Living Well with Tricia

All Things Diffusing

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Our diffusers are running 24/7 in our homes, supporting our immune systems, respiratory systems, emotions, cleansing the air and making things smell happy and inviting all at the same time. This is hands down one of the easiest health habits you can start! And we have you covered right here with everything you need to know.

image DIFFUSING AT A GLANCE Makes your space smell amazing An easy habit for anyone to start at any time A great alternative to scented candles and wall plugs (which are full of toxins!) Benefits many needs - mood, respiration, focus, immunity, cleansing, sleep and more Supports overall health and a low-tox lifestyle

There are three major ways to use essential oils - topically (on the skin), ingesting and aromatically (diffusing, inhaling from the bottle). We often choose the method of diffusing (or inhaling) over topical or ingesting because it is extremely effective for:

  • Emotions
  • Mental Support
  • Respiratory Support
  • Rest & Relaxation

Cliff notes version: Breathing our oils has the potential to make us happier, healthier, and more focused!

WHAT & HOW OF DIFFUSING All you need to start diffusing essential oils is a diffuser, a little bit of water, and some Young Living essential oils!

Each diffuser will have a fill line on the inside, so just add water to the fill line, add your oils of choice, replace the lid and turn on the diffuser. Instant transformation! You can place a diffuser virtually anywhere - your home, office, even your car!

Feeling a little stressed with early morning traffic? Try Peppermint +Stress Away in an usb diffuser that sits right in your vehicle cup holder. Need some help calming your thoughts at bedtime? Lavender, Cedarwood & Vetiver are your friends. (Put your diffuser right by your bed!). Feeling a little stuffy? Diffuse Raven, Lemon and Frankincense (get extra oomph for diffusing while you shower - oils + steam!). Want a festive atmosphere without the toxins in wall plugs and candles? Fire up that diffuser with a seasonal scent! Cinnamon bark, Clove and Orange are great in the fall/winter, and we love Lavender, Lemon and Lime in the spring/summer!

Quick tip! If you don't have a diffuser or have access to a wall plug/USB outlet, grab a tissue or some cotton balls and drop a few drops of oil onto them. Place them in an air vent or under a seat in a vehicle or anywhere you can to create a passive diffuser!

BENEFITS OF AROMATHERAPY The practice of aromatherapy has been around for centuries and has become an incredibly popular area of study in the last decade. There are countless studies on PubMed about the ways that essential oils can positively impact health areas such as immunity, mood and emotions, sleep, racing thoughts, focus and much more.

Does this sound too good to be true? Are you wondering how breathing in some Lavender can change your mood??

Aromatherapy (breathing in essential oils) sends messages to our brain through our cranial nerves. The olfactory (sense of smell!) cranial nerve ends in the brain right next to the organs of the limbic system - the system that controls mood, emotions and memory. So inhaling oils triggers this area, helping us to rest, reset, and recharge. And diffusing is a great way to get the benefit of these oils for more than one individual! You can play with combinations to find the ones you love and that are the most beneficial to you!

GIVE YOURSELF A BRAIN BOOST Did you know that essential oils can literally enhance your environment? Current research in development psychology and education shows us the magic of an "enhanced environment." For children this looks like toys, sports, music, and learning opportunities in addition to their physical environment. These things result in improved cognitive and language development, social and emotional skills, creativity, imagination, and problem-solving skills.

BUT what about us adults?? Adults can also improve these things with an enhanced environment. Dr. Cynthia Woo recently did a study at UC Irvine that diffusing essential oils before bed showed improvement in cognitive test scores, positive changes in brain anatomy, improved cognitive resilience and youthfulness.

The short version? Diffusing oils before bed can improve your brain function!!!

DIFFUSING FAQS How long can I diffuse at a time?

  • We have diffusers going in our home pretty much 24/7! In large, open areas we don't keep track of how long we diffuse. At bedtime we use the intermittent setting on our diffusers and let them run all night long! And if we are diffusing in a room where doors are closed (ie kids bedrooms), we simply add less oils and use the intermittent setting. Don't overthink it!

How many drops do I use?

  • That will depend on your diffuser! Larger ones that cover more area will require more drops. Here are the current diffusers available from Young Living:

Duet diffuser: no water needed, simply add the oil bottles of choice!

Aria diffuser: 15-25 drops essential oil, covers about 430 sq. feet

Desert Mist diffuser: 8-12 drops essential oil, covers about 320 sq. feet

DewDrop diffuser and Rainstone diffuser: 5–8 drops of essential oil, covers approximately 320 sq. ft.)

Sprout the Puppy diffuser: 8-20 drops essential oil

Find info on each of the Young Living diffusers right here

Do I need to clean my diffuser?

  • We do recommend cleaning your diffuser for best results! For the Aria, YL recommends you wipe down after every use with a clean, dry cloth + as needed wash the glass bowl either by hand or in the dishwasher. For other diffusers, YL recommends:
  • Clean the ultrasonic plate and lid after each use.
  • If essential oil begins to build up on the ultrasonic plate, gently wipe it off using a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
  • If essential oil begins to build up on the lid, gently wipe it off using mild soap and water only.

DIFFUSER SETTINGS Did you know you can turn the lights on and off and change the colors on the diffusers? Or that the kids' diffusers can also double as a sound machine? Depending on the diffuser simply press the button on the left to cycle through the light options. Most diffusers also have 1-2 intermittent modes, which can be changed by pressing the button on the right to cycle through the options! This is one of our favorite ways to have oils diffusing while we sleep. Check out the manual that comes with your diffuser or the product links above for specific info on each one!