JoAnne Gaudioso
As we step into summer, we are always thinking of ways that will help us to get through the “dog days of summer” in a more comfortable and healthy way. Summertime is perfect for many outdoor activities: going to the pool, attending neighborhood barbeques, or hiking in the mountains, to name a few. But with the bright and balmy weather also comes the challenge of staying comfortable and cool when the heat gets to be too much. Fortunately, there are easy ways to stay refreshed, even away from any air-conditioned haven.
Outdoors
Add oils to your spray bottle. When taken outside for long periods of time, water in a glass or stainless-steel spray bottle can quickly warm up and lose its advantage. Counteract this and keep cool by adding in refreshing non-citrus oils that will cool you down. Cooling oils include peppermint, basil, cardamom, cilantro, or DoTerra Breathe. An extra tip: when you do go to spray, start with your pulse points, like your wrists and neck. Spraying these areas will help cool your whole body more quickly. For all you golfers, a spray bottle in your golf cart is a great way to help you keep cool on the course.
Stay hydrated. You need to keep replacing the water you lose through perspiration. Avoid the tempting sugary, caffeinated beverages to avoid dehydrating your body. Water is always the best choice when you are out and about. If you’re looking to add flavor, a drop of lime, lemon, grapefruit, wild orange, or tangerine essential oils can easily add some variety.
Indoors
When you’re on vacation or even at home, sometimes the air conditioning isn’t there when you need it to be. Here are a few ideas for taking some of the pressure off your AC unit and keeping your bills lower.
Diffuse Oils. Certain essential oils like spearmint, eucalyptus, peppermint, or DoTerra Breathe process fresh aromas that can help you feel cool and invigorated. And living here in the desert, it will add a little moisture to the air.
Cool down your body. Take a cool shower or bath when you can’t stand the heat anymore. You can also drink iced peppermint water. Make your ice cubes by filling your ice tray with water and adding one drop of peppermint essential oil per ice cube.
After Sun
Coming home after a fun day outside, you can tell the impact of the sun more than you probably did during the day. At this point, there are several oil recipes you can go to for some soothing, after-sun care.
Add 20 drops of lavender oil to two ounces of fractionated coconut oil and rub into the skin. (Alternately, you can add the lavender to a glass spray bottle with one ounce fractionated coconut oil and one ounce water).
If you would like to learn more about essential oils and how they can support your health and wellness naturally, consider joining me for one of my online classes. You can attend the class right from the comfort of your own home. Intro to Oil classes are scheduled every Tuesday evening at 5 p.m. (June 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30) and every Saturday (June 6, 13, 20, and 27). For those of you who prefer to have a one-on-one class, we can schedule that to suit your convenience.
To register for a class, please contact JoAnne Gaudioso by phone or text at 480-225-5224 or by email at [email protected].