How to choose crystals

How to choose crystals

Feel Better

How to choose crystals

The best way to choose crystals is to use your intution. Usually you will instinctively know what crystal to choose.  

Let your intuition guide you to the ‘right’ one..

Have you ever been in a crystal shop and found yourself almost instantly drawn to a specific crystal? One that seems to be just sitting there, waiting for you to decide to take it home, almost like it’s chosen you and not the other way round? You’re not alone! I’ve often let my intuition guide me to the crystal that I’m most drawn to, even if I’ve never come across that particular crystal before. 

When I get it to the till and they give me the little card which tells me what it’s for or what it does, it completely resonates with me. It’s almost like the perfect crystal has chosen me. 

No, I haven’t gone mad, try it for yourself next time you’re in a crystal shop and see if you can see what I mean! 

Hold it, does it ‘feel right’? How do you feel holding it?

Once you’ve picked a crystal that has drawn your eye, pick it up and hold it. Does it feel warm and welcoming? Crystals often feel warm or even hot to the touch when they’re the right crystal for you. If they feel unwelcoming or cold to the touch, maybe choose something else. 

Look it up in the book! 

There are several good books on the market which tell you what each crystal is useful for. If you have a specific reason to buy a crystal like for instance you’re anxious or not able to sleep very well looking in a book like Judy Hall’s ‘The Crystal Bible’ may signpost you in the direction of one or more crystals that might help.  

Choosing crystals online

If you’re wanting to buy crystals online this is fine and a reputable crystal retailer will be able to help guide you to the right choice. If you’re lucky they will be able to use their intuition to get the perfect crystal for you, in a similar way to if you were there in person. Sometimes retailers will show photographs of specifc crystals (and again you might find you’re drawn to a particular photo, which is usually a fairly good indicator of it being the right crystal for you!) I would avoid buying crystals off big, generic suppliers unless they’re handpicked with care.

Speak to the retailer, they’re the experts! 

Most of them want what’s best for you, so don’t be afraid to ask for help choosing as they are usually a fountain of knowledge about crystals and their uses. 

crystalheader1900 700

https://www.sarahcooper.co.uk/how-to-cleanse-your-crystals/

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ZenZoneCrystals

https://www.thecrystalbuddha.com

 

Over to you! 

How do you choose your crystals? Do you let your intuition guide you or do you pick them for their qualities or do they pick you? Please let me know in the comments below

What happens during a Reflexology Treatment?

What happens during a Reflexology Treatment?

Health and Wellbeing

What happens during a Reflexology Treatment?

Reflexology uses some massage techniques and gentle but firm pressure on specific places on the feet with the intention of bringing the body back into balance. It does NOT tickle nor should it be especially painful.

It has an all-over body effect but the best bit is that you don’t need to remove any clothes apart from your shoes and socks!  When you come for treatment I will take a thorough consultation to make sure I understand how best to help you and to find out what is going on for you at the moment.

I will then get you comfortable on the couch or chair and gently refresh your feet with warm flannels. Once your feet are refreshed I will use a range of gentle stretching and warming techniques to help relax you before starting on the reflexology treatment itself.

When I’ve completed the reflexology routine I will finish with some cooling down moves and give your feet a little squeeze to say I’ve finished or ding my tingsha bells to signify the end of the treatment.

You will be able to have a few minutes to ‘come back into the room’ and I’ll explain to you how to maximise the effects of the treatment with some aftercare advice.

Fancy trying Reflexology?

Please send me a message or call or text 07720397734 or email in**@************co.uk if you’d like to book

Eucalyptus Globulus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus Globulus Essential Oil

Aromatherapy

Eucalyptus Globulus Essential Oil

If you’ve ever had a cold, chances are you will have used a rub-on remedy to help you feel better. In that, chances are there will have been either Eucalytpus or something that smells very similar.

Clean, fresh, slightly medicinal aroma

There are many different varities of Eucalyptus, each with a slightly different aroma and use. The most common one is Eucalyptus Globulus, with a slightly medicinal undertone and clean and fresh aroma.

Useful for cleaning and laundry

Like many essential oils, Eucalyptus Globulus is antiseptic so useful for cleaning. It also has antiviral and antibacterial prorperties. It is thought to be useful for dispersing stains on clothing (although I haven’t tried this myself)

Aches, pains and migraine be gone

Eucalyptus has analgesic properties and is useful for easing rheumatism. It can help muscle spasms and works well on neuralgia pain. Useful for relieving muscle pain and general aches and pains. Eucyalptus is also  thought to be beneficial for sufferers of migraines and headaches.

Cooling, calming, cleansing, clearing

It has a cooling effect for body and mind. It can be useful for calming anger and dispersing the atmosphere of a room after an argument, as well as reducing fever. As it has a distinct yet fresh aroma it makes a powerful deodorant. Can also be used as a room freshening spray, especially after illness.

