, you can get a glimpse at their Gorilla Grove Treetop Adventures, which you can get to via their Gorilla Express train. Viewing the area in the winter while the trees are bare, the intricate course looks amazing. We all remarked that it was something we'd like to try in the warmer months. Prior to entering the resort parking lot, you can see that there is an expansion going on. They are currently doubling the size of their convention center to 205,000 sq ft. Kalahari Poconos is already massive, but they are capitalizing on an opportunity that doesn't really exist here in our rural area, which is also great for surrounding businesses. Once in the parking lot, the building is beautiful and while incredibly large, you don't really feel it until you are inside. There is valet parking, drop off at the front door and you can always just park your car yourself. Once inside, it is busy and bustling with people like a small city. Restaurants and cafes are directly in front of you and to the either side of you, stairs to the lower level (arcade, cafeteria, rooms and waterpark) are also in front of you. There's a gorgeous fountain, larger than life animal sculptures and a massive floor to ceiling glass wall overlooking the waterpark. We arrived on a day that was only about 65% capacity, but getting through the check-in process was smooth and efficient. Our family was excited to explore and have the opportunity to spend some quality time together.

Accomodations: African Queen Suite

I'll be honest, I've never had the ability to stay in a room this size before. We were all thrilled at the balance of both privacy and togetherness it offered. When you first walk in, the common bathroom was to our left with a toilet and large over-sized bathtub. The entryway was lined with countertops and it offered a wide space for moving around. On the one side it had the coffee maker, sink and small refrigerator. To the right was a large bedroom with two queen sized beds and a closet. There is a living room/dining area with a sleeper sofa, large chair, table with 3 chairs, a fireplace, flat screen TV and a sliding glass door that led to a balcony that overlooked the outdoor waterpark. The master bedroom held a king-sized bed with closet and full bathroom. I wanted to get lost in the large, deep bathtub, but we spent so much time in the resort, I never got the chance. It was calling my name though. Something we all really enjoyed was that the room seemed well insulated from noise. There was only one time when I had to be "that guy" and ask the front desk to ask our neighbors to take the noise level down as they had an active party going on with loud music at midnight and their suite was on the side where my kids were sleeping. Security was quick to ask them to quiet down, which prompted them to turn up the music louder, but we always bring a white noise machine with us when we travel, so that helped drown out the noise. Other than this, you really couldn't hear anyone in the hallway and with the exception of the loud music, at no other time could you hear anyone in the neighboring rooms.

Arcade

This place is a child's dream! It felt like the video games were endless. I'd turn a corner and there would be more. There were so many varying kinds of games for all levels and all ages. My boys range in age from 20 years old to 3 years old and they all equally had a great time. My 3 year old enjoyed the mini bowling alley that was made just for the littles, but made him feel like a big kid. The older boys and I did the 7-D Motion Theater, which was pretty cool and then the boys went on to do the Wrath of Anubis escape room, which they enjoyed. Just off the arcade is the entrance to the indoor waterpark as well as the outdoor waterpark. Just before the doors to the outdoor waterpark is a cafe and cafeteria style seating. We noticed a children's play area over there as well.

Indoor Waterpark

The indoor waterpark is such a blast, and just like the arcade, there is something for everyone. Our 3 year old had a blast in Coral Cove, Splashdown Safari, Tiko's Watering Hole and the wave pool while his brothers rode all of the other thrill slides. There are restaurants in the waterpark, as well as a bar. It's very clean and there are lifeguards, security and staff everywhere to make sure anyone who needs assistance is taken care of quickly. It's a balmy 84 degrees in the park, so getting in the water feels refreshing. It's bright and the colors are cheerful, so you almost forget you are indoors. I loved that the ceiling above the wave pool was glass and I can only imagine how beautiful it looks when it's snowing or even during a thunderstorm. The waterpark is open late and the larger waterslides that sweep you outdoors and back into the building are lit up. It's also less busy at night, which is a great time to go on more slides without the wait.

