The Coronavirus pandemic has directly impacted the daily lives of almost the entire planet. It has caused rampant and sudden death, irreversible damage to body systems, and complete shutdown of the major cities of the world, leading citizens into a state of perpetual anxiety. If you’ve experienced increased symptoms of anxiety, then aromatherapy may be the solution. Many citizens have turned to aromatherapy as a means of coping at this time. As the pandemic worsens, aromatherapy may be the best method of treating it over the counter.
What is Aromatherapy And How Does it Work?
A new study shows that symptoms of anxiety have increased in people of all ages, as is being reported by doctors in the field. So how do we remain calm amidst the very real mental health concerns that we’re facing?
Luckily, we don’t just have to focus on getting a prescription for anxiety medication, as there are many efficient alternatives to pharmaceuticals. We can use Aromatherapy. Aromatherapy has been a proven method for treating anxiety and has been used informally for centuries as a means of keeping persons calm.
Aromatherapy is the use of aromatic materials such as essential oils, to improve the body physically or mentally. It is normally used alongside traditional medicine but has risen to popularity in recent years as a replacement for traditional medicine. Essential oils are a huge component of aromatherapy and are normally used by diffusing the oils or applying them to certain parts of the body. These aromatic materials can also be used in specific blends to improve its effectiveness.
Aromatherapy is a method that has proven to be highly effective in the fight against anxiety, amidst continuous flare-ups and other symptoms. But before you’re quick to self-diagnose, let’s take a detailed look at what it means to have an anxiety disorder.
What is Anxiety/ Anxiety Disorder?
Anxiety is a natural emotion that is felt by everyone, but it becomes a disorder when the symptoms become unbearable. Doctors normally diagnose patients with anxiety disorder amid different symptoms such as phobias and panic disorders, among others.
Persons with severe symptoms may even have an anxiety attack from time to time, which requires anxiety medication. Though anxiety attacks are mainly prevalent in persons that have been clinically diagnosed, they may become more common due to the world’s new normal.
Anxiety can come in different forms that can affect how you live your daily life. It may cause you to avoid work, school or even certain social groups because of increased fear or worry. Because of this, you may be looking for anxiety treatment to help manage new symptoms that you have encountered.
Fortunately, Aromatherapy is an effective method of treating anxiety naturally, whether alongside or in place of using pharmaceutical medicine for anxiety. Aromatherapy is also more affordable than traditional medicine, making it more accessible to a wider variety of people.
How can you treat Anxiety Naturally?
One of the safest natural methods of treating anxiety is using aromatherapy and naturopathic treatments. Aromatherapy is the practice of using aromatic materials such as essential oils and plant extracts to significantly impact your brain. In other words, certain scents and herbal remedies help to significantly reduce the effects of mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression.
Aromatherapy is one of the most effective natural anxiety remedies that you can use. There are a number of essential oils for anxiety that you can start using right away, listed below.
Aromatherapy & Essential Oils: Natural Help for Anxiety
Aromatherapy: The 5 Best Essential Oils for Anxiety
There are a wide variety of essential oils used in Aromatherapy that has shown significant results for assisting those who suffer from anxiety. Whether you already take medicine for anxiety or not, these 5 essential oils used in Aromatherapy are sure to improve your symptoms.
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Chamomile Oil
Extracted directly from the chamomile plant is the chamomile essential oil, which has been proven to assist with anxiety and sleeping disorders. This essential oil contains that same soothing aroma that calms the mind and helps to put you to sleep. It is one of the most potent and effective essential oils used in aromatherapy for anxiety.
Chamomile Essential Oil may not be the most popular, but it is highly effective and easy to use. We recommend inhaling the Chamomile Essential Oil whenever feelings of anxiety arise. You can also make an Aromatherapy Essential Oil blend by combining this oil with a carrier oil, and then gently massaging into the skin. This also provides quick anxiety relief.
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Lavender Oil
Lavender Essential Oil is one of the most popular and widely used essential oils for restoring feelings of calmness and relaxation. The lavender plant is one of the best herbs for anxiety and is continuously lauded for its effectiveness. The lavender essential oil works in a similar method to some anxiety medications, which is one of the reasons it is so effective in aromatherapy. It targets the GABA neurotransmitter in the brain to directly reduce certain nervous system activities that lead to anxiety.
This leads to a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms such as restlessness and anger. To use lavender oil for anxiety, you can simply add a few drops to a diffuser to refresh the air periodically. You can also add a few drops of lavender oil to your laundry so that your clothes and sheets can carry the smell of this essential oil.
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Bergamot Oil
Bergamot Essential Oil is a great option for those who may want to make a DIY essential oil or an aromatherapy blend for anxiety. It is extracted from citrus peels and is one of the purest oils that can be used. It is referred to as one of nature’s best antidepressants because it significantly improves the mood of those who smell it.
This is because of the phytochemicals that it contains, which act on different parts of the brain. Simply add a few drops of Bergamot oil to a diffuser to use for aromatherapy. You can also use it by inhaling its scent slowly and strategically throughout the day. It has great added benefits, such as improving other health issues such as poor blood circulation. This makes Bergamot Oil one of the best essential oils used in aromatherapy for anxiety.
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Ylang Ylang Oil
Next on our list is Ylang Ylang oil, another well-known essential oil that is commonly used as anxiety relief due to its sedative properties. Ylang Ylang oil is extracted directly from the Ylang Ylang plant and works by lowering the stress hormone “cortisol”, so feelings of joy can be maintained. Simply inhaling the fragrance of the Ylang Ylang oil will significantly improve symptoms and maintain a calm and positive mood. This is one of the reasons that it is consistently used in aromatherapy. Ylang Ylang oil has also been shown to be helpful for physical health as well as mental health.
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Basil Oil
The last essential oil on our list is basil oil, which is extracted both from the holy basil and sweet basil plants. Basil is a staple in aromatherapy and a highly effective plant extract that has been lauded for its effectiveness in helping with anxiety. Eugenol, its active ingredient impacts brain function, by helping to reduce the symptoms of anxiety in most patients who use it.
This same compound is what gives Basil its minty aroma. Basil oil can be used by either diffusing the oil in a concentrated space within the home or by inhaling the scent strategically. It is best to use this herb sparingly, as it is a very potent natural remedy that is great at improving symptoms of anxiety. It is a great addition to an Aromatherapy Essential Oil Blend.
With the essential oils listed above, reducing the symptoms of anxiety is no longer a daunting task. While we recommend getting tested by a medical professional, we are sure that these essential oils will significantly transform your symptoms of anxiety.
Aromatherapy is a proven method of reducing the symptoms of anxiety and continues to be one of the safest and easiest treatments to use. We know that aromatherapy is highly effective, so feel free to mix and match the oils that you’d like, while adhering to your doctor’s recommendations.
References
Kluger, Jeffery. “The Coronavirus may be causing and Anxiety Pandemic.” Time, 26 March 2020
Lehrner, Marwinski, Johren. “Ambient odors of orange and lavender reduce anxiety and improve mood in a dental office.” Physiology & Behavior, pp 92-95.