As it has a clearing aroma, it is useful for helping to clear head-fog, aiding concentration and clarity of thought.

Useful for coughs, cold and flu

Most commonly, eucalyptus is used as a decongestant, relieving stuffy noses and blocked sinuses. As it reduces fever it is useful for flu and infections and as it is an expectorant it helps loosen phlegm and mucus so good for coughs and colds.

Useful for clearing the skin

It’s antibacterial and antiseptic properties make it useful for clearing up skin infections and burns. It also helps reduce inflammation.

lightbulb

Safety Information

Eucalyptus globulus should NOT be used on or near children under 10 years old

As it may cause skin to be irritated, use it in very small doses and take a patch test first if using on skin. It may be wise not to use if you have sensitive skin.

Avoid use if you are epileptic (or use in very small doses) as it may be too stimulating.

Avoid use if you have high blood pressure

May interact with homeopathic remedies so do NOT use if using homeopathic remedies

Avoid if you suffer from insomnia

Do NOT use during pregnancy

DO NOT ingest (eat/drink) eucalyptus oil or use it internally as it is toxic

It would be wise NOT to use it near animals/pets

Ways to use Eucalyptus Essential Oil

steam inhalation  

Steam inhalation for Adults to help stuffy noses

Carefully fill a bowl with hot water (taking care not to scald yourself!) add 2 drops of eucalyptus essential oil to the bowl and cover head with a towel. Close your eyes and breathe the steam for a few minutes. Carefully dispose of the water.

If you have asthma, epilepsy, or high blood pressure or are pregnant/breastfeeding DO NOT DO THIS

Compress for Headaches

Take 5ml of carrier oil (if you don’t have any, plain sunflower oil will be fine!) and add 1 drop of eucalyptus essential oil and 1 drop of lavender essential oil.

Fill a bowl with cold water and add the oil blend to the water and gently stir. Soak a flannel in the water for a few seconds then squeeze the excess water out. Apply to the forehead or the back of the neck and keep there until the flannels warm up again.

Blend with

Benzoin, Coriander, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Melissa, Pine or Thyme

What is Aromatherapy?

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is quite simply the therapeutic use of aroma. Can you remember breathing in a particular aroma and then finding that you’re carried back to a memory of an earlier time? This is aromatherapy! Have you smelled something then felt happier, more uplifted or even hungry? That is also aromatherapy at work! 

What is Aromatherapy

Essential Oils, small but mighty! 

Aromatherapy harnesses the power of essential oils. They may come in very small bottles but their power should not be underestimated. They are very powerful and should be used with care. 

Essential oils are the very essence of the plants that they have come from and are usually distilled or expressed and so are very concentrated. Often 1-3 drops of essential oil are enough. 

For elderly people, those with skin sensitivity and allergies and also children, an even weaker blend is needed. It is vital to do a patch test before use if there is any history of sensitive skin or allergy,  just to be on the safe side. 

What is aromatherapy

Essential Oil Safety

Essential oils should not be used undiluted unless you have been advised to do so by a fully qualified aromatherapist.

Lavender and Tea tree are thought to be safe to use neat on adults in small quantities. DO NOT USE tea tree oil or lavender oil neat if you are pregnant or if you have sensitive skin. 

Some essential oils are not suitable if you have high or low blood pressure, are taking certain medication, have epilepsy, are pregnant, breastfeeding, are using homeopathic remedies, have a liver condition or a kidney problem. 

There are oils that can help you sleep and those that can help you stay alert so ensure you pick oils wisely to suit what you’re going to do for the rest of the day. If you have any of the above please consult a qualified Aromatherapist for advice before use.

Did you know?

Some essential oils, mainly the citrus ones, are phototoxic which means that they should not be used if you are planning on sunbathing, being in bright sunlight or going on a sunbed after your treatment. Patchouli and Ginger are also potentially phototoxic so should also be avoided if you are planning on doing anything sun-based in the following 24-48 hours

Safe use of essential oils in the bath

Essential oils should NOT be added to baths without something to help them disperse properly. Use an unfragranced foaming bath product or a carrier oil such as sweet almond oil (unless you’re allergic to nuts). See Tisserand’s Bath Safety information by clicking here

Ways to use Aromatherapy

steam inhalation

Inhalations 

Using 1-3 drops of essential oil, over a bowl of very hot water and used to inhale) This is very good for helping ease nasal congestion and colds etc but should not be used with people who suffer from asthma.

massage big

Massage

When essential oils are blended together they can be massaged into the skin. Blends can be created that are uplifting, relaxing, detoxing, grounding, warming, or invigorating or that will address whatever symptoms you might be suffering from. 

Aromatherapy massage is particularly powerful as it uses the power of the essential oils and the benefits of massage, giving an even more useful effect than massage alone. 

