AROMATHERAPY

Performance Stress

Performance stress can be used by one-off events or by the nature of the job. The idea of giving a speech at the wedding, presenting the company's annual report to the share holders, giving a presentation to the prospective client, speaking at the women's guild, reciting the gospels in church or giving the end of term speech at school induces tremendous stress in some individuals and a certain amount of stress in most of us. People who perform in front of others as part of their Job may suffer performance stress every day.

As they walk on the stage, performers know that there are hundreds if not thousands of people watching their every move and aware of their mistake.For most performers, exactness is expected of them, whether it's in the notes they play, the dance steps they take or the words they say. Almost all performers have the added stress of not knowing wether they will still be in work in six months' time and able to pay the bills.

No wonder performers of all types  turn to beta-blockers, tranquillisers, alcohol or cocaine to get them through the night.Yet giving a performance requires a certain amount of stress. Many maintain that having the 'butterflies' before a performance is necessary to provide the sort of energy that enables them to do a good job. The essential oils given here get rid of the sort of stress that undermines the confidence needed to perform while allowing the positive stress to fuel a good performance.

PERFORMANCE STRESS ESSENTIAL OILS

SYNERGISTIC BLENDS FOR THE PERFORMANCE

Use the essential oils in a bath or shower before the performance,inhaling deeply while you do so. Add a drop to a tissue to take with you and inhale when needed - again, deeply and slowly. Use 4-6 drops in the bath or 3 drops on a flannel in the shower. The oils may also be used in a plant spray around the environment you will be performing in - a recording studio, for example. if making a massage oil, use 1 drop of essential oil to 1 millilitre base vegetable oil.Use the essential oils in a bath or shower before the performance, inhaling deeply while you do so.

Add a drop to a tissue to take with you and inhale when needed - again, deeply and slowly. Use 4-6 drops in the bath or 3 drops on a flannel in the shower. The oils may also be used in a plant spray around the environment you will be performing in - a recording studio, for example. if making a massage oil, use 1 drop of essential oil to 1 millilitre base vegetable oil.

Reference: The Fragrant Pharmacy: Valerie Ann Worwood

Making Your Own Formulas to Treat StressMaking Your Own Formulas to Treat Stress

You can make your own synergistic blends using the levels of stress lists below, crosss referring to the oils relating to the various types of stress mentioned earlier. The oils can be used singly or in a blend of a maximum of three. You will se that four of the same oil appear in the first two lists - for stimulants and sedatives - and this is because used in moderation they are relaxants, while used in greater quantity they become stimulants.

These adapotogens are marked with an asterisk.You can make your own synergistic blends using the levels of stress lists below, crosss referring to the oils relating to the various types of stress mentioned earlier. The oils can be used singly or in a blend of a maximum of three. You will se that four of the same oil appear in the first two lists - for stimulants and sedatives - and this is because used in moderation they are relaxants, while used in greater quantity they become stimulants. These adap0togens are marked with an asterisk

STIMULANTS:  Although these are articularly useful in the Level 2 type of stress, to motivate and stimulate , they can be used in the other levels too.

Sedatives/Relaxants

Although these are particularly useful in treating Levels 1 and 3, they can be incorporated into a formula using the oils for Level 2, stimulants, above. Use an increased dosage if treating Level 3, so that whereas for example you would use a total of 30 drops to make a massage oil for level 1 degree of stress, use a total of 40 drops if treating Level 3, and reduce the dosage when the condition suffering at level 3, and reduce the dosage when the condition improves.

Hypnotics

These oils are used to treat Level 4. They could be incorporated into formulas using the previous two categories of oils but use only one hypnoic essential oil in those formulas. The term 'hypnotic' means heavy sedative.These oils and those in the section about developing the creative, right hand side of the brain, page 80, are extremely useful in self-hypnosis techniques, page 79. Although some of the oils in this group are difficult to find, they are extremely effective.

Suffering stress as a result of work is in no way an indication of incompetence. Far from it. Indeed, it is very often those who volunteer for the front line in the 'battle of the bucks' who incur the greatest injury through stress because that is where the pressure is greatest. As all our mothers told us, it takes hard work to succeed, and that takes its tool. Whether successful or not, men in particular are subjected to the 'winners' and 'losers' syndrome which exerts its stressful to be clambering up the ladder of success and becoming a 'winner' or sitting at the bottom and being described as a 'loser'?

