How Aromatherapy Can Help Stress Headaches

Most of us have experienced stress-induced headaches, as they are quite common.

Stress headaches are usually caused by muscular tension, which often results from psychological demands stemming from relationship issues, work pressures, or financial problems. Currently, there are even more tensions accumulating due to global events causing uncertainty and fear, leading to heightened anxiety.

The work/home life balance has never been under so much pressure. Productivity and deadlines squeeze us tightly from all directions. To survive the current world economic crisis, businesses need to be lean and profitable, leading to increased workloads. Moreover, energy costs have skyrocketed beyond expectations, contributing to the rise in stress headaches.

Under such circumstances, a vicious circle develops, where worrying leads to sleepless nights and feeling tired during the day making it even more difficult to cope with stress. As life slips out of control, feelings of helplessness escalate, leading to more tension and fear, exacerbating stress headaches.

Essential oils for stress headaches

Peppermint essential oil is one of the finest remedies for easing stress headaches when using only one oil. However, there are many others that can help too. Certain essential oils possess powerful relaxing and balancing qualities that can ease stress headaches by reducing tension. The good news is that these oils can be used in various ways, even when you're away from home.

Additionally, some essential oils can address emotional and physical tensions, as well as lack of sleep, which contribute to stress headaches. These oils focus on treating the root causes of stress headaches, unlike conventional medicine which often only treats the symptoms.

Here are several essential oils that can soothe your head and induce relaxation, preventing your stress levels from reaching a crisis point:

• Clary sage
• Roman chamomile
• Frankincense
• Lavender
• Vetiver
• Geranium
• Sweet marjoram
• Bergamot

How to use essential oils for stress headaches

Aromatherapy offers incredible versatility and flexibility in treating various problems, including stress headaches. Since these headaches can have diverse causes, aromatherapy provides ways to address both the underlying triggers and the symptoms.

Direct inhalation

To obtain speedy relief from a headache, place 2 or 3 drops of peppermint essential oil on a paper tissue and inhale the vapours. For heightened stress, a combination of 2 drops of peppermint and 1 drop of Roman chamomile essential oil can be used, as it provides soothing and relaxing effects on both emotional and physical levels. The synergy of these two oils works well to bring quick relief, offering a natural solution instead of resorting to headache pills.

Massage

Massage can be a quick and effective method, adding the benefits of relaxation to the treatment. Mix 2 drops of any combination of lavender, peppermint, and Roman chamomile essential oils with a carrier oil and gently massage the temple area and forehead. Be cautious to avoid the area around your eyes to prevent oil from seeping into them. Avoid applying undiluted peppermint oil directly to the skin, as it is potent and may irritate your skin.

Stress headaches can often result from tight, knotted muscles in the neck and trapezius muscles, built up due to work pressures, tension, or conflicts. Spending long hours working on computers can strain these muscles, leading to pain and eventually stress headaches. To prevent this, check your chair and monitor height, and maintain proper posture to avoid strain. In such cases, a simple neck and shoulder massage can provide swift relief to both aching muscles and the headache.

Oleo Bodycare offers three massage balms that specifically target this issue: Lavender and Lavender & Clary Sage Massage Balms, which not only relax but also act as analgesics to ease headache pain. Another beneficial product is the Oleo Bodycare Ginger, Spike Lavender & Marjoram Massage Balm, which helps loosen tightness, increase circulation, and ease pain. For best results, you can ask your partner to massage the area for you, or you can easily reach the area yourself.

Our beautiful, therapeutic Stress Less Body Oil contains essential oils of geranium, bergamot, ylang-ylang, and rosewood, promoting a wonderful sense of relaxed well-being by addressing the root causes of stress headaches. The Oleo Bodycare Soothing Body Lotion combines lavender and Roman chamomile essential oils, which can be massaged into your temples, forehead, and neck. Alternatively, you can gently massage it all over your body for a blissful experience. Not only will these products ease your stress-induced headache, but they also work as wonderful vegan skincare solutions and vegan body moisturisers, leaving your skin silky smooth.

Aromatherapy bath soak

To reduce the mental strain and anxiety leading to stress headaches, indulge in a long soak in a warm bath infused with essential oils. It is ideal to do this before retiring for the night, as it creates a pre-sleep haven and calms a worried mind. Simply pour a good glug of Oleo's Soothing Bath Soak under running bath water, and let the lavender and Roman chamomile essential oils soothe your senses.

Alternatively, you can try our soporific Before Bed Bath, where vetiver essential oil, with its sedating properties, works excellently in treating nervous tension. It blends beautifully with clary sage essential oil, which also has a calming effect and creates feelings of serenity. Lavender essential oil, renowned for its relaxing properties, adds to the soothing experience.

After your bath, try massaging our Sleep Well Body Oil into your skin. It contains essential oils of clary sage, which is renowned for its sedating effect and ability to create feelings of well-being and calmness. Roman chamomile has a calming and sedative effect on the nervous system, helping relieve stress-induced insomnia and nervousness. Lavender, well-known for its sedating, relaxing, and calming properties, and sweet marjoram, a warming and relaxing oil, make it a wonderful addition to this sleep-inducing blend of oils. With a base of grapeseed and sweet almond oils, this body oil also makes for an exceptional part of your vegan skincare and vegan body moisturiser routine, leaving your skin soft and supple.

While we can't resolve the problems facing the world today, our therapeutic aromatherapy blends can help you cope better with the stress these issues cause and alleviate your stress headaches.

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