Stress appears in various ways throughout the day, from being stuck in traffic to managing work, school responsibilities and family life. Diffusing essential oils during the day can help with productivity.
Aromatherapy utilizes essential oils to achieve desired mental and emotional effects. Essential oil scents promote certain moods and states within the body, the conscious and intuitive mind. The benefit of aromatherapy is that different aromas cause the body and the mind to receive specific influences of life forces that attune the inner self to achieve balance.
Diffusing essential oils in a room is an easy and direct inhalation application method. When essential oils are diffused, the molecules are broken up into microfine mist particles. These mist particles stay suspended in the air for long periods of time, which reduces bacteria, mold and dispels odors in the air. These micromist particles also benefit those who inhale them.
Diffused essential oils actually alter the structure of the molecules that create odors, rendering them harmless. In addition, they increase available oxygen in the room and produce negative ions.
There are many types of diffusers: Vaporizers are clean and safe; hand-held ones can be used while traveling; glass diffusers; nebulizers; diffuser timers, which have an on-off cycle during the day; and fan diffusers can be placed on a desk or in a central area of the room.
To relax the mind and body, relieve tension and clear the mind, try diffusing the following essential oils in a room daily at specific times. Each of theses oils has specific energetic properties that make them effective at achieving the desired state of mind during specific times of the day.
Morning: Use citrus oils to decrease mental exhaustion, be fully alert and awake: lemon (Citrus limonum), orange (Citrus aurantium) or grapefruit (Citrus paradisi)
Afternoon: After lunch, use spice oils to decrease tension, fatigue and nervousness: cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) and peppermint (Mentha piperita).
Mid-day: Later in the day to calm and decrease fatigue and stress, use floral oils: lavender (Lavendula angustifolia), Rose (Rosa damascena) or jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum).
Jacqueline Bloom is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 20 years of experience, and maintains a private practice in New York and Connecticut. She teaches certification courses on aromatherapy with the East West School of Aromatic and Herbal Studies. Also, she incorporates aromatherapy applications of essential oils in psychotherapy, when appropriate with clients, as an adjunct to primary treatment for emotional issues, stress-related problems, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and mood disorders. She is certified in Chinese Medicine: 5 Elemental Treatment Theory with Gems and Stones, and medical aromatherapy and dietary therapy. She can be contacted at Jacq1616@aol.com.