End-of-year stress: So much to do, too little time

Aside from struggling to make a dent in our to-do lists, it seems like the time of year when we don’t have enough time to pause.

There is too much to get done before the end of the year and, thanks to social media, many of us are suffering from information overload. To add to the stress, the kids are finishing exams, there are end-of-year deadlines to meet and money to find for Christmas gifts and holidays.

How to use aromatherapy to soothe stress

Taking a few minutes out, at regular intervals, will change the way you deal with stress. This is the time of the year when we need to consciously “stop and smell the roses” and you can do this almost anywhere with aromatherapy!

Aromatherapy offers a natural way to counteract the effect of the year-end rush. It helps focus the body and mind on the present moment and bring calm to the storm.

During your day, you could use inhalers containing a blend of oils or burn your favourite oil in a burner.  You could also use premixed bath and massage oils in the bath, rub aromatherapy mini roll-ons onto pulse points, use soaps and body lotions containing calming essential oils and add bath crystals in a bath or a foot spa.

At the office – every couple of hours, close your eyes and breathe in aromas from an aromatic inhaler or a bottle of oils.

At home – while doing chores or house work, take a moment to pause. Stand still, close your eyes and breathe in aromas or use a room spray to enhance the aroma in your home.

In the car – keep some oils in your car and some cotton wool in the ashtray. Add a few drops onto the cotton wool ball and top up when the fragrance fades. Or use inhalers and inhale the aromas deeply when waiting at a traffic light.

While waiting – if you are waiting for a lift, a meeting, or for your kids at school, instead of checking the time repeatedly when waiting, simply surrender and breathe – you will be much more relaxed instead of anxious and irritated.

Before bed

• Shower or bath using bath oils or soap containing essential oils with beautiful aromas
• Instead of watching TV or staring at your computer screen or tablet, take twenty minutes to meditate whilst inhaling calming aromas using a burner
• Self-massage your feet and hands with soothing aromatherapy foot cream

These actions require choice, and will become habits when practised repeatedly.

Aromatherapy oils for a calming effect

The following aromatherapy oils have a calming effect and balancing effect (without making you feel sleepy):

• Geranium
• Orange
• Mandarin
• Lemon
• Cinnamon
• Spearmint
• Palmarosa

We can choose to complain or we can pause, breathe deeply and continue on the treadmill of our wonderful lives!