Spa Kalahari

Naturally, I made time for the spa. While my kids and husband looked forward to the waterpark and arcade, I most looked forward to relaxation and some self-care. When you check into your hotel room there will be a pamphlet with coupons to use throughout the resort. Definitely take advantage of the one for the spa. I booked a Deep Tissue Massage with Steve and enjoyed pure bliss of all the tension in my shoulders and upper back melting away. I highly recommend him when booking your treatment! He's very knowledgeable and really pays attention to what you need in order to walk away feeling completely restored. With your spa treatment you also get access to the Quiet Zone and Hydro Escape. The Quiet Zone is relaxing with salt lamps aglow, a mesmerizing fire place and posh seating. In the Hydro Escape there is a herbal infused steam room, dry Redwood sauna, multi-sensory experiential shower, spacious jaccuzzi that looks more like your own personalized pool, an outdoor patio with lounge seating and an indoor relaxation sanctuary. Most of it is co-ed, which I am not really a fan of, but everyone is different in their preferences. Spa Kalahari also has their Halotherapy room you can enjoy as its own treatment for 45 minutes for $40, or if you choose it as an add-on to an already booked treatment, it is only $20. I really enjoyed my time in the spa and cannot wait to go back.

Tips & Advice

• Book your stay for a weekday. There are less people and shorter lines.
• Plan to stay more than 1 night. There is so much to see and do at Kalahari, one day/night is not enough. We stayed only 1 night and didn't get the chance to see/do everything they have to offer.
• Know restaurant hours in advance to plan when to eat. Restaurants open and close depending on occupancy. For example, The Great Karoo was closed for dinner the night we arrived, but was open for breakfast the next day. Ivory Coast and B-Lux close at 11am and then re-open at 12pm.
• Take advantage of Kalahari's coupons. You'll find these in your room for the spa, Marrakesh Market, etc.
• Plan your arcade budget in advance. The arcade has so much to do, but it is definitely an expense and if not planned for, you will spend more than you wanted to.
• Have a meeting place/time. Just like any bustling city, it's easy for your kids to lose track of you. In the waterpark we gave the kids a time and place to meet back up and check in. We allowed the older boys to have fun in the arcade without us at times, but asked that they sent a text to check in.
• Relax and have fun! This is such a great way to get the kids off of their electronics and to experience in-person fun with some real life face time. These are the memories that will last!

Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Or check out our natural bath and body line!

Let’s face it. There is something incredibly exciting and fun about subscription boxes. Ipsy and the Target Beauty Box are extremely popular options, but what if you're more concerned about haircare? There are, believe it or not, some amazing hair subscription boxes out there.

Let’s take a closer look.

1. eSalon Custom Hair Color Subscription Box While this box isn’t full of surprises, it is filled with hair color that is customized just for you. Hair color experts will create colors just for your hair type. Best of all, it’s only $25 for a single order, or $10 for your first order on the Color Plan.

The color is made using high-quality ingredients. If you want to color your hair, why not do it with color that is blended by true professionals personalized just for you? Check out our review of eSalon if you're on the fence.

2. Hairbox Hairbox is great if you love surprises. You start by choosing how often you want to receive your box, which can be monthly, bimonthly, or quarterly. You then fill out your hair profile and sit back and wait for your package to arrive. Products will be picked based on your hair type. The best part is that you get full-sized professional salon products! The price is only $39.99 per box and shipping is free.

3. CurlKit If you have natural hair, CurlKit is a must. You receive 6-9 samples per month that are made specifically for natural hair. The products may be from well-known companies or emerging brands. Each month, for only $25 and free shipping, you’ll receive a variety of products ranging from conditioners to tools to help you embrace your curls.

4. How to Be a Redhead (H2BAR Box) Were you blessed with fiery red locks? Embrace the beauty of being a redhead with products made just for you. We love this box because it was launched by fellow beauty bloggers, Adrienne and Stephanie. Each month, for only $20.48, you’ll receive samples and full-sized products that are tested and approved to be redhead-friendly.

5. Shtrands This hair subscription box was created by cosmetic chemists and includes 4 full size professional hair care products. The team can curate a box for all types of hair and textures. It's $59 per month, but if you sign up for their mailing list, you'll get a discount.

If you love trying new hair care products, try one of these hair subscription boxes. There are so many to choose from. Whether you want a specialized product or want to be surprised, you can find a hair subscription box that works for you.

What do you normally do after working out? Do you take a shower and crash? Or do you keep making that workout work for you long after you've built up a sweat? What your post-workout recovery looks like makes a big difference in the results you'll see overall.

What Is Post-Workout Recovery?

Post workout recovery is about giving your body the tools it needs to recover from your workout. This includes proper nutrition, plenty of rest, drinking enough water, getting enough vitamin D, and a good night's sleep. If you're weight training, you also need to remember that the process tears the muscle tissue so that it can grow larger and stronger. You need rest to allow these tears to repair themselves.

Why Is Recovery After Working Out Important?

