Anxiety is a common symptom of stress in society today. In a world that’s all go go go with work, money and relationship pressures, stress and anxiety are sometimes unavoidable. When stress takes the lead it can manifest itself in more ways than one. Insomnia, irritability, digestive problems and the one usually at the top of the list is anxiety!

If you have ever experienced anxiety you will understand that constant feeling of worry, that feeling of drowning, back peddling through your day and struggling to keep your head above water. Many people turn to conventional medicine in order to help their anxiety and while pharmaceuticals have their place, it’s always a good idea to take a look at the natural options too. Using essential oils is just one of the wonderful natural ways that can help to reduce anxiety.

Below are a few ways in which you can use essential oils:

1. Apply to the skin (ALWAYS dilute your essential oil with a common neutral carrier oil)

Popular areas of applying essential oils to your skin are on your wrists, your temples, your feet, or behind your ears.

2. Simply inhale

You may choose to inhale your essential oils. Open the bottle of essential oils, hold it up against your nose or place a drop or two on a tissue, and take a deep breath to inhale and relax.

3. Steam inhalation

Boil 3 cups of water, pour into a large bowl and add 3-5 drops of essential oil to the water. Place your nose about 12” away from the bowl, cover your head and the bowl with a towel, and slowly inhale the steam. Steam inhalation can be very effective if used with care. It can be beneficial for the skin, it is also a very powerful and useful therapy for health. Actually, it is one of the best and safe solutions to treat symptoms of the common cold or flu. It is the perfect way to clear the sinuses.

4. Use an essential oil diffuser

Electronic diffusers are designed to disperse a fine mist of essential oils. They will gently fill the air with the aroma and healing benefits of the essential oil of your choice within minutes.

5. Use in a bath

Adding essential oils to your bath is the perfect way to kick back and relax after a busy day. In a bowl mix together 2 cups of Epsom Salts and 3-5 drops of essential oil add this to a steaming hot bath and enjoy! (If you just drop the oils into the water, they will not dissolve as nicely as they do when first mixed into the salts.)

6. Aromatherapy massage

Essential oils are too concentrated to use for massage by themselves, so you need to mix them in with a neutral smelling carrier oil such as sweet almond oil, coconut oil or grape seed oil. Add up to 20 drops of essential oil to 100ml of carrier oil. Massages are shown to be very relaxing and therapeutic and many doctors nowadays actually recommend regular massage.

OILS TO HELP WITH ANXIETY:

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
One of the most popular essential oils, Lavandula Angustifolia has a calming and relaxing effect on the nervous system and is commonly known to be a brilliant natural sleep aid.

Rose (Rosa damascena)
Settling to the emotional heart, a nervous relaxant, antidepressant and a beautifully scented restorative oil.

Frankincense (Boswellia carteri)
A calming and tranquil energy, nervous restorative-relaxant and antidepressant. Helps with overthinking, worry and insomnia.

Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanoides)
A tranquil, grounding and reassuring energy. Reduces restlessness, anxiety, apprehension and insomnia.

Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
An invigorating, regulating and uplifting oil. Reduces nervous tension, tension and constriction in the chest and depression.

Less is more! Remember, essential oils are are highly concentrated plant extracts. For example, one drop of peppermint essential oil equals the strength of around 25 cups of peppermint tea! Even though this might not seem like a lot, two or three drops is often more than enough.