What can I do about Stress and ‘Burnout’?

by Penny Keay

What can you do about this annoying problem called stress or maybe in some cases, ‘Burnout’?

There are many simple things you can try and using essential oils through aromatherapy either diffusing or massage are always a pleasant enjoyable way.

First, you might want to define what ‘burnout’ is. At least, so you can decide if you are afflicted. Maybe it is just stress. Having too much on your ‘plate’ so to speak.

Burnout is often described as “the total and complete exhaustion of mind and body”. Burnout not only affects your emotional well-being, but also often times it began with a physically exhaustive circumstance.

No matter what the cause, the Number one thing is to take care of you.

Burnout can occur after or while you are care taking others. If you feel like you are 'burned out', you probably are.

Long term care of convalescing or terminally ill loved ones puts not only a physical strain on many however; the biggest affect will be the emotional drain. This includes taking care of elderly parents in the ‘sandwich’ generation while raising a family both of which can be very exhausting.

Burnout can also occur from working long hours in a stressful job where you seem to always be on a deadline or watching the clock, simply by not getting enough time to rest and recoup.

Employment where travel long distances by auto or air can quickly tire one. I do believe the statement “burning the candle at both ends” may have been the originally way of saying you are suffering from ‘burnout’!

So stop now and take care of yourself. Get plenty of rest, eat healthy nourishing foods and let your mind and body heal itself. Do activities where you don’t have to think much, where you can ‘zone’ out. If you know how to meditate, try to do it each day if even for just a few minutes.

Maybe you like to draw, color or do picture puzzles. Doing these simple physical activities will allow your mind to drift into, what I call non-thinking. You get absorbed into coloring or finding puzzle pieces you might feel it is a type of meditation where you really aren’t thinking about anything.

For me, coloring or doing jigsaw puzzles is the time when I don’t have to think much. I enjoy these activities varying and depending on the time of year. In the winter when I’m stuck inside I put puzzles together, in the summer when I can be outside, I enjoy coloring more. My mind wanders and thinks aimlessly with no effort on what is going on around me. I can zone out.

Just find an activity you enjoy where you can get ‘lost’ in your non-thoughts. Now where do essential oils come into play?

As aromatherapists there are many essential oils that can be diffused while you rest that will help to rejuvenate and enlighten your heart. Smelling them while you do one of the above activities allows you to recall the peacefulness you enjoyed while doing them, when you once again smell those scents.

This can be most effective if you have a stress filled day, job or just need to ‘get away’ if just for a few minutes. Simply smell essential oils that can help you remember the calming effect those actions brought while you were coloring or puzzling.

Choose bright light citrus or Mint blends to give you a quick pick me up. Nevertheless, remember this is for temporary energy burst. What you really need is rest and time to just ‘sit’ and do nothing. Smelling essential oils helps you to relax.

You might want to try this blend – just add the drops to any fan diffuser or in the melted wax of a tart warmer type, they will quickly blend themselves into the air:

Pick me Up Blend

Lime – 15 drops
Grapefruit – 8 drops
Cardamom – 8 drop

A nice massage is a wonderful way to treat yourself or someone else you know that is a tad bit too stressed.

A massage can help the many tense muscles holding in toxins to relax and release. Releasing tense muscles and eliminating those toxins will help you to feel better. Once you start to feel better inside, your body will also heal physically and emotionally.

There are many wonderful essential oils to diffuse for “burnout”. First in foremost is to diffuse your favorite. Nothing will bring a smile (which helps to release tension) faster than smelling something you enjoy. Most folks have their favorite essential oils that will give them that warm cuddly feeling.

Again using a massage oil you like the smell of will make the massage a more pleasant experience also. However, don’t forget the massage therapist may want to use some other oils to help further relax those tense muscles. See our selection of “Fresh for You” massage oils that are pre-blended for you to take to your massage therapist.

Burnout and stress will not be gone overnight. It took a long time to develop and will take several days to weeks to help the exhaustion to resolve.

Give yourself plenty of time and plenty of time to rest. Eat right, sleep right and simplify your schedule to allow you to do so.

Please see our article called Winkin, Blinkin and Nod for help with sleep issues.

For more in depth help with STRESS see this article Stress Relief using Essential oils

In the meantime, enjoy your little treat to yourself and use your essential oils.

** Burnout can lead to severe forms of depression. If you feel this is more than simple stress or burnout please seek professional help and do it now!**

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© 2019 Penny Keay All rights reserved Worldwide.
Please do not use my information without my permission.

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