Combating high levels of stress is a challenge many people face, yet it remains crucial to prioritize stress management for overall happiness and well-being. Excessive levels of stress can cause strain on one’s physical and mental health, including high blood pressure, heightened heart rate and a greater susceptibility to anxiety and depression. Striking a balance is key and incorporating stress-relieving activities into our daily lives is essential.
As a college student myself studying psychology with a minor in child development and family studies, I understand how challenging juggling academic responsibilities and allocating time for mental health can be. However, embracing less time-consuming methods, such as aromatherapy, is a productive way to alleviate stress. Among the various essential oils used in aromatherapy, lavender and eucalyptus oils stand out for their stress-relieving properties.
Lavender oil has been proven to offer calming effects that relax the nervous system, aiding in stress reduction, improved sleep and anxiety management. On the other hand, eucalyptus oil has been shown to soothe both body and mind upon inhalation by activating our senses, which in turn restores energy levels. These essentials oils can be easily integrated into our daily routines through diffusers, room sprays, pre-diluted roll-ons, or even by simply adding a few drops to a shower to help you unwind while breathing in the vapors. They can also be diluted with water for topical application on the skin.
Furthermore, pairing essential oils with meditation is a great way to decompress. Simultaneously meditating while taking deep breaths of essential oils would be an efficient way to tackle stress during difficult times. Utilizing both of these methods could potentially help improve sleep quality, reduce negative emotions, improve stress management skills and lower resting heart rate and blood pressure.
Essential oils not only promote wellness, but they are also easily accessible and versatile to use! Incorporating them into meditation routines fosters a deeper connection with the mind, body and spirit, grounding oneself in a holistic approach to stress relief.
If you ever want more information, or even need a break in between classes, then you should check out Beach Balance located in the Student Recreation & Wellness Center (SRWC) and the University Student Union (USU)!
