Pros and Cons of Pillow Sprays

Pros and Cons of Pillow Sprays

Have you considered using a pillow spray or mist to help provide a better night’s sleep? We’re answering some of your top questions about this soothing product. We’re exploring the benefits of a pillow mist, discussing ingredients, and sharing our preferred alternative. (Spoiler alert: you can use our ShowerMists outside the shower!)

What is a pillow spray or pillow mist?

A pillow spray is an essential oil-based product sprayed directly onto bed pillows (or linens) to provide an aromatherapeutic experience. Usually, the mist is added right before bed. Once dry, the scent prepares the body, mind, and mood for optimal relaxation. 

Some of the common essential oils found in pillow sprays are Lavender (for its amazing, calming effects), Menthol (for its aide in opening nasal passageways), and Eucalyptus (for an exhilarating, delightful experience.)

What are the benefits of pillow spray?

Pillow sprays are infused with aromatherapy ingredients, so a deep inhale will provide you with the aromatic benefits of your preferred scent. This includes restfulness, relaxation, and calmness, which all work together to provide optimal rest. Additionally, pillow sprays are easy to use — a light mist is all you need. Since it is sprayed directly on to your pillow or sheets (right where you’ll be snuggling for hours), the full effects are experienced without much effort. 

How much does a pillow spray cost?

The cost of pillow sprays vary depending on size, ingredients, and brand. Expect to pay between $30 and $80 (or more!) for 8 oz. of product — the ingredients of which may not be evident and the quality questionable. Keep reading to know what to look for. 

Are pillow sprays safe?

Yes — if you do a little research. With so many different ones on the market, it is important to find a pillow spray with only safe ingredients. Some claim to be “natural” or “organic” but contain other dilutants or alcohol (keep an eye out for Ethanol, a type of alcohol which is a solvent used to extract botanical oils). This can increase the chance for an allergic reaction and reduce the effectiveness. 

Our advice: Always have a look at the label to see what’s in the product. If the label doesn’t clearly indicate what’s in it, be cautious or skip it entirely for another that lists all the ingredients and has third-party testing to ensure quality and purity. See our rundown of the pros and cons of pillow mists.

Is there an alternative to pillow sprays?

Yes! EuroSpa Aromatics has captured the aromatic benefits of an easy-to-use pillow spray but added the possibility of shower use with our 100% Pure Eucalyptus Oil ShowerMist. This all-natural, plant-based, steam-distilled mist has no synthetics, alcohols, or petrochemicals. It is 100% pure Eucalyptus oil, and our infusions use 100% pure botanical oils. 

Our ShowerMists can be enjoyed in several ways. First and foremost, you can use it as a naturally-effective pillow spray alternative. Yes! Simply spritz a few sprays on your pillow, wait a few seconds for it to dry, and breathe in those amazing benefits while you sleep! Or use it to create a spa-like steam room experience in your own shower. When your shower starts to get steamy, spritz a few sprays into the steam cloud, away from your eyes. Finally, if you prefer, you can even add it to a diffuser.

In our ShowerMists, we kept all the good, removed the bad, and created a product that functions in multiple ways. Now that you have a little more information about pillow sprays, we hope you will be able to find the one that best supports your relaxation goals.

6 Ways You Can Improve Your Mental Health Right Now

6 Ways You Can Improve Your Mental Health Right Now

Mental Health can be such a buzz word these days. Most of what we see on the news, is about someone whose mental health is impaired to the point that something has gone wrong. But we as a society don’t focus enough on our day to day mental health. Because of the news media, it can be seen as a stigma to admit that you are not having the best of mental health days. As May is Mental Health and Awareness Month, here are some facts and tips to help you improve your daily mental health.

 

Life is stressful! From traffic, to work, to family, there are so many factors that can cause your stress levels to rise. That’s why we as a company feel that even five minutes out of the day to take a breath can leave you ready and willing to face life’s little challenges.

 

Eucalyptus has been a favorite of aromatherapy users for centuries. Who can’t remember that first time when you stepped into a steam room and took a deep breath of that invigorating Eucalyptus aroma! So why limit yourself to a spa or gym? Now you can take that five minutes in the privacy of your own home! Because of its cooling and refreshing effect, Eucalyptus can help remove your exhaustion and mental sluggishness!

 

And now we offer Eucalyptus infused with a variety of things that can also be used to aid your daily mental well-being.

 

Lavender is a common aromatherapy scent that you see everywhere. It can help calm your anxiety and emotional stress so that you can rest and get a good’s night sleep for the next day. Just a few sprays in your shower or on your pillow can help keep you relaxed and ready for the next challenge.

