By Suzanne Johnson
This is the time of year that those seasonal blues can hit. I get my energy from the sun. I am just always happier and more at peace in the spring and summer and I struggle more during the late fall and winter. It is important to me that this year I do everything I can to avoid those winter blues that can creep in and I plan on using essential oils to help with this and I want you to as well!
I recently went and got a zyto scan done. You can learn more about these here: http://www.zyto.com/. But in a nutshell it gives you an overall score and tells you what oils your body needs. My score was not so great and me-being the hypochondriac that I am- immediately thought I was dying. But then I took a deeper look at the oils that were recommended to me and they all had a central theme-emotional support and stress relief. Now I have an awesome life. I am blessed with two amazing sons and a loving, hot husband. But let’s be realistic. Life can be crazy and hectic at times. And thank goodness for that or we wouldn’t know when to cherish those moments of peace. I am a busy Mom who works full-time with a perchance for over worrying and analyzing, so yeah the fact that the oils pointed towards me needing emotional support and stress relief made sense for me (and I briefly stopped worrying about dying). I’m sure all of you face similar stresses and I want you to rest assured that there all things you can do to help get you through those less than stellar moments.
This winter I have this toolbox I can reach into to help me through the tough times whereas before I just had to deal with it or rely on a medication to get me through. Having these essential oils makes me feel like I have some say over my mental health and I have the ability to improve my situation. Who wouldn’t want that?! So let’s focus on those oils that help us through the emotional taxing times shall we? There are so many oils that I had a hard time narrowing it down to three, but I found many testimonials about these specific oils benefiting emotional well-being, so I had to share. First off is this beast:
Ylang Ylang:
Its name means “flower of flowers.” Sigh. How gorgeous and poetic is that? Some of the powerful things it helps with are: anxiety (ding!), depression (woot!), spiritual attunement, combats anger and low self-esteem, increases our focus of thoughts, filters out negative energy and can restore confidence and peace.
Lavender:
This is an oil that I use daily. It just gives me a sense of peace and helps me sleep better at night. It is such a versatile oil that I am never without it. This oil can help with calming, relaxing and balancing, both physically and emotionally. Actually a university in Japan found that diffusing certain aromas in an office environment dramatically improved mental accuracy and concentration. It also reduces depression and improved cognitive performance.
Orange:
This oil is described as uplifting and as having antidepressant qualities. One study showed a boost in immunity, induced relaxation, and reduced depression. I have read many testimonies from people that state that they use orange to assist with emotional well-being. Citrus oils also have that happy, crisp scent that just enhance those good feelings.
So this winter let’s all put a strong effort towards our emotional health. Winter can be a time of pause and reflection and cleansing of the soul, as it gets ready for the new growth of spring. It is a time of family, storytelling and traditions. I will be adding essential oils into the mix to help me appreciate all of these blessings of the season and I hope you will too.
Essential Oils Pocket Reference: Fifth Edition. Life Science Publishing. 2011.
*The information contained in this article is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Oils mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using these essential oils.
