I think we can all agree that the past year or so has been testing on our emotional wellbeing. It's been a tough old time that has left many of us feeling anxious and a bit 'stagnant' if you know what I mean. So when an email arrived with an offer to try out an Alexandra Kay essential oil I jumped at the chance of gifting the 'Time to Smile' essential oil blend to my mum, as I felt she really needed a little boost.
This is a sponsored post, but all views are my own and not influenced by momentary compensation.
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are something my family have used a lot, especially when I was younger. It was always lavender to help with sleep, and tea tree for pesky pimples and to dab onto cuts and scrapes.
Essential oils, as Healthline describes, are compounds extracted from plants. The oils 'capture the plants scent and 'flavour', or 'essence''.
Used in aromatherapy, there are a variety of ways the Alexandra Kay essential oils can be used. You can add drops to water to make a room air spray, to a vaporiser, compress, bath, pillow or tissue, or topically within a carrier oil for an indulgent massage.
How do essential oils work?
I chose the 'Time to Smile' essential oil to gift to my mum, as it seemed so uplifting. After all, we all know that smiling, and a little giggle or laugh, releases endorphins and make us feel better.
I was intrigued to find out more about how essential oils actually worked, so had a read of the Healthline page on the subject. This aspect of essential oils is quite fascinating:
Inhaling the aromas from essential oils can stimulate areas of your limbic system, which is a part of your brain that plays a role in emotions, behaviors, sense of smell, and long term memory'
Rajmohan and Mohandas, cited by Healthline.
I think we all find pleasure from certain aromas, and they can transport us back to happy times with friends and family. I know I always think of being in Italy when I smell orange and lime, and smile at memories with my grandmother who liked to have some lavender on a handkerchief when that scent is in the air.
A few drops in a bath or in a room spray can instantly bring us joy and pleasure through those memories, or just simply because it is a pleasurable experience.
Essential oils as a lovely gift
While I am not able to tolerate strong smells too well because of having MCAS, when I mentioned this collaboration to my mum she was definitely eager to receive a gift. And was very happy to give her feedback - which was all positive!
Essential oils make a lovely gift for a birthday, Mother's Day or the holidays. It's a nice change from the usual flowers and chocolate, especially as they can be used in so many different ways.
Perhaps the special person in your life would appreciate the relaxing scents of Lavender, Bergamot and Frankincence in the 'Time to Sleep' oil blend, or feel more uplifted in the 'Time to Smile' blend with its Lemon, Cedarwood and Sweet Orange.
Supporting EDS UK
One of the reasons the email from Alexandra Kay stood out to me was the support it is giving to the Ehlers-Danlos Support UK (EDS UK) this year through donating 10% of net profits to the charity. It is lovely to collaborate with a company that is supporting a charity doing such good. Alexandra herself is diagnosed with the connective tissue disorder Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and experiences the muscle fatigue and exhaustion that myself and many others have from this condition.
EDS is a complex condition, with 13 sub-types, all of which affect the connective tissue. As EDS UK describes, 'Connective tissue lies between other tissues and organs, keeping these separate whilst connecting them, holding everything in place and providing support, like the mortar between bricks. In EDS, a gene mutation causes a certain kind of connective tissue – the kind will depend on the type of EDS but usually a form of collagen – to be fragile and stretchy'.
We often think of EDS as an 'invisible illness' as symptoms aren't readily visible. Yet it has a profound impact on people's lives and wellbeing, ranging from chronic pain to fatigue, dizziness, digestive disorders and more.
This is where charities such as EDS UK are brilliant in offering support and guidance. It has been a key source of information to me, both through their website and through the public events that I have attended in the past that gave such helpful information on diet and exercise.
Essential oils for you or a loved one
If you haven't already noticed, I am delighted to have been able to gift my mum the Time to Smile essential oil blend. She loves to dab a drop or two on her pillow in the morning, and is planning to make a room air spray too.
Supporting companies which donate money to smaller charities such as EDS UK are of course a force for good. Those donations will be used to raise awareness of EDS as well as support and inform those living with the condition. We all know that doctors are often pushed for time in busy clinics, so a web-based resource (and in-person meetings when our current situation allows) are so beneficial. I know, because I access them myself.
So if you are looking to treat yourself or gift a loved one with some essential oils, then I highly recommend the Alexandra Kay range. There are different blends to choose from, and they all have cute packaging and a helpful guide to how to use the product.
Check out the Alexandra Kay natural wellbeing products for a little treat for yourself or a loved one.
Hope you enjoy!
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