This week, I provide you with the second pre-holiday stress prevention tip. My hope is that these resources will assist you in finding more cheer and ease during this hectic time of year.

In the previous video, I reviewed how the brain was the master controller of the stress response. It is the mind’s perception of what entails a “threat”, whether it be real or imagined, that is responsible for mediating the release of potent biochemical signals. These chemicals flood through our system and hijack the rational part of our brain. This is based on our survival instincts to prepare us for fleeing or fighting. Unfortunately, if this occurs chronically, the body and mind both suffer. The automatic reaction becomes a habitual response that can be detrimental to our physical, emotional, and social health.

Thankfully, lifestyle and nurturing practices can divert the negative physiological effects. One of my favorite tools is essential oils because they intervene at the level of the control hub–our mind. Their ability to soothe calms our brains and interrupts the neurotransmitter release. This halts the stress response in its tracks!

In this 11-minute video, I review:

  • Four aspects of essential oils that make them the perfect holistic modality to create a cease- fire in a brain overwhelmed by seasonal demands.
  • Why it’s important to also consider the spiritual side of health for managing stress and coping, including how it impacts disease outcomes, fosters relationships, creates cultural connections and shared beliefs, and allows for the healing touch of compassion.
  • The relationships between integrative medicine and spirituality.
  • The beginning of my review of frankincense, one of the most revered essential oils for its physical, emotional, and spiritual properties.

References and resources are available from the original article here.

Please share your comments below!

 

This material is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any illness. You should check with your doctor regarding implementing any new strategies into your wellness regime. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. (Affiliation link.)

Disclaimer: This information is applicable ONLY for therapeutic quality essential oils. This information DOES NOT apply to essential oils that have not been tested for purity and standardized constituents. There is no quality control in the United States, and oils labeled as “100% pure” need only to contain 5% of the actual oil. The rest of the bottle can be filled with fillers and sometimes toxic ingredients that can irritate the skin. The studies are not based solely on a specific brand of an essential oil, unless stated. Please read the full study for more information.