Not taking the time to recover can actually do your body more harm than good. People who feel the need to workout each and every day can end up causing stress fractures, muscle strains, joint pain, and overuse injuries. Workout recovery allows your body to rest. Your body needs rest to recover.

What Are the Ways to Recover After Working Out?

There are a number of things you need to do to help your body recover after workouts. One of the most important things you can do is to schedule your workouts so that you have rest days. You also want to eat high-protein foods throughout your day, not just after a workout. Protein helps muscles restore and regain strength. Some workout professionals suggest drinking chocolate milk after a workout because of the protein, vitamin D, and glycogen – all of which are needed for muscle recovery. You could always try YourSuper's Chocolate Lover powder and mix it with unsweetened Vanilla Coconut Milk. But their recipe for a Chocolate Banana Milkshake is also delish. Filling your diet with fruits and vegetables will also help with oxidative stress due to the high level of antioxidants (Daily Harvest is amaze for this!) Include as many superfoods in your diet as you can. (Again, I personally love YourSuper.) Of course, you can’t forget water. You must drink enough water, or you risk becoming dehydrated. When working out, opt for a water that contains electrolytes. The most important thing is that you're getting plenty of rest. This includes making sure you get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. You've made the commitment to a healthier lifestyle, now take it one step further and do what's best for your body, improve your nutrition and schedule days of rest. Your body not only needs attention immediately after a workout, but the day after as well. Give your body the chance to recover so that you can continue to work towards your goals, rather than injuring yourself. Want to add anything? Leave a comment! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Or check out our natural bath and body line!

Inspired by the flavors of foods and flowers, ELLOVI has a line of vegan and cruelty free skin care you are sure to fall in love with. Which, it's no coincidence that the pronounciation of the brand literally spells out LOVE. I had the opportunity to try out their Lip Butter and their multi-tasking Butter for review.

ELLOVI Lip Butter

Lip balm has gotten an upgrade with ELLOVI. I absolutely adore the chic tin the Lip Butter Collection comes in and I love the sleek black packaging with a pop of color. If you happen to be applying these lip butters in a public place, you're sure to get noticed. They're anything but ordinary. The Lip Butter is formulated with only 6 ingredients, but there are 4 that are a constant in each flavor: Macadamia butter, shea butter, coconut oil, and sunflower seed wax. All provide hydration and don't feel sticky or cakey on your lips. Each Lip Butter has a hint of flavor and fragrance, which are naturally created. Original has marula and ylang ylang oil; Tinted Rose has Rose Absolute Oil and Akanet Root; Vanilla has vanilla and marula oil; and Tangerine has tangerine and ylang ylang oil. Lip Butter has good slip and makes your lips feel nourished. You don't need to purchase all of the Lip Butters in a tin, as they are also sold separately.

ELLOVI Butter

ELLOVI's Butter is an amazing little multi-tasker meant for hands, feet, face, and hair. And it's actually not that little. It's 3.4 ounces in a substantial glass jar. This is my first time using a hemp-based beauty product (I know. I am so behind.) Like the Lip Butters, Butter is comprised of only a handful of ingredients: Hemp seed butter, arrowroot powder, marula oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, and peppermint oil. I received their Butter in Mint, and OMG, this Butter is minty and creamy like Breyers Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. Like I literally wanted to scoop it out of the jar and eat it. But, since it's better suited for my skin, I passed. Butter is very much a balm in terms of texture, but melts on your skin on contact. It is greasy when first applied, but is quickly absorbed into the skin. Since it is a balm, you don't need to apply as much as a lotion. A little scoop will thin out with your body heat and apply to a much wider area, so be conservative in how much you apply to your skin. Did I mention how good it smells??? I've been using it on my hands and they are so super soft. Elbows and knees are also in on this moisture party. I applied a very small amount through my hair once dry and it was a great de-frizzer without weighing my hair down. These are great products; definitely worth checking out! www.ellovi.com Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Or check out our natural bath and body line!

Who wouldn’t want to be happier? Between social media, the internet and television, we’re constantly bombarded with negativity that makes it hard to stay joyful. We also push ourselves so hard that there never seems to be any time to take a break. Whatever the reason, many people wish they were happier. While there are many lifestyle changes you can make, there are also essential oils that can be very beneficial. Let’s take a closer look at essential oil blends for happiness.

Improve your mood. Create your own blend from these oils:

Orange

It is almost impossible to not smile when you smell orange oil. It’s an invigorating scent that lifts the spirits and energy levels. You can also use grapefruit and lime oils – citrus oils are a mood booster.

