Stress And Relaxation Massage

Headaches:
Often one of the first signs of stress and a regular affliction for many people. Cold compresses of lavender or geranium across the forehead provide pleasant relief. Add five drops of one oil to a small bowl of cool or warm water, soak a cloth in the water, wring out and lay it across the forehead. To help a headache caused by tension in the neck, try a sandalwood compress across the neck. Scalp massage is soothing, or try the shiatsu headache relief steps.

Depression:
The blues can hit us all from time to time, as financial, emotional or work problems hang over like a dark cloud. In the long term, if problems are not resolved, depression lowers the immune system, leaving you prone to a spiral of worsening mental and physical health. Essential oils can work wonders in lifting the spirits to prevent this.

Uplifting Oils: Bergamot, cypress, lemon grass, rosemary, sage.
Soothing Oils: Chamomile, geranium, jasmine, lavender, marjoram, neroli, patchouli, rose, sandalwood, ylang-ylang.

Start off with three soothing oils, and then drop one of these in favour of an uplifting oil to give an element of stimulation, and eventually introduce two stimulating elements. Geranium, lavender and bergamot is a good combination. Use your formula for bath and body treatments. Depression can be difficult to lift and if it persists you should consult a doctor or mental-health professional.

Mental Fatigue:
When you feel near to exhaustion or cannot concentrate on one thing at a time because problems seem to be crowding in on you, listen to your body’s warning signals. Take time to unwind (try a bath with any of the soothing oils listed for depression), clear your head with a walk or deep-breathing exercises, and then revive yourself with oils such as eucalyptus and peppermint. Rosemary is helpful in concentrating the mind and stimulating the body so that you can continue to work if you feel you really cant afford to take a break.

Insomnia:
Sleeplessness is a common response to stress, as your mind and body refuse to let go enough to give you the rest that you need. Learning to relax has to be built into a daily pattern with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and a calming routine to wind down before bedtime. Try a milky drink or herbal tea last thing at night. Have a relaxing bath and massage, drawing on the sedative powers of up to three of the following oils:

Chamomile, cedar wood, frankincense, hyssop, lavender, marjoram, melissa, naroli, orange, patchouli, rose, sage, sandalwood, ylang-ylang.

Breathing aromatic vapours in the bedroom helps to induce sleep:
– Frankincense is warming and relaxing, and encourages tranquillity. Use in a fragrancer.
– Lavender’s relaxing quality can be harnessed by dabbing two drops on the edge of your pillow.
– Marjoram has excellent soporific properties. Release in a light-bulb ring or fragrancer.
– Neroli’s wonderful floral fragrance is also sedative. Two drops on the pillow or in a fragrancer will help disperse unpleasant thoughts.