Top Tips for Stressed Out Students (and Parents)

From Aromatherapist and Natural Health Specialist - Julie Foster

1. Your Nose Can Help You!
   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 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. Natural Remedies To Relieve The Pressure
   Use student balm from my inline shop -Potions and Possibilities it blends palma rosa to help clarity, violet for the nerves and citrus oils to energise. An exquisite mixture of essential oils in a gentle gel base – just apply to pulse points.
   
   
3. Get The Caffeine Buzz Without The Caffeine!
   Whilst you are studying vaporize lime for its stimulant properties and frankincense to help you focus. Deepen your breathing to enhance oxygen uptake (a much better option than red bull).
   
   
4. Wash Away The Worry!
   If you are seriously stressed out then bathe the night before in a relaxing bath with green mandarin to improve focus and bergamot - known as natures Prozac.
   
   
5. Snooze Your Way To Success
   Use lavender essential oil in bed for a deeper more refreshing sleep. Sprinkle as few drops on the pillow or tumble dry bedding/pyjamas with a hanky which has 12 or more drops of lavender oil sprinkled onto it.
   
   
6. Fight The Stress
   Exams are a tough challenge for all of the family – use cedarwood, the oil of courage it is the oil that David used to anoint himself before he fought Goliath This helps 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.
   
   
7. Keep A Clear Head
   If your exams are close together and you have trouble clearing your mind fof one subject to prepare for the next then vaporise grapefruit (to clear/detox) & May Chang (the oil of tranquillity).
   
   
8. Beat Fatigue
   If fatigue is a problem add a few drops of grapefruit and basil to your shower gel in the morning or use anti-fatigue bath and shower gel from Potions & Possibilities.
   
   
9. Protect Your Immune System
   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.
   
   
10. Live And Breathe Success
    Asthma and hay fever can both be aggravated by stress – breathe in frankincense and geranium for girls and frankincense and bergamot for boys to reduce the impact of stress, then deepen and slow your breathing.
    
    
11. Don’t Blame Them
    Exam stress can add to family tension, manifesting itself as irritability and moodiness. Use ylang ylang and clary-sage.

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

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.