Aromatherapy for Anxiety

     

Summer is generally associated with relaxation, holidays and sunnier days – all things positive. Frustratingly, anxiety can still be an unwanted companion in this season. We can all relate, with anxiety featuring in our lives in some way - it could be circumstantial, such as travel nerves or a deeper-seated restless undercurrent that sabotages the everyday.

Certain scents trigger positive emotional responses in the brain. As we learned in our Aromatherapy for Energy post, there is interaction between fragrance and the brain’s limbic system, which is responsible for the emotions. In the case of calming essential oils, this can trigger the release of Serotonin, which modulates the mood and help you feel happy and calm when released, as well as Dopamine, the brain messenger involved in the reward system which can enhance positive feelings.

    

Studies found that it can be used as a component in an overall treatment plan. With anxiety, it is important to understand the causes and do the deeper work if we want to see lasting change. However, aromatherapy as a complementary therapy is an effective method to soothe and has a positive effect as part of a daily routine. It’s certainly worthwhile to see if this would benefit you…

     

A few examples of soothing essential oils…

   

Ylang-Ylang: Calming on mind and body – studies show that it reduces blood pressure and heart rate (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3836517/).

Frankincense: Resinous essential oil that is grounding and centring. Its fragrance encourages deeper breathing.

Vetiver: Also known as the “Oil of Tranquillity”, it boasts sedative qualities that help to relax the mind.

Cedarwood: This warming woody oil can help with promoting sleep and improving mental function.

Jasmine: Used for centuries for its mood-enhancing qualities. More research is needed, but there are promising signs that it might positively affect brain wave activities related to mood states. (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236235613_The_effects_of_jasmine_Oil_inhalation_on_brain_wave_activies_and_emotions)

Lavender: A popular oil for tackling anxiety and backed up by studies in looking at reducing effects of generalised anxiety disorder (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19962288/).

Rose: Shares a compound with chocolate (Phenyl Acetaldehyde) that helps to lift low moods and increase relaxation.

    

Switching essential oils every now and then can help if you feel that you have become immune to a particular fragrance, especially if you have had the same one on the go for a prolonged period.

    

A blissful blend including Neroli, Rose, Jasmine and Ylang-Ylang, our Summer Radiance range can help to promote relaxation throughout the day.

   

If you can, set up an optimal calming work environment with a Summer Radiance Reed Diffuser for a subtle fragrance, or if this isn’t possible, a couple of sprays of our Room Mist to start your day off the right way. Its small size also makes this a great travel companion.

    

Adding a couple of drops of Summer Radiance Essential Oil Blend to 10ml of one of our Organic Carrier Oils makes for a handy restorative treat that you can apply to temples, back of neck and wrists to absorb the soothing qualities of the essential oils. If that doesn’t appeal, simply inhaling the Essential Oil Blend on a tissue can provide a moment of calm when things are getting a bit much.

   

A wind-down routine at the end of the day wouldn’t be complete without a relaxing bath using our Radiance Himalayan Bath Salts. The bathing ritual itself encourages circulation and promotes relaxation, working synergistically with the essential oils. And what better way to enhance the effects by having a Summer Radiance Candle in the background? The gentle glow of the flame provides a meditative touch, while the clean-burning soya wax allows the fragrance to diffuse effectively. Our Relaxing Gift Collection provides a taster with its travel-sized candle, bath salts, room mist and full-sized Organic Argan Oil. For the ultimate self-soothing treat, a self-massage of the neck and shoulders with the diluted blend mentioned earlier works wonders in bringing in an extra dose of tranquillity and ease any remaining tension.

   

Aromatherapy is beneficial for those looking for a holistic way to treat tension, sitting well alongside other anxiety-managing methods such as breathing exercises and meditation. The scent of natural oils promotes calm and alleviates anxiety, regardless of the source or cause. Diffusing essential oils can be combined with a relaxing activity (reading or yoga, for example) to enhance the effects. Associating the aromas with peaceful places creates positive memories in the brain. After all, what’s quite like summer scents to lift the spirits and transport the mind to a sunnier place? Though more of a complementary route, aromatherapy can provide a natural support in bringing relief to the nervous system.

     

For more insights into tackling anxiety, check out our Stress & Anxiety Rituals page...