How to Manage Stress Using Aromatherapy Essential Oils

There are two types of stress – eustress and distress. Eustress is the type of pressure that drives you, pushes you to do something. Distress is the other end of eustress, when the pressure becomes too much that it burdens you and negatively affects your health. The early signs of distress are “fatigue, self-doubt, sleeplessness, and headaches” (1). Later onsets of distress are illnesses like “ulcers, heart attacks, and clinical depression” (1). A good way to prevent distress is aromatherapy with its relaxing and calming effects. Here are some of the tips on how to manage stress using aromatherapy essential oils from McGilvery & Reed:

1. Anxiety

Ø Essential oils like basil (uplifting), bergamot (uplifting), geranium (relaxing), lavender (soothing), neroli (sedative), and sandalwood (calming) are great for anxiety. This stimulates the lymbic portion of the brain responsible for feelings of well-being. You could massage your solar plexus (just below the breastbone) anti-clockwise with one of these oils while bathing or while lying down before going to sleep.

2. Mild Shock

Ø Essential oils like chamomile (calming), rosemary (stimulating), Melissa (anti-depressant), Neroli (relieves anxiety), and peppermint (invigorating pain-reliever) can be used by adding 4 drops of these in a handkerchief to be inhaled.

3. Headaches

Ø Add five drops of oil to a small bowl of cool or warm water and soak then wring a cloth in it and then place it on the forehead.

Ø If the headache is caused by a pain in the neck, use a sandalwood compress on the neck.

4. Depression

Ø You could massage using uplifting oils (bergamot, cypress, lemongrass, rosemary, and sage) and soothing oils (chamomile, geranium, jasmine, lavender, marjoram, neroli, patchouli, rose, sandalwood, and ylang-ylang).

5. Mental Fatigue

Ø If you feel fatigue, you must relax and unwind first by taking a walk or taking deep breaths or bathe with soothing oils for depression, and then revive self with eucalyptus or peppermint.

Ø Use rosemary for concentration if you cannot relax at the time.

6. Insomnia

Ø You could bathe with drops of these essential oils before sleeping: chamomile, cedarwood, frankincense, hyssop, lavender, marjoram, Melissa, neroli, orange, patchouli, rose, sage, sandalwood, and ylang-ylang. You could also use these on a fragrancer or oil burner, or dab it on the pillowcase.

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Reference:

(1) McGilvery, C. & Reed, J. (2000). Aromatherapy for Health, Beauty, & Well-being. NY: Hermes House Anness Publishing Inc.