Anxiety can cause a lot of physical and emotional discomfort. A lot of people are in a situation where they are constantly triggered with stressful situations. Moms are really prone to this since they deal so much with a hectic lifestyle. Essential oils can help with stress and anxiety relief, but which ones?
There are different types of anxiety and for the sake of simplicity, we are going to focus on general anxiety disorder. Some other anxiety disorders include:
- social anxiety
- panic disorder
- post traumatic stress
- phobias
Everyone experiences anxiety and fear on some level on a regular basis. However, when a persons ability to experience life is interfered by that anxiety, that is then considered a disease. (1)
Physical Anxiety Issues
There are many different physical ways anxiety can effect one person. The mind-body connection is very clear when anxiety is present. Some cases of anxiety can cause stomach issues which can result in pain. Other physical symptoms from anxiety in other people include a stabbing in the chest pains or rapid heart beat.
A lot of symptoms are not so dramatic though and between sibling fights and meal plans, moms may find their symptoms on a lesser scale. It might be that you find yourself going to the toilet a lot or even not being able to take a deep breath (2).
Anxiety can make one feel so unwell that they may wonder if there is anything wrong with them, which causes more anxiety. Some other physical symptoms may include:
- headaches
- sleep issues
- digestion issues
Lifestyle Changes
Many lifestyle changes can be looked at when it comes to managing anxiety. I work with a lot of clients where this is their starting point. Their lifestyles needing a balance is where a lot of people can find peace. Working with a coach or a counselor in this case would be very beneficial since you can be accountable for your lifestyle.
Physical activities can help with reducing stress levels and as the body keeps moving, so does the feelings of anxiety. Getting adequate sleep is also important, as well as learning some relaxation techniques. Some great relaxation techniques when you first notice your anxiety rise are:
- Counting your breath
- Inhale essential oils
- Journaling
- Listen to music
- Practice being mindful
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Avoiding stimulants like caffeine and nicotine is an option to consider since both can stimulate the body instead of relaxing it. There are anti inflammatory foods to consider incorporating into your diet as inflammation can bring on more cortisol and keep your body in fight or flight.
Proper eating habits are important to have in place, looking at organic foods to get nutrients. Cut out all the processed foods such as sugar, chips and cookies. Adding more of good items your body will benefit from such as healthy fats, proteins and organic veggies.
Finally, looking around your home and doing a home detox, which I work through with my clients, eliminating all harmful chemicals. Toxins in our environment play a huge role in our mental health. Endocrine disruptors (EDCs) can wreak havoc on our hormones. Start looking at your household cleaning products, skin care and plastic just to name a few.
Essential Oils for Anxiety
Many essential oils can be used in order to help keep anxiety at bay. Essential oils have by now been studies in clinical setting where people have responded to certain oils in decreasing stress levels. Since there are so many symptoms of anxiety and how they effect the body, many blends can be made to support well being.
Blends specific to muscle tension and body aches may include sandalwood, lavender, patchouli or clary sage. When dealing with restlessness and heart palpitations more grounding and earthy oils such as vetiver, frankincense, cedarwood can be looked at. Mothers a lot of the time may feel like they are on edge, in which case bergamot, neroli and ho wood would be good options.
Since so many oils have a lot of the same properties looking at what you are drawn to is important. Many popular oils that help with anxiety include:
- Bergamot
- Lavender
- Roman and German Chamomile
- Vetiver
- Frankincense
- Geranium
- Melissa
- Rose Otto
- Sweet Orange
- Patchouli
Dealing with anxiety is rarely a one time fix. You can have your life back! If you want to start feeling better right away, I invite you consider the free course on how to conquer your anxiety.
Click here to access the course.
