26 Apr Managing Stress the Natural Way
The Effect too much Stress can have on us…
Stress is of course a normal and unavoidable part of life, whether at home or work. But there are many ways we can help ourselves manage it and relieve some of the unpleasant symptoms it causes.
When we think of stress, we often think of the affect it has on us emotionally, but it of course also has a knock-on effect on our bodies. When we are stressed, worried, overstimulated or overworked, our bodies can produce too much of the stress hormones Adrenaline and Cortisol. Physical changes can also influence this hormone production too which can be caused by our menstrual cycles and the Menopause. Some great natural ways to alleviate the feelings these hormones produce are exercise, meditation, getting more sleep and social connection. Did you know that Essential Oils can also play a useful role in helping you achieve a more relaxed state of mind and can support you in your exercise and relaxation practises? Your olfactory system (your sense of smell) directly affects the part of your brain that regulates emotion. That’s why smells can trigger memories and elicit feelings — both negative and positive. Aromatherapy can help in reducing stress and anxiety to engage a general state of calm.
Essential Oils to Support Exercise, Mediation and Relaxation
Sometimes the motivation to take some well-needed exercise can be lacking, but perky oils such as Ginger, any citrus oil or a clearing Peppermint can help awaken the senses. Our Daybreak blend is a rejuvenating and uplifting essential oil blend containing notes of Lemon, Orange and Tangerine, plus Frankincense and Jasmine to create an uplifting and awakening environment and can help inspire us to be active! At the other end of the spectrum are some more rest and relaxation inducing oils that can help calm us during periods of high stress such as Lavender, Clary Sage and Vetiver. Our Equilibrium blend is a balancing essential oil blend specially formulated to help naturally restore the body’s optimal emotional balance during times of emotional upheaval & hormonal changes. It contains the perfect notes of Rose, Frankincense, Ho Wood (a herbaceous oil with a sweet, woody scent) and Bergamot oil. A superb way to utilise this oil is to add a few drops to a diffuser in the room you are practising your meditation or relaxation techniques so it can be gently inhaled, or to add a few drops to a warm bath and enjoy a moment of peace and quiet.
Tired of Stress or Hormone-related headaches?
Relaxation techniques such as mindfulness, meditation and yoga can really help support your body and mind during times of stress, as can reducing your caffeine and alcohol intake. But we all love a treat and if we’re cutting back on those well-loved-lattes or glasses of Sauvignon Blanc, it’s great to be able to replace that little treat with something nourishing. As headaches can be a common symptom of hormonal stress or tension, our HeadAid blend of Essential Oils has been created to alleviate some of these symptoms. It contains a soothing blend of expertly sourced oils, specially formulated to help tackle sore heads and tense minds. It contains notes of Lavender, Peppermint, Chamomile and also comes in a useful pre-diluted roll-on version which is ideal to take to work or on days out! It’s great to take a few moments out of your day to treat yourself (or someone else) to a temple massage…Our Headaid Aroma-roll oils are ready blended with Organic Jojoba oil to make it suitable to apply directly onto the skin, so simply roll on to your temples and using your fingers apply gentle pressure and massage in circular motions to help clear and calm a tired mind and body. You can also massage this into your neck and shoulders at your desk if you’re feeling tense after being hunched over a computer at work. An extra little tip is to keep this blend in the fridge prior to use so it’s cooling on application.
Stress management doesn’t need to break the bank!
A little goes a long way when using when using Essential Oils so they don’t need to be costly to use. It is important to only use Essential Oils according to the instructions as they can be quite potent, and a few drops is all you need in most circumstances. A small bottle can therefore last for a long time and can be extremely cost effective – much cheaper than a gym membership! Oils should always be stored sealed and in a cool, dry environment such as a cupboard and our oils are supplied in amber glass bottles as sunlight can accelerate the expiration of the oil.
Rather than forking out for a costly spa treatment, another cost-effective but luxurious way to give yourself a relaxing treat after a stressful day is a warm footbath with some of our De-Stress Epsom Salts. Simply pour some warm (not too hot!) water into a shallow basin and add a few sprinkles of the salts – you could also add a few drops of a nourishing carrier oil such as Arnica Oil which has antibacterial and soothing qualities and will leave your feet feeling lovely and soft and hopefully relieved of any tension. Of course, you can add Essential Oils to your footbath instead of salts, here are some of our favourites to encourage stress reduction and to ease tenseness…
- Chamomile is one of the most popular essential oils in aromatherapy thanks to its wonderful therapeutic properties which help to calm, soothe, and balance both the mind and body, helping to relieve tension and irritability.
- Clary Sage is an uplifting essential oil with a distinctive herbaceous and woody scent that blends well with most essential oils. This oil is especially great for use during times of worry as it has a strongly uplifting yet soothing effect on the mind.
- Sandalwood Essential Oil has a rich, woody and sensual aroma which has been used for centuries as part of meditation and spiritual rituals. This oil is naturally soothing for general body aches, daily tensions, and the skin, making it a staple essential oil for supporting both the mind and body.
- Ylang Ylang Essential Oil has a sweet, exotic, floral aroma. it is a great oil to help to uplift, relax, and comfort the mind during times of stress.
The key to reducing any stress can be to actually recognise the signs of it as we all exhibit symptoms differently. The best way to avoid these symptoms is to balance your life’s activities and responsibilities, look after yourself and listen to your body, only then can we begin to make stress a more manageable situation in our lives.