The Science Behind Essential Oils

Humankind has used essential oils since the invention of distillation some 1,000 years ago. But, the beneficial properties of essential oils did not begin to spread around Europe until the invention of printing in the early 16th century (1). At that time, essential oils were being recommended for many common ailments, including “afflictions of the brain,” as well as for cosmetic uses, but the concept of hygiene as we know it was several centuries away.

In spite of this long history, the word aromatherapy is a 20th century invention (2). It has evolved to encompass the use of essential oils in skincare, psychological well-being, personal hygiene, and health benefits. Aromatherapy can be viewed as these four distinct rationales under one broad banner, and research-based developments in these areas have been intense over the past 20 to 30 years.

How Essential Oils Provide Benefits

Essential oils are not magic bullets, but they can offer genuine health benefits, which are often based on their bioactive properties (3-5). There are three principal modes of use for essential oils: topical application, inhalation, and oral ingestion.

Topical application is appropriate for targeting the skin, whether for cosmetic or skin-supporting purposes, and it may also be appropriate for general muscular discomfort. Essential oils can have effects such as skin soothing, toning, cleansing, and establishing good hygiene as well (6-8).

Inhalation has two principal benefits: It targets both the respiratory system and the nervous system. So, aromatic inhalation may be useful for respiratory support or by positively affecting psychological well-being. In the psychological arena, most of the research focuses on three areas: mood, cognitive function, and calming effects (9, 10). As an example, lavender oil has been studied for how it works in relation to calming and stress-management effects – primarily due to one major constituent, linalool (11, 12).

Associative memory is known to be especially strong when linked to an odor (13). This means that once an association between an essential oil and memory or psychological state has been established, the essential oil can be used to evoke the associated memory, emotion, or habit when needed.

Oral ingestion can be useful for digestive support. Some essential oils such as peppermint and lavender oils have reported benefits when consumed orally (14, 15). Essence by Isagenix Essential Oil is best consumed as up to one drop mixed into an IsaLean® Shake.

Essential Oils Contain Bioactive Molecules

The beneficial effects of any essential oil are absolutely determined by its chemistry, and essential oils are quite complex.

We can look at a major constituent, like menthol in peppermint, to help us understand how and why peppermint oil does what it does (16). Additionally, the reason menthol provides a cooling sensation on the skin is because it triggers a cold receptor called TRPM8.

But, we also often see evidence of synergy, meaning that a whole essential oil is more effective than would be expected from its constituents (5, 17). We also see synergy quite often with simple blends of essential oils.

Using Essence by Isagenix Essential Oil

Single oils and blends within the Essence by Isagenix Essential Oil collection were expertly created to maximize synergy. The whole essential oils are used and undergo testing to confirm identity and purity.

  • For topical application of the essential oils, Isagenix Coconut Application Oil is offered to ensure ease of use without discomfort to the skin. The reason is that pure, concentrated essential oils can otherwise be irritating to the skin. To minimize skin sensitivity, simply mix the essential oil of choice with a few drops of the application oil.
  • For benefits received by inhalation, the pure essential oils or blends can be diffused using the Isagenix Cool Mist Diffuser. Simply add eight to 10 drops into the diffuser in a large, ventilated space.
  • Several Essence by Isagenix Essential Oil products are safe to ingest including Content™, TumBliss™, DefenseShield™, Lavender, Lemon, Frankincense, and Peppermint. Add up to one drop to at least 8 fluid ounces of a beverage. It’s also recommended to try dipping a toothpick into the oil to stir into an IsaLean Shake or Cleanse for Life® drink.

Source: isagenix.health.net ~ Image: Courtesy of Isagenix

11 Ways Clutter Is Messing With Your Health & Relationships

Here are some of the main effects to watch out for:

1. Having clutter can make you feel tired and lethargic.

Most people who have clutter say they can’t find the energy to begin to clear it. But the stagnant energy that stacks up around clutter actually causes tiredness and lethargy. Clearing it frees up the energy in your home and releases new vitality in your body.

2. Having clutter can keep you in the past.

When all your available space is filled with clutter, there is no room for anything new to come into your life. You tend to you look back rather than forward in your life, blaming the past for your current situation rather than taking responsibility for creating a better tomorrow.