Suffering stress as a result of work is in no way an indication of incompetence. Far from it.

Indeed, it is very often those who volunteer for the front line in the 'battle of the bucks' who incur the greatest injury through stress because that is where the pressure is greatest. As all our mothers told us, it takes hard work to succeed, and that takes its tool. Whether successful or not, men in particular are subjected to the 'winners' and 'losers' syndrome which exerts its stressful to be clambering up the ladder of success and becoming a 'winner' or sitting at the bottom and being described as a 'loser'?

The work situation is characterised by a great deal of a lack of choice,not least having to arrive at a particular location by a particular time. Every morning millions of us subject ourselves to tremendous stress waiting for buses that never come or come full up, standing like sardines in packed underground trains, looking for seats on commuter trains, or sitting in traffic jams on the roads into town. Before the clock strikes nine, half the people in the country are already a bundle of nerves!

The work situation is characterised by a great deal of a lack of choice, not least having to arrive at a particular location by a particular time. Every morning millions of us subject ourselves to tremendous stress waiting for buses that never come or come full up, standing like sardines in packed underground trains, looking for seats on commuter trains, or sitting in traffic jams on the roads into town. Before the clock strikes nine, half the people in the country are already a bundle of nerves!

But using the essential oils can help to alleviate the inevitable stress we suffer. There are many effective relaxation techniques to try, and counselling services to help you sort out your problems. A monthly massage or aromatherapy treatment  helps many people to keep on an even keel, while many more benefit from yoga and other Eastern techniques of physical training. Sport and exercise help tremendously if you are not suffering from physical stress, and those people working out at the gymn are effectively working off the tension they took on at work.

But using the essential oils can help to alleviate the inevitable stress we suffer. There are many effective relaxation techniques to try, and counselling services to help you sort out your problems. A monthly massage or aromatherapy treatment  helps many people to keep on an even keel, while many more benefit from yoga and other Eastern techniques of physical training. Sport and exercise help tremendously if you are not suffering from physical stress, and those people working out at the gymn are effectively working off the tension they took on at work.

Makeyourself a priority. Plan things around your personal requirements. Learn to say no. Don't try to be super-human - delegate if you cannot allow things to be left until tomorrow. If the work-load has built up and you are behind, take a clear day to get ahead of yourself. If, possible, go into the office on Saturday and try to clear your desk. Housework is an endless chore but if things are behind there, spend a whole day with the duster and clear the cobwebs away. Then you can relax and spend some time on number one. Makeyourself a priority. Plan things around your personal requirements. Learn to say no. Don't try to be super-human - delegate if you cannot allow things to be left until tomorrow.

If the work-load has built up and you are behind, take a clear day to get ahead of yourself. If, possible, go into the office on Saturday and try to clear your desk. Housework is an endless chore but if things are behind there , spend a whole day with the duster and clear the cobwebs away. Then you can relax and spend some time on number one. Call it therapy, if you like. Set a period of time during which you cannot be interrrupted, take the phone off the hook and spend some time doing what you want.

Not cleaning, washing or paperwork.But finishing that book, practising self-hypnosis, exercising, having a massage or bath or pampering your body. And however you choose to spend this time for yourself, make a routine ritual , sacrosanct for your sanity. Find some time too nfor your real friends - even if that means driving to the other side of the country to see them for the weekend. Maintain the vital links of friendship and you overhaul life's safety-net.

Take care of your body. Check your diet and cut on tea and coffee which often lead to nervousness and headaches. Vitamin B complex is wonderful for combatting stress, as is a dose of between 250 and 500 milligrams of vitamin C per day. Get some fresh air and exercise, because the effect of stress can deplete you of oxygen and make you feel sluggish. And getting out and about can be a great tonic . Enjoy the world. It's not all about struggle and work. Laugh as much as possible -laughing boosts the endorphin level and makes you feel good. Several hospitals in America take the physiological effects of laughter so seriously they have designed 'laughter rooms' where patients can have their prescribed fun.

