April is National Stress Awareness Month

April is National Stress Awareness Month, and research has linked chronic stress with life-threatening illnesses such as heart attacks, stroke, depression, and chronic pain. For many of us, stress and the anxiety it causes are an unavoidable part of our daily lives. A low level of stress is indeed often necessary to motivate us, but it is important to keep its impact within a level you can tolerate. If allowed to dominate, stress can cause intense anxiety and a general deterioration in health. It can also increase the risk of more serious ailments developing, such as stomach ulcers. Inhaling certain aromas help to reduce stress by promoting relaxation.

Not all scents are created equal however. Synthetic fragrances found in most commercial perfumes, body care, and candles are petroleum based and can cause allergic reactions, one of which is irritability, headaches, and brain fog. Pure, natural plant oils such as Young Living Essential Oils contain carefully preserved therapeutic molecules without any fillers, pesticide residues, or synthetic ingredients.

Lavender is universally most well known for its relaxing properties. For relief from sudden stress, sprinkle 4 drops of Lavender on a tissue and inhale deeply. Other single oils that soothe stress are Roman Chamomile, Sandalwood, Idaho Balsam Fir, Clary Sage, Cedarwood, and Geranium. Any of these oils are wonderful in a cold air ultrasonic diffuser, which is the best method for dispersing a microfine mist into the air.A few drops may be added to a bath with sea salts and baking soda or in a little jojoba oil for a shoulder massage. An excellent remedy for stress is to simply ask someone who cares for you to hold you close!

My favorite blended oils are Young Living's Tranquil and Stress Away which are packaged in no fuss, easy to use, and portable roll on applicators. These are a must have for on-the-go stress relief! Valor and Peace and Calming blends are very popular choices among my massage clients.

To learn more about therapeutic essential oils, subscribe to the Oils For Wellness free e-newsletter . To order pure aromatherapy products call Jennifer at 715-381-6979 or use my ID #329194 on YoungLiving.com. Ask me about private consultations, spa/wellness parties, and workshops at your home, office, or event!

You've Lost That Loving Feeling?

According to Elizabeth Scott, M.S., stress in your life can lead to low libido. You may have already instinctively felt this, but studies prove that general stressors in your life can impact your sex drive. That means job stress, financial stress, the stress of being too busy, and especially relationship stress can negatively impact your libido, possibly causing stress in yet another area of your life.

Stress can affect your libido for several reasons.

Stress Response Affects Hormones

When you react to stress, your body goes through a series of changes in order to prepare you to run away or stay and fight, called your fight or flight response. Part of this response is the release of hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine (or adrenaline). If your stress response isn’t reversed, it can contribute to a condition known as chronic stress, and can also interfere with the hormones involved in your sexual response. The result can be low libido.

Busy Lifestyles Drain Sexual Energy

Many of us find ourselves busier than we ever thought possible. Especially for women, juggling multiple responsibilities of parenting, jobs, and keeping the household afloat can lead to an absolutely packed schedule. How can lead to low libido? Being constantly busy means having little down time, which can be an energy drain and a drain on your sex drive. A busy schedule can mean a busy mind — and having a lot on your mind can make it difficult to relax and "get in the mood," especially for women. A busy schedule can even present difficulties in finding the time for sex, or make it feel like just one more thing on your mile-long "to-do list." All of these factors can contribute to a lower libido.

Relationship Stress Can Hinder Intimacy

Relationship issues are perhaps the biggest issue to look at when dealing with low libido. Studies show that relationship stress— stress due to conflict within the relationship and other factors inside the relationship can be a stronger factor in low libido than other types of stress. This is true for both men and women. And because men and women both say that their partner’s satisfaction impacts their own libido, a lack of interest in one partner can mean a lack of interest for both partners. Low libido itself can be part of a conflicted dynamic that can lead to -- you guessed it -- more problems with low libido!

Studies also show that "positive touch" by a partner can have a soothing effect on women and help a woman feel more resilient toward stress, so losing this stress buffer can be another turn in a downward spiral of stress and low libido. Because relationship conflict can cause stress, lead to more circumstances that cause stress, and deprive you of stress-buffering effects as well, relationship difficulties are important to work through for the sake of your sex life.

Aromatherapy, especially when applied with massage, is a great way to promote mutual relaxation and kindle romance by calming the stress response!

How do essential oils affect the body's stress alarm system? Research* has led scientists to the conclusion that one of the reasons essential oils work as "balancers" in a person's nervous system is that they contain a complex assortment of biochemicals, some of which are stimulating and some of which are sedating. It appears that the actions of these multiple chemicals present in aromatic plant oils are synergistic and complementary, stimulating certain parts of the brain and sedating other parts at the same time, creating an overall beneficial, balancing effect. Curiously, the oils seem to "know" chemically which action is most needed! In aromatherapy, these oils are referred to as "adaptogens" because they can create different influences, depending on what the person needs for balance.