Clearing your clutter allows you to begin to deal with your problems and move forward. It is vital to release the past to create a better tomorrow.

3. Having clutter can congest your body.

When you have lots of clutter, the energy of your home gets congested, and so does your body. Clutterbugs generally do not get enough exercise; are often constipated; have dull, clogged complexions; and show no vitality in their eyes. People with little clutter in their lives are generally more active. The choice is yours.

4. Having clutter can confuse you.

When you live surrounded by clutter, it is impossible to have clarity about what you are doing in your life. When you clear it, you can think more clearly and life decisions become easier. Being clear of clutter is one of the greatest aids I know to discovering and creating the life you want.

5. Having clutter can affect the way people treat you.

People treat you the way you treat yourself. So if you value yourself and look after yourself, people will treat you well. If you “let yourself go” and allow the junk to mount up around you, you may attract people who mistreat you in some way because subconsciously you feel that is what you deserve. When you sort out your home, you can improve all your relationships in the process.

6. Having clutter can make you procrastinate.

If you have a lot of clutter, you will tend to put off doing things until “tomorrow.” The clutter stagnates your energy and makes it difficult to get yourself to do anything. After clutter clearing you are likely to surprise yourself (and everyone else!) by wanting to do things you’ve put off for a long time.

7. Having clutter can cause disharmony.

Clutter is a major cause of arguments in families and between housemates, business partners, and coworkers. If you live or work knee-deep in the stuff and those around you do not, their lifestyle will not impede your progress, but yours most certainly can impede theirs. Clear up your clutter and then you will be able to get to the higher possibilities of what you can do together, which is much more interesting than arguing about mundane junk!

8. Having clutter can put your life on hold.

Don’t let your life slip away. Sit down right now and write a list of all the things you would love to do if only your clutter were sorted, and let this be the inspiration for you to get on with it.

9. Having clutter can depress you.

The stagnant energy of clutter pulls you down and can make you feel depressed. Feelings of hopelessness are compounded by clutter and can be relieved to some extent by clearing it, because you create space for something new to come into your life.

The reason I think this works is that many types of depression are caused by a higher part of your consciousness stopping you from doing what you have been doing because it is time for you to do something else.

10. Having clutter can dull your sensitivity and enjoyment of life.

Just as clutter mutes the sounds and dulls the atmosphere in your home, it also mutes your ability to live life to the fullest. Clearing the clutter allows the fresh winds of inspiration to enter your home and your life.

11. Having clutter can distract you from important things.

Do you own your stuff or does it own you? Everything you own has a call on your attention, and the more clutter you have, the more your energy is tied up in mundane matters. When you clear out your clutter, you leave yourself free to put the important things in your life in perspective rather than being constantly embroiled in the details of day-to-day maintenance.

Understanding how your clutter can affect you helps you to look at it in a new way and start to make new decisions about whether you want to keep it or not.

Excerpted from CLEAR YOUR CLUTTER WITH FENG SHUI (Revised & Updated) Copyright © 2016 by Karen Kingston. Published by Harmony Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

Source: mindbodygreen.com ~ By: Karen Kingston ~ Image: pixabay.com

Dealing with Stress – Ten Tips

1. Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol, and Nicotine.

Avoid, or at least reduce, your consumption of nicotine and any drinks containing caffeine and alcohol. Caffeine and nicotine are stimulants and so will increase your level of stress rather than reduce it.

Alcohol is a depressant when taken in large quantities, but acts as a stimulant in smaller quantities. Therefore using alcohol as a way to alleviate stress is not ultimately helpful.

Swap caffeinated and alcoholic drinks for water, herbal teas, or diluted natural fruit juices and aim to keep yourself hydrated as this will enable your body to cope better with stress.

You should also aim to avoid or reduce your intake of refined sugars – they are contained in many manufactured foods (even in savoury foods such as salad dressings and bread) and can cause energy crashes which may lead you to feel tired and irritable. In general, try to eat a healthy, well-balanced and nutritious diet.

2. Indulge in Physical Activity

Stressful situations increase the level of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol in your body.

