Winter is approaching in North America. This is when it's time to pull together every little bit of resolve I might have, bundle it together, put a daily smile on my face, and generally make the best of things. In the cold, rainy, windy darkness of mornings that come too late, I must try to focus on all that's good with the world, on the blessings in my life.
I do all these things. I tell myself how fortunate I am that my thermostat automatically comes on to keep a steady temperature in the house. If I had one, I'd wear a nun’s habit to see if that would help.
My friend and colleague, Angelia Phillips of By the Way, recently completed a lovely little ebook, FarmaCopeia: The Little Book on Lavender It's well worth a read, especially if you're not feeling just quite right.
We’re in frequent contact, and I was sharing with her about my challenges of recovery after surgery, plus the winter blues. The combination was severely affecting my ability to sleep. Somehow I was managing to totter around each day in spite of having only two hours sleep each night. Nevertheless you can manage to a certain extent, and even for a while like this, but I could feel my energy being sucked out day by day. My mood was getting quite dark.
Keep an open mind, I told myself grimly.
My inner voice was highly doubtful, but nevertheless, next day as my local pharmacy opened, I was right there. In no time at all was the owner of a new diffuser, meant specially to disperse a fine cloud of essential oil mist. I was able to purchase two top quality oils there as well, orange and lavender, as instructed by my friends way down there in Indiana.
That day was another cold, windy desolate day. The view from the sunroom was non-existent, just a grey, misty landscape. I stayed close to my new diffuser, enjoying the wonderful orange perfume that permeated the air. As darkness came, way too early, I switched to the lavender oil. I knitted, wrote and chatted to Dearly Beloved.
The following four nights I slept 6.5, 6.0, 6.0 and then 8 hours!
The diffuser works all night, gently and silently infusing the air with its delicate perfume. It only takes three drops of essential oil each time, for the entire night.
It sounds sort of impossible, at least I thought so, but when you consider how substances affect your lungs and brain, I guess it makes sense.
I'm also taking 2000mg of vitamin D3 per day, as well as trying to locate my misplaced cord to recharge my SAD winter light. But, the shift in my mental attitude is huge.
I have energy again, and am looking forward to getting back to exercise. I'm planning to start growing more fun plants in the sun room. It's like a pre-spring dose of enthusiasm!
Before you go out and buy your diffuser...
Those burn the essential oil, even if you mix it with other oil. After a bit of research, I learned the heat from a diffuser for perfumed candles actually denatures the essential oil.
It's important to use a diffuser made for the purpose. The one I have works instantly, and with absolutely no heat. Don't ask me how, but I love it.
Thank you also for bearing with me during last week's technical difficulties. Problem is resolved and will see you next week.
Happy days!
Vicki