Stress Management & Relaxation with Aromatherapy
Essential Oils Key to Relieving Chronic Stress and Boosting Health
Nov 19, 2009 Victoria Anisman-Reiner
Stress is one of the most pervasive emotional and physical problems of our time, with constant fear of the global economy and the latest superbug making up for whatever calm people manage to hang on to after a stressful work day. Essential oils are one of the most effective natural treatments for stress and its many symptoms.
What is Stress?
Stress is a huge concept and it includes anything that exerts pressure or affects the body or mind in a way that encourages change. Stress occurs in nature as a way to help an organism to respond to the environment. In modern human lives, it is a force that can indicate a need to change something or to impose rest or a stress relief break.
Stress can come from many sources such as work, family, home, or finances, or it may be a result of sleep deprivation, poor nutrition, or emotional exhaustion after trauma.
The problem is that once the body's stress responses are triggered, they can be difficult to shut down. The human body reacts with chemicals like adrenaline and norepinephrine to force the body and mind into a state of alertness and hypervigilance and shutting down less urgent systems like the digestive tract and the reproductive system.
Shutting down the body's chemical (hormonal) and neurological stress reactions is key to reducing stress.
Stress Symptoms
Because it affects – and is affected by – hormone signals in the bloodstream, physical, mental or emotional stress that is not managed can trigger a long list of secondary symptoms:
- muscle tension and soreness
- headaches
- insomnia, disturbed sleep, nightmares
- fatigue
- digestive disturbances
- anxiety
- irritability
- loss of enthusiasm and motivation
- depression
- changes in eating habits, usually for the worse
- low sex drive
How Essential Oils Help in Stress Relief
Essential oils are natural plant essences and have been used for thousands of years in the traditional medicines of China, India, Europe and the Americas. Essential oils have been studied for their ability to aid in relaxation, provide stress relief, and uplift mood.
In one study, office workers who inhaled a cocktail of essential oils piped into the workplace air conditioning were found to be more productive as well as happier with their work. Another study demonstrated that the scent of lemon essential oil made people want to eat less and improved their mood.
Essential oils are believed to trigger a change in brain chemistry from the "fight or flight" response of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to the more peaceful, relaxed, stress relief mode of the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). Some of the best essential oils for stress relief and to awaken the relaxing effect of the PNS include:
- lemon
- lavender
- chamomile
- rose
- sandalwood
- cedarwood
- frankincense
- vetiver
- blue tansy
Please exercise caution in using any aromatherapy products or oils to treat stress. There is a huge variety in the quality of essential oils and certain oils can worsen stress and cause allergic reactions. For more information, see The Real Quality of Essential Oils.
References:
Essential Science Publishing (compiled by), Essential Oils Desk Reference, 2nd Edition. USA, Essential Science Publishing, 2001.
Panzarino, Peter J., "Stress," MedicineNet.com, 2009.
Chamomile for Stress Relief and Relaxation
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