Efficacy of Essential Oils to Relieve Stress

Instead of diminishing, stress becomes a reason to live an unhealthy lifestyle. It's time you look for new ways to relieve stress naturally and healthily, one of them by using essential oils. Research has proven that essential oils can help reduce levels of stress, depression, and anxiety in humans. Your mind also becomes clearer and calm.

Recognize symptoms of stress

Many people are not aware of the symptoms of stress so they cannot prevent and handle it appropriately. This is because stress is usually characterized by symptoms that are different for each person. So, it is important for you to pay attention and understand what the stress patterns usually appear. To help you find out what the symptoms are, consider the following. Usually when under stress, you will experience several signs at once.

• Easy to forget
• Difficult to concentrate
• Pessimistic and negative thinking
• Stricken with anxiety and anxiety
• Irritable and angry
• Difficult to sleep despite fatigue and sleepiness
• Changes in appetite (bigger or smaller)
• Procrastinating work and responsibilities
• Headache, dizziness, nausea, palpitations, and muscle tension
• Diarrhea, colic, and constipation
• Loss of sexual desire
• Feel tired more quickly

Types of essential oils to relieve stress

Essential oils are concentrated extracts or concentrates taken from various parts of plants such as flowers, leaves, fruits, roots, stems, and seeds. This concentrate is rich in various ingredients and compounds that can affect hormones, enzymes, blood pressure, and heart rate. When you are stressed, your body will act as if you are in a precarious and threatened condition so that you become tense. By using essential oils, your body will receive a signal that your situation is better and calm. Here are the various types of essential oils that can relieve stress.

Lavender

There have been many studies conducted by experts around the world to test the effects of lavender essential oil on stress and insomnia, both for adults and children and infants. Researchers from Wesleyan University, United States, recorded the brain waves of research subjects who slept while inhaling lavender aromatherapy and the results of the study showed better sleep quality. Another study conducted in Japan proved that people who inhaled the aroma of lavender essential oil for twenty minutes showed a decrease in stress levels. This is because lavender has a calming effect on nerves and mind. So, if you experience stress with symptoms of insomnia, lavender is the right choice of essential oils.

Orange bergamot

Oranges that grow a lot in Turkey, France, and Italy have the characteristics of a slightly bitter taste. According to research published in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology, the oil extracted from this fruit can help improve mood, restore a healthy diet, relieve digestive problems, and other behavioral disorders caused by stress.

Cananga (ylang ylang)

Extracts from cananga flowers (also known as ylang ylang) can help lower blood pressure. In addition, a study in the scientific journal Phytotherapy Research proved that cananga flower extract can calm the nerves of the brain so that blood pressure decreases and the heart rate becomes stable. For those of you who have hypertension and are under stress, cananga essential oil can be the solution.

Chamomile

The aroma of chamomile flower essential oil can help you reduce anxiety and anxiety caused by stress. The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has studied the effects of chamomile flower essential oils on levels of depression and anxiety in humans. Chamomile is proven to be able to relieve stress and clear your mind so that the level of concentration increases. Other research published in the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health also shows that chamomile essential oil can help you think more positively and optimistically.

Rose

The essential oil of rose extract is effective in reducing anxiety. In addition, rose essential oil is also able to send signals to the brain to be more relaxed and calm. The findings from a study published in the Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal also confirmed that rose essential oil is good for relieving stress symptoms.

How to use essential oils to relieve stress

For maximum results, make sure that you use pure essential oils that are not mixed with chemicals. You can easily use the benefits of essential oils at home in the following three ways.

Rub Oil

Combine essential oils with coconut oil or olive oil which smells not very strong. Then apply and massage gently on the back of your neck or legs before going to bed to help your body relax. You can also use it as a massage oil throughout the body to relax tense muscles.

Aroma therapy

To get a strong aroma, drop the essential oil in hot water and inhale the steam. You can also mix essential oils with water in a spray bottle and use it as a room deodorizer or natural clothing deodorizer. If you want to inhale the aroma of essential oils while you sleep, you can use a small incinerator similar to a furnace.

Mix with bath water

If you want to release stress while pampering yourself, mix a few drops of pure essential oil in your bath water or warm bath water. You can also soak your feet in warm water that has been mixed with essential oils so that the aroma can calm the mind and help reduce fatigue.