Topical Application

Essential oils can be blended into a cream or ointment and placed on the affected area. For fungal toe nail infections one drop of tea tree oil on a cotton bud can be applied neat to the area. 

Compresses

Combining with either hot or cold water, essential oils can bring relief from aches and pains etc by applying a compress to the affected area.

Usually you would add 1-3 drops of essential oil into 5 ml of carrier oil and then this is added to either hot or cold water. Plunge a flannel into the water and squeeze excess water from the flannel and apply to the relevant area. Hold it on the affected area until the flannel stops being hot or cold.

Baths, Showers and Hair Care Products

It is possible to blend essential oils into unfragranced bath or shower products or hair care products to help solve a specific problem. If creating a bath always use either a carrier oil or an unfragranced bath product to prevent the oils from floating on top of the water

Article: https://www.sarahcooper.co.uk/favourite-essential-oils/

 

 

Ginger Essential Oil

Ginger Essential Oil

Aromatherapy

Ginger Essential Oil

Ginger is a wonderfully warming essential oil, which has antiseptic, antispasmodic and pain-relieving properties.

Calming for the digestive system, it helps with bowel problems including diarrhoea and constipation, and is great for upset stomachs, reducing sickness and fever.

If your appetite is poor ginger can help stimulate your appetite whilst also being able to stem overeating.

Physical Benefits of Ginger Essential Oil

Ginger is useful for improving the circulation, so helps to heal bruises and prevents chillblains

It can help with joint pain and is thought to be useful for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Ginger is an aphrodisiac and may help impotence.  It is useful after childbirth as it helps break down any clots that might remain after the birth.

Helps stimulate the nervous system whilst allowing you to remain grounded and calm. Good for aiding concentration and memory.

Best Use for Ginger Essential Oil

Massage oil

Ginger is best used in a massage oil blend. It needs to be used at fairly low concentrations and may irritate sensitive skin so a patch test would be advised before use.

Ginger Essential Oil Blends well with

Cardamom, Cinnamon, Coriander, Clove, Elemi, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Geranium, Lemon, Lime, Mytrle, Orange, Rosemary, Spearmint, Verbena, Black Pepper, Bergamot, Rose and Sandalwood.

 

Managing Migraine the natural way

Managing Migraine the natural way

Health and Wellbeing

It is thought that 6 million people in the UK suffer from migraines, which means that 190,000 people a day are having migraines.

What causes Migraines?

No one is very sure what actually causes migraines, although it is thought that they can be brought on by stress, dehydration, lacking food, eating trigger foods and drinks, strong perfumes, loud noises, hormonal imbalances, tiredness and bright lights.

 You can find a full list of known potential migraine triggers by clicking here

are you stressed and overwhelmed

Migraines can be exacerbated by stress, so managing stress is key to reducing migraines.

Think about what causes you the most stress in your life? Is it not being able to find things on a morning? Or not having time to prepare and eat regular, healthy meals? Or feeling tired and dehydrated by not being able to drink enough liquid throught the day? Or is it something at work or at home that gets your blood boiling? Is there something quick, easy and affordable that you can do about this? 

If you can find a way to remove some of the stress, you might find your migraines melt away (or at least don’t happen quite as often!) 

This might include getting everything you need ready the night before so you have a stress-free morning, or doing an online food shop for the week so you have meals and healthy snacks to hand. It could mean taking a water bottle with you wherever you go so you don’t get dehydrated. Or putting dinner in the slow cooker before you go to work so you have something quick and easy for dinner when you get back. 

bath

Self-Care : You matter

Create a tool kit of ways to look after yourself, allotting time each day to do things that you love doing to replenish yourself. You cannot keep giving without replenishing your own personal stock. 

So pick something you enjoy and do it as often as you can. If necessary, put it in the diary as an appointment and guard it with your life! Time for self-care is as important as everything else you have in your diary or on your to-do list! 

  • Use a relaxation app like Headspace or Calm or listen to Yoga Nidra or guided meditations.
  • Keep in a loose routine, going to bed and getting up at similar times each day even at weekends
  • Eating good quality, nutrient-rich food is also essential as is eating regular meals
  • Take regular light exercise preferably in the fresh air. Walking is good, as is running, horse riding and golf.
  • Meet up with friends regularly and have a good support network in place
  • Have a regular massage or reflexology treatment and book your next one into the diary so it’s there for you to look forward to. Having a course of massages or reflexology treatments can help migraines, especially as they help to relax you, to release the tension in your muscles and improve sleep patterns.

If you like this post you might like to read my other posts on migraines

https://www.sarahcooper.co.uk/migraine-what-it-is-and-what-you-can-do-about-it/

https://www.sarahcooper.co.uk/chronic-migraine-survival-kit/

Other useful resources for migraines include

https://www.migrainetrust.org/

How to get a good night’s sleep

How to get a good night’s sleep

Health and Wellbeing

How to get a good night’s sleep

Do you find that you spend night after night tossing and turning, with sleep completely evading you? You’re not alone! 48% of adults in the UK report that they don’t get a good nights sleep. Before we look at how to get a good nights sleep let’s look at what happens if we regularly don’t get a good night’s sleep

What happens if you don’t sleep well?