Caraway

With a spicy slightly sweet scent, caraway promotes happiness by soothing the nerves and encouraging positive thoughts. The scent also gives you a boost of energy.

Lavender

Those dealing with depression can greatly benefit from the calming effects of lavender oil. Lavender calms while also lifting the spirits.

Lemon

Is another great oil that energizes the mind and promotes positivity. (You can find it in our body wash.)

Bergamot

There are times when anger, resentment, and other ill feelings can prevent us from being happy. Bergamot oil allows us to let go of those negative feelings.

Rosemary

Not only is the scent of rosemary essential oil absolutely amazing but it has anti-depressant properties. Combining rosemary with lemon oil would be a wonderful blend.

Geranium

With a fragrance similar to rose, geranium oil provides a host of benefits. Not only does it calm, but it also uplifts and strengthens. If you happen to be suffering from mood swings due to menopause, geranium oil is very beneficial. (You can find it in our rollerball perfume, Soar.) You can create your own blend of oils. The important thing is to find a scent you enjoy. Blend the oils so that you can create a blend with beneficial properties. Essential oil blends can be used with a diffuser, in beauty products, or simply with a carrier oil. If you’re using essential oils with a carrier oil on the skin, remember to always do a spot check. You want to make sure you don’t have a reaction to any of the oils before using on a regular basis. We all go through moments of unhappiness. However, if you are dealing with depression on a regular basis, you should consult a professional who can help. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Or check out our natural bath and body line!

Did you know that there is power in color? It’s true. Look at fast food chains and you’ll see the color red used frequently. The reason is that this color is said to stimulate the appetite. But what about other moods and feelings? Can colors relax you? Go to the spa and you'll noticed a muted color scheme. There are a number of colors that can ease anxiety and make us feel calmer. If you're looking to redecorate to promote a sense of well-being, we've gathered up some relaxing color schemes to help you decide which would best suit you.

Which Colors Promote Relaxation?

You can use any of the colors from this list to create a relaxing color scheme. One tip to keep in mind is the 60/30/10 rule. This rule creates balance in your room. Sixty-percent of the color scheme will be the main color (wall color). Thirty-percent is the secondary color (curtains, bedding, etc.). The last is the accent color which should make up 10% of the room (accessories).

Relaxing Room Colors:

Blue

Just like the ocean encourages relaxation, so does the color blue. Looking at the color can reduce heart rate, lower blood pressure, and calm anxiety. You want to choose a soft shade of blue.

Green

Nature calms many of us. That’s why the color is great in a relaxing color scheme. Opt for soft shades, although this green color scheme above is also very calming.

 

Pink

Soft pinks can work in any room and offer a sense of tranquility, especially among other muted colors. 

Violet

This color makes a wonderful accent color. Violet makes us feel a sense of peace and boosts inner strength.

Grey

Grey is such a wonderful color in a relaxing color scheme. This makes a wonderful main color for your walls. The color is soothing and is wonderful paired with blue as a secondary color. You can add other secondary or accent colors to your room. The key is to create a room that makes you feel relaxed.

How to Create a Relaxing Space:

Now that you have your color scheme in mind. You want to think about how you can turn your space in a relaxing space. Here are some tips to create a zen experience.

1. Remove the clutter. You want to make sure your space is free of clutter. Clutter creates feelings of stress. Go through and purge everything you don’t need.

2. Add a plant. Even if the plant is plastic, having a piece of greenery in your space can make you feel a sense of peace.

3. Bring a water fixture into the room. The sound of running water is so relaxing. You can find indoor fountains for as little as $5 in some discount stores.

4. Create a place for everything. When you have a spot for everything, it’s much easier to keep your room organized. When your room is organized, it’s more relaxing.

5. Use a diffuser. An ultrasonic diffuser allows you to enjoy the fragrance and properties of essential oils. Avoid heated diffusers as these can alter the chemical composition of the oils. Lavender is an awesome option for relaxing.

Colors have such an impact in our lives. Harness that power and create a relaxing color scheme so that you can naturally reduce stress levels. 

It can be frustrating to step on the scale and see the number go up. If this continues for several weeks, you may begin to wonder where the extra weight is coming from. Obviously, eating junk food or eating too many calories compared to calories burned can cause weight gain. However, there are some reasons that are less obvious. Let's take a closer look at five reasons you’re gaining weight:

Stress

Long-term stress can boost hunger levels. While you may not realize it, you could be eating more than you were before. Stress can cause an increase in cortisol. Cortisol can wreak havoc on your insulin levels and cause blood sugar levels to drop. Thus, you’re more likely to crave sugary, fatty, carb-filled foods. Take the necessary steps to deal with stress so that you can regain your healthy eating habits. Try: Yoga or meditation

Medication and Illness

Unfortunately, there are times when weight gain is out of our control. You may need certain medications that can cause weight gain. There are also illnesses, such as Fibromyalgia, that can cause weight gain. This is disheartening but having a good relationship with your doctor and expressing your concerns can help you work together to try different medications and meal plans until you find something that helps you maintain your weight.

