How to Use Essential Oils: Natural Alternatives for Health and Wellness
Natural Alternatives for Health and Wellness

Essential oils have been used for centuries for their health and wellness benefits. These natural plant extracts offer a safer alternative to synthetic chemical products. In this blog post, we'll show you how to use essential oils in place of harsh chemicals for cleaning, personal care, and more.



1. Cleaning Products: Say Goodbye to Harsh Chemicals

Most cleaning products contain harsh, synthetic ingredients that are harmful to our health and the environment. You can replace these products with natural essential oils. For example, mix lemon essential oil with water and vinegar to make a natural and effective multi-purpose cleaner. Lemon oil also has disinfectant properties, making it perfect for cutting boards and countertops. You can also try Young Living's Thieves Household Cleaner, a plant-based formula that saves you money and space.



2. Personal Care Products: Nourish Your Skin

Personal care products such as soaps, shampoos, and lotions often contain chemicals that can damage your skin and overall health. Essential oils can be added to carrier oils like coconut or almond to create a nourishing base for personal care products. For example, add lavender essential oil to coconut oil for a relaxing body lotion. Young Living offers a range of personal care products that you can trust.



3. Diffusion: Create a Relaxing Atmosphere

Diffusing essential oils disperses them throughout the air, creating a therapeutic environment at home. For example, lavender essential oil promotes relaxation and can improve the quality of your sleep. Young Living offers a variety of diffusers, and you can get a free Desert Mist diffuser with your second Loyalty Rewards order.



4. Natural Bug Repellant: Keep the Bugs at Bay

Commercial insect repellants contain harmful chemicals like DEET. Instead, use natural essential oils like lemongrass, citronella, and peppermint as a natural bug repellant. Mix a few drops with a carrier oil and apply it to your skin. Or, use Young Living's Insect Repellent, which contains essential oils that keep bugs away without the harmful ingredients. It also comes in convenient Insect Repellent Wipes that are perfect for putting into backpacks, diaper bags, and purses!



5. Aromatherapy: Promote Wellness

Aromatherapy is a natural way to promote wellness. Essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and frankincense help respiratory health. Lavender and chamomile promote relaxation and healthy sleep. Young Living offers a range of oils for aromatherapy, and we are here to guide you in your journey towards wellness.



Young Living Offers a Range of Essential Oils
 
Incorporating essential oils into your life can offer many benefits for your health and wellness. Try these natural alternatives as a replacement for harsh chemicals and visit my website to learn more about Young Living's range of essential oils and oil-infused products.




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*This blog centers the GenX experience, simply because that’s the lens I live through—but anyone looking for connection, natural wellness, grief support, or a little real-talk in this messy stage of life is more than welcome.

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✨ My blog exists because I know what it feels like to keep everything jumbled in your head — like a messy pile of clothes you can’t sort through.

 Writing it all down brings clarity, calm, and sometimes even healing answers I didn’t know I was looking for.


Honestly, that’s why I keep showing up to write — it helps me make sense of things. 

 Even if you have no intentions of ever publishing your work, I highly recommend writing stuff down. It doesn't have to be a literary masterpiece or even full, grammatically correct sentences... just dump those random thoughts onto paper... you'll see what I mean.

*This blog centers the GenX experience, simply because that’s the lens I live through—but anyone looking for connection, natural wellness, grief support, or a little real-talk in this messy stage of life is more than welcome.

Hi! I'm AJ Flanagan.

 
Hey there — I’m AJ.

I’m an empty-nester and a widow who had a wake-up call about the hidden toxins in everyday products most of us grew up using. Our parents didn’t know. We didn’t know either. But once you start paying attention, it’s hard to ignore.

Life shifted in 2018 when my husband, Eric, was diagnosed with leukemia — and again in 2023 when we faced a second cancer diagnosis. Supporting him through treatment changed how we looked at just about everything, including how we cared for our home, our bodies, and our day-to-day routines.
We didn’t aim for perfection or extremes. We focused on simple, meaningful changes — reducing toxic load in our home, choosing better ingredients, prioritizing nourishing food, and building calmer rhythms into daily life. Tools like aromatherapy, music, meditation, and intentional rest became part of how we coped and stayed grounded.

Caring for Eric deepened my commitment to living well — not as a trend, but as a way of showing up with intention and grace, even in the hard seasons.

Now I share our story, the lessons we learned, the small changes that made a big difference, and how I'm moving forward. My hope is to make wellness feel more approachable, less overwhelming, and rooted in real life — especially for anyone who wants healthier options without pressure or perfection.

If you’re here to find what actually works for you, you’re in the right place.

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