You’re more likely to:

  • Suffer from foggy-headedness
  • Have impaired cognitive function,
  • Have a weakened immune system
  • Be more prone to picking up common colds 
  • Have increased weight gain or cravings for the ‘wrong’ kinds of foods
  • Be more prone to stress
  • Be more likely to have fine lines and wrinkles on your face
  • Be more likely to have an accident or indulge in impulsive behaviour
  • Have exacerbated mental health issues
  • Find it hard to control your emotions effectively
counting sheep

Why do some people find it hard to get a good night’s sleep?

Lots of things can affect your ability to get a good night’s sleep.

These can include snoring partners, sick or restless children, traffic noise, emergency sirens and light pollution. Needing to have a midnight loo trip, feeling hungry or thirsty, not winding down effectively in the evening, alcohol, too much caffiene, being in pain, having symptoms of the menopause and being pregnant can also keep you awake . The bedroom environment not being conducive to sleep can also be a factor.

Worrying about health, money, family, work, bills and situations beyond our control can also prevent us getting a good night’s sleep.

bedroom

Physically having the right environment

Ideally your bedroom should be:

  • Dark enough with no light filtering in from the street. Blackout curtains or blinds can be very useful. Ensure there is no blue light emitting from your alarm clock. 
  • The right temperature. At the risk of sounding like Goldilocks the room should be not too warm and not too cold but just right! 
  • Well Ventilated without being draughty! 
  • Tidy and uncluttered and only used for sleeping, reading and ‘bedroom stuff’. If at all possible avoid working from your bedroom.
  • Free from electrical equipment if at all possible. Remove any unnecessary items like iPads, phones, televisions, radios etc.
  • Comfortable with a supportive mattress and pillows and a big enough duvet so you’re not having to fight for your tiny share of the covers. If your partner likes to hog all the covers, buy yourself your own set! Having the right amount of pilllows for you is important. Having too many pillows can exacerbate head pain and backache.
journal

Create the right emotional and mental environment

Write it down! 
If you find that your head is buzzing with ideas, thoughts, worries, shopping lists, and your to-do list, it can be helpful to have a notebook by the bed. Write down anything that is rattling round your head. This ensures your mind is not having to attempt to remember everything and hopefully will be able to switch off and go to sleep! 

It is also thought that writing down three things that you’re grateful for in a gratitude diary can help a lot! 

Be prepared

Before bed lay out everything you need for the next day. This could be your clothes, any equipment you might need for work, school or leisure. This helps your morning go more smoothly as you’re not looking for last minute PE kit items or trying to find your car keys or a pair of socks that match. You can rest assured that everything you need is all found and ready for you.

reading

Create a great bedtime routine

  • Start winding down from early evening onwards.
  • Avoid caffeine and alcohol after 6pm
  • You could go for a short evening stroll after dinner. This helps you cool down and calm down, and if you’ve a partner it helps you to be able to talk without distractions.
  • Take a couple of hours distraction free if possible before bed. Reading and meditating is a good idea.
  • Have a small drink and a light snack an hour or so before bed so you’re not hungry during the night. 
  • Put on some soothing, relaxing music
  • Have a warm bath
  • Apply a little hand cream to your hands and moisturise your face with a good quality moisturiser. (Maybe start with your face and work your way down to your feet!)
  • Try massaging some body lotion or foot cream into the soles of your feet.This helps to moisturise your feet and is wonderfully relaxing too.
  • Try to go to bed every night at around the same night and get up at a similar time every morning, even at weekends

Related Article https://www.sarahcooper.co.uk/effective-bedtime-rituals-to-help-you-sleep/

blanket

Other ways of helping you get a good night’s sleep

  • Wear a light cardigan or a long sleeved pyjama top in bed (unless you’re menopausal suffering from hot flushes) 
  • Have the window slightly open if it is safe to do so (if you don’t have children and are living in a low crime rate area)
  • Have a heavy or weighted blanket on your bed to weigh you down
  • Use a night time or calming blend of essential oils. Lavender is a good essential oil for bedtime add a couple of drops to a tissue and tuck into your hot water bottle or pillow case. Just don’t over do the lavender or it will keep you awake all night! In small doses it is very relaxing and in larger ones not so much!
  • Always make your bed on a morning (and if you forget make it before you get into bed!) Having plumped pillows and a neat duvet can make all the difference)
  • Change your sheets and duvet covers regularly
  • Have Regular Reflexology or Massage Treatments. Both Reflexology and Massage are great for relaxing the body and soothing the nervous system, putting you in a naturally relaxed state which is conducive to good sleep. If you live in the Boroughbridge or Ripon area and would like a Reflexology treatment in the comfort of your own home please get in touch
  • Tuck a small amethyst crystal under your pillow (just make sure it doesn’t have sharp edges and NEVER leave crystals in the bed of babies, children or pets)
what to do if you really can't sleep

What to do if you really can’t sleep

If you’re tossing and turning and simply cannot get to sleep don’t worry about it. It can help to get up and do something else for a few minutes. As long as it’s not practising your tuba or bagpipes or anything else that is likely to wake up the neighbourhood it will be fine.

