Do you struggle to keep up with the latest wellness trends? In this day and age, it can be easy to feel under informed regarding the newest ways to treat a health complication or the best way to achieve one’s wellness goals. It can feel almost impossible to keep up with the pace in which trends rise and leave in the world of social media, which is where we come in.
We are here to help you navigate some of the concepts that are all the buzz today and help you understand whether they are worth your time and energy. From essential oil therapy to the lymphatic paddles, there are several new items that you might be considering adding to your shopping cart, but before you do, you must decide whether they are the key to your success. Let’s help you find out!
Essential Oil Therapy: The Popular Choices and Their Benefits
First off, we have essential oil therapy or what is also referred to as aromatherapy. Using essential oils to help cure certain health ailments and to provide overall wellness is not a new concept, but one commonly overlooked due to its complexity. It is often left to the musings of wellness professionals in spaces such as spas. However, there is no reason as to why we cannot reap the benefits of aromatherapy from the comfort of our own homes. In fact, one would argue that it is best experienced in a place that offers relaxation in the way that our own personal spaces tend to do.
The idea behind aromatherapy is that when inhaled, the scent molecules found in essential oils travel to the part of the brain called the amygdala or the emotional center of the brain. Certain essential oils can also be used directly on the skin to offer their beneficial properties. Let’s discuss some of the most popular essential oils that are most intriguing in regards to their wellness properties.
Lavender - Lavender oil can help to calm you and reduce any stress you might be experiencing. It is recommended to use lavender oil as part of one’s bedtime routine to help recenter your mind and bring you down to a state of relaxation before slumber. You can use lavender oil topically or inhale the scent using a diffuser.
Vetiver - Vetiver oil is considered a grounding oil that can help with inflammatory issues that might be present in your system. Vetiver oil can also be used topically or through a diffuser to reap its benefits.
Anise - Anise oil can help to reduce gas and bloating that is present in the digestive tract. While anise is commonly consumed in the form of a tea, the warm and comforting smell it offers makes it a great option to use topically instead.
Before adding any essential oil into your routine, be sure to consult your physician to ensure that it aligns with your wellness goals and status.
What is a Wellness Journal and How is it Transforming Lives?
The second latest trend we want to touch on is a wellness journal! While journaling is most definitely not a new concept, the idea of utilizing a journal specifically to nourish and help guide you on your wellness journey is a new perspective that can offer you unmatched support in achieving your goals.
A wellness journal combines the usual benefits of a traditional journaling including a better connection with one’s self and mind while also tapping into the benefits of tracking one’s physical reactions as well. From the foods you consume to the exercises you participate in, all of your daily choices impact how you feel, how you think, and how your body will react. A wellness journal can help you keep track of everything in one place so that you can look back on your past habits and track potential connections.
Tracking your wellness habits from the foods you consume, your stress levels, your meditation practices, to even how often you take your supplements can help you build a more intimate relationship with yourself. This process can help you to gain a better appreciation for all of the different actions that help get us to a place of health and can give you insight into ways you can improve your wellness routine.
The Lymphatic Paddle: The Latest and Greatest Solution to Bloating
The lymphatic paddle is one of the newest tools that has gained popularity for its ability to help reduce bloating and support a healthy lymphatic system. It is a skincare tool that is often made of wood and can be utilized across one's skin to help move lymphatic fluid from the body. A gua sha tool has the same purpose but usually targets more of the face and smaller sections of the body, whereas a lymphatic paddle tends to be larger so it can cover more surface area.
Lymph fluid is responsible for carrying waste and cells throughout the lymphatic system which can be found throughout the entire human body; however, sometimes the lymph fluid gets backed up which can cause inflammation and bloating. This inflammation cannot simply be managed by drinking more water or exercising (although these habits can help), the lymph fluid does need more of a kickstart to be fully expelled from the system. That is where the lymphatic paddle comes into play.
Through a sweeping and light motion, the paddle can be used starting from certain lymphatic points to help drain the body of an excess or backed up lymph fluid that is overstaying its welcome in your body. For the most effective use of the tool, consider looking up lymphatic massages that you can do with the lymphatic paddle. It is recommended that you start by oiling your skin to allow the tool to guide more smoothly across one’s skin.
All three of these wellness trends open up a new path to discovery on your way to achieving optimal health. If nothing else, trying out new trends can help you find what works best for you and your own personal routine!