Essentially, Oils Can Make a Difference

My friend and co-worker Melanie has good ideas. She is the one who introduced me to audiobooks, and I'm forever grateful. I'm trying out a standing desk now, which is a good option (but never for the whole eight hours at work), and I've begun using essential oils in a diffuser.

I was skeptical. I understood how sniffing a pungent smell could affect my sinuses (thanks, Passover horseradish!), but it never occurred to me that they could change my environment.

Until both Melanie and I came down with the flu within about 48 hours.

Melanie had essential oils in her office, and she dabbed some eucalyptus on a tissue and taped it to my blowing heater. The smell emanated through the small room and my sinuses felt the relief. At lunch, I picked up a diffuser at lunch and some essential oils, and set up the diffuser in my bedroom.

Alas, diffusers all feature lights — and no matter the claims, there is no true "unlit" phase of any diffuser I've reviewed or purchased (and I've purchased a few). I prefer a dark bedroom at night, so I have rigged a cover for the lit area. It doesn't quash it, but it does tap it down a bit. Additional light tip: darker lights are less bothersome at night.

I was a little overwhelmed by the oil choices. At work, I wanted to be calm but alert. At home, I wanted to go to sleep. How should I combine oils to do that, and more, without earning certification in aromatherapy? Well, choose a couple of websites or books, decide what you think will work for you, and experiment.

I like Valerian root, but I sent a floral, citrusy mix to my granddaughters. My friend in a new home got tea tree oil and lavender. I have Rosemary in the office, and mix lavender with everything. So far, so good. Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble, nothing has wilted, exploded, or melted.

(You do want to keep an eye on furniture and books near the diffuser. I have a marble nightstand, and dust stuck better to the surface after the diffuser went into action. At work, my diffuser aims up toward the ceiling, and my desk and accessories haven't changed texture — but I attribute that to the cleaning staff, rather than the oils.)

Apparently, I am the last person to this party: a few other friends also were in the know. A friend had just met an essential oil expert before we began discussing it, and another had thought about using them but didn't know where to begin.

Essential oils have been around for a while, and I have found they they can help me accomplish my physical goals, whether it's sleep, alertness, calm, creative thinking, cleansed air, open sinuses, clear skin — or more.

I recommend choosing a reliable resource for information, and making sure the oils are good quality. Use oils only as directed, and read the instructions: if they alert you to photosensitivity or skin sensitivity, take the alert seriously. Do not be subject of the horror story of the person who uses oils right before hopping into a tanning bed, or doesn't add them to the proper base materials, or just pours them into a cleanser off the drug store shelf.

Sure, the current commercial focus on essential oils and diffusers may fade, but remember that oils have been around for centuries, and will be around long after any "fad" fades. Much like acupuncture and meditation, good practices will remain, and will work for you, for years to come. Try something new, or old — or new to you, and learn something about yourself and your environment.

When You're Sick: Sit it Out, Work it Out?

It shouldn't be a struggle for a normal person: if you're sick, you take a break from your fitness routine.

Notice I qualified that sentence. "Normal person." I don't think I'm in that camp.

So, I have a sinus infection. (Again. I know. I know!) However, once the "can't move my head without wishing I was anywhere but in my own body" ends and the "feels miserable but not enough to stay home and curled up in bed" begins, I have to ask myself: Am I working out today?

Some days it's easy to answer that question. It's those days where I think I might be able to pull it off that are tougher.

My trainer would tell me to sit it out unless I was better. Of course, my trainer also eats breakfast before he works out (even first thing in the morning! At dawn!) and uses tools of destruction like Bosu and resistance bands. I can more easily sift through his recommendations and decide what works for me.

What he would tell you is the same thing he would tell me: if you don't feel well, don't work out, period. And eat before you work out.

And yet... I know this sinus infection is not forever. During that healing time, if I start to feel better, I want to take advantage of my new-found strength. I want to go to the gym, climb on my favorite machine and watch (bad) television for an hour. ("Bad" is not my choice, but the offerings by the management.)

Plus, what if healing takes longer than I would prefer? I've "started over" with running more times than I want, and it's less pleasant each time. I don't want to hurt like that — so if it won't kill me, shouldn't I go ahead and do a little? I'm not contagious. I'm going to be feverish anyway. Plus, I know the difference between feeling punk and being sick enough to go to bed (despite evidence to the contrary).

Should I stay on the sidelines until I'm fully healed? Or do I take to the road or gym and push just enough to make it worth the laundry?

- Chris

Inspiration to Take That First Step

If you'll excuse me, I'm going to lace up my running shoes now.

Thanks to by blogsbyryan (via Photobucket)