Posts Tagged ‘anxiety relief using aromatherapy’

Aromatherapy Oils To Overcome Shyness And Social Anxiety

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Aromatherapy refers to the use of essential oils, which are plant extracts that are mixed with other substances such as alcohol or oil. These oils have a therapeutic effect when inhaled, applied on the skin or added to bath water. Different oils are used, usually in combination with each other to bring about the required effect.

Aromatherapy is often used to obtain relief from psychological disturbances such as depression and social anxiety. The desired effects are attained when the fragrances arising from certain essential oils produce a stimulating or relaxing effect on the body. Some aromatherapy practitioners maintain that these fragrances have a stimulating effect on the nerves of the nose that are involved in odor sensing. Signals are then transmitted to the area of the brain that regulates emotion and memory. The oils can either have a stimulating or a relaxing effect depending on the type used.

There are many ways to use essential oils in dealing with social anxiety and shyness.

  • One way of practicing aromatherapy is to add a couple of drops of essential oil to a tissue and sniff from it when one is experiencing anxiety. A small vial of oil may also be carried along in the pocket.
  • When at home, add five drops of oil to an oil burner. This will bring about a sensation of relaxation.
  • Adding some oil to bath water and taking a soak in it for a few minutes is also very beneficial in alleviating all types of anxiety. Massages are another good way to aid in relaxation. If you are performing a self-massage, use a carrier oil such as apricot kernel oil to dilute the essential oil.
  • There are several essential oils that can be used to treat anxiety. Oils that produce a calming effect on the nervous system include chamomile, clary sage, jasmine, lavender, mandarin, sandalwood, and vetiver. Oils that may be used to relieve nervous tension include bergamot, basil, orange, rose, and sandalwood.
  • Anxiety can be treated using oils such as cedarwood, frankincense, sandalwood, and vlang vlang.  Neroli, jasmine, and rose may be used to build self-esteem.

Essential oils must be used in the right manner as if used improperly they may cause damage. Some oils may cause skin problems if not diluted properly, and all oils can be dangerous if taken internally. Those with skin allergies, respiratory problems, pregnant women, and very young children must also not use these oils without proper medical consultation.

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Aromatherapy for Anxiety Relief

Monday, April 13th, 2009

Do you live in constant fear that something or the other is going wrong? Do even the slightest of stressful situations make you hyperventilate, perspire, and fell dizzy and nauseous? You may be suffering from anxiety. Although the term anxiety is commonly used in the English language, what most people don’t realize is that it is also a medical condition.

Although severe cases of anxiety can be easily detected and treated with medication and counseling, most minor cases go undetected. This is because more often than not most people are not even aware that they suffer from anxiety. Anxiety can prove to be a major obstacle to your personal and professional growth.

Extreme or prolonged stress also leads to anxiety. In fact, the high level of stress that we encounter in our daily life is probably the single biggest reason why anxiety attacks are on the rise. So what can you do to prevent yourself from succumbing to baseless anxiety? First and foremost, if you feel that your life is controlled by your anxieties, instead of by your own needs and desires, it may be time to seek professional help. Anxiety is a well documented problem and there are many proven methods of medical treatment. If you experience only infrequent and mild bouts of anxiety, you could try another option—aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy is an alternative therapy that uses the power of smell to cure many psychological disorders. It is also used to cure physiological disorders through the therapeutic powers of the essential oils that are used in this practice. Aromatherapy essential oils are oils that are extracted from plants. These oils contain the essence of the plant, including its characteristic smell and medicinal properties.  In fact, aromatherapy is so effective in relieving stress and reducing anxiety that it is also prescribed as a complementary therapy in the treatment of patients suffering from severe anxiety problems.

Some of the aromatherapy oils that help to combat anxiety include the essential oils of lavender, bergamot, chamomile, melissa, and sandalwood. These oils can be used individually or they can be blended with each other to enhance their benefits. Do keep in mind that pure essential oils have to be blended with a carrier oil before they can be massaged into the skin.

Aromatherapy essential oils can be inhaled through a vaporizer, or used in a diffuser. They can be added to your bath, or can even be used to provide a relaxing aromatherapy massage. The simplest way to use these oils is to apply a few drops on your pillow at night, or dab a few drops on a handkerchief. The next time you’re in a stressful situation, just whip out your handkerchief and inhale deeply to allow the essential oil to work its magic

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