ESCAPADA E-MAGAZINE
The past few months have been unprecedented and for most it has been an emotional rollercoaster ranging from stress & fear to complete relaxation. Covid-19 has had a huge impact on the world and forced everything to slow down, but that does not mean our minds have stopped; or indeed the very aspects of our lives that can cause stress. When we think of the world beginning to re-open, what parts of the old way of living do you want to start again? Let’s face it - we all need a natural Stress & Anxiety Relieving Toolbox.
Yogandha
This month we have teamed up with the wonderful multi-award winning Irish brand Yogandha to bring you their top 5 essential oils to reduce stress and anxiety. Yogandha special blended oils were created through three years of meditation and blending on the wellbeing intentions of yogis. Use these oils with our suggested acupressure points. Enjoy…..
Yogandha’s Top 5 Essential Oils to Reduce Anxiety & Stress
LAVENDER: Lavender is an all-time favourite essential oil. It is extremely balancing and calming and used for both body, mind and emotions. Research suggests that lavender “reduced anxiety and improved mood in patients waiting for dental treatment” in one study. Another study showed that lavender essential oil inhalation decreases exam anxiety. It’s definitely the top essential oil to have around when feelings of overwhelm or insomnia arise. Inhale it or apply it on the skin. When using it on the skin blend it with a carrier oil or use an already blended massage oil such as Yogandha Relax Body Oil.
Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe, according to the NHS (National Health Service). Some anxiety is normal. We get anxious when we step out of our comfort zone, maybe we have a job interview, go on a new date or have to make a big decision in our life. But when anxiety is unexplained or affects our daily life, we need support.
CHAMOMILE: Good old chamomile has always been used as a remedy to calm down. A tea infusion of chamomile flowers is used to calm down troubled digestion, reduce skin irritations and drunk to relax an overactive mind. The essential oil has the same properties when applied on the skin or inhaled. The herbal and grounded aroma of blue chamomile, found in Yogandha Relax Body Oil, encourages stillness and reflection and eases sleep.
VETIVER: This grass has a very heavy almost smoky aroma. When inhaled it instantly grounds you. That’s why it is such an important part of Yogandha Ground Rollerball. If you feel anxious, stress or overwhelmed vetiver is your friend.
FRANKINCENSE: This aroma helps us to breathe. When we feel anxious or panicky, we often find it difficult to breathe. Frankincense is a perfect essential oil in any anxiety blend as it slows and deepens the breath inducing a feeling of peace. We use it in several blends including Yogandha Relax Body Oil and Yogandha Ground Rollerball.
SANDALWOOD Along with frankincense, sandalwood has long been used for meditation and relaxation. It’s another woody, grounding essential oil that helps to relax an overactive mind. It calms any irritation whether it's mental or physical. Sandalwood makes Yogandha Ground Rollerball an excellent choice when we need to still our minds.
Body massage to relax the mind
We also love using the essential oils in a massage blend. Body massage is a very grounding practise to soothe and calm an anxious mind. In Ayurveda, oil massage is a therapeutic treatment to reduce Vata Dosha. Excess Vata can manifest as anxiety and insomnia. We use Yogandha Relax Body Oil to calm our minds and soothe away anxiety. Essential oils work so wonderfully for anxiety, stress or insomnia as it affects us both through our olfactory system, our sense of smell, as well as through our bloodstream when inhaled or applied. The act of applying, especially massaging, the essential oil blends also support our nervous system. So go ahead, try different aromas, different scents and different blends.
* Please note this is not medical advice and purely for education only. Always refer to a medical professional to discuss your mental and emotional health and potential treatment. If you have any medical condition or if you are pregnant please always consult your medical consultant before using essential oils and speak to a qualified aromatherapist.
Escapada’s acupressure points to Reduce Anxiety & Stress
We recommend practicing acupressure once or twice a day, but “generally, a shorter treatment more frequently is more effective than a longer treatment less frequently.” And although there is no limit to how often you can stimulate these points on the body, we suggest using a soft touch. “This isn’t a deep tissue massage,”. Use with the essential oils above for a heightened effect.
“Be Gentle with Yourself.”
Yin Tang, or the Midline of the Face
Stress headaches are no match for this acupressure point, located on the forehead at the midline of the face. Gently press the area in between your brows with your ring and middle fingers. Gently press and inhale for four counts. Then slowly release and exhale for five counts. Repeat until you feel calm.
Pericardium 6, or the Inner Wrist
To find this point, supinate your palm and measure two-thumbs-width distance from the midpoint of your wrist crease towards your elbow. Next, gently press on the point for 30 seconds while breathing fully and evenly, then repeating on the other side. This point calms the heart and spirit, and treats an upset stomach due to stress. It also soothes irritability and promotes restful sleep.
Kidney 1, or the Sole of the Foot
To access this point, sit in a chair and cross your leg so that the pinky toe side of your foot is resting on the top of your thigh. The spot to look for is just behind the ball of the foot, on the line between the second and third toes and the centre of the heel. Press down with your thumbs to activate the most grounding point on the body. This acupressure spot “calms the heart and mind, and soothes anger and frustration.”