These are the “fight or flight” hormones that evolution has hard-wired into our brains and which are designed to protect us from immediate bodily harm when we are under threat.  However, stress in the modern age is rarely remedied by a fight or flight response, and so physical exercise can be used as a surrogate to metabolize the excessive stress hormones and restore your body and mind to a calmer, more relaxed state.

When you feel stressed and tense, go for a brisk walk in fresh air.  Try to incorporate some physical activity into your daily routine on a regular basis, either before or after work, or at lunchtime.  Regular physical activity will also improve the quality of your sleep

3. Get More Sleep

A lack of sleep is a significant cause of stress. Unfortunately though, stress also interrupts our sleep as thoughts keep whirling through our heads, stopping us from relaxing enough to fall asleep.

Rather than relying on medication, your aim should be to maximise your relaxation before going to sleep.  Make sure that your bedroom is a tranquil oasis with no reminders of the things that cause you stress.  Avoid caffeine during the evening, as well as excessive alcohol if you know that this leads to disturbed sleep. Stop doing any mentally demanding work several hours before going to bed so that you give your brain time to calm down. Try taking a warm bath or reading a calming, undemanding book for a few minutes to relax your body, tire your eyes and help you forget about the things that worry you.

You should also aim to go to bed at roughly the same time each day so that your mind and body get used to a predictable bedtime routine.

4. Try Relaxation Techniques

Each day, try to relax with a stress reduction technique.  There are many tried and tested ways to reduce stress so try a few and see what works best for you.

For example, try self-hypnosis which is very easy and can be done anywhere, even at your desk or in the car. One very simple technique is to focus on a word or phrase that has a positive meaning to you. Words such as “calm” “love” and “peace” work well, or you could think of a self-affirming mantra such as “I deserve calm in my life” or “Grant me serenity”.  Focus on your chosen word or phrase; if you find your mind has wandered or you become aware of intrusive thoughts entering your mind, simply disregard them and return your focus to the chosen word or phrase. If you find yourself becoming tense again later, simply silently repeat your word or phrase.

Don’t worry if you find it difficult to relax at first. Relaxation is a skill that needs to be learned and will improve with practice.

5. Talk to Someone

Just talking to someone about how you feel can be helpful.

Talking can work by either distracting you from your stressful thoughts or releasing some of the built-up tension by discussing it.

Stress can cloud your judgement and prevent you from seeing things clearly. Talking things through with a friend, work colleague, or even a trained professional, can help you find solutions to your stress and put your problems into perspective.

6. Keep a Stress Diary

Keeping a stress diary for a few weeks is an effective stress management tool as it will help you become more aware of the situations which cause you to become stressed.

Note down the date, time and place of each stressful episode, and note what you were doing, who you were with, and how you felt both physically and emotionally.  Give each stressful episode a stress rating (on, say, a 1-10 scale) and use the diary to understand what triggers your stress and how effective you are in stressful situations.  This will enable you to avoid stressful situations and develop better coping mechanisms.

7. Take Control

Stress can be triggered by a problem that may on the surface seem impossible to solve. Learning how to find solutions to your problems will help you feel more in control thereby lowering your level of stress.

One problem-solving technique involves writing down the problem and coming up with as many possible solutions as you can. Decide on the good and bad points of each one and select the best solution. Write down each step that you need to take as part of the solution: what will be done, how will it be done, when will it be done, who is involved and where will it take place.

8. Manage Your Time

At times, we all feel overburdened by our ‘To Do’ list and this is a common cause of stress. Accept that you can not do everything at once and start to prioritise and diarise your tasks.

Make a list of all the things that you need to do and list them in order of genuine priority. Note what tasks you need to do personally and what can be delegated to others to do. Record which tasks need to be done immediately, in the next week, in the next month, or when time allows.

By editing what might have started out as an overwhelming and unmanageable task list, you can break it down into a series of smaller, more manageable tasks spread out over a longer time frame, with some tasks removed from the list entirely through delegation.

Remember as well to create buffer times to deal with unexpected and emergency tasks, and to include time for your own relaxation and well-being.

9. Learn to Say ‘No’

A common cause of stress is having too much to do and too little time in which to do it.  And yet in this situation, many people will still agree to take on additional responsibility.  Learning to say “No” to additional or unimportant requests will help to reduce your level of stress, and may also help you develop more self-confidence.

