Stress Relief

Stop Stressing: Try these Essential Oils

 Essential oils have a powerful ability to combat stress and help you to feel calm and relaxed. Their use goes back centuries and the ancient Egyptians used a variety of oils to relax after a long day.
When used properly, essential oils target the receptors in the nasal cavity associated with the limbic system in the brain. This area is associated with your emotions, so when you use the right oils, you can change how you are feeling.

Lavender Essential Oil

Of all of the stress-relieving essential oils, lavender is the most popular. This floral scent is fresh and lightly sweet, offering a balancing and relaxing effect on your emotional and physical state. It also helps to alleviate tension and muscle pain, allowing for maximum relaxation.
Chamomile Essential Oil
Chamomile comes in a German type and a Roman type, but both work well to alleviate stress by calming your nerves. However, both work to relieve stress a bit differently and the type of stress you are experiencing will dictate which one is best to use. German chamomile is more general so it is best for the general stress you experience after a long day. Roman chamomile is more specific and it is best for stress related to paranoia, hostility and mental anxiety.

Rose Essential Oil
Rose essential oil is very versatile, making it ideal for stress because it targets many issues you may be experiencing. It is known to help alleviate stress and it can also elevate a down mood associated with depression. If you are experiencing stress as a result of menopause, or if menopausal symptoms are aggravating your stress, this essential oil has the double benefit of relaxing you and helping to alleviate menopausal symptoms that exaggerate stress, such as mood swings and hot flashes.

How to Use Essential Oils Properly
To reap the full benefits of essential oils, it is important that you use them properly. Make sure that you mix them with a carrier oil, such as jojoba oil or almond oil, before applying them to your skin to prevent skin irritation.
When you apply them to your skin, you can massage them into the skin or place them in areas that will promote relaxation and reduce tension, such as on the back of the neck and the soles of the feet.
If you prefer the scent to be more widespread, add your essential oils to a diffuser so that the relaxing scents disperse throughout the room. You can also add a few drops to a warm bath to help promote a sense of calm.
Start with one of the above-listed essential oils and gauge how much it helps you to relieve stress. Many people find one oil that is very effective so they stick with it. You can add others in the future if you want to switch it up or increase the stress-relieving effects of these oils. Before using essential oils, consult your physician to ensure absolute safety.

-The Alternative Daily