  • Have a warm drink,
  • Read a book or magazine.
  • Do some light housework (NOT vacuuming, obviously!) write in your journal.
  • Find a yoga for bedtime video on YouTube.
  • Have a light snack

Just don’t lie in bed worrying about not being able to sleep. Hopefully before long you will start to feel tired again and will be able to drift off back to bed.

Sleep Resources

Sleep Foundation

7 quick ways to get to sleep

Confession Time: Why I struggled to get a good night’s sleep

 #worldsleepday #sleep

https://www.sarahcooper.co.uk/effective-bedtime-rituals-to-help-you-sleep/

 

Over to you!

What do YOU do to ensure you get a good night’s sleep? Please pop me a note in the comments box below. 

New year new you? What’s matter with the old you?

New year new you? What’s matter with the old you?

by | Jan 7, 2022

  New Year New You? What's matter with the old you? I don't know about you, but I find that the minute the clock strikes midnight on the 31st December every year my email inbox starts getting filled with emails from just about everyone I've ever met, telling me I...

An invitation to slow down this December

An invitation to slow down this December

by | Dec 4, 2021

Here's an invitation to slow down, take your foot off the gas and have a gentle December. Have you found that you spend the whole of December chasing around between parties, present buying, nativity plays, carol concerts, catch ups with friends and so on and so forth....

6 Quick and Easy Ways to Avoid Burnout this December

6 Quick and Easy Ways to Avoid Burnout this December

by | Nov 27, 2021

Here are some quick and easy ways to avoid burnout this December. In the past, when I’ve thought of December and the run-up to Christmas, it’s always left me feeling faintly breathless at the very thought of it. Packed with a whirlwind of social events, seasonal...

Time to press pause.

Time to press pause.

by | Nov 21, 2021

Time to press pause? The slight lull between the summer rush and the craziness of the Christmas season can be a good time to press pause for a little while. To rest, take stock, reassess and plan. To deeply exhale. To let anything you no longer need float out of your...

Time Management: How to make time to do the things you love

Time Management: How to make time to do the things you love

by | Nov 20, 2021

Time Management: How to make time to do the things you love. Have you noticed how you can find time to do certain things (like binge-watch yet another box set on Netflix ) but not do other things? Like write that book, bake that cake, plan that trip or organise that...

Marjoram Essential Oil

Marjoram Essential Oil

by | Nov 14, 2021

Marjoram is a wonderful, herby essential oil. Great for headaches and reducing pain. A useful alternative to lavender essential oil. Find out more about this versatile essential oil

What is the Menopause?

What is the Menopause?

Health and Wellbeing

What is Menopause?

There is a lot of talk about the menopause but what actually is it? The menopause is where the ovaries cease to release an egg every month and then periods stop permanently. Once a woman has not had a period for 12 consecutive months without any other logical reason such as surgery, medical intervention etc, she is said to have reached the menopause.

What age does menopause occur?

The average age for women to reach menopause in the UK is 51 years old but the transition towards menopause or perimenopause may start from 45-55 years.

If a woman reaches menopause before she is 45 this is considered to be early menopause. If she reaches menopause before she is 40 this is known as premature menopause.

Perimenopause or the transition period before the menopause

Before periods stop completely there is usually a period of transition where the body starts to make the necessary changes to the body. This transition can last anywhere from a few months to ten years but in many cases lasts around 4 years.

menopause

Symptoms of the perimenopause and the menopause

These can vary in severity with some people finding them more difficult to deal with than others

Symptoms of the menopause can include

  • Periods may become lighter or heavier with a change in cycle length during the perimenopausal phase
  • Hot Flushes/Hot Flashes
  • Headaches
  • Palpitations
  • Night sweats
  • Lapses in concentration and memory (brain fog)
  • Nausea
  • Weight Gain
  • Changes in mood including irritability, depression or low mood and mood swings
  • Dryness of the vagina, eyes, mouth and skin
  • Worsening symptoms of PMT
  • Vaginal pain
  • Painful intercourse
  • Loss of libido
  • Breast tenderness
  • Anxiety
  • Joint stiffness,
  • Aches and Pains
  • Urine leakage when sneezing

Make a difference sleep

Ways of easing the symptoms of Perimenopause/ Menopause

Lifestyle changes can be key to coping with the symptoms of perimenopause/ menopause

