Ease The Stress - Using Essential Oils for Stress Relief

January 8, 2005

People have been using the power of scent for over 6,000 years. Our sense of smell is 10,000 times more sensitive than the other 4 senses. Therefore, the invisible world of scent powerfully affects our memories and our moods. By stimulating the brain, aromatherapy can rejuvenate, cheer, balance, energize, de-stress, soothe, calm, etc.

There are several essential oils and many ways to use them for stress relief, depending on the type of stress you are experiencing. Hypostress is stress caused by boredom or being unchallenged, so you would want to pick energizing, refreshing, and stimulating scents like Peppermint, Lemon or Sweet Orange. When suffering from distress and hyperstress, try aromatherapy scents specifically geared for relaxing, soothing, and calming.

Although there are many different essential oils that are effective for stress relief, everyone is different, and different scents affect people in different ways. Above all, you should trust your intuition when it comes to deciding which oils to use. If you do not like the scent of an oil, it will not have the desired effect. There are several essential oils generally recommended for stress relief. Lavender is probably the most universally recommended essential oil for stress relief. Lavender is known for its relaxing properties as well as its ability to heal. Essential oil of Lavender is extracted from the flowers of the Lavender plant. It is one of the very few essential oils that can be used undiluted on the skin.

Another commonly recommended essential oil for stress relief is Chamomile. It is used to calm overstimulated nerves. Chamomile is also a natural antiseptic and was used as a disinfectant in hospitals and doctors' offices until the Second World War.Bergamot is another oil that is considered good for relieving stress and nervous tension. It is a natural anti-depressant that has a refreshing and uplifting quality.Always dilute Bergamot essential oil before applying to your skin.

There are different ways that essential oils can be used in daily life to help reduce stress. One way is by adding them to your bath. Baths are very relaxing in themselves, and by adding essential oils to the water, the benefits are even greater. Completely immerse your body in the bath water, relax and deeply breathe in the vapors of the essential oils. The essential oils are absorbed through the skin and are able to take their effect quickly.Another great way to use essential oils for stress relief is by inhalation, in which essential oils are breathed in through the nose. For immediate stress relief, you can put 3 or 4 drops of essential oil on a tissue and hold the tissue near your nose and breath deeply. Or you can inhale the essential oil right from the bottle. Try diffusing oils into the air in your home or office or while traveling in the car with an auto diffuser. A soothing environment can make a big difference in stress levels.Although essential oils can have many therapeutic benefits for use in stress relief, there are also some safety issues that must be respected when using these substances. It is important to read and follow all label warnings and cautions found on aromatherapy products. Certain groups of people are more vulnerable in general and should especially be careful in use of essential oils. Pregnant women should not use essential oils.Essential oils are highly concentrated. Do not use in large quantities or undiluted. In fact, it is wise to skin test the oils before use. A small amount of essential oil can be diluted and placed on the arm. If redness, burning, itching, or irritation occurs, do not use the product any further. Essential oils should be kept away from eyes and mucous membranes and should not be taken internally. Experiment with essential oils slowly until you discover which oils work best for you. Everyone is different. Using essential oils for stress relief can be a very pleasant and effective experience and soon you will wonder how you ever got along without them!

Diana Gonzalez

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying - the longer a problem is carried, the heavier it gets. Don't take things too seriously - live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

-Unknown