Are you stressed about the COVID-19 pandemic? The fear and anxiety regarding this new disease and what could happen to our loved ones are overwhelming. Public health restrictions, such as social distancing, can make us feel lonely and isolated, and this can increase our levels of stress and anxiety.
Even though you may be taking your vitamin and mineral supplements to support your immune system, stress can take a toll on your health. It can lead to physical symptoms such as an upset stomach, headaches, chest pain, elevated blood pressure and problems sleeping. The best method to relieve stress is meditation.
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Meditation involves working with the mind to relax the mind and body. Its purpose is to boost relaxation, awareness and focus. Daily meditation does for your mind what exercise does to your body – it keeps it healthy. Many people find meditation helpful in becoming more aware of themselves and their surroundings, dealing with the stressors of life, and developing good habits and feelings.
However, sometimes it can be difficult to calm your body and quiet your mind enough to sit still and meditate. This is where essential oils come into play. There are several essential oils for meditation that can help you relax and reap the benefits of the process.
Frankincense Oil
Frankincense is an oil extracted from trees of the Boswellia genus, which can be found in India and Africa. It is often used to help relieve stress and anxiety and promote feelings of calmness. Frankincense has been used for centuries in spiritual practices.
Neroli Oil
Commonly used in aromatherapy, neroli oil is derived from the fragrant white blossoms of the bitter orange tree native to Asia. It provides a calming and relaxing scent that helps alleviate anxiety and even heart palpitations.
Myrrh Oil
Used for thousands of years in traditional healing therapies, myrrh oil is extracted from several tree species of the Commiphora genus. This essential oil has an uplifting scent that promotes tranquillity, calmness and greater spiritual awareness.
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Vetiver Oil
Extracted from a perennial bunchgrass native to India, vetiver oil has an exotic aroma that promotes a calming, grounding effect. Its musky, earthy scent is known to promote inner strength during meditation.
Sage Oil
Commonly used in culinary recipes, sage leaves produce an essential oil that has antibacterial, antioxidant and many other properties. Burning sage is a common practice in ceremonies, as it is believed to eliminate negative energy.
Lavender Oil
Lavender is a natural relaxant with anti-anxiety and antidepressant properties. Its calming properties make it really useful for meditation, as it helps put your mind in the right frame for clarity and enlightenment.
Eucalyptus
Meditation requires focus and breath control – things you won’t be able to achieve with blocked and inflamed airways. Eucalyptus oil has the power to clear the tightness in your airways, allowing you to breathe deeply and steadily during meditation.
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How to Use Essential Oils for Meditation
Essential oils can be used in many ways, but in meditation, they can be diffused in the air or rubbed into the skin.
Essential Oil Diffusion
Oil diffusion is generally done with the help of a essential oil vapor diffuser – a small unit designed to disperse oils into a fine mist. Other ways to diffuse meditation essential oils involve using a steam diffuser, a candle diffuser and an electric heat diffuser. It is important to mention that animals process air particles differently than humans. If you have a pet home, know that diffusing essential oils may be too potent for them to process and may cause poisoning.
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Topical Application
When rubbing essential oils onto your skin, do it with caution. Make sure that the essential oil you are using is approved for direct skin application. Furthermore, keep in mind to use really small amounts of very concentrated essential oils. Start with a drop or two to see how a particular oil affects you. You can put a single drop of oil in the middle of your forehead, or add a drop or two to your hand lotion. You can rub it onto your arms and legs, or rub a drop between your hands and then inhale the scent.
Once you start practising meditation and you master the art of it, you should start feeling better in your own body. Many people claim they feel the energy passing through their body and mind when they meditate. Although you may not always feel the changes that meditation brings to your life, those around you will surely notice them.