  •  Take regular exercise and eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grains 
  • Wearing light bedclothes can be helpful for night sweats
  • Cooling facial sprays can help hot flushes
  • Wear a supportive bra to help ease breast tenderness 
  • Keep well hydrated
  • For skin dryness use a good quality moisturiser or serum and sweep it in upwards movements towards your forehead
  • Pilates is good for strengthening the core muscles and helpful for your pelvic floor and urine leakage issues
  • For smokers going on a smoking cessation programme can help. Most GP practices have a smoking cessation programme available and those who don’t should be able to signpost you in the right direction
  • Get a good bedtime routine in place. It can be useful to have a little notebook by the bed for any ideas and thoughts you might have buzzing round your head just as you’re trying to get to sleep. 
  • Put out everything you need for tomorrow before you go to bed to help ease your stress levels in the morning
  • Try to have a warm bath before bed. Keep the bedroom temperature cool and try having the window open slightly to help keep the room cool
  • If you are suffering from anxiety try cutting back on sugar and caffeine
  • Surround yourself with supportive people who you can be your authentic self with and who you can have a laugh with. Meet regularly if you can
  • Have a regular aromatherapy massage, reiki or reflexology treatment to support you and to help lower your stress levels. Book it into the diary in advance so that you know that your ‘me time’ is coming up
  • Cut back on unnecessary stress, say no to anything that you don’t need to do and that you’d rather not do
  • Be gentle on yourself whenever you can
menopause rosemary essential oil clear head image of woman in grey jumper looking clear headed after using rosemary essential oil

Can I still get pregnant during the perimenopause?

Yes it is possible to get pregnant whilst your body is still ovulating, although fertility does start to decline as you get older.

Unless you are trying to conceive it is important to use contraception until you have been period free for 12 consecutive months if over 50 or for 2 years if under 50 years old, to be on the safe side.

Your GP or Family Planning clinic will be able to help advise you on the best choice of contraception for your needs.

Resources

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/

Related Articles:

https://www.sarahcooper.co.uk/what-ive-learned-about-the-menopause/

https://www.sarahcooper.co.uk/how-can-i-feel-better-during-perimenopause/

https://www.sarahcooper.co.uk/how-to-look-good-during-menopause/

Subscribe to Menopause Newsletter

Over to you

How are you finding perimenopause or menopause? What do you find helps your symptoms? Do you have any advice for anyone starting their menopause journey? Please let me know in the comments below.

Please share this article

If you think that this article will be of interest to any of your friends please share it on social media by clicking the social media share buttons on your left on a desktop or below if you’re using a mobile device or tablet.
#worldmenopausemonth
#worldperimenopauseday
#worldmenopauseday

Mandarin Essential oil. Lifts you up and calms you down

Mandarin Essential oil. Lifts you up and calms you down

Aromatherapy

Mandarin Essential Oil

Mandarin Essential Oil is one of my favourite essential oils. It is wonderfully calming whilst still being upbeat and uplifting. Great for soothing ruffled feathers, taming bad tempers and calming frayed nerves. Perfect for the run up to Christmas and for stressful times like interviews, exams and driving tests where you need to be calm yet remain fully alert. 

All you need for Christmas is… Mandarin Essential Oil.

The very thought of mandarins takes me back to childhood Christmases, where I’d always find a mandarin stuffed into the toe of my Christmas Stocking every Christmas morning. The smell still evokes the memories of Christmases past. 

Mandarin Essential oil is one of the gentler essential oils yet still packs a powerful punch. It’s got antiviral and antiseptic properties so great for helping to move on those inevitable winter bugs.

Use in your diffuser or oil burner to help clear the air after illness. Add 3-4 drops of Mandarin into the diffuser with some water and let the mandarin do the work for you. It also smells wonderfully festive which is a bonus.

Great for the Digestive System, for Flatulence and stimulating the metabolism

It’s also great for the digestive system, helping calm flatulence and stimulate the metabolism. Exactly what you need to help you ease the pain induced by those sprouts and for helping your digestive system cope with the overload of calories. It’s useful too in the new year when you want to give your system a gentle detox. If you’re feeling constipated, Mandarin essential oil can help with that too.

 

Good for PMT, Low Mood and Anxiety

It is good for helping relieve the symptoms of PMT, having an overall soothing and calming effect and helping to lift low mood and anxiety. It’s cheerful aroma helps lift low mood and depression.

Mandarin essential oil is generally thought to be fairly safe in Pregnancy, in small doses and is useful for helping to calm morning sickness. That said, like with everything during pregnancy, if you choose to use mandarin oil, you do so at your own risk. It should always be well diluted in a carrier oil such as Grapeseed if using mandarin oil for massage. NEVER ingest (drink/eat) any essential oil. Never put mandarin oil neat on skin.

