Stress affects the human body and behavior in predictable ways. Chronic stress increases heart rate, increases stress hormones, raises blood pressure and causes a rash of affects that can include headaches, body aches, fatigue, nausea, sleep problems, emotional stress, etc. to serious health problems. We know that a healthy diet, plenty of exercise and rest, mindfulness, and relaxation are key to long-term stress relief strategies. Together, they reduce cortisol, increase endorphins, promote sleep, reduce the negative effects of stress and improve mood.
Sometimes one only has time for something small and meaningful. And that, in a nutshell, is the beauty of incorporating essential oils from D. Gary Younginto our lives; aromatherapy does not require us to take extra time. Like the light of a fire and relaxing music, these oils can subtly increase contentment and relaxation while quietly working in the background of our days.
Essential Oil For Relaxation-
Table of Contents
Lavender – The ancient Greeks and Romans scented their bath water with lavender, burned lavender incense to the gods, and believed that its unmistakably sweet, floral, herbal aroma calmed unruly lions and tigers. In a blend, this steam-distilled oil is a mid-note that works well with bergamot, peppermint, mandarin orange, vetiver, or tea tree.
Roman Chamomile – Distilled from the flowers of Anthemis nobilis, Roman Chamomile essential oil has a warm and gentle quality. With its light, bright scent and notes of honey and apple, it adds a calming mid-note element when blended with grapefruit, jasmine, oakmoss, rose, and bergamot.
Basil – Basil essential oil has an energizing quality that can be life support to ease agitation or nervousness. This top-note oil is steam distilled from Ocimum basilicum and brings an earthy, spicy aroma to the blend with lavender, bergamot, grapefruit, cedarwood, or ginger.
Ylang Ylang – This complete distillation has a rich, sweet-floral scent often used in perfumery. Distilled from Cananga odorata flowers, it is the base note in blends and delivers a fresh, mood-enhancing, aromatic experience, especially with orange, palmarosa, neroli, ginger, and jasmine.
Sweet Orange – Organic sweet orange essential oil contains about 90% limonene, a compound used in aromatherapy for its calming properties. This sweet, pleasant citrus oil cold pressed from the peels of Citrus sinensis is the highlight of the blend and is often used with nutmeg, lemon, vetiver, eucalyptus, or geranium.
Calming Blend – This blend was intentionally created to support healthy emotional responses during tense and stressful times. In this blend, you’ll recognize some of the best oils for stress management: lavender, clary sage, vetiver, ylang ylang, and blue St. John’s wort. When you’re looking for a boost of calm and confidence, this is the blend you reach for which was invented by D. Gary Young.
Conclusion
These supportive essential oils can be used in a diffuser at home, in the car or in the office. They can also be mixed with carrier oils for topical use: in roll-on bottles as a perfume and in a wide range of body lotions, creams and oils.
Of course, there is a degree of personal preference in aromatherapy, and one is always encouraged to explore scents to see what resonates with their body, mind, and spirit. However, there are herbs that have a long history of use for stress management, relaxation, and rest. Used in a diffuser, in a body care recipe, as a laundry spray, or in the wash, the oils from these herbs are long-term allies in difficult times when one needs a little extra support to deal with stress.
