Let's start with the obvious assertion that the world we live in is a hectic and overwhelming place. Now let's move on to the less appropriate reaction we often have to this frenzied existence: total freak-out, meltdown, why-me?, fists-banging-on-the-floor tantrums that are scarily as reckless as Britney Spears shaving her head (a health and beauty cry for help that landed her, among other celebrities, in The Biggest Beauty Blunders of All Time photo gallery). Or, even more dramatic, we suffer from depression, over eating, insomnia and a host of other serious side effects from the heart-attack king known as "stress." See how to relieve stress and body tension now.
Not only is stress bad for our brain, our body and our heart; it's bad for our beauty. Seriously, your natural beauty can't shine through when you're experiencing body tension and stress-induced anxiety, which causes wrinkles, acne and other skin care issues that even the best makeup can't hide. Simply, your health and beauty are at risk when you are stressed out.
But what's a busy gal, who's concerned about her health and beauty, to do? We are expected to have as many balls in the air as Bozo the Clown and we are supposed to look way better than he does doing it. Fair? Not quite. Unfortunately we can't stop the constant emails, or ask our bosses to lay off a bit. Stress and tension are facts of this crazy life.
So before you bite your nails into stubs, break a capillary or have a meltdown cry fest on your tiled bathroom floor (it happens to the best of us), try these tried and true ways to make your life less stressful through aromatherapy (the use of essential oils to fight stress) and reflexology (an ancient alternative medicine that can relieve body tension through pressure points on the body) and reap the health and beauty benefits they provide.
Before you can use these essential oils, you have to know which oils work to relieve stress. Here is a quick cheat sheet of oils you can find at health food stores (think Whole Foods) or a spa:
Oils for stress relief and relaxation:
*Bergamot
*Chamomile
*Neroli
*Ylang Ylang
*Lavender
*Marjoram
*Nutmeg
*Valerian
*Vetiver
*Rose
*Clary Sage
*Frankincense
*Cedar Wood
For a full list of what each essential oil can do for you, visit Lather.com
Now check out these tips from Lather founder and aromatherapist, Emilie Davidson Hoyt, so you can use these oils to the best of their abilities, then see how reflexologist, Cristina Lipka, uses simple tricks to reduce stress and body tension.
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Older comments
I am going to try the reflexology technique on my neck for my back.
by robyne00 Friday, October 19, 2012 at 04:07PM Report as inappropriate
I\'m so stressed so I need all this
by rachaellh13 Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 03:37PM Report as inappropriate
The scents they mentioned smell so good.
by beautybody Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at 07:23PM Report as inappropriate
wowo amazing stuff
by Nicole2814 Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 08:47AM Report as inappropriate
I absolutely adore all of this tips ! I find every single tip really useful and stress reliever ! Amazing article . Regards Beauties Factory UK
by BFactoryUK Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 06:26AM Report as inappropriate
I love to spray lavender on my pillow, really helps me to fall asleep
by RoleModel Sunday, June 5, 2011 at 11:42PM Report as inappropriate
Many of these sound wonderful, I'm going to keep them in mind.
by volta Monday, April 11, 2011 at 01:41AM Report as inappropriate
thanks for this!!
by yckitsmary Sunday, April 10, 2011 at 01:18PM Report as inappropriate
these sound great !
by lelalu100 Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 09:29AM Report as inappropriate
This was very interesting! I'll have to try a couple of these ideas out. My life has been a little on the stress side lately...
by missiongirl87 Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 01:17PM Report as inappropriate