How Essential Oils can help you Face your Fears

Let’s talk about fear and how essential oils can make you braver.

Whether it is the fear you feel during the visit of a haunted house (some might call it fun, I don?t), or fear from a life-threatening situation, or a deep-rooted fear of a general life situation, like a fear of changes, or a fear of death, fear has an essential role in our survival.

How does fear work?

Fear is essentially an autonomous response in our body called ?fight or flight?.

The fight of flight response is a process that begins in the limbic system (also called our emotional brain), and involves:

The processing of environmental stimuli in the hypothalamus, which activates the pituitary gland,
An interplay of the endocrine system and the sympathetic nervous system, propagating the signal and firing hormones in the body.

As a result, the heart pumps faster, the lungs expand, the pupils dilate, the digestive system is inhibited, the hormone adrenaline (or epinephrine) is secreted: the body is getting ready to fight or to flight.

?Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.?
Marie Curie

Usually, the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex can assess the fear and tone down an excessive response (i.e.: this is just a movie, there is no actual ghost behind me right now). But for some reason, fear can overpower our thinking brain, causing phobias and anxiety.

Essential Oils and Olfaction: The Pathway to our Limbic System

Now, we know that the fight or flight response start in the amygdala, an almond-shaped set of neurons in the limbic system, which happens to be closely related to our sense of smell. Indeed, when we smell something, the olfactory neurons (located in our olfactory epithelium, at the back of our nose cavity) send a signal to our limbic system. The signal travels through the olfactory nerves and bulb, directly into the amygdala.

By smelling essential oils, we can trigger feelings of calm, safety, peace, euphory and self-confidence. Essential oils can also promote deep breathing, which is proven to induce a relaxation response in the body.

My ?It?s all going to be alright? Essential Oil Blend

Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides): Vetiver has affinities with the root chakra and provides a sense of safety and belonging. It puts things back into perspective and helps focus on the ?here and now?. Smelling vetiver is very helpful when fear is separating you from reality.

Australian Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum): Sandalwood calms the central nervous system very effectively and immediately. It enhances the grounding benefits of Vetiver and complements the woody, smoky aroma very well. Sandalwood promotes introspection and is often used in meditation blends.

Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea): The euphoric effect of clary sage is beneficial in situations of fear and help restore a feeling of peace. Its antispasmodic and general muscle relaxant properties make it an excellent oil to let go, relax, and promote positive thoughts.

Juniper Berry (Juniperus communis): There is an idea of movement and detox in juniper. I think it is a wonderful oil to help remove blockages, fear and feelings of being frozen. It is an overall stimulant, and brings a lovely fresh and piney touch to balance the heaviness of the other oils.

Roman Chamomile (Chamamaelum nobile): This is the best oil for acute fear situation such as panic attacks. Roman chamomile is very strong and soothing, and has a very direct effect on the nervous system, providing sensations of comfort and calm.

“It’s All-Going-To-Be-Alright”
Essential Oil Recipe:
4 drops of Vetiver
15 drops of Sandalwood
12 drops of Clary Sage
15 drops of Juniper Berry
4 drops of Roman Chamomile

The best way to use these oils is in a personal inhaler that can be easily carried around and used whenever needed. Making one is quite simple: let the cotton stick soak in 25-30 drops of the synergy and insert it in the inhaler tube.

You can also use this synergy to diffuse at home, especially if you tend to feel fear before going to sleep. This recipe is kids-friendly and can be used when there is such bedtime fear.

Visualization and self-hypnosis

Visualization is a powerful technique that can help dealing with fear, anxiety and phobias. Visualize yourself facing your fears and imagine a positive outcome: this is called self-hypnosis. Reciting personal affirmations and mottos can seem awkward at first, but they can lead to amazing results. Beyond visualization, try to mimic the feeling of self-confidence: how do you feel when you feel secure, powerful, strong and confident? Do you smile? Do you hold your head up? Then do just that.

I will end with a quote from Marie Curie: ?Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.?

References

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323492.php