Stress Management Relief

Positive Stress Management Many people would approach stress management with the aim of eliminating all the effects of stress in their lives. On the contrary, the goal of positive stress management is to harness and control the effects of stress to enhance physical and mental power. Positive Stress Management involves recognizing the existence and qualitative level of stress and then formulating and following a plan of action.

Recognizing Stress

Often before you can recognise and deal with the root cause of a stress-related condition, you need to treat the symptoms of stress. You might initially be prompted to do something about stress because of a symptom such as a headache. If you have a stress-induced headache, it indicates you are out of balance. Aromatherapy can help you regain a state of equilibrium. When your balance is restored, and you are in a more positive frame of mind, you can step back and look at your previous stressed state. Then you are in a stronger position and can take hold of the situation to make your stresses work for you.

Formulating Your Aroma Action Plan

Stress management planning normally happens on two levels, subconscious and conscious. On the sub-conscious level your body physically responds to stress and will respond to aromas without your needing to think about it. On a conscious level, you may decide to formulate a plan of action and choose how you will respond. Essential oils can help when you are deciding your approach to a situation because they restore mental balance, encouraging a relaxed yet alert state of mind. * Making Your Stresses Work for You The often used expression — Turning a negative into a positive — is relevant to positive stress management. We have looked at the ways our bodies prepare for action in response to stressors. You can use a stress-induced heightened physical state to rise above your normal level of achievement. The trick is learning how to do it. Some people have a natural flair for tapping their resources and coming out ahead; others learn; and some never master it at all. We've all met people who say they Positive Stress Management
Work more effectively under stress or with deadlines. Similarly we probably know people who were totally unaware of their ability until they were faced with a disastrous or chaotic situation and had to take charge. The stress in the situation actually enabled the person to get in touch with their hidden talents. You can use your stressors as an opportunity to focus your mind and creatively work towards a solution. When you are at the positive height of your stress response you can also be at your most creative. That's when you can harness your energy to deal effectively with a challenge. If you continually evaluate and plan the way you're dealing with situations, you can maximise both your effectiveness and your sense of well-being. You will also be more able to cope with unexpected or acute stresses as well as a generally stressful lifestyle pattern. You will then be dealing with potential stressors before they have a chance to become chronic patterns.

Following Your Aroma Action Plan

Including Aromatherapy as a major feature of your stress management plan will help you achieve and maintain the physical and mental condition you need to meet new stresses and continue to deal effectively with current stress levels. Aromatherapy methods of using the essential oils include:

• Massage with essential oils
• Aromatherapy baths
• Compresses
• Scalp treatments
• Room fragrancers
• Inhalation
• Perfume blends