We all have been there. Life is busy busy busy, and you’re exhausted. Yet when you go to sit down and relax, you can’t. It seems impossible. Your heart keeps racing, and it feels like you are internally buzzing from all of the activity. Though not always activity induced, I experience this quite a bit for a variety of reasons that other Lyme individuals can relate to. This has led me to try and find the best essential oils to help calm my mind and body. Some also find it useful to practice yoga so they can take time to effectively relax as well, you can learn more about that in the article here. Whether you call it anxiety, nervousness, or simply an internal, unrested feeling, we all can relate to how rushed and busy the holiday season can leave us feeling. Therefore, I thought there would be no better post for the new year then to talk about the uses and benefits of essential oils, today being those that specifically help for stress and anxiety. Whether it be internal or external stress, these essential oils can help your body combat this inevitable aspect of life. Lavender, ylang ylang, rose, melissa, orange, cederwood, hinoki, yuza, and hong kuai oils helps with calming agitation and hyperactivity, while lavender, bergamot, and valerian specifically are especially useful for inducing sleep. Some may also turn to alternative medicine options like medical marijuana, but this could cause an issue if you’re in need of passing a drug test
You may also take the help of diffuser sticks, also known as aromatherapy vape pens. These ‘sticks’ use a combination of water, vegetable glycerin, and essential oils. When heated, this creates a cloud of aromatherapy vapor. Fragrant oils like orange, cedarwood, lavender, and bergamot can either be defused in the air or, inhaled directly using a vaporiser, or applied topically. They can also be massaged onto the body with the use of a carrier oil, or dissolved into Epsom salts for a relaxing bath.
Calming Essential Oils
Lavender oil reduces both internal and external tension. It contains powerful antidepressant, and anti-inflammatory properties, along with being helpful for inducing sleep and lowering blood pressure. Studies have shown that the use of lavender oil before bedtime has increased the quality of individual’s sleep due to lowering the nervous system’s activity. For those with sleep disorders, it has been shown to lift their mood.
Ylang ylang oil comes from the flower off of the ylang ylang tree native to the rainforests of Asia. It has been shown to help those struggling with depression, high blood pressure, and sleep issues, by not only relaxing the body from the inside out, but also helping one feel more joyous. Anxiety, and fear associated with this feeling, are also combated with ylang ylang, making it a great oil to add to your epson salt bath. Overall, studies have shown individuals who use this oil to have a greater since of calmness and relaxation.
Rose oil is known for boosting one’s self confidence, which thereby reduces depression. It also helps strengthen one’s nerves and balances out hormones responsible for both physical and mental health. Studies have shown that the use of rose oil decreased the activity of the autonomic nervous system, leaving individuals more calm and relaxed.
Melissa oil comes from the mint family and has a lemon like scent. It helps boost one’s mood and bring on pleasant feelings and sensations. Not only does it sooth inflammation in the body, but it also acts as a sedative oil, helping one feeling calm and at peace with life. It is said that soldier’s of war would use melissa oil to combat PTSD. It also naturally lowers blood pressure, a bi-product of being stressed internally and externally. Overall, the use of this oil to combat stress and anxiety dates all the way back to the Middle Ages, where it was also used for indigestion. It’s relaxing qualities are strengthened when blended with other herbs such as valerian and chamomile, and studies have shown that 81% of patients who used it reported better sleep.
Orange oil is known to be relaxing, lowering inflammation and feelings of anger, anxiety, or depression. Studies have suggested that this oil can be highly beneficial in lowering cortisol, the hormone responsible for the state of one’s internal and external stress load. High cortisol has many negative effects on the body, making orange oil a great treatment option.
Cederwood oil relieves tension throughout the body, lowering anxiety, and helping one obtain quality rest, as the scent is known for inducing the production of serotonin, an important hormone that is later converted into melatonin. This makes it also great for those suffering from depression.
Hinoki oil comes from the Japanese cypress tree. Not only does it relax the mind and body, but it helps create a sense of happiness and peace.
Much like orange oil, yuza is a citrusy oil and has many of the same uplifting qualities. It lowers anxiety, nervousness, and depression. The oil is also great a rejuvenating the body despite having a calming effect on the mind.
Hong Kuai essential oil is derived from trees in the rainforests of Taiwan. It is great for boosting one’s confidence and helping them have a more positive outlook on life. Hong Kuai also lowers stress and overall helps one relax, while also helping relieve minor agitation of the mind.
*To learn more about where to purchase essential oils you can trust, as well as learning reward points and getting the most bang for your buck, be sure to check out my Young Living link here.”
Psalm 119:143 “Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, Yet Your commandments are my delights.”