The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

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Natural Ways to Deal with the Stress of Midterms

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Selection of essential oils found at Whole Foods Woodland Hills location. (Patricia Perdomo/The Sundial)

Staying motivated and focused can be difficult while preparing for your upcoming exams and papers. Taking care of yourself is a crucial part of beating the midterm blues, and this begins with relaxation and a good night’s sleep.

According to naturalnews.com, when used properly, Essential Oils can alleviate stress, reduce pain, and improve your overall health and mood.

A few ways to harness the beneficial healing properties of oils is by lightly inhaling their aromas, which sends signals to the limbic system of our brains. The limbic system is what controls and stimulates our basic emotions.

“My friend got me into using oils a few years ago and now I use them almost everyday,” Mary Pearson said, a CSUN sociology major. “I’m really into natural home remedies and these oils are great for that.”

You can also simply add a few drops into a warm bath or on to your skin. It’s always best to test on a small area of your skin before applying to your whole body.

“I usually add a few drops of Lavender in to the bath tub when I’m feeling super stressed and the scent is immediately calming,” said Kathy Vasquez, a CSUN English major.

According to wellbeing.com and draxe.com, these are a few of the most therapeutic stress relieving essential oils:

Lavender is one of the most commonly used oils to treat anxiety disorders. It contains aldehydes and esters that are very calming and sedating to the nervous system. It can balance any personality and promote relaxation. It can calm nervous tension and helps with restlessness.

Clary Sage can be used as a natural treatment for headaches, muscle stiffness, and back and neck pain. It can treat vision problems, such as when your eyes might feel strained or tired. It can help reduce fatigue, and improve memory and brain activity.

Geranium can help release negative energy and emotions. It release toxins inside our bodies and opens the mind up for new ideas to be received.

Roman Chamomile can help clear the mind and balance your emotions by decreasing overthinking. It’s relaxing properties helps to eliminate feelings of anger and anxiety.

Bergamot has calming effects that can also reduce nervous tension and elevate your mood. By reducing feelings of anxiousness it can help symptoms of depression and promote a healthy sleep cycle.

Lemon oil helps increase concentration and alertness when you need to stay focused on a particular task. It refreshes the mind and can give you a quick energy booster when you’re feeling exhausted.

Vetiver can stimulate energy and tranquility, and help with self-awareness. It can stabilize wandering thoughts and allow the mind to focus.

Frankincense can be used to treat symptoms of depression and help quiet the mind and nerves. It improves circulation and brings oxygen to the brain.

These essential oils are easy to incorporate in your daily routine, and unlike chemical fragrances, they can actually help you both emotionally and physically.

According to aromaweb.com, these essential oil combinations can provide aromatherapy to enhance your emotions during times of stress.

Combination #1

3 drops of Clary Sage Oil, 1 drop of Lemon Oil, and 1 drop of Lavender Oil

 

Combination #2

2 drops of Roman Chamomile Oil, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, and 1 drop of Vetiver Oil

 

Combination #3

3 drops of Bergamot Oil, 1 drop of Geranium Oil, and 1 drop of Frankincense

 

 

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