About the Author: Victoria Sexton is the founder and formulator for Victoria's Botanicals, an aromatherapy company. After studying aromatherapy at Bastyr University, she decided to open her own business sharing her essential oil creations with the world. Victoria’s ninja skill is blending essential oils that not only smell good but have a therapeutic purpose, as well.  
 Victoria creates easy to use and amazing smelling aromatherapy products- both custom and through her aromatherapy product line, Victoria's Botanicals. The products are EASY to use, already diluted and ready to go. 
You can check out all of our products at: 
https://victoriasbotanicals.com
 Want to learn how you can use an essential oil diffuser?  Sign up here for Victoria's FREE training, Diffuser 101. It covers everything you would want to know about diffusers, from what kind of diffuser to get, what to put in it and how to clean it. We'll see you in class. Go to www.diffuser101.com to get all the info. 

 ​These days everyone seems to be experiencing stress. One way to combat stress is by using essential oils, also known as aromatherapy.
Essential oils are made by steam distilling natural flowers, plants, bark or fruit peel. Essential oils are extremely concentrated; a little goes a long way. For that reason, I recommend that you dilute your oils if you apply topically. 
You can use essential oils topically, just be sure to properly dilute the oils. A 1-2% dilution is appropriate for topical use for ages 10 and up. That's just 7-14 drops per ounce. You don't need a lot of essential oil to achieve results. 
While topical usage is very popular, the easiest way to use essential oils is with an electric essential oil diffuser. Just a few drops, along with some tap water and your whole room can smell amazing. Many people use citrus essential oils as their “happy oil”. Use scents that make you happy. 
Keep in mind which scents are relaxing to you. Which scent makes you feel happy, lighten the mood or just smells really good. Scent is a funny thing. Scent carries with it memories from our past (both good and bad) that can trigger emotion. This is something to keep in mind when deciding on a relaxing essential oil. 
 
 Here are a few ways to combat stress using essential oils. 
 1) Take your essential oils with you throughout the day
Essential oils can be portable. You can take your favorite stress relief essential oils with you when you're on the go. 
If you're using essential oils topically make sure you use a carrier oil to dilute it. Almond oil, sunflower oil and kukui nut oil are great examples of carrier oils that you can buy at your local health food store. 
For an adult, a 1% dilution is appropriate. That just 7 drops of oil per ounce. Roller bottles make for easy application. 
My first recommendation is to use a diffuser. You can use an electric diffuser. If you're on the go you can use essential oil jewelry, a personal inhaler or even a car diffuser. These are low profile options and a great way to take your oils with you. 

 2) Use your oils during the most stressful time(s) of day 
What’s the most stressful part of your day? For some, the most stressful part of their day is their commute. For others, their most stressful part of the day is getting the kids ready for school, or maybe that daily status meeting causes you stress. 
My advice is to figure out what the most stressful part of the day is and find ways to incorporate essential oils into daily routines during that part of the day.
You can do this by buying a car diffuser or essential oil jewelry. Car diffusers can be helpful when dealing with a crazy commute, and the price point is less than $30 in most cases. Essential oil jewelry can be a great option for those who don’t have time to apply or re-apply throughout the day. If you have your own office at work, consider getting a small diffuser for your workspace.
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 3) Use essential oils when you’re trying to relax
Essential oils can be used as a part of a stress relief activity like yoga, meditation or even going for a walk outside. Taking a few minutes out of your day to meditate, or even just breathe, can make a big difference in your stress level. During that time, get out your essential oil roller bottle. Apply the diluted essential oils to your pressure points, hands or even your jaw line. Breathe. Relax. 
If you like mixing your own individual oils try any of the following stress relieving essential oils:
lavender, geranium, frankincense, citrus oils like lemon, lime, oranges. (And remember if you're using citrus oils topically, use bergaptene free citrus oils to avoid photo sensitivity.) 

 About the Author:  Thomas E Ziemann is a Spiritual Researcher with over 37 years of experience in Meditation Practice and hosting Satsang’s. He has written two books. He is a Motivational, Keynote Speaker, a Published Author, and a Life Purpose Coach. Tom gives nationwide, uplifting lectures and teaches meditation and sculpting classes. He is happily married to his best friend. He has nine amazing cats that keep this “crazy cat man” busy.  He lives near Portland, Oregon.

 “The Loneliness Factor; Falling in Love with Love”
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 Oh Man…If only I could have learned this simple, but profound lesson early on in my lonely single life. Looking back today with more mature eyes, having become more emotionally grounded, I lament just how many beautiful relationships could have blossomed? Sadly, they never did. I tried too hard to impress, gave too much too soon, shared way too much too early on…the bottom line was that I wanted to make it work so badly…I got so excited thinking I finally found “The One” that I through my brain to the wind and acted impulsively…I smothered, acted controlling and ended up pushing these class act women away.                    That putrid stench of Neediness permeated my being.
                      
 The truth was that I fell in love with the “idea of love,” got swept up in its alluring euphoria and not the real person. This works both ways in any romantic relationship.…
This is still something I struggle with today; there is a fine line between being a man wanting to show his partner how much he cares and coming off too intense and having to be with her every second. Not giving her enough space to breath.
                 
 I feel blessed today to have finally become aware of my “glomming on” aspect of my persona; I have found someone who helps keep me on an emotional even keel. She helps me see the bigger picture. Truth be told, I almost pissed this one away too.  For the first time in my adult life…I let my ego go; I didn’t try to impress her as I once would have. Talk is cheap, Actions show one’s true character. It’s worked wonders for me. Anyone can learn from my myriad of mistakes. If you are not willing to see yourself in an unflattering light, you will never grow to your full potential. 
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 Don’t give up. Allow things to unfold naturally. It does no good to push the river.
If you’re reading this, keep the faith.… I’m a believer in that we receive the love we believe we are worthy of. Don’t overlook a potentially rewarding relationship because on the surface it doesn’t seem like the “Perfect one”.
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 Follow your heart…but trust your gut.

  “Pain as the Redeemer”

 Every single one of your reading this has been hurt. There has never existed a person in history who wasn’t. Bitten once, twice shy they acted. Good advice is to take some calculated risks. Small ones often receive small rewards but may lead to great resolve by having taken baby steps.
Will you get burned? Perhaps… however the greatest experience you could enjoy maybe taking that one chance that defines your lifetime. When we close up our heart; we think we are protecting it; as a result, we become an island of isolation. We miss the good we often would enjoy by fearing to attempt. Ships are safe in harbor, but they are meant for the sea. It will take dogmatic courage to get knocked down 8 times to get up 9. No one says it will be easy. Life doesn’t offer any guarantee of lasting happiness nor inner peace. The greatest rewards lie just outside of our comfort zone. Greatness is defined by overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
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 Generally, it’s not people we don’t know who betray us. It’s the one’s we hold dear who can become careless or uncaring. Sometimes by bruising our heart we open the gateway to our soul. Take solace in knowing you made a go of it, make time to grieve then get back up on the horse.
 Keep the faith.                                                                    
 Remember that which you are seeking is also seeking you.