At Symprove,Β weβre big on mornings. We all start the day with our shot of live and active bacteria, and weβre big believers that starting your morning with a positive little ritual can set you up well for the rest of the day.
That doesnβt mean our mornings are always calm and organised sadly β alarms go off too early, packed lunches need making, youβve got to find something clean to wear and get everyone out of the door on timeβ¦ and thatβs before youβve even looked at your emails.
We know that adding in one or two positive rituals to a morning routine can make a real difference, which is one of the reasons weβre excited to be launching a new partnership with Tisserand for new Symprove customers this September.
The connection between Symprove and Tisserand
On the face of it, live and active bacteria and essential oils might notΒ seem like they have an enormous amount in common, but Symprove and Tisserand actually share a very similar approach: that looking after yourself doesnβt need to mean completely overhauling your life. Often, itβs the small things you can realistically do every day that are easiest to stick to.
Thereβs also another interesting connection between Symprove and Tisserand: the connection between the gut and the brain, and the way stress can affect us both mentally and physically.
SymproveΒ focuses on supporting the gut microbiome from within, while Tisserand's essential oils can be used as part of simple everyday routines to help create moments of calm. Theyβre different approaches, but with a similar idea at the heart of them: looking after yourself in small, manageable ways.
What is the gut-brain connection?
TheΒ gut-brain axis is a two-way communication system between your digestive system and your brain. Itβs why stress and your gut can feel so closely linked β like getting butterflies in our tummies before something that makes us nervous, or an upset stomach during really stressful times.
Tisserandβs essential oil expert and aromatherapist,Β Jo Kellett, says that stress can affect us in lots of different ways, from digestive upset and disrupted sleep to feeling anxious or physically tense.Β Different essential oils can then be useful depending on what you're experiencing.Β For example, Peppermint can be used to help ease digestive discomfort brought on by stress, while Frankincense is traditionally used to help calm the breath and ease feelings of anxiety. For people who tend to feel their stress through tight, aching muscles, Ginger can be used as part of a massage blend.
As Jo says: βStress may be an inevitable part of modern life, but it does not have to dictate how we feel or function.β
Both Symprove and Tisserand believe in doing small things every day to look after yourself, and your morning is a pretty good place to start.
Simple morning routine ideas for gut healthΒ
Weβre not suggesting you start getting up at 5am, meditate for an hour and make a complicated green juice before everyone else wakes up. Itβs simply about creating a routine that works for you.
It might be taking your shot of Symprove first thing and then rolling on Tisserand De-Stress β a blend of Sweet Orange, Geranium and Nutmeg - or Real Calm - a blend of Lavender, Bergamot and Patchouli -Β onto your pulse points while you get ready, actually sitting down to eat breakfast, taking five minutes outside with a cup of tea, or just trying not to look at your phone the second you open your eyes.
As Jo says: βWith the right essential oil and a few mindful moments, you can establish small daily rituals that help your body shift out of survival mode and into a state of lasting ease.βΒ
Essential oils for different types of stressΒ Β
Jo Kellett, Tisserandβs essential oil expert and aromatherapist shares...Β
Pre-Blended Solutions: Tisserand Total De-StressΒ
At Tisserand Aromatherapy, we have a ready-made solution: Total De-Stress. This expertly blended combination brings together three powerful essential oils: Β
- Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis): Refreshing and uplifting, Orange helps calm overactive thoughts, reduce stress and anxiety, and boost feelings of joy and positivity.
- Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens): Supports emotional balance. It helps promote inner harmony and ease mood swings by reducing anxiety and irritability.
- Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans): Warming and soothing. Nutmeg helps relieve tension in both body and mind, calming mental fatigue and emotional overwhelm while helping you feel grounded. Β
Total De-Stress is available in a range of different applications so you can choose which format works best for your daily routine. Β
The best single essential oils for specific stress symptoms
If you prefer to use individual essential oils to target specific physical or emotional responses, read on to discover which oils to choose and how to apply them safely.Β
1. Digestive Upset: Peppermint Essential Oil (Mentha piperita)Β
Peppermint is a wonderful essential oil for easing digestive discomfort brought on by stress. It contains a blend of natural active compounds, most notably menthol, menthone, and menthyl acetate, which work together to create its well-known soothing effect. These components help relax the smooth muscles of the digestive tract, ease spasms, and support overall digestive comfort.
- How to use: Add 5 drops of Peppermint essential oil to 10 ml of carrier blending oil. Gently massage the blend around your belly button in a clockwise direction to soothe digestive discomfort.
2. Disrupted Sleep: Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
Sleep can easily be disrupted when stress levels are high. Lavender is widely recognised for its ability to promote restful sleep. Its key chemical components, linalool and linalyl acetate, have been shown to exert a natural sedative action on the nervous system.
- How to use: Add up to 8 drops of Lavender to your essential oil diffuser before bedtime to fill your room with a soothing, sedative aroma.Β Donβt forget to switch off your diffuser before you fall asleep!
3. Shortness of Breath & Anxiety: Frankincense Essential Oil (Boswellia carterii)
Frankincense has been used for centuries to calm the breath and ease anxiety, andΒ modern scientific research now pinpoints the exact reasons why. Certain chemical components in Frankincense have been demonstrated to have significant anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties.
- For ambient calm: Add up to 8 drops of Frankincense essential oil to your diffuser and place it on your desk, bedside table, or anywhere you need to feel calm and focused.
- For a quick-fix inhalation: Add 2 drops of Frankincense onto a tissue or cotton wool pad and inhale slowly and steadily. Take care not to allow the tissue to touch your skin or face.
4. Emotional Overload & Feeling Irritable: Neroli Essential Oil (Citrus aurantium amara)
We can all feel overwhelmed at times, but natural support is at hand. Neroli is often cited as the ultimate "rescue remedy" of essential oils.
Neroliβs natural chemistry, notably linalool, nerolidol, and limonene, interacts directly with the brain's GABA system. GABA is the brainβs natural "calm-down" neurotransmitter, helping you feel settled, grounded, and less anxious.
- For instant relief: Add 2 drops of Neroli to a tissue or cotton wool pad and inhale slowly and steadily to ease sudden feelings of overwhelm.
- For long-lasting calm: Create a custom body oil by adding 5 drops of Neroli to 10 ml of your chosen blending oil. Take a few minutes to massage it over your body using long, sweeping strokes while gently inhaling the aroma. This soothing self-massage encourages the release of oxytocin (the body's comfort hormone) and helps melt away emotional tension.
5. Muscular Tightness & Physical Aches: Ginger Essential Oil (Zingiber officinale)
When we are tense, our muscles naturally tighten up, particularly around the neck, shoulders, and back. To relieve muscular aches and physical stiffness, you can formulate a targeted massage oil designed to ease tightness and bring a deep sense of release.
Ginger essential oil is deeply warming and comforting to overworked muscles. Its primary active components, gingerol and zingiberene, help reduce physical discomfort while encouraging local blood circulation.
- How to use: Add 5 drops of Ginger essential oil (Zingiber officinale) to 10 ml of blending oil, and massage thoroughly into tight, aching muscles.
Summary
A good morning routine doesnβt need to be perfect, it just needs to work for you and be something you can do consistently and simply to really begin to notice the benefits.Β
New Symprove customers can receive a free Tisserand gift with their first order from 1st September.Β
Disclaimer:Β If emotional overwhelm or physical stress symptoms persist or begin affecting your daily life, it is important to consult your GP or healthcare professional. Essential oils provide wonderful support for general wellbeing, but they are not intended to replace medical treatment or clinical care.
