Overcoming Anxiety: Quick Tip# 1

By uneduex @ Flickr

I hear yah-you’ve got troubles, unemployment worries, environmental disasters, financial worries, perhaps heath challenges.  I have been through much of it too, and vicariously we all suffer when we hear of others suffering.  That is our gift of being human.  We feel compassion and connection with our fellow beings.

But when we shift into worry and feel out of control, this creates a background level of anxiety.  Even for those of us in the West-who realize we are still living in much better conditions than many in the world. Remember “simplicity, is the new black” to use a fashion metaphor. In this ongoing series I will always start with gratitude as it’s the base attitude to counteract worries.

Gratitude:

First off gratitude.  Find ONE THING, that you are grateful for-bring it to mind when you are stressed.

• If possible take 2 min. to take a few deep breaths, oxygenate the brain.  Close your eyes and shift mood by picturing that thing that you are grateful for.
• Hold that image and generate the feelings of joy and happiness that are connected to the person, place or pet even.

It works just remember to do it!  There are so many simple things we can do to relieve our stress, we can take care of ourselves so we can cope better! Since I’ve mentioned gratitude before, here’s a bonus tip– again simple-a bit of money to purchase is needed.

Aromatherapy:

JASMINE– has been shown to when relieve anxiety naturally and promote sleep as well as prescription sedatives drugs, the latter of which have side effects.  The latest research by European scientists was published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.* It take pounds and pounds of the flowers to make one drop of pure Jasmine, so it is usually sold diluted in a carrier oil.  That makes it safe to put on the skin and may need to dilute further as it is quite a potent scent, the molecules when inhaled go to lungs then to bloodstream and to brain.

I have used [amazon_link id=”B002Q4UCJ2″ target=”_blank” ]Jasmine[/amazon_link], I find it a bit strong and so dilute it more myself in almond oil.  Other essential oils I have used myself for calming anxiety are: [amazon_link id=”B00016QSXQ” target=”_blank” ]ylang ylang[/amazon_link] (also a very sweet type scent), and classic lavender. [amazon_link id=”B00014EI26″ target=”_blank” ] Lavender[/amazon_link] has many studies proving it’s efficacy for calming nerves, and relieving anxiety.  Depending on the root of anxiety- other oils are indicated- for me I find citrus oils like orange or grapefruit (both are relatively inexpensive,) when put in a blend immediately creates a sigh and relaxation.

A simple recipe of mine: would be lavender 2:1 ratio of drops,  with orange or grapefruit essential oil diluted in a natural unscented carrier or base oil-like almond.

If you want further information, I recommend two books that I own, [amazon_link id=”0133494322″ target=”_blank” ]Aromatherapy: A Lifetime Guide to Healing with Essential Oils[/amazon_link] on and which give tons of well researched information.  And [amazon_link id=”1566199905″ target=”_blank” ]Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils[/amazon_link].  The former give tons of “recipes” to create essential oil combination and is most recommended. The latter book, has lovely pictures and gives lots of info on plant, efficacy and historical, but has no recipes on creating blends really.  It’s strong point is it’s details on what essential oil works for what in easy to understand groupings by body area or health issue.

Men, I think you may not want to smell like a flower.  So one can simply put a drop or two of natural essential oils on tissue and put it by your pillow;  no fancy diffuser needed even.  Try that to help with insomnia and stress w/out putting it on your body.

Namaste, Kala.

[amazon_image id=”0133494322″ link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Aromatherapy: A Lifetime Guide to Healing with Essential Oils[/amazon_image]

[amazon_image id=”1566199905″ link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils[/amazon_image]

*Ruhr-Universitaet-Bochum (2010, July 9). Intoxicating fragrance: Jasmine as valium substitute. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 31, 2011.