Stress on the Job
A growing majority of jobs today require sitting at a desk for long periods of time and staring at a computer screen. Stress from inactivity, office chatter and deadline pressures can overwhelm the nervous system prompting feelings of depression or, on the flip side, high-anxiety.
Stress in the Body
Stress is a beneficial. Well, sometimes. When stress due to injury or short-term illness is perceived by the nervous system, a cascade of events occurs, namely the production of hormones that in turn trigger the production of immune fighting agents. These stress-triggered hormones alert the immune system to quickly respond.
It is now understood that body functions are largely controlled by two components of the autonomic nervous system- the parasympathetic and the sympathetic. Side-stepping complex details, the parasympathetic system slows the heart rate and increases intestinal activity, while the sympathetic accelerates the heart rate and raises blood pressure – each serve to help us adapt to changes in our environment.
Chronic (continual) stress can lead to high blood pressure, muscle tension (including migraines), digestive disorders, higher susceptibility to colds and flu and just a general feeling of yuckiness. Makes you just want to snap your fingers and be in Tahiti. Such may be true for Samatha (Bewitched), but we mere mortals have to figure out a means to reduce our stress levels.
Reducing Stress with Essential Oils
It might not be possible to escape an often overstimulating work environment, but it is possible to use essential oils as a mean to reduce your stress level. In 2009 the University of Tokyo found that linalool, a primary component in many plants and essential oils, was able to return the stress-elevated immune systems of rats to almost normal levels. The researchers suggest that their findings may initiate a new blood test for identifying stress reducing essential oils used in aromatherapy practices.
An increasing amount of science literature is dedicated to finding sources to relieve levels of stress. Recent studies indicate that essential oils, such as cedarwood, grapefruit, lemon and of course lavender are a safe and effective means to relieve work-related stress. Below is a review of research focused on lemon and cedarwood essential oils.
A Couple of Excellent Oils to Try
In the work place stress can create feelings of frustration, nervousness, anxiousness, as well as a depressed spirit. A 2008 clinical study from Ohio University found that inhalation of lemon essential oil by both men and women significantly affected their mood in a positive fashion despite a stressor being applied. Thus, lemon essential oil can be seen as uplifting to the spirit and assist with those times when feelings of discouragement could easily ruin your day.
Stress can also exhaust the adrenals and overstimulate the sympathetic nervous system. A 2003 clinical study looked at the effects of cedrol ” an active compound of cedarwood essential oil- on the autonomic nervous system. Researcher found that inhalation of cedrol increased parasympathetic activity and reduced sympathetic activity and thus acted as a relaxant.
Conclusion
It is unlikely that the daily stresses created in the workplace will completely disappear. Dealing with stress in the workplace is of course unique to every individual. A growing body of science evidence points to the stress-reducing properties of essential oils, most notably those that contain linalool. The use of essential oils, whether to uplift the spirits or to calm the mind and body, is an effective and safe way to alleviate work-related stress. When deadlines are looming, the gift of essential oils can be priceless.
For more on essential oils as natural therapeutic agents, visit The Ananda Apothecary online at http://www.anandaapthecary.com
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