It’s the time of year when all eyes turn to the academic calendar. Questions abound in the minds of students and teachers alike as they prepare for a new semester, new challenges, and new relationships; and the feelings leading up to that first day back sure cover a wide spectrum. Let’s explore a few project ideas that will use your dōTERRA® essential oils to help smooth out the start of the academic year.

First off, I want to make sure you know about the usefulness of Vetiver during this transition. The enduring nature of this oil stems from its very creation: the roots of the hearty vetiver plant grow straight down into a thick underground tangle. This subterranean root bunch is distilled to create Vetiver oil, which has an uncanny ability to balance and root the emotions. A sense of deep rooting allows us to feel more serene, opening up the mind to better focus and attention. So it’s definitely time to take note of these qualities of Vetiver, if they’re new to you!

Combine Vetiver with Lavender in the following fun recipe, creating a calming environment for those first-day-of-school conversations with your young scholar. Making and handling this squishy dough together is sure to be a relaxing and bonding activity, with no age limit.

To make Vetiver Lavender Sensory Dough, you’ll need:

• 1 cup flour

• 1/4 cup salt

• 1 tablespoon cream of tartar

• 1/2 cup warm water

• 5 drops combined of Vetiver and/or Lavender oil

• Food coloring, non-staining

• An optional dash of glitter

Mix together the flour, salt, and cream of tartar. Add water, essential oils, and food coloring. Mix well before adding glitter. Store in ziplock bags and reuse as desired. Tip: if Vetiver is too thick to get out of the bottle, use a toothpick to help retrieve the desired amount to add to the dough. As a reminder, encourage children to avoid touching the eye area whenever essential oils are on their hands.

Stabilizing Vetiver and calming Lavender make an excellent combination. There’s another simple and grounding way to use them during this season: in the shower. Whether you prefer morning or evening, the shower is a perfect time to breathe in these reassuring aromas to prepare you for the day ahead or help you process the day behind you. Call it a shower melt, shower tablet, or shower steamer, the basic idea is the same: it’s basically a bath bomb redesigned for use in the shower.

To make Vetiver Lavender Shower Melts, you’ll need:

• 1 1/2 cups baking soda

• 15-20 drops dōTERRA Vetiver and/or Lavender

• 1/2 cup water

Combine baking soda and water in a bowl and mix well. Add 15-20 drops of oil, depending on your preferred potency, and mix again. Using a spoon, tightly pack mixture into small silicone molds of any shape and let dry at least overnight, up to 2 days if needed. You’re going for the consistency of a thick paste, so add more baking soda and/or water as necessary. To use, place one or two tablets on the shower floor, away from the direct flow of water. Allow tablets to dissolve gradually and release their calming aroma. Store dry tablets in airtight containers.

Keep a stash of these Vetiver Lavender shower melts in your bathroom for easy access the next time you need a boost of stability and extra calm during your daily cleanse. Amidst anticipation, excitement, and even some anxious feelings, depend on reassuring Vetiver and tranquil Lavender to perform their practical purposes. It’s an exciting school year ahead!