To learn to say “No”, you need to understand why you find it difficult.  Many people find it hard to say “No” because they want to help and are trying to be nice and to be liked.  For others, it is a fear of conflict, rejection or missed opportunities.  Remember that these barriers to saying “No” are all self-created.

You might feel reluctant to respond to a request with a straight “No”, at least at first.  Instead think of some pre-prepared phrases to let other people down more gently.  Practice saying phrases such as:

“I am sorry but I can’t commit to this as I have other priorities at the moment.”
“Now is not a good time as I’m in the middle of something.  Why don’t you ask me again at….?”
“I’d love to do this, but …”

10. Rest If You Are Ill

If you are feeling unwell, do not feel that you have to carry on regardless. A short spell of rest will enable the body to recover faster.

Source: skillsyouneed.com ~ Image: pixabay.com

Exercise and stress: Get moving to manage stress

Exercise in almost any form can act as a stress reliever. Being active can boost your feel-good endorphins and distract you from daily worries.

You know that exercise does your body good, but you’re too busy and stressed to fit it into your routine. Hold on a second — there’s good news when it comes to exercise and stress.

Virtually any form of exercise, from aerobics to yoga, can act as a stress reliever. If you’re not an athlete or even if you’re out of shape, you can still make a little exercise go a long way toward stress management. Discover the connection between exercise and stress relief — and why exercise should be part of your stress management plan.

Exercise and stress relief

Exercise increases your overall health and your sense of well-being, which puts more pep in your step every day. But exercise also has some direct stress-busting benefits.

  • It pumps up your endorphins. Physical activity helps bump up the production of your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins. Although this function is often referred to as a runner’s high, a rousing game of tennis or a nature hike also can contribute to this same feeling.
  • It’s meditation in motion. After a fast-paced game of racquetball or several laps in the pool, you’ll often find that you’ve forgotten the day’s irritations and concentrated only on your body’s movements.

    As you begin to regularly shed your daily tensions through movement and physical activity, you may find that this focus on a single task, and the resulting energy and optimism, can help you remain calm and clear in everything you do.

  • It improves your mood. Regular exercise can increase self-confidence, it can relax you, and it can lower the symptoms associated with mild depression and anxiety. Exercise can also improve your sleep, which is often disrupted by stress, depression and anxiety. All of these exercise benefits can ease your stress levels and give you a sense of command over your body and your life.

Put exercise and stress relief to work for you

A successful exercise program begins with a few simple steps.

  • Consult with your doctor. If you haven’t exercised for some time and you have health concerns, you may want to talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.
  • Walk before you run. Build up your fitness level gradually. Excitement about a new program can lead to overdoing it and possibly even injury.

    For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends getting at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity (such as brisk walking or swimming) or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity (such as running). You also can do a combination of moderate and vigorous activity.

    Also, incorporate strength training exercises at least twice a week.

  • Do what you love. Virtually any form of exercise or movement can increase your fitness level while decreasing your stress. The most important thing is to pick an activity that you enjoy. Examples include walking, stair climbing, jogging, bicycling, yoga, tai chi, gardening, weightlifting and swimming.
  • Pencil it in. Although your schedule may necessitate a morning workout one day and an evening activity the next, carving out some time to move every day helps you make your exercise program an ongoing priority.

Stick with it

Starting an exercise program is just the first step. Here are some tips for sticking with a new routine or reinvigorating a tired workout:

  • Set SMART goals. Write down SMART goals — specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-limited goals.

    If your primary goal is to reduce stress in your life and recharge your batteries, your specific goals might include committing to walking during your lunch hour three times a week or, if needed, finding a baby sitter to watch your children so that you can slip away to attend a cycling class.

  • Find a friend. Knowing that someone is waiting for you to show up at the gym or the park can be a powerful incentive. Working out with a friend, co-worker or family member often brings a new level of motivation and commitment to your workouts.
  • Change up your routine. If you’ve always been a competitive runner, take a look at other less competitive options that may help with stress reduction, such as Pilates or yoga classes. As an added bonus, these kinder, gentler workouts may enhance your running while also decreasing your stress.
  • Exercise in increments. Even brief bouts of activity offer benefits. For instance, if you can’t fit in one 30-minute walk, try three 10-minute walks instead. Interval training, which entails brief (60 to 90 seconds) bursts of intense activity at almost full effort, is being shown to be a safe, effective and efficient way of gaining many of the benefits of longer duration exercise. What’s most important is making regular physical activity part of your lifestyle.

