Relaxation

Lavender

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Lavender is wonderfully helpful in
inducing relaxation,
relieving headaches,
and lifting the Spirit >>>>>>>>>>>>>

Lavender is my favorite simple aroma-remedy.

The scent of lavender helps with relaxation, and is a delicious addition
to almost any relaxation technique, or combination of techniques.

It works so well in helping me with migraine pain and nausea,
that I keep a vile of lavender oil with me all the time.

Simple use:

(Do this simple exercise gently, remember you are being kind to yourself!)

Wash your hands (if possible)

get into a comfortable seated or lying down position

take a deep breath, exhale slowly, breath normally,

put a few drops of lavender oil on the palms of your hands

rub your hands together for 2 or 3 seconds,

now,

cup your hands loosely around your face

close your eyes,

breath slowly through your nose

(breath gently, but deeply, it can be a little overwhelming if you get too much oil or too strong an oil,
if you are coughing,you need air,
take your hands farther away from your face until you are comfortable with the strength of the scent of the lavender)

Try to "Get Into" the wave of relaxation that follows,

allow it, encourage it, remember it,

breath into the relaxation,

and follow it wherever it takes you.

Keep your eyes closed as long as possible

enjoy.

total therapy example:

First things first,
establish a quiet healing environment, a temporary (or permannent) space, just for you.

Close the door and pull the window blinds
turn off the TV,
take the phone off the hook,

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Sound:>>>>

Use a natural sounds CD, or a "sound machine" :

ocean sounds, rain storm, heartbeat, or something along these lines.

(music may not work as well, as it can be distracting
you can also use head phones without any sound.
Ear plugs are ok, but I find earplugs a little uncomfortable.)

You may also want to Purchase a table top fountain,

(they start at around $20.00)
the gentle sound of softly burbling water is surprisingly relaxing,
I have one on almost all the time at home.
You can use this along with the CD sounds, or by itself.

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.
Lighting >>>>>>>>
.
use minimal mood lighting.
(I have a soft red light that is pointed at a piece of art on the wall)
you can even use a night light,
(mood lighting, like sound, is individual, whatever you use should give you a good feeling,
a small string of Christmas lights, or a black light will also work,
nothing blinky though.)
softly scented candles are also a wonderful touch, but make very sure they are in a VERY safe place
- I set burning candles in a holder on a plate, in a bowl of water - and far away from everything that can combust-
as you will not be able to watch them closely.

now add these to the directions for the simple therapy,

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Therapy Example:

(Do this simple exercise gently, remember you are being kind to yourself!)

Make sure the room is a comfortalble temperature.

Turn on your table top fountain,

Turn on a Nature Sounds CD

Set your mood lighting the way your want it.

light a candle, or some insence

get your lavender oil,

get you ear phones or ear plugs

and an eye bag if you have one.

get a glass of water, in case you get thirsty.

now lie down and get comfy.

You may wish to put your feet and arms up on pillows,

Take a deep breath, exhale slowly, breath normally,