Has anyone ever asked you how you were doing, and your response is "Great"? You do feel great, your job is going well, you're not sick and things seem to be going your way. Yet, you have trouble sleeping, grind your teeth at night, your feel bloated after meals, find that your shoulders are always tense, and you get random muscle aches. Most people chalk this up to be the signs of aging or bad food. In some cases, it is. But the reality is that it has nothing to do with aging and everything to do with your body yelling for help. Our society has programmed us to believe that stress is just a normal part of life. We live in a world full of expectations that are very hard to meet. Whether it is job related, relationship related, time related, body image related, etc. Stress becomes second nature to us mentally, that we no longer notice it anymore. Yet, our bodies are still very aware and try many things to get our attention. Like, tense muscles for no reason, not sleeping well, constant stomach aches, headaches and many more signs. Our bodies are always on high alert, and it is exhausting for our bodies. I call this subconscious stress. It's all the stress that our bodies are going through that we no longer recognize. I have tried all kinds of things to help get rid of subconscious stress. Everything from exercise to deep breathing. Yes, those things do help along with meditation and walks in nature. My problem is that I don't always have time to do those things. So, I turn to aromatherapy.
I put essential oils like Lavender and chamomile into my diffuser and let it run. Then I can do my chores or anything else around the house I need to do. Just smelling and breathing in the essential oils just naturally relaxes me without thinking about it. I even use Lavender at night to help me sleep better. This is one of the easiest methods that help reduce stress and you don't have to think much. Over time I have found myself in a better mood with less random muscle aches and less headaches. I get asked which essential oils work the best? Here are a few of my favorites.
Lavender Essential Oil - Lavender oil is known to promote relaxation and reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. Lavender oil is also known for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
Chamomile Essential Oil - Like Lavender oil, Chamomile oil is known for its relaxing effects on the mind and body. Its gentle sedative properties can help calm the nervous system. Chamomile also has anti-inflammatory properties that reduces inflammation in the body.
Bergamot Essential Oil - This citrusy oil is known to have mood-boosting properties. Bergamot can help alleviate anxiety, reduce tension, and promote relaxation.
Frankincense Essential Oil - Frankincense is often used to promote deep breathing and reduce the feelings of anxiety. It has grounding properties that can help the nervous system and center the mind.
Ylang Ylang Essential Oil - Known for its sweet floral scent, ylang ylang is great for balancing emotions. It has mood enhancing properties and can help reduce stress and anxiety.
Lemon Essential Oil - Lemon has a refreshing, uplifting aroma that can help clear the mind and reduce stress. Its citrus scent is known for its mood-boosting and energizing properties.
These are just a few of many essential oils that can help reduce stress. You can also mix the oils to create the perfect concoction for you. Remember that life doesn't have to be so hard. It's the little things in life that can make a huge impact. So next time your body is talking to you and trying to get your attention, just breathe and listen. If it's been a while since you gave your body a break but feel like you don't have time to wind down. Remember Aromatherapy. It is so easy, yet so beneficial to our body and especially to our mind. Always be kind and loving to yourself!