Whatever you do, don’t think of exercise as just one more thing on your to-do list. Find an activity you enjoy — whether it’s an active tennis match or a meditative meander down to a local park and back — and make it part of your regular routine. Any form of physical activity can help you unwind and become an important part of your approach to easing stress.

Source:  mayoclinic.orgBy Mayo Clinic Staff ~ Image:  pixabay

How fiber and gut bacteria reverse stress damage

In the stressful world we inhabit, many of us are keen to protect our bodies from the harmful effects that stress can produce. A new study hints that a high-fiber diet might go some way to achieving this.
Gut bacteria illustration

A new study looks deeper at links between gut bacteria and stress.

The bacteria that live in our gut are as numerous as the cells in our body. As medical research progresses, the influence that these billions of tiny creatures have on our health is becoming ever more apparent.

It comes as no surprise that they might play a role in gastrointestinal issues, but the microbiome’s influence flies much further afield.

Most recently, it has become apparent that there is a significant relationship between gut bacteria and mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.

Stress, the gut, and the brain

Although the thought of a microorganism in our intestines affecting our mental well-being seems like a leap, the gut and brain are deeply entwined. As an example, most people will know how a nerve-wracking situation can influence the speed of our bowels and, vice versa, how being hungry can cast a shadow over our mood.

A troubled brain can inform the gut, and a troubled gut can inform the brain.

Stress, although it is a mental state, can physically affect our gastrointestinal system and the bacterial residents within it. A recent study found that high levels of stress can affect gut bacteria to a similar degree as a high-fat diet; while other studies have shown that reducing the number of bacteria in the gut can produce stress-induced activity in mice.

So, it seems that the road runs both ways: stress can alter gut bacteria, and gut bacteria can influence stress levels. It is a complicated web.

A recent piece of research, published in The Journal of Physiology, takes a fresh look at how gut bacteria are involved in gut health problems induced by stress. The work was carried out at APC Microbiome Ireland at University College Cork and Teagasc Food Research Centre in Ireland.

The role of SCFAs

The team of scientists was interested in short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Gut bacteria produce SCFAs when they digest fiber; the cells of the colon then use SCFAs as their primary source of energy, making them vital for good gut health.

The researchers found that when they introduced SCFAs to the guts of mice, stress and anxiety-based behaviors were significantly reduced.

After demonstrating that SCFAs reduce anxiety, they wanted to understand how these small molecules influenced physical, stress-related gut damage.

Known as a “leaky” gut, high levels of stress over time increase the intestine’s permeability. This means that particles, such as bacteria and undigested food, can move more easily into the bloodstream, which can cause damaging chronic inflammation.

The researchers found that by introducing SCFAs, they reduced the gut leakiness caused by persistent stress.

There is a growing recognition of the role of gut bacteria and the chemicals they make in the regulation of physiology and behavior. The role of short-chain fatty acids in this process is poorly understood up until now.” Lead author, Prof. John F. Cryan

What does it all mean?

Fruits, vegetables, and grains naturally contain high levels of fiber. Although this study was conducted on mice, the inference is that a high-fiber diet might prompt gut bacteria to produce more SCFAs — thereby bolstering our gut’s natural defenses against the damage caused by stress.

Of course, plenty more research will be necessary before that conclusion can be written in stone; as Prof. Cryan says, “It will be crucial that we look at whether short-chain fatty acids can ameliorate symptoms of stress-related disorders in humans.”

Future work will also need to dig deeper to get a better understanding of exactly how SCFAs provide these benefits. Unwrapping the molecular shenanigans behind the scenes is likely to be challenging.

The authors hope that the current findings will, eventually, help in the “development of microbiota-targeted therapies for stress-related disorders.”

However, for now, attempting to minimize stress in one’s life while upping consumption of fruit and veg is likely to be a sensible recommendation, whether it impacts levels of SCFAs or not.

Source:   ~ By:   ~ Image: pixabay

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