Helps heal the skin

Mandarin essential oil is good for helping reduce scarring and for reducing the appearance of stretch marks, especially when blended with lavender and neroli.

Can be useful for treating acne and for balancing greasy skin. Blend 1 drop of mandarin essential oil into 5 ml Jojoba oil and massage gently into face every evening before bed. Jojoba is rebalancing and encourages the skin to produce the right amount of sebum

Mandarin Essential Oil Blends well with:

 

  • Black Pepper,
  • Bergamot,
  • Frankincense,
  • Clary Sage,
  • Neroli,
  • Sweet Orange
  • Lavender,
  • Cinnamon,
  • Clove,
  • Coriander,
  • Basil,
  • Chamomile,
  • Grapefruit,
  • Marjoram,
  • Petitgrain 
  • Rose.

Note: Mandarin can be easily overpowered in a blend so add it first and adjust the drops of stronger oils to suit

 

Did you Know?

When Mandarin essential oil is blended with Frankincense this creates what is known as a synergistic blend. 

A synergistic blend is where the two components, when blended together are greater than the sum of the two individual parts. It’s a bit like 2+2 suddenly = 5!  It makes a superblend which is very powerful! 

 

For a diffuser add 3-4 drops of Mandarin Essential oil into the water and diffuse to provide a calming, cleansing atmosphere

 

3-5 Drops of Mandarin Essential Oil into 15 mils of either fragrance free bath oil or foam or Carrier Oil and blend into a warm bath

 

 For  Massage add 2-3 drops of Mandarin Essential oil into 15 mls Carrier oil

Over to you! 

What do you love blending Mandarin essential oil with? Please let me know how you use yours in the comments below

 

What is Self Care?

What is Self Care?

Feel Better

What is Self Care?

Self Care can be defined as the deliberate and unselfish act of caring for yourself.  

As a Reflexologist I talk a lot about balance. Self care is also very much about creating a balance in your life, putting the needs of others first some of the time, but also remembering that looking after yourself and your own needs is also vitally important. 

self care

Just as we would need to deploy our own oxygen masks should their be a problem on an aeroplane (or we would not be able to help anyone else.) 
The same is also true of looking after our own needs, as part of our own daily routine. Self care is not selfish, nor a luxury but an essential part of everyday life. 

What self care is not

It’s not about prioritising ourselves over and above everything and everyone else all the time, but being mindful that we should not put our own needs at the bottom of the pile. We matter. That’s the top and bottom of it. 

If we look after ourselves we can then be strong enough to cope with whatever life throws at us. If we don’t keep our own physical, spiritual, emotional and psychological strength up, we will not be able to function effectively and without us, the whole system will go down! 

Self care

So what kind of things does Self Care involve?

Self Care includes getting a balance between taking plenty of exercise and getting some fresh air and having time to rest.

It’s about having some intellectual stimulation but also being able to enjoy some down-time too.

It’s about listening to what our bodies are trying to tell us and responding to that appropriately. 

If you feel tired it is ok to rest and replenish and if you feel like you need to get your blood pumping it is also ok to go for a run or a swim or join an exercise class.

stress levels

Keeping a balance on your stress levels

It’s about having the right balance between having a boring, totally stress-free life with no excitement or challenge and feeling overwhelmed by stress.

A good thing to aim for is stepping out of your comfort zone enough to be able to progress and grow, without giving yourself a heart attack in the process.

Lifestyle audit balanced diet

Taking care of your body so it can take care of you

Self care is about staying adequately hydrated and getting enough sleep. It’s also about getting the balance between eating a healthy nutritious diet and also having an occasional treat.

About taking a sensible approach to life, with all things in moderation.

Self care can also be about good grooming and taking care of your appearance from having a great hair cut or your nails done if that is something you enjoy, to keeping up to date with your routine dental checks and attending health screenings, or booking in for a Massage or Reflexology treatment, or simply running a hot, steamy, bubbly bath.

What lavender essential oil should I use

Rituals can help

It’s also about allowing yourself to regularly do the things you enjoy and finding healthy ways of unwinding after a busy day.

Simple rituals can help you switch out of work mode at the end of the working day. These include having a shower and imagining a cascade of golden light washing over you with all the negativity from the day floating down the drain. 

It can be making a pot of proper loose leaf tea or spending half an hour walking the dog. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate.
 Just something that you do for you and you alone, that supports your health and wellbeing in a positive way. 

Are you feeling stressed?

Are you feeling stressed?

Health and Wellbeing

 

Are you feeling stressed? Stress is thought to affect around 70-80% of Adults in the UK alone with many adults being signed off work sick with stress at one point in their lives or another.

Stress can manifest itself in different ways

Stress manifests itself in many different ways, often presenting with a wide range of physical, emotional and psychological symptoms and changes in behaviour.

