These days people are living ever increasingly busy lives. It’s unclear whether stress levels are actually rising or if people are losing the ability to cope. Families are struggling to make ends meet and find balance between career, school, and life. There are constant news reports of crime, environmental destruction, and natural disasters. Many people willingly sit through violent movies on a regular basis. Stress and anxiety have become a part of modern life.
A little stress from time to time is normal and the body can recover, however, chronic stress can have an impact on overall health. You can literally feel stress in both your mind and body.How does stress affect your health?
In the days when humans were living in caves, with dangers all around, and hunting animals for food, we adapted a ‘fight or flight’ response. This gave us quick bursts of energy and increased strength and speed for either fighting off an attacker or fleeing to safety. Today, while most of us are no longer in danger of attack, our bodies react physiologically in the same way to a violent movie or road rage.
When under stress the brain triggers the release of cortisol and adrenaline, gearing the body up for fight or flight. Blood pressure and blood sugar increase, muscle tension increases, heart, lung and blood clotting functions accelerate, while the immune system becomes suppressed, and digestion slows or stops. Emotional reactivity may increase, leading to anger and anxiety.When these processes are constantly occurring due to the ever present stress of modern life, a whole host of issues can crop up from headaches and fatigue to upset stomach, problems sleeping, and depression.
For many, the warning lights have been going off for years and they are headed for serious health issues if something is not done to reduce or eliminate stress. Essential oils can be incorporated into a daily routine to improve moods, calm nerves, and help cope with stress. The essential oils listed below are known for their calming, grounding, balancing, and uplifting properties.
Top 10 Essential Oils for Calming
Lavender
Frankincense
Geranium
Melissa
Sandalwood
Roman Chamomile
Cedarwood
Lemon
Bergamot
Ways to Use Essential Oils for Calming
The best way to use essential oils to support moods is through aromatherapy, or topically on pulse points, around the head, and near the nose. Place a drop in the palm of your hands, rub palms together, and breathe in the aroma. Add to a diffuser and disperse around the room. Add a few drops to bathwater. Place on wrists, temples, or back of neck. Choose an aroma that smells good to you.
Note: use only pure therapeutic grade essential oils. For more information on the essential oils Laurel chooses to use in her life, click here.
**Interested in learning more about working with Laurel and creating a revenue stream in line with your passion for health, well-being and holistic living? Click here to find out more.
For more tips on how to use essential oils, go to www.terra-thrive.com
Laurel Schumaker is a Certified Yoga Instructor with a background in environmental science and global public health. Laurel is a writer, speaker, life and business coach, entrepreneur, and holistic health educator living full time on the road across the US in an RV with her husband, cat and dog. Laurel empowers people to live a Thriving Life by guiding them toward lasting positive lifestyle changes for improved home environment, relationships, mood, and career.
Laurel has a B.S. in Conservation Studies and M.S.H in Global Public Health from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. She obtained her RYT 200 from the Yoga Alliance after studying with Suzanne Leitner-Weisse at 532 Yoga Shala in Alexandria, VA. She is working toward her PRYT certification (prenatal yoga) and studied with April Pucciata in Washington, DC. Laurel is an essential oil expert in her own right. She is a doTERRA Wellness Advocate and Gold level leader. To learn more about her essential oil courses, events she’s hosting and other programs go to www.terra-thrive.com
Laurel has a B.S. in Conservation Studies and M.S.H in Global Public Health from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. She obtained her RYT 200 from the Yoga Alliance after studying with Suzanne Leitner-Weisse at 532 Yoga Shala in Alexandria, VA. She is working toward her PRYT certification (prenatal yoga) and studied with April Pucciata in Washington, DC. Laurel is an essential oil expert in her own right. She is a doTERRA Wellness Advocate and Gold level leader. To learn more about her essential oil courses, events she’s hosting and other programs go to www.terra-thrive.com
