Oils & Stress and Occasional Anxiety

Stress is a primary example of the mind-body-spirit-emotions link. When you are under a great deal of stress, physical symptoms such as illness, tightness in your chest, headache and stomachache can occur. Excess and uncontrolled stress and occasional anxiety are associated with a growing list of health conditions.

Stress and difficulties can’t be avoided completely. The stress response – fight or flight – is a built-in alarm system meant to protect our bodies. When our body perceives a threat, a surge of hormones are released – adrenaline to respond, and cortisol to fuel an energy surge – and unnecessary bodily functions halt (immune system, reproductive system, and digestive system). After the threat is neutralized or no longer considered dangerous, bodily functions return to normal.

The Danger of Stress

But what about situations where we are under constant stress? The overexposure of stress hormones and disruption of essential body processes puts us at even greater risk for a number of health problems.

A source of stress you may never suspect is synthetic in nature. Whether it be synthetic sweeteners, adhesives, or that innocent-looking candle, air spray or other fragrance-emitting product (even scented trash bags), these synthetic toxins are working against your immune system and body organs by causing inflammation, which is a dangerous form of physical stress and can add to anxiety.

Have you ever stopped to think about how you feel physically when you’re stressed out? Tightness in your chest, headache, stomach ache, tiredness … sound familiar?

Stress is a great example of how connected our mind is to our body. And since it’s virtually impossible to avoid all stress entirely, how we deal with this is paramount to our health.

Our Favorite Oils For Stress and Occasional Anxiety

• Cedarwood contains cedrol, a chemical component that produces relaxing and sedating effects by influencing the autonomic nervous system. It stimulates the limbic part of the brain causing the pineal gland to secrete melatonin. Melatonin plays an important role in reducing stress by thwarting excess cortisol production.
• Lavender contains linalool, a powerful sedative terpene. A number of studies show us that the scent of lavender has a calming effect on our stress response.
• Stress Away is a blend containing both cedarwood and lavender (two most well-documented oils for managing stress and occasional anxiety). Stress Away can help relieve daily stress and nervous tension and brings a relaxed, clear and focused feeling to both children and adults.
• Tranquil Roll-On: Like Stress Away, the Tranquil blend contains cedarwood and lavender and then also packs the punch of Roman Chamomile. Roman Chamomile is capable of combating a number of emotional issues. Mothers throughout centuries have relied on chamomile to calm crying children. Chamomile has traditionally been used to promote peace of mind, ease worries, minimize occasional anxiety and reduce nervousness.
• Roman Chamomile has a calming and relaxing fragrance that is capable of combating a number of emotional issues. Mothers throughout centuries have relied on chamomile to calm crying children. Chamomile has traditionally been used to promote peace of mind, ease worries, minimize occasional anxiety and reduce nervousness. Combined with Cedarwood and Lavender, Chamomile encourages relaxation, reduces anxious feelings and indices a calming effect on the mind and body.
• Peace & Calming: When you have a little more time to slow down and rest, P&C may be your anti-stress remedy of choice. When diffused, P&C can promote a deep sense of peace and emotional well-being and helps reduce anxious feelings and stress.
• Other oils for stress and occasional anxiety include Rose, Clary Sage, Bergamot, and Rutavala.