Top Tips for Stressed Out Students from Aromatheraphy and Natural Health Specialist Julie Foster

Aromatherapy is a drug free, harmless way to enhance focus, reduce stress and aid sleep. If exams are a worry for you why not try it. Here are some of my top tips:-

1) The sense of smell is the most powerful of all the senses so harness it to help you learn. For instance if you have a particular subject area that really is hard to learn, wipe the relevant pages or notes with an essential oil (bergamot, green mandarin and May Chang are good choices). Prior to the exam put a tissue in your pocket that has had a few drops of the chosen oil on it. If that question comes up sniff it. (Note: Do not use pungent oils such as eucalyptus as the smell will have an effect beyond your desk and may distract others)

2) Whilst you are studying vaporizer lime for its stimulant properties and frankincense to help you focus and deepen breathing to enhance oxygen uptake (a much better option than red bull).

3) If you are seriously stressed out then bathe the night before in a relaxing bath with Green Mandarin to improve focus and reduce anxiety and bergamot (natures Prozac).

4) Breathe Lavender in bed for a deeper more refreshing sleep. Sprinkle as few drops on the pillow or have bedding/pyjamas dried in a dryer with a hanky in too sprinkled with 12 or more drops of lavender.

5) If your exams are close together and you have trouble clearing your mind from one subject to prepare for the next then vaporise Palamarosa (to clear/detox) & May Chang (the oil of tranquillity).

6) If fatigue is a problem add a few drops of grapefruit to your shower gel in the morning.

7) The stress of exams can lower the immune system making students susceptible to colds, tummy upsets or acne flair ups. Use tea tree in the bath and maybe on a vaporiser with other oils for protection.

8) Asthma can be aggravated by stress – breathe in frankincense and geranium for girls and frankincense ands bergamot for boys to reduce the impact of stress and prevent feelings of panic.

9) Exam stress can add to family tension, manifesting itself as irritability and moodiness. Use Ylang Ylang and Lavender vaporised or put on a ribbon tied to the bars of a domestic desk fan.

10) Exams are a tough challenge for all of the family – use Cedarwood the oil of courage, the oil that David used to anoint himself before he fought goliath, to prepare yourselves for what is for many families a traumatic time that must be born with endless reserves of patience, stoicism and above all optimism.

11) If you prefer to have something ready blended then try the Student Relief Pulse Point Balm from Potions & Possibilities. A neat little pot of essential oils blended into aloe vera – just apply to the pulse points on the wrists or neck to increase concentration, beat fatigue and reduce stress. £4.99 from www.potions.co.uk

I will be happy to answer questions on this subject – contact Julie @potions.co.uk