So, while I was laying there in bed, unable to sleep...

I thought about aromatherapy. I tried everything to get to sleep last night, calcium tablets, hot bath, reading something boring, and finally the Benadryl. If I can get to sleep, the Benadryl will do it.



As I prepared to lie down again, I sprinkled a few drops of lavender essential oil on my pillow. The next thing I remember, the alarm was going off.



Aromatherapy is basically "Take a whiff of this, it'll help you feel better". I have always loved the citrus aromas (orange, lemon, grapefruit), which are very balancing for someone with my illness. When I'm depressed, it helps lift my mood. If I'm manic, it helps ground me. I have a bottle of orange essential oil on the table next to "my chair". Thankfully, I don't have to use it much. Neroli is a wonderful orange blossom fragrance. It isn't cheap but you can't beat it for anxiety. When I was having a ghastly day and freaking out, a couple whiffs of neroli could calm me down like nothing else. Others I love for depression are the woodies, pine, fir, and cedar. They really invigorate me. I love going outside at work on a hot day and standing under the pine tree. MMMMM! Bracing, fresh, and indescribably yummy. They also help ground me when I'm manic.



One thing I found surprisingly effective when I had trouble sleeping - Patchouli bubble bath! I love that stuff, it helps me sleep and Ron enjoys it too (I suspect it reminds him of the wild times he had in the 70's). And, of course, the lavender oil.



I don't use any aromatherapy when I have a migraine. Any kind of aromas just aggravate the symptoms, so I just stick to my stalwart ice pack.



In conclusion, the nicest thing, for me, is the fact that the same aromatherapy can work for both sides of my illness. Many times aromatherapy sites say "Use this one for depression, oil b for insommnia, c for anxiety, and spend spend spend." One or two essential oils can make a huge difference in managing my symptoms.



I usually will put a drop on my pillow, or hold the bottle under my nose and inhale a few times. Easy as pie!