Sleep Patterns

There's never enough time in the day. That's why many people skimp on sleep. If you get a couple hours, you’re good to go, right? Wrong. Not getting enough sleep can alter your hormones and cause your body to crave foods that are high in calories and carbs. Adults need between 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. There are things that will alter how much sleep you need, such as pregnancy and illness. Make sure the 7 to 9 hours you get are quality hours. If you're waking up several times a night, you’re not getting a good night's rest. Try: A hybrid mattress or aromatherapy diffuser

Eating Too Late in the Day

Chances are you’ve heard that eating after 6PM can cause weight gain. For some people, that’s unavoidable. Some people work shifts that require late night eating. What may be more beneficial is to make sure you’re doing intermittent fasting. The 16:8 plan, for example, says that you fast for 16 hours and eat only during an 8-hour window. If you’re seeing weight gain, you may not be giving your body enough time between your last and first meals.

Not Eating Enough

This is a shocker to so many people, but not eating enough can actually cause you to gain weight. When you’re not eating enough calories for your body’s needs, your body will begin to store fat. In other words, you can be working out every day but still gaining weight. Do the math and make sure you’re eating enough calories for your body and lifestyle. It can be frustrating to gain weight when you know you’re not eating junk food. There are a number of reasons why this can occur. Stress, lack of sleep, and even not eating enough calories can lead to weight gain. Take care of yourself and your body will take care of you. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Or check out our natural bath and body line!

Millions of Americans are walking around with at least some level of stress. While stress has become more and more common in today’s lifestyle, one thing remains the same. Stress can negatively affect your health. High blood pressure, headaches, sleep changes, muscle pain and tension, and digestive issues can all be caused by stress. Chances are you’re reading this post because you’re currently dealing with stress. You’re not alone. Many people find stress hard to handle. One thing you may not have considered is the power of essential oil blends for stress relief. Let’s take a closer look.

Essential Oils to Use for Stress Relief

You can blend any of these oils to create your own blend. The important thing is to find a blend that you enjoy the fragrance of so that you can reap the benefits of the oils without hating the scent. Lavender – Lavender is one of the most recommended oils when it comes to stress relief. The scent is soothing, but the properties of the oil actually help support the nervous system. This can help reduce the feelings of anxiety that come with stress. If stress causes you to lose sleep, consider using lavender oil before bedtime. You can even create a lavender spray using equal parts rubbing alcohol and water along with lavender oil. Spray your pillow 15 to 20 minutes before bed to allow your pillow to dry before laying down. Ylang Ylang – Ylang ylang works to calm the nervous system and reduce cortisol levels. Not only that, but the oil also replaces the feelings of anxiety with feelings of optimism and positivity. Ylang ylang is popping up more and more in body washes, lotions, and other skin products to make it easier to reap the benefits. Bergamot – Bergamot oil can also help reduce stress. It is recommended to blend the oil with lavender oil to create a stress relief blend. One thing to keep in mind is that exposure to the sun when using bergamot can cause a reaction. It is best to use the oil in the evening and not be in the sun for 12 hours after. Chamomile – Chamomile is well known for it’s sleep inducing properties. The oil helps remove feelings of stress and replaces them with feelings of peace. Do not use this essential oil if you are allergic to ragweed. Vetiver – Vetiver should be considered in a stress relief blend for serious stress. The oil is often used to help trauma patients. It also helps with panic attacks, jitters, and hypersensitivity. You will feel a sense of tranquility when using this oil. Rose – Rose oil is, to many, hands down the most effective essential oil for dealing with stress. It is recommended to use it in aromatherapy situations. An equal blend of rose, lavender, and bergamot oil will greatly increase the stress reducing effects of the rose oil. Smell each essential oil and create a blend that smells good to you. You can use skin products that have essential oils. You can use a diffuser. You can even apply the oils to the skin once mixed with a carrier oil. Always test oils on your skin before applying heavily. There can be allergic reactions. Also be careful of essential oil use around pets who may be sensitive to the scents. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Or check out our natural bath and body line!