 

Citrus oil isn’t something that most people think of as an aromatherapy benefit. We all know how great it is for your physical health, but its mental health benefits are just as powerful. It has such a clean and uplifting aroma that helps stimulate your mental focus and clarity while also helping you release your fear and stress.

 

Mint is such a powerful scent that it has been used for many uses over the years. It can help perk you up rather than reaching for that energy drink. But my favorite use? It can help get rid of that 2 P.M. tension headache! Mint has the ability to help improve your circulation and relax those tense muscles. Spraying just a little in your hands and inhaling can hopefully help stave off that headache before it can become worse.

 

And finally, we come to what we all think of as a stress relief: YOGA! By helping release tension and stress, yoga poses and exercises help keep you free and ready to face your day. It can also be used to help lower your blood pressure and heart rate which just might help resolve anxiety and depression naturally.  That’s why we created our Lavender-Infused Eucalyptus Yoga Mat Cleaner so that the relaxation you get from your session, doesn’t get ruined by harsh smells as you clean your mat and go about your day.

 

So remember, take that time, even if it’s just five minutes out of a day, for yourself this month! Breath deep, close your eyes and relax. Because it’s May and time for summer!

8 Tips to Sleep Better at Night

8 Tips to Sleep Better at Night

It’s so frustrating when you plop into bed after a long day only to lay in bed restless and wait for sleep to come. And even after you’ve slept, you probably feel more tired than when you went to bed.

These cycles are torturous, leaving you unproductive and unhappy during the day. But don’t worry, we’ve got some habits to share with you that’ll have you feeling refreshed every morning. Here are our eight sleep-saving tips:

#1: Get checked for anemia 

While anemia is not directly related to insomnia, studies show a strong correlation between affected sleep and the condition. Many people are anemic and don’t know it. Even if you think you get enough iron via supplements and food, iron can be hard to absorb, and you may need another source or higher dose.

#2: Eat protein and fat before bed

Eat protein and a little fat before bed to keep your blood sugar balanced during sleep. This will help you wake up clearer and without a morning headache. This tip is especially relevant for people who know they have low blood sugar issues. One idea? Make a nut-milk with protein powder drink about 45 min before bed.

#3: Have a dark room

Having too much light in your bedroom will ruin your ability to fall into REM sleep (when we get the most rest). The pituitary gland gets confused, thinking it’s daytime, causing you to wake up.

#4: Hydration

Stay hydrated all day. Dehydration can actually lead to more frequent toilet trips. Moreover, a hydrated body is a hydrated brain. A hydrated brain functions far better in the early morning hours than a dehydrated and slow brain.

#5: Media curfew

The blue light in phones and computers are disruptive to the pituitary gland, preventing you from winding down. Set curfew no less than an hour before bed. Or, if your device is capable, turn on the blue light shade.

#6: Lavender in the evening

Treat yourself to a simple massage. Put a few drops of our Lavender-Infused Pure Eucalyptus Oil ShowerMist in almond oil, massaging slowly and deeply from your feet all the way up to your head. Give extra attention to your temples and forehead.

#7: Eucalyptus oil shower in the morning

Eucalyptus oil, a menthol-based plant, is known for increasing blood circulation, which aids your mind. By spraying eucalyptus oil into the steam of your shower, your skin, lungs and mental function will be activated, cleansed, and boosted. A great morning shower option is our Mint-Infused Pure Eucalyptus Oil ShowerMist.

#8: 20-30 minutes of body movement

Get your body moving and the oxygen flowing. Whether you do yoga, pilates, cardio, or weights, they’re all great. Exercising will keep your body in shape and ready for rest when it’s time to sleep.

We know how important it is to feel good, be energized and well rested. And that all starts with a great night’s sleep. You don’t have to wake up groggy or in a fog anymore.

Ready for a good night of sleep? Tell us which tips helped you the most, and then share these sleep-saving tips with social media!

How to Stay Comfortable During Pregnancy

Pregnancy isn’t an easy adventure for anyone, but the hardest challenge comes with trying to stay comfortable. The body is expanding and growing a miracle, and it hurts. Of course, it’s still a beautiful process, but if she’s not comfortable, then any enjoyment is out the window.

A well-nurtured pregnancy is well worth the effort, and we know these tips will help you get there.

Tips for Staying Comfortable During Pregnancy

Help Her Sleep                                                            

She’ll need a lot of sleep, and if she doesn’t get it, you can bet on a difficult day. So respect her needs. She may need to sleep in or even go to bed early and rise early. Some days she may need darkness, others light. Some days white noise and other days, silence. Try to be flexible. Remember, it doesn’t have to make sense, it just has to be respected.

