With the never-ending stream of parties, family gatherings and crowded train stations and airports, the holidays can be, at times, extremely stressful. Anything we can do to make this season a little more chill, we gladly welcome.
Essential oils have long been considered to have soothing effects, but which ones are best for calming anxiety? And clearing the head? More importantly, which one makes getting through airport security less aggro? Apparently there's a scent for all those things, according to Cary Caster, clinical aromatherapist and founder of essential oil line 21 Drops. When it comes to calming down, Caster breaks scents into two camps. "De-stressing oils are ones that either quiet the chatter of the mind or settle your physical body from the fight or flight response." In an effort to make our holidays as stress-free as possible, she gave us the lowdown on the effect scents like lavender, chamomile and even certain foods have on the body and brain -- and how they can help you survive the season in one piece.
Advertisement
Quiet the mind: Caster suggests frankincense, sandalwood (which has neurological sedative effects on the mind) and vetiver, which is grounding.
Physical symptoms of fight or flight: She describes this as increased heart rate, quick breathing or muscular tension. To help ease these symptoms, Casters recommends ylang ylang, which is calming and balancing; German chamomile, which takes away pain and inflammation; and lavender, which has a sedating, calming effect.
Advertisement
Calming anxiety: Uplifting scents are the best way to soothe anxiousness, notes Caster. Look for sweet orange which has calming, uplifting properties, as well as jasmine (the high concentration of esters makes this oil antispasmodic, calming and balancing to the sympathetic nervous system).
Sleeplessness: "Ylang ylang relaxes and uplifts, encourages feeling of euphoria, promotes sensual awakening, sedative and supports the nervous system," says Caster. "Similarly, vetiver is calming, sedative and grounding; palmarosa stabilizes the heart, calms the mind, reduces anxiety; and sandalwood provides energetic protection and quiets mental activity."
Advertisement
Digestion: Too full from all the decadent food everywhere? "Cardamom stimulates the stomach into action by warming and aiding digestion," she notes. "Ginger, sweet orange and German chamomile also help settle digestion, relieve cramps, stimulate circulation and soothe nausea."
Hangovers: We feel you. Caster recommends oils that help both detoxify and balance. "Juniper is a circulatory stimulant, which helps the lymph and with bloating," notes Caster. She also suggests geranium, which stimulates the lymphatic system and balances emotions; lavender, known for its sedative effect on the nervous system, reduces emotional stress and tensions; and cardamom -- a refreshing tonic that settles the stomach and clears the mind.
The food & drink version of a chill pill: Sipping tea can be just as calming, says Caster. "Plants, either dried or their concentrated essential oils, contain volatile compounds that when inhaled or consumed, have effects on our physiology. There’s plenty to be said for sitting down with a warm cup of tea!"
And here's some good news: Chocolate -- in small amounts -- is actually calming. "Chocolate contains caffeine, which is stimulating, but this actually stimulates the body to release their respective pleasure producing chemicals," says Caster. "Likewise, chocolate also contains cannabinoids (yes, also found in cannabis), which cause a relaxed state. In addition to these two chemicals, chocolate has phenylethylamine, which chemically stimulates the release of pleasure–producing chemicals. So yes, chocolate is a flood of pleasure producing chemicals … which is calming to most."
Calming Scents
Advertisement
Want more HuffPost Style beauty content? Check us out on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest and Instagram at @HuffPostBeauty. (For everything else check out our HuffPost StyleTwitter, Tumblr, Pinterest and Instagram @HuffPostBeauty.)
Do you have a style story idea or tip? Email us at stylesubmissions@huffingtonpost.com. (PR pitches sent to this address will be ignored.)
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.