Devagar se vai ao longe: Reclaiming the Art of Slow Living with Óleos Essenciais

March 6, 2026|Fabio Magalhaes

In Portugal there is a saying, "Devagar se vai ao longe". Literally this translates as Slowly, one goes far and is similar to the English Idiom of “Slow and steady wins the race”. It is a reminder that the most meaningful progress doesn’t happen in a frantic rush, but through steady intention. Historically, this "slow living" was woven into the fabric of our culture: through lunches that lasted hours, the quiet ritual of the evening caminhada and the coffee shop discussions dissecting it all.

However, the modern world doesn’t always leave room for a three-hour lunch or a slow afternoon by the coast. Our schedules are tighter, our screens are louder, and our short "rest" is often just filled with endless scrolling.

At BlumiLABS, we don't believe in just creating a beautiful and memorable background aroma with our Óleos Essenciais for Diffusers (though that is a plus!) but we believe using these natural ingredients to modulate your mood, spirit and mental state. If you cannot change the pace of the world outside, you can at least change the pace of the person within.

Hopefully we can help all our customers around the world internally achieve those lost moments of Portuguese intentionality

Here are five everyday ways to use our Óleos Essenciais to bring the "Devagar" spirit into your life.

1. The Morning Stretch: Igniting Your Vigor

One of the hardest parts of starting the day is the mental transition from waking to alert. There’s a temptation to rush from the covers to your first coffee and task and your nervous system can often get stuck in the fog of half awakeness.

Instead of forcing the movement or energy, use Vigor Essential Oils to bridge the gap. Add a few drops of the oil to water in your diffuser as you do a few light morning stretches and deep breathing. As the morning mist rises, the bright and spicy notes act as a sensory switch. As you mindfully feel each limb stretch out and your core rise and fall with each breath your mind can catch up to your body. This small intentional moment really helps us get the most from the day with a slow moment of spark.

2. The Mental Reset: Finding Your Solar Clarity

We often treat tidying the house as a race to be finished. But in the spirit of Devagar, even cleaning can be a moment of clarity. As you reset your physical space, you have the opportunity to reset your internal one.

Place a few drops of Solar Essential Oils into your oil diffuser before you begin tidying or as you start the dishes. Even better turn the music on with our Blue Sky playlist for bright clarity. As you complete your task try and empty your worries as the bright and mellow scent helps maintain an uplifting sense of calm. It turns a mundane task into a mental palette cleanser shifting your mood so you finish the chore feeling refreshed. This helps mentally flip the script from rushing to get things done to enjoying the moment as you engage with your space.

3. The Screen-Time Supercharge: Finding Your Norte

Modern life requires us to spend hours focusing and concentrating on screens doing detailed work. Sometimes this can be for fun things we choose to do like gaming and sometimes there is no choice like with work or filling in your online tax return with the Finanças!

As our life fragments our attention and tires our focus, as we bounce from task to task and place to person it can be hard to summon the mental energy and focus needed in some tasks without distracting thoughts or mental fatigue.

To protect your mental energy you need a North Star. You need Norte! Adding a few drops of Norte Essential Oils to your diffuser water creates a crisp and grounding environment. It prevents the mental blur that comes with long hours online and sharpens the centre of your view, allowing you to focus deeply in a flow state.

4. The Deep Soak: A Return to the Prado

The traditional Portuguese Prado (meadow) is a place of absolute stillness. Sometimes the bathtub is the closest we get to that physical escape in our house.

Getting time to truly decompress is still a luxury so we have a quick way to transport your senses and allow a 10 minute tub to give you a spa feeling. Ask not to be disturbed, put our Chill Mode relaxing playlist on in the background and mix a few drops of Prado Essential Oils into your diffuser as you run the water. As you get into the water take some deep breaths with your eyes closed and listen to the sounds of the water. This helps to mentally lower your internal volume. It’s a tool for slow living in its purest form helping you breathe deeper and reconnect with the quiet strength of yourself and the water.

5. The Evening Shift: Embracing the Carnal

At the end of the day, we often struggle to "turn off." We carry the stress of the day into our most private and intimate moments. Reclaiming intimacy requires a deliberate shift in our internal chemistry. This can be an almost impossible task after a tiring day and with anxieties and so we need every bit of help we can get sometimes!

To spice up an intimate moment, add a few drops of Carnal Essential Oils to the water in your oil diffuser as you start to get comfortable for the evening with a loved one. This blend is designed to help you connect with your physicality and feel in the moment. The deep, warm notes encourage you to slow down, inhabit your body, and focus entirely on the connection in front of you.

Reclaim Your Pace

You don't need to move to the Portuguese countryside to experience the benefits of a slower life - although we recommend it! You just need the right tools to ground yourself in the present moment. Whether you are looking for Norte, Vigor, or the warmth of Solar, we have a blend designed for your journey.

Explore our full range of Óleos Essenciais and start your own ritual of intentional living today.

For more tips on modulating your mood naturally and mastering your routine, explore the full BlumiBLOG.