Aromatherapy for Stress Relief
Stress is defined as a negative differential between a series of demands and our ability to cope with them. We all have our own comfort level in which we deal with stress. When stress levels become too much for the body-mind to cope with, the stress becomes “distress”, or stress excess. Chronic stress causes psycho-biological reactions which initially produce warning signs such as heart palpitations, insomnia, fatigue or mild depression.
The usual remedy is coffee, alcohol or tranquilizers. These “remedies” all have the ability to damage the system and have no beneficial results. Synthetic tranquilizers create a sedative effect but provide no emotional release. There may be also severe side effects from many of these drugs.
Stress is identified as a primary causative factor, or trigger in a variety of disorders, including cancer, heart disease, and many other illnesses. Psycho-neuro-immunology is the study of the link between the mind, the immune system, and the nervous system. Studies have shown how the immune system is negatively affected by stress. Once the immune system is weakened, we become susceptible to many infections and diseases. The symptoms of stress are behavioral, mental and physical and include depression, irritability, aggression, difficulty concentrating, feeling of being overloaded, headaches, indigestion and more.
A thousand-year-old therapy
Aromatherapy for Stress Relief is a thousand-year-old therapy, utilizing essential oils from plants, in the pursuit of wellbeing, spiritual, mental and physical. Essential oils can help an individual by intervening on both physical and mental levels and when combined with massage help to reduce stress, reduce muscle tension, effect hypotension and balance the immune system.
Psycho-aromatherapy is a branch of aromatherapy that focuses on the psychological potential of essential oils and the psycho-therapeutic effects that these oils can have. The inhalation effects of the oils are absorbed easily and quickly through the sense of smell. Odor molecules enter the nostrils and are transmitted in the form of an electrical impulse to the olfactory bulb and then to the limbic system of the brain. This stimulates the release of neuro-chemicals such as serotonin and endorphins which produce a sense of well-being
Oils that are excellent for stress management include neroli, rose, and jasmine. Citrus oils such as bergamot, mandarin, and lemon uplift the spirits, and clary sage and geranium are excellent for balancing the hormones.
Try taking a bath
With a blend of tangerine, lavender, valerian root and geranium before bed for a wonderful night’s sleep. When inhaled, a variety of oils – including lavender, melissa, peppermint, basil, roman chamomile, lemongrass, and marjoram – can relieve headaches of different origins.
Many oils, including angelica, basil, cardamom, ginger, and peppermint, diffused in an aromatic diffuser will help to keep you alert. Feeling stressed? Enjoy a massage blend of bergamot, lavender, chamomile and sweet marjoram in a base of fractionated coconut oil and feel your spirits soar.
Clinical Aromatherapy treatment with a custom blend of oils specific to the needs of the individual, lymph massage, reflexology, and guided imagery is an excellent way to reduce stress. Custom aromatherapy blends are helpful to help alleviate many disorders, including digestive issues, fibromyalgia, insomnia, stress, lymphedema, sinus problems, acne and more
Linda-Anne Kahn is an Internationally trained Beauty Therapist, Certified Clinical Aromatherapist, Holistic Health Practitioner, and Lymphedema Therapist with over 3o years of experience. She is the founder and owner of the Beauty Kliniek Aromatherapy Day Spa and Wellness Center in San Diego. She creates signature custom aromatherapy blends for her clients www.beautykliniek.com