Feeling overwhelmed? Stress and anxiety got you down? Try aromatherapy to bring your calm back.
We’ve all been there. That overwhelming feeling when your to-do list looks more like a novel than a grocery list, and you can feel the stress creeping in. Whether it’s work, family, or life in general, anxiety can strike when you least expect it. But what if there was a natural way to support your body and mind in managing that stress?
Enter aromatherapy – your soon-to-be best friend in navigating the chaotic seas of daily life!
Why Stress and Anxiety Make You Feel Like a Hot Mess
Okay, let’s talk about the science behind essential oils for a second – don’t worry, I’ll keep it simple. Stressors trigger your body’s “fight or flight” response. When this happens, your body releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. They can be of great help if, for instance, you notice a jellyfish that might sting you swimming next to you in the sea. But over time? Not so much. Those hormones can cause a range of issues, from disrupted sleep to an upset stomach to – well, a general feeling of “I can’t deal with this today.” Sounds familiar?
Now, here’s where essential oils can work their magic. By using specific oils, you can support your nervous system and the key word for this process is – amygdala! Amygdala is a small almond shaped region in our limbic brain. This tiny miracle is integrative center for our emotions and motivation, it is crucial for the formation of memories – specifically types of memories involved in anxiety, it is particularly involved with fear and it plays central role in aggression, and the most importantly for our topic – it starts the stress response by registering a stressor and alarming hypothalamus to start “fight or flight” response.
Extraordinary thing: olfaction is one synapse away from the amigdala.
Think for a moment about potential implication of this fact.
Yes, you understood it well – by smelling the essential oils you can directly affect amygdala and influence its decision whether to start stress response or not.
Of course, if there is a fire in the building, you will certainly not gonna sit down and smell your Lavender oil to calm down – you will let amygdala do its thing. But all the stress caused by thoughts and worries about the events that might, but more likely might NOT happened, is definitely the situation in which you should prevent amygdala of starting “fight or flight” response.
“Stress is not what happens to us. It is our response TO what happens. And RESPONSE is something that we can choose.”
Essential Oils to Calm the Storm
1. Lavender
The queen of relaxation. Known for its calming properties, Lavender essential oil is the go-to for reducing anxiety and promoting a good night’s sleep. A couple of drops in a diffuser or on your pillow can work wonders.
2. Bergamot
If Lavender is the queen, Bergamot is the smooth operator of the aromatherapy world. This citrusy delight is fantastic for lifting your spirits and calming the mind. Research shows that Bergamot can reduce cortisol levels (that pesky stress hormone), helping you feel more centered.
3. Frankincense
Want to get all zen and grounded? Frankincense is your answer. With its earthy aroma, it’s often used in meditation for deeper focus and stress relief. It’s like the mental reset button we all need.
4. Roman Chamomile
Not just for tea! Roman Chamomile essential oil is another amazing tool for stress and anxiety. It has a gentle, soothing effect on both the body and mind, perfect for when you need to chill after a long day.
5. Copaiba
The unsung hero of the essential oils world, Copaiba works wonders when you’re feeling overwhelmed and need to reset. It’s adaptogenic properties help the body adapt to stress and promotes balance. The main component of Copaiba is a cannabinoid called beta-caryophyllene, which directly binds to CB2 receptors located in the immune system. Activation of these receptors allows for the proper functioning of both the immune and nervous systems.
Beside these five well known calmers, there is plenty of essential oils that can be used for stress management. Check out the table with different aromatic note categories and figure out which aromas work best for you. Essential oils are most helpful for stress when you have a positive emotional reaction to an aroma. There are certain essential oils that are emphasized for emotional and stress support based upon their chemical constituents, however, any aroma that is considered pleasant to you can be helpful in initiating a relaxation response. Start using those essential oils you find most pleasant with stress relieving activities such as a bath, during yoga, meditation, in massage or in a diffuser when unwinding after a long day. Due to the anatomy of the olfactory system and its direct connection with the limbic system, your brain will begin to form memory scent associations of those essential oils and relaxation. This is also known as odor conditioning. Train your brain to relax!
ESSENTIAL OIL AROMATIC FAMILIES
How to Use Essential Oils for Stress and Anxiety:
- Diffusion: Put a few drops of your chosen essential oil in a diffuser, and let the calming aroma fill the room. This can help clear your mind and reduce stress levels throughout the day.
- Topical Application: Apply essential oils to your pulse points (like your wrists or temples) and take a moment to breathe deeply. Just remember to dilute your oils with a carrier oil to avoid skin sensitisation.
- Inhalation: If you’re on the go, inhale your favorite calming oils directly from the bottle or add a few dropsin mini-inhaler for easy access when you need it most.
- Oral Use: put the drop of Frankincense or Copaiba directly under your tongue. Why? There is a large number of blood vessels under the tongue, which means that the precious calming chemical compounds from the oils will be absorbed very quickly and it will affect your nervous system in no time.
Wrap Up: Bringing Your Calm Back
Let’s face it, stress and anxiety are not going anywhere anytime soon. But that doesn’t mean you have to suffer through them. With the right blend of essential oils, you can bring a sense of calm, clarity, and balance back into your life. Remember, self-care isn’t selfish – it’s essential! So go ahead, diffuse those oils, take a deep breath, and remind yourself that you’ve got this (with a little help from nature’s finest oils, of course!).
