According to the American Psychological Association, the top four causes of stress are money, work, family responsibilities, and health. When you’re a family caregiver, you probably are very familiar with the ways your work responsibilities, family care responsibilities, and finances all trigger anxiety.
It’s hard enough balancing those three factors. If your parents’ or your own health is also impacted, you’re dealing with all four. Have you considered the benefits of aromatherapy as a way to ease some of the stress?
What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is a holistic option for improving well-being. You don’t use medications to treat your stress and anxiety, you fill a room or use creams and body sprays with the scent of certain flowers, herbs, or other botanicals. These scents help relax and calm the mind.
There are several ways to use aromatherapy. You can use a skin cream or body spray for an all-day scent. An essential oil warmer warms the oil so that the room fills with the scent while the warmer is running. Some diffusers spray a little oil into the air now and then.
What Essential Oils Help With Stress?
What are some of the most popular essential oils to use for anxiety and stress? There are several. Clary sage is one of them. Clary sage is a type of salvia that grows in the Mediterranean, parts of Africa, and some of the U.S. It’s mainly used as an essential oil due to it’s soothing, relaxing scent.
Lavender has a strong, distinct scent that’s known for its calming qualities. It’s often sprayed on pillows before bedtime as it can help relax and calm anxiety. Lavender is easy to grow in flower and herb gardens, so you can make a homemade lavender spray to use as a room or fabric spray.
The clean, refreshing scent of lemon is used to help ease stress. Lemon oil is also used in cleaning products. It’s easy to fill the house with the scent of lemons by using it as a cleaner in the kitchen and bathroom and as a room spray or added to an aromatherapy diffuser in your frequently used rooms like the family room or living room.
Don’t Overlook the Importance of Breaks
Elder care is an important service that you can pair with your responsibilities as a family carer. Take breaks. It’s okay and important to step away from time to time. Go out with friends, run errands, go out on a date night, or spend time with your kids. Elder care aides help out while you’re away.
If you or someone you know needs hiring a Caregiver in Marshall, MN, contact Adara Home Health Care. We provide quality and affordable home care services for many fragile or senior members in the communities we serve.
Call us at (888) 660-5772 for more information.
Sources:
Apa.org