Author: Dr Mariza Snyder
We are often so busy doing all of the things, for all of the people, all of the time, that we seldom stop to realize the damage that stress is doing to our overall body. We even fall victim to believing the optimistic lies that are out there about stress. We were lucky enough to have the knowledgeable Dr Mariza Snyder clarify that stress is not fuel, nor does it help us to achieve more. As an educator and author of six books, her most recent titled Essential Oils Hormone Solution, Dr Mariza has been generous enough to share her stress combating tips.
Allowing your body to suffer chronic levels of the hormone cortisol is downright detrimental to your health, changing your physiology in favor of preserving your life. Our bodies were ultimately designed with defense mechanisms to keep us alive, which involves shutting down our digestion and reproduction system in order to divert blood flow to our extremities to help to get us away from danger as quickly as possible.
When we have too much cortisol that doesn’t have a chance to reset, we are left in a state of imbalance which eventually leads to imbalances in other hormonal systems as well. Manifesting as a slew of symptoms like unexplained weight gain, brain fog, fatigue, moodiness, and sleep issues to name a few, your body does its best to rebalance, but it desperately needs your help.
Living in an imbalanced state may leave us feeling lost in the middle of the stress zone, not knowing where to start and unsure of what is causing our symptoms. At this point your body needs a reset in order to enable you to regain control of your body, beginning with starting to manage that stress.
Essential oils can be the key to bridging the gap between accelerating positive lifestyle changes and hormonal balance. Whilst essential oils can’t fix the root of the problem, they can support your body as you start to adapt and work towards a long-term solution. Science demonstrates that high-quality essential oils can lower your body’s cortisol levels naturally and help you to find the natural calm that you need in order to focus on life.
My go-to essential oil for stress is Lavender as it contains calming esters that instantly soothe the mind and body. It also promotes emotional balance, restful sleep and soothes the skin at the same time, making it a win-win for getting your glow back. I apply it to pulse points on my wrists and palms before bed or add 8 drops to an Epsom salt bath for the ultimate muscle-relaxing pre-slumber ritual. The light floral scent is more powdery than pungent, so be wary of synthetic fragrances posing as high-quality essential oils.
Clary Sage is also recommended as scientific studies indicate that it instantaneously stimulates your cognition and memory while reducing nervous tension and anxious feelings. It can put you back into focus, especially when paired with Wild Orange for piqued focus and Lavender for stress-busting calmness. Try this amazing diffuser blend for moments when stress threatens to distract your attention:
Calm and Focus Diffuser Blend
2 drops Lavender Essential Oil
2 drops Wild Orange Essential Oil
2 drop Clary Sage Essential Oil
Another favorite of mine is Bergamot, which has the ability to both calm the body and mind while energizing your mood. It is also great for soothing skin irritations. Its calming effect reaches the entire body, soothing digestive upset and giving you an energy boost during moments of agitation. It is, however, extremely phototoxic, so I recommend diffusing it rather than direct application. Bergamot pairs well with other calming oils such as Lavender and Ylang Ylang.
Ylang Ylang may be touted as an effective aphrodisiac, but its magic comes from its ability to calm the body and mind, allowing for relaxation. Stress is no match for the calm and uplift that Ylang-Ylang grants while simultaneously soothing the skin and the nervous system. Its soft floral scent enables it to be seamlessly integrated into self-care beauty products, including lotions or Epsom salt baths.
Stress Relief Rollerball Blend
Ingredients:
10 drops Lavender Essential Oil
8 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
6 drops Wild Orange Essential Oil
Carrier oil of choice
Directions: To a 10-ml glass rollerball bottle, add the essential oils and fill to the top with a carrier oil of your choice, such as fractionated coconut oil or sweet almond oil. Replace the top, cap, and swirl to combine. Apply behind your ears or on your wrists for instant calm in moments of stress.
Pairing the right essential oils with positive lifestyle changes like yoga, deep breathing, exercise, and meditation/prayer can dramatically improve those symptoms and train your body to keep its cortisol balanced for you. One of the most effective changes that you can employ immediately is regular deep breathing from your diaphragm:
- Slowly inhale through your nose, allowing your belly to expand like a balloon, for a count of 10.
- Hang in the pause at the top of the breath, focusing on positivity and calm.
- Slowly exhale through your mouth for another 10-count, pulling in your belly like a string is attached to your belly button.
- Hang at the bottom of that pause, repeating a personal mantra, such as, “I am in control” or “I am enough”.
Ultimately, the biggest weapon we have against stress is self-care. You have to choose to implement positive lifestyle changes that will reduce the stress in your life, and then pair them with the right high-quality essential oils for the ultimate weapon. Don’t let stress negatively charter your course in life. Choose you; you are in charge of your own healthcare.
To find out more about Mariza: https://www.drmariza.com/