If you find that you’re suddenly suffering from low energy, headaches, stomach upsets, aches, pains, mood changes or are coming down with way more colds and flu than is normal for you, chances are you’re feeling stressed.  Stress can also affect your libido and cause problems in the bedroom. 

As stress can cause you to feel overwhelmed by everyday tasks going out and socialising can become a challenge. This can contribute to low mood and loneliness and avoidance of social situations. 

Emotionally, stress can leave you feeling worried, with racing thoughts, inability to focus, poor decision making and feeling pessimistic. As most of your thinking capacity is taken up by the fight, flight, freeze response, you may find it hard to remember things and leave you feeling disorganised. 

Behaviourally, you might find that your appetite changes either making you crave foods and over eat, or reduce your appetite levels right down. You might also find yourself biting your nails, fidgeting, procrastinating or self-medicating with alcohol, nicotine, or recreational drugs.

Emotional aspects of menopause

What causes stress?

Stress can be triggered by life events such as marriage, moving house, the death of a loved one, divorce/separation, losing a job or major change in financial situation, money worries, problems with school/work/university, having a new baby, caring for family members and working too hard with not enough time out. 

Often a stressful situation will resolve itself without any problem but until it does there are some simple things you can do to to help yourself.

What can be done to ease stress?

Concentrate mainly on what you need to do to get through each day. This could just mean having clean clothes or uniform to wear, food to eat for every meal and if at all possible a short walk to help settle the mind.

Keeping yourself hydrated is key as dehydration will make you feel worse.

Consider if there’s anything you can delegate that doesn’t need to be done by you or if there’s anything that you don’t have to do ever, that could simply be crossed off the list.

The same goes for things beyond your control. Some things we can change and other things (like what’s happening in the world around us) we can’t. If you can’t change it, don’t worry about it. I’ve seen people getting stressed about the snow, we can’t make it not snow so the best thing we can do is be as prepared as possible for snow and then let it get on with it! 

Face the thing that most scares you. If you’re putting off making a phone call because you’re scared of the outcome, then make that call first, so at least you’re not having to worry about it all day. Then give yourself a reward (no matter how small)

Diarise time out for yourself if at all possible, plan something fun into the diary so that you have something to look forward to

Have a regular Reflexology, Massage, Aromatherapy Massage, or Reiki treatment can help reduce stress levels and improve mood, sleep patterns and increase your sense of wellbeing

Resources:

NHS Website has some useful tips for managing stress, anxiety and depression https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/understanding-stress/

Here are my top three aromatherapy blends for helping stress https://www.sarahcooper.co.uk/essential-oil-blends-for-stress-and-anxiety/

 

What I’ve learned about the menopause

What I’ve learned about the menopause

by | Jan 28, 2021

Things I've learned about the menopause Until relatively recently, the menopause was something I'd heard of but didn't know much about. I figured that it had something to do with periods stopping, but I hadn't a clue when this was going to happen or what it involved....

New moon, new beginnings

New moon, new beginnings

by | Jan 12, 2021

The new moon is a great time to begin new things, whether this a new job, relationship or  a new project! It's the perfect time for manifesting things you desire and is often a time of higher energy levels.  So if you've been contemplating starting a new blog, taking...

How to have a perfectly imperfect Christmas this year

How to have a perfectly imperfect Christmas this year

by | Dec 15, 2020

How to have an imperfect Christmas this year After the year we've all had the last thing we need on top is extra pressure to have a 'perfect' Christmas. So take the pressure off yourself and create the kind of Christmas that works for you and your family. Be...

7 Great ways to ground yourself

7 Great ways to ground yourself

by | Dec 14, 2020

What is Grounding? When we are feeling grounded we have a strong connection between mind, body and soul. We feel connected, focused and strong. It offers us a layer of security. When we are grounded we are less affected by the moods, emotions and unreasonable...

How to create the life you want

How to create the life you want

by | Nov 22, 2020

How to create the life you want Before doing anything it would be a good idea to take a few deep breaths, to really connect back with yourself and your own intuition and to think about what you truly want. It's important to listen for that little inner voice who knows...

Simple ways to create a more active lifestyle

Simple ways to create a more active lifestyle

by | Oct 28, 2020

 If, like me, your early experience of being active revolved around those dreaded PE classes where you were the last to be picked for the team and you still associate physical activity with pain, rejection and humiliation you might benefit from some simple ideas to...

What is Self Care and why do you need to prioritise it?

What is Self Care and why do you need to prioritise it?

by | Oct 1, 2020

What is Self Care? Self Care is defined as 'the deliberate and unselfish act of caring for yourself'. By acknowledging your own needs and ensuring these needs are met you set yourself up for being the best you can be. If you are nourished, emotionally replenished,...

Pin It on Pinterest

Privacy Overview
Sarah Cooper Reflexology and Massage in Boroughbridge, Ripon and Surrounding Villages

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance