Bergamot Oil Improves Feelings Of Well
Bergamot essential oil is a calming essential oil that helps to improve mood due to its uplifting scent.
One study on the calming effects of bergamot essential oil on rats found that sniffing the essential oil helps to stop anxious feelings. The researchers noticed that bergamot aromas have a similar effect to anti-anxiety medications like diazepam.
Another study found that the anti-stress effect of bergamot essential oil was due to the fact that it helps inhibit the stress hormone corticosterone.
There is also evidence to suggest that breathing in bergamot aromas reduces anxiety in humans. One mental health clinic found that diffusing bergamot scent in their waiting room induced feelings of well-being and had a positive effect on mental health.
Aromatherapy And Stress: How It Works
While researching how aromatherapy works, I was really excited to find out about the direct connection between smell and the part of your brain that responds to threats. This connection fast-forwarded my understanding of how effective aromatherapy can be for helping people deal with stress, anxiety, PTSD, anger, and other mood challenges.;
It;appears that aromas from concentrated essential oils send messages to the limbic system in your brain. The pathway is:
aromaolfactory bulbs in your nose–to–the limbic part of your brain.;
The limbic system includes the amygdala and is;the center;of instinctive behavioral responses, mood, and memory.
The limbic system gets;involved in your emotional responses and behaviors that are stimulated by drives for survival;.;
It’s the part of your brain that responds to stress with fight, flight, or freezeso if we can relax the limbic system, we can potentially relax that response.;
When Is Anxiety And Stress Harmful
Its possible for people who experience on-going anxiety and stress for a while to develop health issues. Over time, the anxiety and stress can take its toll on their health, making them more susceptible to issues, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and panic disorders.10
Anxiety and stress can also become harmful when people develop thoughts about harming themselves or others. In these instances, they should seek medical help as soon as possible. The same applies to if their thoughts are getting in the way of being able to go about their day-to-day life.
Anxiety and stress can be treated and there are many resources, strategies and treatments available to enable people to understand and manage their anxiety and stress levels.;
Also Check: What Are The Symptoms Of Post Traumatic Stress
My Favorite Essential Oils For Anxiety
The year 2020 has definitely thrown everyone for a loop. Am I right? Anxious thoughts and stress are definitely out there, as are fear of the unknown. We start homeschooling with my oldest next week and if I could just tell you all the emotions going on in my head right now as it relates to that oh goodness youd be overloaded. I know Im not the only one dealing with all the feelings right now either.;
So, what do we do with those feelings? Or better yet, how do we get those feelings under control so we arent consumed by them?;
A practical tool I use on a daily basis to help reduce anxious thoughts and stress is essential oils.;
What Are Panic Attacks
The clinical definition of a panic attack is when a person experiences recurrent, unexpected, persistent fear that triggers a severe physical reaction.
If you’ve never experienced a panic attack yourself, it’s a process where your emotions take over your mental state. You react, panic and your body compensates with its adrenal system by releasing adrenaline.
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Common Issues Caused By Anxiety And Panic Attacks
As mentioned before, occasional bouts of anxiety are perfectly normal and quite frankly, a part of life. However, if anxiety or panic attacks are prolonged and persistent, they can lead to other health issues if not dealt with. Unfortunately, we seem to be getting more used to living under a constant state of stress. However, this is definitely not good for our bodies. When we live in a constant state of stress and anxiety, it can affect numerous bodily systems and cause issues that may affect our health. Just a few of these issues include:
Lemongrass Essential Oil Helps Calm The Nervous System
The refreshing aromas of lemongrass essential oil vapors help to relieve nervous tension and provide natural stress relief.
In one clinical trial, 40 men were divided into groups and given various essential oil aromas to inhale. Scientists noticed that the group who received the lemongrass aromatherapy oils coped better under stressful conditions. Inhaling tea tree oil had no anti-anxiety effect.
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Best Essential Oils For Stress And Anxious Feelings
Learn which essential oils are best for stress and anxious feelings and how they work to affect the mood.
Do you struggle with stress and anxious feelings, or should I ask if you have kids or a job? ;I think these go hand in hand! ;Life can get stressful and causes us to have anxious feelings. ;Slowing life down is easier said than done. There is always something going on, coming up, or a problem to deal with.
Essential oils can be a very effective natural approach to managing stress and anxious feelings. ;They can support the brain by reprograming the stress response on a chemical level and affect the mood positively.
Below, I share my favorite essential oils and how to use them, as well as the ultimate stress and anxious roller bottle recipe.
Essential Oils For Focus And Energy
If stress or anxiety is keeping you from getting things done, try diffusing an essential oil that will give you an energy kick and help you focus.
Orange essential oil is great for bringing a sense of calm without putting you to sleep.
Peppermint promotes feelings of peace and clarity, helping you shake off negative feelings and focus.
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Best Essential Oils For Anxiety And Panic Attacks
Essential oils for anxiety and panic attacks are effective go-to remedies if you suffer from stress, worry, and panic attacks and help relieve anxiety.;
Im someone whos struggled with anxiety the majority of my life. From my teen years through my 40s, the stress has driven me nuts. Times in my life, my anxiety became so bad that it would keep me from enjoying life and going out and doing things.;
Most of my anxiety was emotional and psychological.
I would experience a fast heartbeat, sweats, shortness of breath, insomnia, itchy skin, and a plethora of other symptoms.;Not enjoyable at all!;
Is my anxiety gone and wholly cured?;No, but Ive learned how to control my anxiety, how to calm myself with some techniques and essential oils.;
Everyone gets anxiety at some point, and its perfectly normal.;Learning to control how bad your stress gets is something that takes work, therapy, and learning.;
What Other Essential Oils Help With Anxious Feelings
doTERRA Balance creates a sense of calm and well-being. doTERRA Balance blends grounding wood oils with Frankincense and Blue Tansy. Blue Tansys scent helps uplift mood, while Frankincense promotes feelings of peace and relaxation. doTERRA Balance is a powerful tool for countering cycles of worry and fear. Apply it to your wrists or neck to ease anxious feelings.
doTERRA Cheer is another helpful product for anxious feelings. This blend was designed to counteract negative emotions while promoting feelings of optimism. Cedarwood is another essential oil that can be very helpful. It has a calming and relaxing aroma that can be used to evoke feelings of wellness and soothe worry.
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Make Sure Your Room Is Cool And Comfortable
Studies show that sleeping in a room thats cooler is actually better for promoting sleep. Thats because our bodies naturally get cooler when were asleep as our heart rates drop and our blood circulation slows down.22
Before you go to bed, turn the heating off or down, close all the curtains properly and make sure your bed is as comfortable as possible.
Top 7 Essential Oils For Stress Anxiety Depression & Insomnia
Feeling depressed, anxious or stressed? Try mood-boosting aromatherapy when youre;feeling down.
1 in 4 have mental health issues
In 2002, researchers reported in the Japanese Journal of Pharmacology that the simple act of inhaling Patchouli oil reduced anxiety by 40%1. Considering that even before the pandemic 1 in 4 people in the UK experienced some type of mental health problem in 20174, aromatherapy begs to be at the forefront of our wellbeing arsenal.
With the UK standing below average for mental wellbeing, ranking 20th of 27 countries in the EU in 20123, and the number of antidepressants dispensed in England more than doubling in the last decade4, it would be wise to investigate alternative strategies.
We need healthy, non-pharmaceutical options to help us cope with daily stress, anxiety, depression and problems sleeping. Incorporating aromatherapy into basic daily rituals, like moisturising or wearing deodorant, is so easy and may also;be an effective alternative.
Aromatherapy is the use of aromatic plant extracts and essential oils to promote physical and psychological wellbeing. These powerful botanicals are used worldwide in traditional medicine to help manage depression, anxiety, stress and insomnia.
Can inhaling essential oils help boost your mood?
Top 7 Essential Oils for anxiety, stress, depression and insomnia
7. Grapefruit:;This;is a wonderful energising oil that helps lift;your mood, ease nausea and boost your immune system.
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What To Look For When Purchasing Essential Oils For Aromatherapy
If you are new to essential oilsdont be scared away by the tiny bottles they typically come in. With essential oils, a little goes a long way. They are used a few drops at a time.
Look for assurance of purity;and quality, third-party testing , and presence of the botanical name .;
Avoid supper cheap and synthetic brands.
100% pure is NOT always indicative of high quality. Labels can say 100% pure but only have 5% pure essential oil.
Read reviews of oils to see comments about the quality of the smell they emit.
I noticed that Edens Garden oils have the high-quality indicators and also high reviews on Amazon. And I have purchased this brand myself with positive results.
I included links for Edens Garden brand oils;in the “9 Best Essential Oils for Relieving Anxiety, Stress, and Insomnia” section earlier.;
The Pros & Cons Of Eos For Anxiety
;
The Pros:;;
- EOs are potent a little goes a long way. For example, did you know that 30 lbs of lavender flowers go into just one bottle? Just one drop offers multiple active compounds that impact your mental and emotional state in a matter of moments.;;
- High-quality EOs should be 100% pure essential oils. This means you have direct access to natures pharmacy and emotionally healing plant wisdom.;;
- They are complex substances that were understanding in detail more and more. Over 3,000 compounds have been found in EOs so far.
