People are busier than ever and surrounded by more environmental toxins than generations past. Modern life is stressful. The body reacts to stress by releasing chemicals that may cause anxiety, restlessness, and sleeplessness. It can be difficult to calm our frayed nerves.
It is important to take time to relax, do mild exercise, eat healthy, and breathe to prevent adrenal fatigue and other stress-related ailments. Before the pharmaceutical industry became the purveyor of all supposed cures, plants were the main source for treating the ailments of mind and body.
Essential oils distill the healing power of plants, and some have the ability to bring calm and restore balance to the body. Try blending a few drops of essential oil to a carrier oil such as jojoba oil or sweet almond oil, and massage into the skin. Essential oils can also be used in a warm compress, applied to a cloth or pillow, or diffused.
The following essential oils are known to help calm anxiety and hyperactivity as well as improve sleep.
- Lavender
- Ylang ylang
- Melissa
- Orange
- Cedarwood
- Bergamot
- Frankincense
- Rose
- Geranium
- Marjoram
- Myrrh
- Sandalwood
- Lemon
- Roman chamomile
Be sure to research which oils work best for you if you have health concerns or allergies. Pregnant women should a consult a health professional before using essential oils.
See the Reference Guide for Essential Oils to learn more about how essential oils can help calm you.
Source: Reference Guide for Essential Oils, 2017 Edition, pp. 413–14.