Wave Goodbye To Negativity – Welcome Positivity
Escalating energy bills, record high inflation, and now the threat of an approaching recession – it feels like the cost of living crisis escalates almost every day.
An unfortunate twist of fate has brought all of these financial challenges together at one time to create what experts have described as the biggest fall in living standards in the UK since the 1970s.
So, just as we were all beginning to feel that the dreadful effects of Covid were finally behind us, we find ourselves rapidly descending into a social emergency that is going to take its toll on all of us. Therefore it’s only natural to feel angry, despondent or depressed about it all.
However, being angry or worrying endlessly about things that are totally out of your control is never a good thing from a health point of view, since it can often start an emotional chain reaction that spirals downwards. And when you feel gloomy and depressed you are likely to get into the sort of negative behaviour patterns that leads to poor health, such as overeating, not socialising, or getting enough exercise etc.
Consequently, it is important for you to break the cycle of negativity before it impacts your health and do something to bring more positive thoughts and feelings back into your life. Researchers have proven that negative emotions really can change the complex chemistry of our bodies which leads to a negative response in the body’s immune system, thereby allowing ill health to take hold.
Aromatherapy is one of the very best natural ways to rebalance a state of negativity and turn it into a more positive one. While it certainly won’t materialise the money to pay your energy bill or fill your car with petrol, it can improve your mental well being which then makes you better equipped to deal with the current challenges and stresses of life during the inflation crisis.
Aromatherapy and mood
Just in case you didn’t know, studies have scientifically proven that aromatherapy can have a positive effect on mood. In 1998, a study in the International Journal of Neuroscience exposed 40 adults to three minutes of aromatherapy using lavender or rosemary essential oils. Participants were given simple maths problems before and after the treatment.
It was observed that among the group using lavender- which is an essential oil well known for relaxation – there was a less depressed mood and people felt more relaxed. Interestingly, they performed the maths questions faster and more accurately after the aromatherapy session. Conversely, among those given rosemary – a stimulating essential oil – there was alertness, but the maths questions weren’t completed as accurately.
Using aroma to elicit a mood
In order to dispel negativity and feel more positive about everything as inflation rapidly approaches 10%, you can harness the power of aroma to improve your mental wellbeing and elicit the sort of feelings you prefer to experience during the day. Essential oils really can help you to change your mind.
Relaxation – Certain essential oils are renowned for imbuing a sense of relaxation. Lavender is one of the most well known but there are other alternatives, such as clary sage, bergamot, roman chamomile, neroli, and ylang ylang essential oil.
Happiness – Lemon essential oil is brilliant for rejuvenation and breeding feelings of good cheer. Indeed, most fresh citrus scents are excellent at lifting moods and clearing negativity including bergamot, sweet orange, grapefruit, and lime. Rosemary is also a natural stimulant and is great for boosting energy levels and lifting emotions, while creating a sense of alertness.
Positivity – Essential oils derived from trees and roots are ideal for strengthening your resolve and ‘grounding’ your emotions once you have shaken off the blues. Cedarwood atlas, cypress, frankincense, sandalwood and vetiver essential oil all fall into this category. Other strengthening essential oils include juniper berry, melissa, and rose.
How to use the essential oils
There are plenty of ways to increase positivity using your essential oils. Add a few drops to an aromatherapy diffuser or burner to fill the room with the scent of your chosen oils. Alternatively, add eight drops to a warm bath, agitate the water to disperse the oils, and slide in to simply relax and forget all the bills for a while.
Some people prefer to put essential oils on the skin during meditation, and if this is your preference then be sure to dilute four to five drops of your chosen essential oil with 10ml of carrier oil, or a professional lotion base. You can always add your essential oils to a professional cream base to so that your skin can enjoy an uplifting aromatherapy treatment too!
Copyright © Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd 2022. Written by Geoff Lyth