- If you use EOs mindfully and consume them with care, youll likely experience little to no side effects. ;;
- Think of EOs as preventative physical and mental health care thats relatively affordable and accessible. And unlike pharmaceuticals, you can blend multiple oils to maximize or enhance their calming and grounding effects.;;;;
The Cons:;;
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Other Measures That Could Help With Anxiety
Counselling is a talking therapy that involves a trained therapist listening to you and helping you find ways to deal with emotional issues. It can help with:
- Mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety or an eating disorder
- Difficult life events, such as a bereavement, a relationship breakdown or work-related stress
- Difficult emotions for example, low self-esteem or anger
- As well as many other issues
How To Use Clary Sage Essential Oil For Anxiety And Panic Attacks
Inhale:;Add 1-2 drops to a cotton ball, handkerchief, or your wrists.;Inhale for a calming and uplifting mood experience.
Topical:;Add a few drops of Clary Sage to your wrists and relax
Diffuser:; Put 2 drops of Orange Oil along with 5 drops of Clary Sage into a high-quality diffuser.;This will uplift your mood when you are feeling down and not yourself.
Bath or Shower:;Add a few drops of clary sage to your shower or bath.;Inhale and enjoy the calming scent.;This will help get rid of your sad or down feelings and put you into a better mood.
Jasmine:;Jasmine essential oil extracted from the jasmine flower.;The jasmine flower is considered sacred and is used to decorate deities and holy images in many cultures and traditions.;
Also, women in the Indian culture decorate their hair with jasmine flowers to stimulate their minds and uplift their moods.;Jasmine oil is being used for centuries by our ancestors to treat problems of insomnia, anxiety, depression, and low libido.;
Also, recent researches and studies state that the aroma of jasmine oil is as effective as valium in calming the nerves and relieving stress and anxiety.;Thereby indicating the usefulness of this oil in helping treat symptoms of anxiety and depression.
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Topically Applying Essential Oils
Essential oils sometimes are applied directly to the skin to treat pain in a specific area, for instance, to ease tired;muscles.
Certain oils are also applied directly to the body because of their soothing qualities, e.g. putting tea tree oil on acne or clove oil on fungal infections.32
Note certain essential oils can aggravate skin and should be diluted before being applied. They include but are not limited to: bay, clove, cinnamon, lemongrass, citronella, oregano and thyme.33
Diffuse Your Own Stress
When we inhale essential oils, they travel through the olfactory system into our brains, where they can affect the body in a number of waysincluding potentially regulating the nervous system response and promoting calm. You can fill any room in your home with the scent of an oil using a diffuser. Here are two more of my favorite blends to diffuse when anxiety strikes. Note that a diffuser should be used intermittently, and only for a few hours a day.
- 3 drops rosemary essential oil
- 2 drops lavender essential oil
- 2 drops wild orange essential oil
- 1 drop peppermint or spearmint essential oil
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Aromatherapy: 9 Best Essential Oils For Anxiety And Stress
There is no single best essential oil or scent for anxiety, but there are some scents that work better than others. I would encourage you to try a lot of different ones and take note of what ones have the biggest impact on you. The ones that are listed below have all been associated with stress relief and calming down. ;These essential oils work through Aromatherapy defined as an alternative medicine that uses plant materials to help improve an individuals cognition, mood, or overall health.
Ways Of Dealing With Anxiety
Finding the right support and coping mechanisms can help in dealing with the problem. The following steps are those that might help in managing your anxiety:6
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Choosing Essential Oils For Stress Relief
There are a lot of inferior essential oils on the market. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. It takes many pounds of plant material to produce just one ounce of essential oil, so cut-rate prices often indicate equally low-quality ingredients.
The bottle of essential oil should be labeled not just with the common name of the plant but also with its botanical name. And its even better if the bottle indicates where the plant came from, the type of distilling method used to concentrate the oil, and the expiration date.
While there are few regulations on essential oil production, look for organic brands that say they are therapeutic, which implies the oil is pure and was carefully distilled.
Never buy perfume oil or synthetic oils for use in aromatherapy. Good essential oils are 100% pure.
Typically, essential oils are sold in brown glass bottles, which help prevent light from damaging the oil. Most of these bottles have a plastic dispenser top, not a rubber squeeze bulb.
If you buy an essential oil blend for stress relief, make sure the bottles label identifies all the different oils.
