Combatting Stress with Aromatherapy

Combating Stress with Aromatherapy

by

Helen Hammond from Scents-ible Solutions

Feeling uptight, irritable, and short-tempered for no apparent reason? You maybe experiencing stress. Small amounts of stress can be useful, helps adrenalin to flow, to help you to achieve a goal or reach a target. When your task is completed, stress lifts & you are left with a sense of achievement. This is ‘good stress’. Stress can become harmful when it begins to impact upon your daily life in a negative way. Your neck & shoulder muscles become tight & ache constantly, you have a continuous headache, insomnia, unusual emotional reactions to situations or conversations, over or under eating & even lethargy.

Aromatherapy can help to relieve these symptoms with the use of anti-depressant & sedative oils. The most important step to combating stress is to recognise & admit to yourself that you are stressed. As stress affects us all in different ways, we therefore require different methods to overcome & relax. Essential oils can be used in a variety of products & ways to aid this process.

Spa Treatments – Bubble bath, bath oils, melts, fizzes, shower gel, shampoo are products that we can utilise from our daily lives to use as ‘stress relief’ products. Choose products that contain relaxing essential oils & take time out for a pampering session. Finish with body lotion or oil that contains the same essential oils.

Room Fragrances – Oil burners, electric diffusers – add a few drops of your favourite relaxing oils. Room sprays – make your own, add 10 drops of essential oils to 100ml of water in a spray bottle shake & spray.

Perfumes – Roll-on or solid perfumes can be a wonderful way to surround yourself with a unique fragrance which can help you to relax.

Tissues – add 3-4 drops of your chosen oils onto a tissue & inhale as required.

Driving – pop the tissue into the air vent of the vehicle & turn on the air.

If you know you are facing a stressful situation, inhale the oils prior to putting yourself in situation.

Which Essential Oils are helpful for Combating Stress?

Here are the 8 most popular relaxing oils.

Camomile – gentle, soothing & relaxing.

Clary Sage – extremely relaxing, can create feelings of euphoria. Do not use prior to driving.

Frankincense – slows & deepens breathing, in turn calming & relaxing.

Grapefruit – light & refreshing, helps to overcome anxiety & stress.

Lavender – calming & relaxing. Use in small amounts, as over use can be stimulating.

Marjoram – a sedative oil, can help to bring about feelings of calm.

Ylang Ylang – a rich exotic aroma can slow overly quick breathing & lower blood pressure. A good aphrodisiac as stress can inhibit loving feelings.

Choose oils/products which include aromas that you enjoy. Oils can be used singularly or blended together. Creating your own ‘stress relief’ blend can be fun & rewarding.