I was on a walk with a girl friend the other night and was pretty stressed out. I really had a ton on my mind. I was contemplating some life changing decisions. Needless to say, I was pretty stressed.
Many people know that drinking lavender tea can be quite calming, but what about fresh lavender?
Smell fresh lavender when stressed
Yes, just the fresh lavender flowers growing from the ground and pots. These fresh flowers contain uber powerful aromatics that are very calming. It’s so amazing how calming aromatic herbs can be by just smelling them!
Back to my stressfull walk…
Well lucky me, almost every other house I walked by had lavender growing in their front yard. I picked a little piece, rubbed it between my fingers, and took a few deep breaths in.
Yes, it is as simple as that!
Where to find fresh lavender
My first suggestion is to look around outside. You’d be surprised how many front yards and business have lavender If you are unsure about what exactly lavender looks like or if you cannot seem to find it then grow some yourself.
I promise, it’s easier than you might think.
Go to a hardware store or garden center and find some potted lavender. You do not need to grow lavender from seed. Find some lavender that has already been grown and all you need to do is transplant it to a cuter pot!
No worries what time of year it is. Lavender will grow inside no problem no matter the time of year, even winter.
The power of pretty
Short answer, yes. Not only will the calming aromatics always be there for you to go over and smell, but don’t underestimate the power of pretty. Having some fresh plant life, espeically a pop of color around can be very uplifting to your mood and calming to anxiety.
There have been many studies done out of Japan on the concept of Forest Bathing. Forest Bathing is typically done in nature, or as the name suggests, a forest, but it can also be applied on a smaller scale even with one or two plants on your balcony or in your living room.
Give it a try for yourself and see what you think and experience.
Free tea
When is the best time to drink tea? All the time! You can almost always find me holding a tea in my hands, no matter the time of day or year. I switch out the tea depending on my mood or what benefits I am looking for.
Lavender is a great addition to tea blends if you want to relax, calm down, or go to bed. If you have fresh lavender in the house, then you do not need to buy it at the store! Pick a few flowers or leaves off your plant and infuse it in your tea just as you normally would.
I don’t usually like pure lavender tea, but rather add it with other tea bags or loose leaf herbs to make it as a blend. Don’t take my word for it though, everyone has different tastes and preferences. Try it for yourself and see what you like.
Tell me your experience and thoughts
As I said above, everyone has their own experiences and opinions on different plants and methods. Tell me your experiences and thoughts on smelling fresh lavender for stress!