Aromatherapy for Stress?  We all get stressed. However, as women of color, we seem to have been given a triple dose and then some. No matter how cool or unresponsive we may be, there are things that hit us right on the spot. Aromatherapy just might help.

Stress can actually be a good or bad thing.  This depends on the stress level and frequency as well as the individual’s response to it. Good stress enables us to become alert and go-getters, pumping up our adrenaline and bringing us to our empowered mode. Bad stress, on the other hand, can be debilitating, make us sick, irritable, unhappy and a plethora of negatives.

Whether stress is an occasional thing or something that is already taking its toll on your mind and body, we can do something about it. Even better news is that there’s no need to take chill pill.

You can always choose a natural and affordable method in aromatherapy. Aromatherapy for stress relief is a popular practice in alternative medicine and it is for very good reasons.

Not only it is natural and affordable, it offers tons of other benefits too. Aside from relieving stress, aromatherapy helps in improving blood circulation and digestion as well as strengthening immune system.  It’s also been known to balance hormone production, reduce discomforts and enhance your  mood.

It is safe to say that it is a holistic form of therapy, one that caters to the mind, body and soul. So if you need a lift in spirit and a whole lot of other perks, there is no need to look further than your pantry.

What is aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy goes a long way back. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans,  Indians and Chinese have relied on this process of healing for many years. In aromatherapy, essential oils from plant parts are diluted and inhaled or massaged into your skin.

Some believe that aromatherapy works when scent is inhaled and travels to parts of the brain responsible for our emotions. Others think that when essential oils are absorbed by the skin, the molecules interact with our hormones.

It gained popularity in recent years, perhaps due to the growing number people who are seeing the need to go back to natural food and medicine. In no time, aromatherapy products such as candles, incense, massage oils, hair and skin care products and pure, therapeutic grade essential oils became widely available.

Less and less people ask “what is aromatherapy” because of its wide use and the abundance of information available regarding the subject.

Why use essential oils and aromatherapy for stress relief?

There are many ways to get rid of stress but maybe none as natural and cheap as essential oils. These are wholly natural and highly potent in their unadulterated form.

Do not use on children under 3 years old.  Essential oils are not recommended for pregnant and nursing women.  Always test  to determine allergic reactions. Essential oils can be safe to use when done correctly.

Essential oils are also convenient to use, another reason why aromatherapy for stress relief is popular. It can be massaged into your skin, added to your bath, used in hot compress, warmed up using a vaporizer etc. You can use it at home or bring it to your office or spa.

There is no need for special equipment to use essential oils. Of course, if you want to go the extra mile, you can always make your own aromatherapy products. If you can find an essential oil sample kit that will offer an assortment of oils for you to try, this would be the perfect solution for someone just starting out or trying a new brand.

So, why use essential oils for stress relief? Well, why not?

Quick guide to aromatherapy oils used for stress relief:

Which oils are best to use? There are tons of essential oils in the market and they vary not only by scent but also by price and properties.

Note that not all essential oils are created equal so make sure you buy from a reputable store and that you get the right quality and concentration for its price.

If you wish to narrow down your list and include only those you can use in aromatherapy for stress relief, check out Lavender, Bergamot, Cedar wood, Chamomile, Frankincense, Geranium, Jasmine, Marjoram, Neroli, Orange, Rose, Sandalwood, Valerian and Ylang Ylang.

Some of these essential oils have calming properties to reduce stress, keep you relaxed, promote sleep and restore mental clarity (examples are Bergamot, Cedarwood, Chamomile and Marjoram).

Others are uplifting and can be used to enhance focus and keep you energized (examples are Frankincense, Jasmine and Rose). Still, there are essential oils that can be both calming and uplifting like Lavender and Ylang-Ylang. Lavender, in fact, is one of the most (if not the most) versatile and effective essential oils and not only in aromatherapy for stress relief. However, if you can’t decide which one to buy first, you can’t go wrong with lavender.

As always …

Dedicated To Your Beauty,

Juliette Samuel

Esthetician/Author/Publisher/Aromatherapist

Nyraju Skin Care