Lavender

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For centuries, lavender has been used for food and healing properties. In recent years, it has been very popular in aromatherapy as an element to help relieve tension, cure headaches and aid in sleeping. According to this source, it can be used to help with everything from acne to athlete’s foot, burns to sore muscles.

Several Christmases ago, my sister bought me a can of lavender mist that I used to spray my bed linens. On the nights I used it, I always fell asleep easily and seemed to sleep more soundly. Lately, I have been using a lavender-scented hand lotion right before I go to sleep. I can smell the fragrance as I drift off to sleep and I believe I have been sleeping better as a result.

The past two days, I’ve been using that same lavender lotion on my neck and shoulders before heading off to work. The goal not being to lull myself to sleep at my desk, but rather to catch a whiff of the lavender at different points in the day and hopefully ease my stress away.

Whether lavender really is helping me face the day and fall asleep is probably up for debate. And whether it would work for someone else, again, unknown. In fact, I’m sure if I Googled the subject long enough I would find endless studies coming down on either side of the issue. Maybe I am just experiencing a soothing placebo effect. I’m not going to question it. Even an illusionary measure of calm is welcome at this point.

What helps keep you calm and eases your stress?