As winter’s chill sets in, we’re partnering with our favorite style bloggers to show us how they wear the season’s hottest trends. From style tips to makeup trends to home décor, we’re excited to see how these fashionistas gear up for winter weather. This week, we’re welcoming Jess of The Golden Girl to share the basics of using Aromatherapy – from the must-have oils to the multitude of different uses – in order to brighten up your winter moods. As we near the last few days of January, real life is starting to kick back into full gear. The holidays are feeling like distant memory, yet [unfortunately] the concept of summer is feeling even further from our grasp! Truth: the dead of winter is the hardest time of the year for anyone to get through! It’s cold, it’s dreary, and sometimes we go through week-long stretches without seeing the sun. The struggle is real. Recently though, I stumbled upon something that’s really helped pick me up when I’m feeling all “wintery” and down: Aromatherapy.

I previously had no experience with aromatherapy and had associated the term with a treatment you add on to your massage when visiting the spa. But then I stumbled upon an aromatherapy and essential oils article online and was intrigued enough to try it out for myself.cheap fox sasquatch hoodies Meijer happens to have a really great selection of both diffusers and essential oils, so I picked up a handful of items and couldn’t wait to get home to put them to the test!hieroglyphics hoodie Want to do the same to lift your winter blues? leavers hoodies online shopKeep reading for my Aromatherapy 101!molson hoodies

By definition, “Aromatherapy” is the use of natural essential oils to improve a person’s mood and overall health. The idea is that when smelling certain scents, chemicals are released in the brain that can make you feel relaxed, calm or mentally stimulated.g35 hoodies Aromatherapy has been proven useful for the management of stress, anxiety, insomnia and even headaches and body aches. hoodie corrupted dataIt can be applied by mixing the oils with a “carrier oil”–like coconut or jojoba oil–which is applied to the skin or body, or with water–such as in a bath. stilinski 24 hoodieOr, if you prefer, use them in a diffuser, which uses an evaporating method to disperse the oils into the air. An added bonus to this method is that it acts as an air purifier as well!

Speaking of diffusers, this is one of the items I picked up on my trip to Meijer. You can also purchase several different diffuser canopies (AKA covers) separately, which is a fun way to switch up the look every so often. This mercury glass canopy was my favorite and matches my decor perfectly! The diffusers also double as lights, which are perfect to keep in the bathroom as a night light. Meijer has so many amazing scents to choose from! There are typically five categories that scents will fall under–Flowery, Citrus, Spicy, Woody and Herbal–and Meijer has quite a few options under each. Bearing this in mind, I chose a variety of scents and oil types based on these categories, and what I was hoping to achieve with my aromatherapy: Lavender: Falls under the floral category, this is a calming scent that helps alleviate stress and promotes sleep. I like to put this in my diffuser to help me unwind and fall asleep after a long day. I also like to drop a few droplets in the bottom of the shower to make it a spa-like experience.

Tee Tree Oil: Known for boosting the immune system, tee tree oil has many cleansing benefits. It also helps treat muscle aches, so I love using a few drops in the bath. I also just love the way it smells in general! Frankincense: Another calming oil which, similar to lavender, is known for helping quiet the mind, settle restlessness and uplift your mood. This is helpful both at night before bed and anytime I need a little mood pick-me-up. Eucalyptus: One of my favorite smells, Eucalyptus is really effective in improving breathing and clearing out sinuses. If you’re sick, this is definitely what you want to put into your diffuser! It’s also been known to help migraines and fevers. A natural antibacterial and antiseptic, you can also combine it with water to make your own natural disinfecting cleaning spray. “Bodyguard” Blend: In addition to pure oils, Meijer also carries a variety of blends that are a combination of oils. I chose to go with the “bodyguard” blend.

It makes me feel refreshed and alert, with lemon, juniper berry and rosemary. I like to use this during the day to help me focus and concentrate. Whether I’m looking to slow down, focus or perk up, I’ve found that using different oils based on my moods really helps to get me out of whatever winter funk I might be in! Have you tried it yet? What are your favorite scents? Jess is the fashionista behind The Golden Girl, a Chicago blog aimed at providing a daily dose of attainable life, style, beauty and décor. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. same day pick up(64) price low - high price high - low ratings high - low items per page:  | A Broad Selection of Hoodies for Guys Hoodies: the go-anywhere sweatshirt that keeps you warmer than a summer day. A man’s hoodie can be his best friend (sorry, Fido)—it’s always there when he needs it most. Whether that’s outside on a cold day or inside an office that likes their air conditioning a little too much, your sweater’s got your back…literally.