5 Essential Oils for Your Pre- and Post- Workout Routine
Sticking to an exercise routine is not always easy. At times, you might not feel like working out because you’re too tired, still recovering from your last session, or finding it hard to get in the mood. But before you skip the day’s session, you may want to give essential oils a try. It is important to listen to your body but essential oils can give you the mindset shift you might need.
Yes, essential oils. Just like certain foods that can help get you pumped up for and bounce back from a workout, some of these natural aromatic compounds offer pre- and post-exercise benefits. And in certain cases, they can even support your health and performance in ways that might surprise you.
I was a personal trainer for 7 years in San Francisco but unfortunately I never heard about essential oils until 2014. I now use them whenever I workout . Make sure to only use high quality oils such as Young Living because many in the store are just synthetic perfume. Definitely do not ingest any oils that do not come from a company with their own farms and distilleries (only Young Living has these great features).
Here are five options you can start off with to experience just how much of a difference essential oils can make in your workout regimen.
Lemongrass Essential Oil
Lemongrass sets you up for an extra effective workout. The key here is citral, a compound known for supporting the production of heat in your body (a process that’s also referred to as thermogenesis) that is high in lemongrass oil.
Lemongrass essential oil supports good energy and healthy weight management.
All you need is 4 to 6 drops of the oil rubbed on you skin or feet before a workout. If your workout is challenging, you can also use lemongrass on the after leaving the gym. For best results, combine it with basil, clary sage and fractionated coconut oil and rub the blend on the body part.
Peppermint
A single sniff or drop of peppermint goes a long way in getting you exercise-ready. If you can’t seem to drag yourself out of bed for an early morning workout, just sniff this essential oil for an instant jolt of energy. Or perhaps you need a little pick-me-upper? The smell of peppermint can enliven your senses and get you in the mood, which is a big plus if you need to be 100 percent alert and focused for the day’s session.
To keep the scent close, put a drop on each wrist about 30 minutes before you begin. To support healthy breathing during your exercise routine, rub 4 or 5 drops on your chest at least 5 minutes prior to your start time. This may help in supporting normal breathing so you can enjoy a smoother run.
If you’re concerned about occasional muscle fatigue, gently massage a few drops on or after your workout as well as some light stretching to prep those muscles.
But that’s not all. Adding a drop of peppermint vitality oil to water has been studied for its ability to promote longer more rewarding workouts.
Eucalyptus
The scent of eucalyptus is more than just soothing. It can actually help support your mood and energy, making it a great addition to your workout preparation. Just add a couple of drops of eucalyptus—along with geranium, peppermint, rosemary and palmarosa—to 4 ounces of water. Spray the mixture on your body’s exposed areas before you do warm-up exercises and it can be a great way to stay cool during summer activities.
To support a healthy respiratory system with R.C. blend of 3 types of eucalyptus and coconut oil on your temples, throat and neck. This cooling blend also has cypress and spruce which feels great when used by athletes in an epsom salt bath.
Lemon Essential Oil
Worried about staying hydrated as you sweat it out? Adding 2 drops of lemon vitality essential oil to 16 ounces of water ought to do the trick. With this pre-exercise drink, you’ll be better hydrated during your workout. And with that burst of flavor, you’ll probably find yourself drinking more than you normally do with plain water.
Lemon essential oil also does a great job bolstering your immune system which can be overworked during cardiovascular exercise.
Marjoram Essential Oil
Marjoram is a key oil used in the Raindrop Technique and can be used in massage after exercise. It can be diffused, directly inhaled, or applied topically.
With its calming and relaxing properties, marjoram can do wonders for your muscles. Before you start, rub this essential oil thoroughly on your legs, arms or back. Use marjoram in combination with lavender, thyme, peppermint and coconut oil to make a rub.
Should your muscles feel tired after exercising, switch to a blend of marjoram, thyme, lemon, roman chamomile, cypress, peppermint and coconut oil. Or you could add drops of marjoram to your post-workout bath, together with some lavender, helichrysum and roman chamomile oil with some magnesium rich espom salt. I use the pan-away blend which is has helichrysum and peppermint essential oils because it smells like licorice and has a cooling effect.
Essential oils are wonderful workout companions. Making them a part of your pre- and post-exercise routine can help you stay on track, improve how you perform and allow you to recover faster. Together with a healthy Paleo Keto diet, proper hydration, safe gear and the right warm-up and cool-down techniques, essential oils can bring you closer to your fitness goals.
If you are personal trainer looking to make extra money essential oils can be a great way to supplement your income and have more freedom. If you want more info just write me at Caitlin AT grassfedgirl.com and I will let you know how to get started sharing with your clients. I wish I had known before and it would have made my life a lot easier. Contact me here.
Order your premium starter kit here
I recommend the premium starter kit which has 11 of the most popular oils, many listed above. Some of the ones best for supporting workouts in the kit are: soothing Pan-away blend, lemon, peppermint, R.C. blend (has Eucalyptus), Lavender, Copaiba, and purification which can help with sweaty gym shoes and clothes, it also contains lemongrass for muscle support. Stress away blend is another oil in the premium starter kit which can support healthy endocrine system which aids in recovery from strenuous exercise routines.
Order your premium starter kit here
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