How To Use Essential Oils To Combat Anxiety
By now, you've likely heard of the benefits of using various essential oils to soothe feelings of anxiety and overwhelm. If you've ever used them and not noticed a difference, it may be time to slow down and create a routine with your blends that supports your mental health. Once you find a blend that works for you, you can create a calming routine around the scent that aids in the reduction of anxiety symptoms.
For instance, Mindbodygreen explains, diffusing a stress-busting blend of oils can help regulate your nervous system into a state of peace. Find a calming aroma such as lavender or ylang-ylang and add a few drops to a diffuser, letting it run for a few hours. The outlet notes that, by inhaling various scents, they travel to the brain where they can promote a relaxed feeling. If you don't have a diffuser, place your oil onto a cotton ball, close your eyes and slowly inhale. Since essential oils should never make direct contact with your skin on their own, reaping the benefits this way is an easy outlet.
Furthermore, using essential oils before your meditation or breathwork routine can deepen your practice while enhancing its benefits. It encourages deeper breathing, which stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system — aka the rest and digest response. Mindbodygreen suggests taking long, slow deep breaths to fully calm the system into a state of relaxation.
Aromatherapy impacts the central nervous system
By diffusing your favorite scent, you can directly impact your brain waves. Psychology Today notes that the olfactory nerve connects the nasal passages to the brain, creating a direct link between various aromas and different emotions and feelings. The outlet even notes that essential oils such as lavender impact neuroreceptors the same way that anti-anxiety medications do.
Once you've found an oil that you like that is properly diluted with a carrier oil and safe for topical application, you can get creative with your stress-reducing routine. Healthline suggests adding the oils to areas where you feel pain, tension or general tightness. Common areas to apply include your wrists, temples, bottoms of the feet and sides of the neck. To feel fully grounded and present, you may want to apply around your feet, at the bottom of the spine and over your heart.
Furthermore, adding various scents to your bath can make for a much more relaxing experience. Dilute the essential oil once again before you add, the outlet adds, but know that this sensory experience may add another layer of relaxation to your bath or shower.
Once you've found the scent that you enjoy, it's time to focus on adding your oils to your self-care routine in a way that makes a difference. Try these options and see how you feel.