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 temperament 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.
____________________
Susan Stewart is co-founder and
partner of It’s My Nature, a home based business in Florence, Oregon
that provides Aromatherapy and Herbal Comforts. See their large,
informative website at http://www.itsmynature.net
or a catalog is available by calling 1-888-445-5051.