Summer Travel Essentials — 7 Things You Don't Want To Forget!
The Oily Home Companion
Vacation is a time to relax and refresh your body, mind, and soul. It’s a time when people put aside their responsibilities and break from their normal routine, which is a good thing! It wouldn’t be a true vacation if you’re taking work calls or worrying about a clean house. However, one thing that should not be set aside during vacation is your health! The name of the game here is protection and prevention. It’s possible to enjoy the present while making choices that won’t damage your future self. Here are some very simple tips that will allow you to get the rest your body is craving and still maintain healthy habits during your trip!
SUNSCREEN
Don’t get fried—leave that to your eggs. Applying sunscreen is so very necessary! Even if you’re not prone to getting sunburn, sun exposure can lead to wrinkles and even skin cancer. Using a natural sunscreen will allow you to get the benefits of the sun, such as vitamin D exposure, while being protected from damaging rays. Our eyes are drawn to the higher SPF sunscreen because we think it will provide better overall protection, but that higher SPF simply indicates a higher concentration of sun protectant chemicals. When using a drugstore sunscreen, you’re applying a range of chemicals to your skin and letting those bake in the heat. We cannot and should not have to choose whether we want protection from the sun or harsh chemicals. And we have good news—you can get protection from both with Young Living’s Mineral Sunscreen Lotion. It provides protection against UVA and UVB rays without harsh chemical ingredients. The formula is made from naturally derived plant and mineral based ingredients. This is a must-have product to keep your whole family happy and safe in the summer sun!
INSECT REPELLENT
We love the great outdoors, but never forget that it’s enemy territory! That’s right, we’re talking about bugs. Nothing puts a damper on vacation quite like becoming dinner for ticks and mosquitos. Luckily, those itchy bites are easy to prevent with a product that takes no time at all to apply! Insect repellent that’s sold in stores tends have an overpowering chemical smell because it’s filled with ingredients that are toxic, such as the infamous deet. We’re sure you’ve seen many insect repellents that say deet-free and are wondering what is really so harmful about deet. Although it's effective at repelling insects, studies have linked deet to negative health effects such as rashes, headaches, dizziness, and brain fog. Why risk it when there are natural, non-toxic ingredients that researchers have found to effectively repel insects, too? Citronella, which is included in Young Living’s insect repellent formula, keeps away nasty insects all while smelling amazing. It has many other health benefits, too, such as promoting relaxation and fighting bacteria and fungi. Sounds like a win-win scenario to us!
ESSENTIAL OILS
Your oils are essential for travel—says right in the name. The bottles are portable for a reason! Stick these classics in your purse to help keep you feeling easy and breezy no matter what comes your way. Traveling can be stressful—things don’t always go as planned and there will always be a few bumps in the road (figuratively AND literally), but that shouldn’t ruin your trip. Here are our favorite essential oils to bring during vacation:
- Lavender: Sometimes sleeping in an unfamiliar bed can keep you up at night, but applying some lavender to your temples and the bottom of your big toe can help you drift off to sleep peacefully.
- Stress Away: This calming scent will help create an atmosphere of serenity. There is no need to stress during your time of relaxation, so use this oil to help you feel at ease even when things don’t go your way.
- Lemon Vitality: Nausea can tend to kick in during car or plane rides. Dropping some lemon vitality oil in your water can help calm the chaos in your tummy. It’s also nice to have on hand to add some zest to your water—it’s important to stay hydrated while you’re out and about!
LAVADERM AFER SUN SPRAY
We know that nobody’s perfect. Sometimes you find yourself rushing out the door, excited for your outdoor adventure, only to realize you forgot the insect repellent or you haven’t re-applied sunscreen in two hours. Life happens! Lucky for you, Young Living has an emergency plan for you. Lavaderm After Sun Spray provides immediate, temporary relief and soothes your skin from painful, itchy sunburns or insect bites. Keeping this product on hand ensures that your family can continue enjoying your vacation despite the little mishaps that may happen along the way.
WATER BOTTLE
Staying hydrated is one of the kindest things you can do for yourself while you’re on vacation, but you have to plan ahead! Keeping a travel water bottle with you at all times will prevent the headaches and exhaustion that come from dehydration and you’ll avoid spending money on wasteful plastic water bottles. There are many great reusable water bottles out there that are BPA free and will help keep our planet clean—one of our favorites is the brand Hydroflask because it keeps your water cool all day long!
LAVENDER LIP BALM
Keeping lip balm on hand is important because the skin on our lips doesn’t have sebaceous glands, which produce oil and naturally moisturize skin. Our lips also don’t have melanin, which provides natural protection from the sun. Lip Balm is packed with vitamin E which provides moisture for the skin on your lips and it helps seal that moisture so it will last longer. Young Living has a few amazing lip balms that are infused with essential oils or, if you’re feeling crafty, you can make your own. Either way, you’ll want your lips to feel and look great while you’re vacationing—there will be lots of photos to smile for!
SUNGLASSES
Sunblock doesn’t cover everything! Wearing sunglasses is essential to protect your eyes from potential eye damage. This is especially important if you’re spending time near water, as the sun’s rays are more intense when reflected from the water. There are studies that suggest eye damage, such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and other eye problems, is linked to overexposure to the sun. Do yourself a favor and get a nice pair of sunglasses that include protection from UVA and UVB rays with about 95-100% blockage. Consider this your excuse to buy a stylish new accessory that also helps keep your eyes safe!
We hope these tips are helpful as you gear up for your family adventures. Staying healthy with essential oils makes everything a bit more enjoyable, doesn’t it?
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