Invest in a Body Pillow

Get her a body pillow. These are wonderful additions to the bed as they support the hips, the belly, neck, and back depending on how you use them. This will not only make for a better night sleep but also come in handy when the baby is born.

Keep Her Hydrated

It’s vital that she stay hydrated both for herself and the growing child. If she is dehydrated, there won’t be enough embryonic fluid, which can lead to complications. If she can’t handle the taste of water, play with it. Add ice, lemon wedges, or cucumber slices and a couple drops of stevia to sweeten it. Don’t be discouraged if she doesn’t like it. Remember, this is frustrating for her too.

Body Care

Keep body relaxation and pampering on the schedule regularly. Book her weekly or monthly massages if it’s in the budget. Rub her neck, feet, and hands a few times per week without complaining. Use the best Eucalyptus Oil ShowerMist to make her a foot soak or a steam shower to not only relax those tired muscles but to help energize her without the use of caffeine.

Remember, her body is constantly changing, and she has more hormones circulating through her than she knows what to do with. If she’s edgy, see how you can help but be sure not to take anything personally. Her feeling sick and uncomfortable is not your fault. But if you’re short-tempered, defensive or aggressive, that will be your fault and not a smart move. Just be loving and patient. Be sure to invest time into yourself and remember that this too, shall pass.

Those are just a few ideas to start with, but we are confident that they will make a world of difference, so try them!

What other pregnancy tips do you have? Share them in the comments and spread the word on social media!

6 Easy Back to School Immune Boosting Tips

School is about to be back in session, and it’s important that your family’s immune system is prepared for it. And school is about learning, not spending your days wasting away and nursing a cold. Germs are inevitable, but you can do your best to fight them. Here’s how:

Back to School Immune Boosting Tips

Magnesium

Americans are chronically low in magnesium. The signs are everywhere with all of the road rage, abuse, high blood pressure, and stress that people live with on a daily basis. It’s most well known as the calming nutrient because of its ability to relax muscles, help us sleep, regulate hormones, relax blood vessels, and relieve depression. Aren’t you calmer just reading about it? Magnesium moves dietary calcium into the bones, decalcifies arteries, helps prevent blood clotting, and improves mental disorders like anxiety, hyperactivity, and depression. This helps your immune system function properly, get better sleep, decreases growing pains, and increases focus at school.

Healthy Eating

The following foods are extremely beneficial for your overall health and strength of your immune system. Be sure to get a balanced amount of each:

  • Fermented foods such as kefir, kimchee, miso, pickles, sauerkraut, etc.
  • Raw, organic eggs from free-ranging chickens
  • Coconuts and coconut oil
  • Locally grown fruits and vegetables
  • Mushrooms, especially Reishi, Shiitake, and Maitake, which contain beta glucans (which have immune-enhancing properties)
  • Garlic, a potent antimicrobial that kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi
  • Herbs and spices with high ORAC scores: Turmeric, oregano, cinnamon, cloves

Send nutritious snacks to school with your children. Chopped veggies to dip in hummus, sauteed vegetables, and brown rice with protein is a great energizing lunch, both for the mind and immune system.

Stay Hydrated

Keeping hydrated allows the body to both function efficiently and flush toxins and bacteria from your system. Water is essential for the optimal function of every system in your body. Keeping kids hydrated isn’t always easy when they’re at school. Send them with water bottles and require them to drink a glass of water before each meal to get into good habits at home. Without enough water, a flower wilts. Our minds and bodies are the same.

Steam

The body loves a chance to release stored toxins in the skin and other organs. For adults, either create a good steaming shower and add our Eucalyptus Oil ShowerMist to the mix or do the same in a quality sauna or steam room. This will also fight bronchial infections, respiratory struggles, growing pains, improve circulation, and alleviate pain from fibromyalgia and arthritis. For children, run a bath for them with just one spray onto the tub walls for the same, yet lighter effect.

Tea

Encourage tea drinking at all ages. Choose herbal teas and tonics. Dandelion with a little nut milk and honey not only tastes delicious but detoxes the liver (a key immune system player). Chamomile and lavender are great at night before bed. Your options are open.

Sleep

Homework calls, but sleep should call louder. The body needs time to recoup. If there seems to be more homework than time, reevaluate time management and create a more healthy schedule. Waking earlier is better than going to bed later as well. To get the most out of sleep, you need more REM time. To get this, limit eating to no later than 2 hours before bed unless it’s a protein-based, no starch, no sugar snack. Stay away from media, computers, and phones at least an hour before bed.

Help take care of you and your family in the most vulnerable time of the year. Enjoy more of the year healthy instead of sick.

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