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Aromatherapy for Stress Relief at Work
by: Susan Stewart
Most people work a 40 hour week so we can estimate that we typically
spend about 2,000 hours at work each year. And many people work
even more than this. Yet we often don’t take the time to ensure
that our job setting is a pleasant place to be. Our jobs are often
very stressful and stress is a known trigger for many common ailments
and diseases. Many studies have been done on the relationship between
job stress and a variety of ailments. Mood and sleep disturbances,
upset stomach, headaches and disturbed relationships with family
and friends are examples of stress related problems that are quick
to develop.
Before you think about stress reduction, start by identifying the
particular stresses in your work and the effect they have on you.
What, specifically, is it about your work situation that makes you
feel anxious, angry, frustrated, burned out, depressed, etc? Do
you have a difficult boss or co-worker? Do you have too much work
and not enough time to do it? When you come up with your list of
stressors, address them one at a time.
Managing stress is a slow and measured process that should take
place over time and not all at once. Take stock of the situation
and make a note of the things that are causing you the most concern.
Look at things that you can do, or ask for support that will ease
the situation, no matter how small. Set some achievable goals towards
removing the problem. Think back to some similar situations you
have overcome and apply these lessons.
A common reaction to a stressful situation is to try to escape,
at least temporarily, by taking a coffee break or a quick smoke.
But this only adds to the toxins in your body and does not attempt
to deal with the underlying causes. A more effective response is
to confront the tasks that cause you stress. Develop healthy habits
one day at a time. Take a short walk in the morning, eat regularly,
take time over your meals, and keep in touch with your mind and
body.
It can be very beneficial to change your own outlook and actions
rather than trying to change others who you believe are the cause
of your stress. No matter what the causes of your tension and stress
are, there are many strategies you can use to help protect you against
the ill effects of stress. We elaborate on a different strategy
to relieve stress each month in this newsletter.
Implementing aromatherapy into your life can go a long way in easing
your stress as well as the stress levels of others around you. One
of the main attributes of pure essential oils is their ability to
relieve stress with immediate positive benefits. Because of the
emotional elements which are at play in stress-related conditions,
the choice of essential oils depends largely on the causes of the
problem and the temperment of each individual and how they respond
under pressure. Only use oils that appeal to you. If you do not
like the scent, it will not have the desired effect.
There are many ways to bring aromatherapy into the workplace. Diffusers
heat essential oils and allows their molecules to be released into
the atmosphere. Inhaling different essential oils can alter your
mood, stimulate creativity, help concentration and rid an area of
airborne viruses and bacteria. Scenting your office with Lavender
essential oil is said to reduce computer errors at least 25%.
If you have to work in an air conditioned or stuffy building, using
essential oils in a diffuser or spritzing a spritzer can really
clear the air. Geranium, Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint and Rosemary
are all excellent for a quick pick me up. Try Chamomile, Lavender,
Orange or Sandalwood oil. All are thought to help combat stress
and tension. Here are a few more ideas to get you started.
If you can’t use a diffuser at work, simply put a drop of
essential oil on a tissue and keep with you to sniff whenever you
need to.
Put a few drops of your favorite essential oil on the cardboard
tube inside a roll of toilet paper to fragrance the bathroom at
work.
Let scent be your calling card. Simply add your favorite essential
oils to cotton balls and place your business cards and the cotton
balls in a box with a lid. Keep tightly closed for at least 1 week.
Mix 5 drops of Lavender essential oil (or your favorite oil) into
about a
teaspoon of Jojoba or Almond oil. Dab on a cloth and wipe the surfaces
of your desk
and top of the computer. When the heat of the computer warms the
oil there is a
pleasant fresh fragrance wafting through the air.
There is help for your stress! Aromatherapy has been proven to be
excellent for stress relief as well as increasing productivity and
efficiency levels. The possibilities are only limited to your imagination.
For more ideas and information, check out our website that is over
100 pages large and growing.
About the author:
Susan Stewart is co-founder and partner of It's My Nature, an Aromatherapy
business based in Florence, Oregon. Providing dried herbs, essential
oils and many comfort and stress reducing products. Catering to
the beginner with small sizes, recipes and an informative monthly
newsletter. See It's My Nature's large, informative website at http://itsmynature.netor
a free brochure is available by calling 1-888-445-5051.
Article
provided by www.massagelotion.net
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