*Tisserand, R., "Essential Oils as Therapeutic agents" in Dodd, G.H. and Van Toller, S., Perfumery: The Psychology and Biology of Fragrance 1, Chapmand and Hall,1190, p.169

Recommended Essential Oils For Female Libido:

Jasmine Absolute

Rose

Ylang Ylang

Joy Essential Oil Blend

Valor Essential Oil Blend

Sensation Essential Oil Blend

Recommended Essential Oils For Male Libido:

Pine

Myrrh

Black Pepper

Ylang Ylang

Ginger

Nutmeg

Brain Power Essential Oil Blend

Transformation Essential Oil Blend

(Jen's note: Ok, the names of these recommended EO blends from my reference guide made me snicker! There are many women out there who would say their sex life would be fine if he would just think (Brain Power) and change (Transformation). Too funny! )

Any of the oils listed can be diffused into the air or diluted 50:50 in jojoba or grapeseed oil for topical application. Massage 4-6 drops of the mixture on neck, shoulders and lower abdomen 1-3 times daily. The seductive floral Young Living Sensation EO Blend is also formulated in a bath gel and premixed massage oil.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Be Well, Jen

Happy National Relaxation Day and Giveaway!

August 15th is National Relaxation Day, so as a massage and aromatherapy practitioner this is a perfect opportunity to share some ideas for stress relief.
1. Get a massage!

2. Give a massage or gift certificate for a massage to a spouse or friend "just because".

1. 3. Take a walk without the iPod....take time to listen to life happening all around you.
3. 4. Put your hands in some soil or walk around barefoot on the grass to dispel electromagnetic charges and calm your nervous system.

5. Buy a friend some flowers and deliver them to their home or office to brighten their day.

6. Enter the Oils For Wellness Relaxation Giveaway!

Winner will receive a bottle of Young Living Relaxation™ Massage Oil
Relaxation Massage Oil can help create a state of relaxation and restore vitality to body, mind, and spirit.
Contains essential oils: tangerine, peppermint, rosewood, lavender, spearmint, ylang ylang

When combined with the proper essential oils, massage therapy can be a powerful boost to any health regimen. Use Young Living’s exclusive essential oil massage blends to pamper yourself, rejuvenate body and mind, or help the healing process through therapeutic touch.
Many diseases originate with people’s inability to cope with stress. While stress is a normal part of life in this fast-paced world, massage can help manage stress. Those who receive frequent therapeutic massages can experience an aligned perspective and clarity of thought.

How To Use Aromatherapy Massage Oils:
+ Drop a quarter-sized amount of oil into the palm of your hands. Rub your palms together and apply to skin as needed.
+ If using at home, create a warm, quiet, relaxed environment.
+ Use a firm comfortable surface such as a bed, massage table, or floor mat.
+ If doing a foot massage, have the person receiving the massage recline against a large pillow (on a sofa or bed) to fully relax the entire body.
+ Choose soothing music to help you relax during the massage.

TO ENTER GIVEAWAY: Be or become a follower of Oils For Wellness and leave a comment sharing your favorite way to relax.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

Tweet about the giveaway

Blog about the giveaway

Become a Facebook fan (see sidebar)

Winner randomly drawn on August 31st!

10 Mental and Physical Ways Stress Affects the Body

Stress can be a good thing when it motivates us and helps us get through difficult situations. Unfortunately, it can also have some pretty harmful effects, especially if an individual is under stress for an extended period of time. Many times, these effects aren’t even immediately evident, but can cause long-term damage if not properly managed.

Here are some mental and physical consequences of stress to look out for and react to when you see them.

1. Constant fatigue. Stress can wear you down and make you feel tired even after you’ve just woken up. It can also lead to chronic insomnia which doesn’t help your sleep situation either.
2. Aches and pains. If your muscles feel tense, tight and ache for no obvious reason then you may be experiencing the effects of stress. Those under stress tend to tense up their muscles, causing them to fatigue, ache and cause discomfort.
   
3. Weakened immune system. Constant stress can wear down your immune system and lead to the development of colds as well as irritating or causing more persistent conditions like Crohn’s Disease, eczema, and ulcerative colitis.
   
4. Increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Being stressed out constantly can take a toll on your circulatory system, especially if you have a history of other heart related conditions or high blood pressure. One of the major factors in developing heart disease can be stress, so keep yours in check.
   
5. Digestive issues. From ulcers to simple heartburn, stress can throw your whole digestive system out of whack. If you notice that you’re experiencing digestive difficulties, take a moment to consider whether or not they could be related to your stress level.
   
6. Mood swings. Stress can cause individuals to anger or become upset easily and if left unchanged for too long can even lead to depression.
   
7. Mental fogginess. Concentration, memory and judgment can all take a turn for the worse when you’re under a large amount of stress, in many cases compounding the already negative effects of a stressful situation.
   
8. Weight loss or gain. Whether you eat too much to deal with stress or eat too little because you’re under so much pressure, stress can make maintaining a balanced and healthy diet difficult.
   
9. Changes in appearance. There are few things that will age you more quickly than stress, and those who undergo extended periods of worry and anxiety will likely see more wrinkles, graying of the hair and hair loss.
   
10. Sexual dysfunction. Sexual activity can be a good stress relief, but in many cases stress may make it difficult or impossible to engage in sexual activity.

The best way to avoid these kinds of health problems is to reduce the amount of stress in your life, or find a way to relax and release these stresses before they become a problem.
This post was contributed by Megan Jones, who writes about nursing colleges. She welcomes your feedback at Meg.Jones0310 at gmail.com