De-Stressing with Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a natural remedy method that has been used for over 6000 years. This method includes using scents to heal the body and mind. They trigger a release of natural chemicals throughout the brain to stimulate the body’s energy and nervous systems.

Today, these scents come mainly from essential oils. These oils offer a plethora of therapeutic benefits including reducing stress and anxiety. There are over 90 commonly used essential oils, but they all have different effects.

Senior Diego Boatwright shared, “I utilize essential oils in my diffuser which helps put out good scents and calming energy. From time to time, I use them as perfume to relieve stress.”

Some stress-relieving essential oils include lavender, chamomile, jasmine, lemon, frankincense and sandalwood. These oils can help a lot during this pandemic since everyone is on-edge and things are quite stressful. 

Lavender is the most commonly used oil for stress relief. It calms the body and mind by releasing chemicals in the emotional sector of the brain. This scent allows the body to physically relax; this is a good oil to use if your body is tense.

Frankincense is another essential oil that holds stress-reducing and relaxing powers. No, it doesn’t smell like the monster. It has a sweet wood scent that has similar effects on the body as lavender. 

Lemon essential oils have been found to relieve stress, improve mood and ease symptoms of depression. This scent gives the body a boost of energy; it’s good for when you need that afternoon pick-me-up. Lemon peels offer the same benefits as the oils!

Chamomile has been used in more than aromatherapy; many choose to make chamomile tea, which helps with sleep. Chamomile essential oils have the same effect on the body as the tea does. Chamomile is a perfect remedy for those pesky, sleepless nights.

Jasmine essential oils allow the body to relax as it would with chamomile, but without having the heavy sedation effect. Jasmine is a nice floral scent that smells amazing in a house or garden. However, it is very concentrated, so make sure to dilute it with a carrier oil. 

Sandalwood oils calm nerves and improve your focus. This scent is good for those with anxiety because it can help calm their body and mind. If you find yourself struggling with online school, invest in sandalwood essential oils.

Art teacher Kristen Dutka owns an Etsy shop where she sells essential oil diffusing jewelry. When asked her opinion on calming oils, she replied, “Calming oils like lavender and Roman chamomile will be amazing right now while we are all stressed out! You can also use a blend of oils that was created specifically to help ease feelings of anxiety such as doTERRA’s Adaptiv. My favorite to help my emotions is Balance!”

These oils can be put in a diffuser or applied to the skin. There’s a range of different types of diffusers; they can be found in stores or online. If oils are being applied to the skin, be sure to use a carrier oil. This helps dilute the essential oil so it doesn’t irritate the skin. Some good carrier oils include olive oil, rose oil and almond oil.

Use these aromatherapy tips to help during this stressful time that the pandemic has caused. The unknown tends to stress people out because they’re used to certainty, but there is no certainty at the moment. While the world waits, use essential oils to help ease your worries.

For more information about how to use essential oils visit DIY Happy: https://happydiyhome.com/best-essential-oils/