It is true - laughter is the best medicine.Take care of your body. Check your diet and cut on tea and coffee which often lead to nervousness and headaches. Vitamin B complex is wonderful for combatting stress, as is a dose of between 250 and 500 milligrams of vitamin C per day. Get some fresh air and exercise, because the effect of stress can deplete you of oxygen and make you feel sluggish. And getting out and about can be a great tonic. Enjoy the world. It's not all about struggle and work. Laugh as much as possible - laughing boosts the endorphin level and makes you feel good. Several hospitals in America take the physiological effects of laughter so seriously they have designed 'laughter rooms' where patients can have their prescribed fun. It is true - laughter is the best medicine.

Reference: The Fragant Pharmacy: Valerie A Worwood

Stress - 3

STRESS LEVEL 1 AND 3 SYNERGISTIC bLENDS FOR GENERAL USE

FOR SPECIFIC USES

 Some of the essential oils used to treat Level4 are the heavie 'absolutes; and are very expensive. All the following formulas can be lightened a little by using lemon, bergamot and pettigraine as substitutes. it does not decrease the effectiveness of thye fromula if you add 1-2 drops of one of these three oils.Some of the essential oils used to treat Level4 are the heavie 'absolutes' and are very expensive. All the following formulas can be lightened a little by using lemon, bergamot and pettigraine as substitutes. it does not decrease the effectiveness of the formula if you add 1-2 drops of one of these three oils. 

STRESS LEVEL 4 SYNERGISTIC BLENDS FOR GENERAL USE

FOR SPECIFIC USES

Reference: The Fragrant Pharmacy: Valerie A Worwood

Stress - 2

These different types of stress occur in varying degrees aaaaand the oils and formulas recommended take these levels of stress into consideration. Identify the degree of your stress  from the categories below and then you can choose from the formulas and oils that follow the most effective treatment for your individual needs. 

Treat the first level before it develops into the second, and so forth. mental health is as precious as physical health: indeedthe sharp distinction so often drawn between the two is misleading. They are at different ends of the same phenomenon but they are actually the same thing. The human being works as an integrated unit of body and mind, and to take care of one is to take care of the other.

LEVEL 1: Starts as tiredness and develops into irritability headaches and insomnia.

LEVEL 2: Depression, anxiety, muscular pain, chronic aches, persistent inffections, guilt apathy, helplessness.

LEVEL 3: Persecution complex, agoraphobia, claustrophobia, despair, increasing guilt and depression, susceptibility to viral infections and bacterial invasion.

LEVEL 4: Now the body is really crying 'Help'. Unexplained pain, heart problems, strokes and high blood pressure may be experienced along with all other diseases that are thought to have their roots in stress. Like ulcers, and eve, according to some opinions, arthritis. The immune system is further depressed, leading to all manner of physical problems.First, here are some synergistic blends, Levels 1 and three are grouped together because these need sedatives and relaxtants.

At Level 2, however, you need something that will add an element of stimulation to prevent you slipping into Level 3. This is to get you out of the quagmire and motivaated , and to stimulate your immune system to prevent infection. If you have reached Level 4, it's time for the heavier sedatives which are known as 'hypnotics'.only those synergistic blends at Level 2 and essential oils listed later under Level 2, the stimulant oils for stress-related disorders, can be used in an open workspace.

All the blends and oils can be used in the atmosphere at work if you have a fairly closed office, and in any other method that you choose. At all levels of stress a bath after work every night is a must - use 6- 8 drops of your chosen formula or oil.You may also make up a massage oil which can double as a body rub to put on before going to work. Also use in a shower, if you have one, in the morning.

Any of the room methods can be used at home, and at work perhaps the best solution is to have a bottle of oils ready with a plant-spray so you can do your workspace when it's convenient - perhaps when everyone else has gone to the pub for lunch. You can, of course, also use the tissue or handkerchief method-you can pretend you've got another cold - or just sniff the bottle or put a dab of oil on the space between your nose and upper lip.

As Level 1 of stress is grouped with level 3, let's start with the level 2 synergistic blends that will, as well as helping you, benefit your fellow workers and boss too.

The three general formulas are idea for reducing stress levels throughout the workplace, enabling everyone to cope before they get stressed out.

STRESS LEVEL 2 SYNERGISTIC BLENDS FOR GENERAL USE

FOR SPECIFIC USES

INFECTIONS

 Reference: The Fragrant Pharmacy: Vaerie Ann Worwood