How To Reduce Stress With Aromatherapy & Meditation

We could all use a little more peace and quiet in our lives.

But the good news is you don’t have to spend a ton of money to gain inner peace and reduce stress.

Here is a beginner’s guide to aromatherapy and meditation, two alternative therapies that almost anyone can easily introduce into their lives for better well-being.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy involves the use of essential oils to calm psychological and physical stressors. It’s not limited to just essential oils, and can include sea salts, mud masks, clay applications and herbs. Essential oils are pure oils that are extracted from plants, fruits and vegetables. They should never come directly in contact with the skin or ingested directly in undiluted form.

The most common way to benefit from essential oils is to inhale them, but only if they are diffused. For example, place one or two drops of eucalyptus essential oil in a vaporizing inhaler filled with water will micronize it so you can inhale it safely to ease congestion.

The second way to use essential oils is topically; but again, never apply undiluted essential oils to the skin. They should be mixed with a “carrier” oil such as sweet almond oil, cold-pressed vegetable oil, or apricot kernel oil. For example a mixture of a carrier oil with tea tree essential oil can work to heal toenail fungus.

Finally, aromatherapy for your home is affordable and easy. You can purchase a ceramic aromatherapy diffuser and place a few drops of your favorite essential oil (such as lavender, lemon, peppermint, or eucalyptus) in it to “scentify” your living space.

Meditation

Meditation is not religion-based nor does it involve medication. The practice involves quieting your mind and focusing on positive outcomes in select areas of your life.

Quieting your mind can be easy for some, but for others, it’s nearly impossible. Start short and sweet. Sit on the floor or a sturdy chair or even lie down on your bed. Turn off the lights. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Beginners often fall asleep during the mind-quieting phase. That’s perfectly normal.

Some people will “see” only blackness, others might see colors, and still others will see images. Practitioners claim that this signals your brain easing into a more quiet realm and that it’s time to start meditating.

Meditation is a different experience for everyone. You might start focusing on visualizing yourself getting a much-wanted promotion or starting a successful fitness program.

You could envision changes in negative thoughts or attitudes. Focus on making the changes you need to make and the goals you wish to achieve. It’s okay if at any time during your meditation you drift off to sleep. You don’t have to start over when you wake up.

Try to meditate at the same time each day. Make it a part of your schedule just as you do exercising or brushing your teeth.