Sit Back and Relax: Holiday Stress Management

(Page 2 of 5)

November/December 2005
By Kim Erickson 
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Fortunately, the following tips can help you keep a lid on holiday stress and help you stay healthy in the bargain.

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Relax with Seasonal Scents

While freshly cut pine, spicy cinnamon and the aroma of holiday cookies may be the traditional scents of the season, surrounding yourself with aromatherapeutic fragrances can be a more effective way to help you focus and de-stress.

Researchers have found that clary sage, lavender and rose essential oils reduce anxiety and improve mood. One study of 77 nursing students in Korea found that simply inhaling lavender essential oil, known to increase relaxing alpha waves in the brain, reduced stress and anxiety. Other scents reported to have calming properties include bergamot, chamomile, frankincense, geranium, melissa and sandalwood.

Aromatherapy also can come to the rescue if your holiday to-do list leaves you mentally and physically frazzled. During a clinical trial of 144 volunteers, British researchers found that rosemary essential oil enhanced memory, alertness and contentment. A whiff of rosemary, lemon or peppermint essential oil also can help you feel more energetic.

There are many different ways aromatherapy can be used to help reduce the stress of the season. An aromatherapy room diffuser can wash an entire room with a calming fragrance. For a more personal aromatherapy experience, adding a bit of essential oil to your bathwater can turn a simple bath into a soothing spa experience. You also can sprinkle a few drops of lavender essential oil on your pillow to promote a much-needed restful night’s sleep.

For aromatherapy on the go, try sprinkling a few drops of essential oil on a cotton ball or tissue. Stash this portable stress reducer in your purse or pocket for immediate relief in the car, mall or even at a holiday party.

• Scentural Stress Relief

Knead Away Stress

When you’re mentally and physically tense, there’s nothing quite as relaxing as a professional massage. Treating yourself to the gift of a stress-relieving massage not only provides a mini-vacation in the midst of holiday chaos, it’s a healthy way to recharge.

According to the American Massage Therapists Association (AMTA), massage boosts the body’s immune system by increasing the body’s natural killer cells, which tend to break down during stressful times. Massage also can increase circulation, stimulate lymph drainage, control musculoskeletal pain, ease migraines, increase alertness and energy levels, and boost feelings of well-being.

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