How To Use Essential Oils To Reduce Caregiver Stress
Use essential oils to reduce caregiver stress and prevent burnout. A powerful tool in your wellness kit for a healthy caregiving journey.
NOTE: This post has been updated since it was originally published on May 19, 2022.
The stress you can experience while caring for a loved one is very real, and sometimes it can creep up on you unexpectedly.
You may feel like you are doing fine, in control of things one day, and then out of nowhere the angst creeps in. Essential oils, although not the cure-all, are a helpful tool to have in your wellness toolbox.
Using aromatherapy and essential oils can help to relieve stress, anxiety, and more. Let me show you how to use essential oils to reduce caregiver stress.
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Caregiver’s and Mental Health
There are 53 million unpaid caregivers in the United States.
According to the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), nearly one in five Americans are providing unpaid care to an adult with health or functional needs.
21% of these caregivers report their own health to be fair to poor, and nearly 4 out of 10 caregivers over fifty years old consider their caregiving situation stressful.
Nearly 4 out of 10 caregivers over 50 years old consider their caregiving situation stressful.
The National alliance for caregiving
Caregiver Stress: The Chronic Effect
Caregiver stress is different from an acutely stressful event like a work deadline or heaven forbid something more serious like a car accident.
The main factor that differentiates caregiver stress from other kinds of stress is that it is usually more subtle in nature and chronic, meaning that subtle stress energy never really goes away.
Similar to having a chronic disease, like Parkinson’s, caregiver stress can be underlying and constant.
It may ebb and flow but it is there, and as long as we are caregiving and taking care of our loved ones with chronic disease, then we are very likely going to experience caregiver stress at some point.
Not All Stress Is Bad Stress
But this does not have to be a bad thing, and it doesn’t mean it is all doom and gloom for us caregivers. Not all stress is bad stress.
Some stress can actually be good for us. Exercise stresses our body, and that is a good thing, as long as we take time to recover.
Fasting, although not for everyone, stresses our body but it can also provide health benefits. Some stress on our bodies can be a good thing.
It is the constant continuous stress that can cause our health to falter. Continuous stress is chronic, just like Parkinson’s disease is chronic.
The stress of being a caregiver can end up feeling chronic long-term if we don’t take care of our mental health. Let me share with you how to use essential oils to reduce chronic stress.
Understanding Your Stress Response
How we perceive stress is a big factor. What one person may experience as stressful, another person may not think too much about it and blow it off.
Some people thrive when there is a continuous hum of low-grade stress, others do not. So, how we view individual stressful moments also has a significant impact.
There are many different ways to reduce caregiver stress, and what works for one person may not work for another.
Using aromatherapy and essential oils to help combat stress can be helpful, and it may be one method to use and put in your caregiver wellness toolkit.
Understanding Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils for therapeutic purposes.
How aromatherapy works is by stimulating receptors in the nose, which then sends a message to the limbic system. This is the part of the brain that controls emotions.
Aromatherapy is not an exact science, and there is limited research showing aromatherapy is helpful for health conditions.
That said, for me smell is very important, and I absolutely love diffusing wonderful blends for every season, and to help with the way I am feeling.
Essential Oils and Caregiver Stress: My Experience
Caring for Doug, who is managing Parkinson’s, sometimes gets stressful. For the most part Doug is still quite self sufficient but for me, it is worrying about the future that gives me a sleepless night or two.
I have a strong sense of smell, and it seems this heightened sense is constantly active, from the moment I wake up and head downstairs to the time I retire for the evening.
I love the smell of freshly made coffee, baked goods in the oven, laundry, fall leaves, fresh air, candles, flowers, and basements! Say what?
Yes, I was born in the Midwest where homes have basements (think tornadoes) but I spent most of my years in California where there are no basements (think earthquakes!).
So now, whenever I go down into our basement on the Cape, I love the smell.
Because smell is a strong sense for me, I use essential oils in a diffuser almost daily. I change up the oils depending on my mood and how I am feeling.
One of the more common reasons to diffuse oils is for relaxation and stress reduction, and for me diffusing various essential oil fragrances works well.
Using Essential Oils For Therapeutic Purposes
Although studies are limited, some research does show that aromatherapy can improve mood and lessen anxiety.
For example, one study showed that aromatherapy helped patients in the intensive care unit feel more positive and less anxious.
Another study used essential oils for the possible reduction of pain showed a reported 30% pain reduction using essential oils versus only a 15% reduction in the control group.
4 Simple Methods Of Using Essential Oils
There are a few different methods to using essential oils and aromatherapy. Here are four easy ways to use essential oils and to help reduce caregiver stress.
1. Inhalation
Straight and simple. I just unscrew the top and take a few deep inhalations through my nose. This is the quickest and simplest method.
You can also combine a few different oils by holding them together in your hand and inhaling that way. Just let your nose be the guide as to what smells good for you in the moment.
If you are new to using essential oils, I’m a big fan of these essential oil kits. It is how I got started, and I still use them. They also make for great gifts.
2. Diffusers
Diffusers are how I use essential oils to reduce caregiver stress the most, and I have diffusers in almost every room of my home.
An essential oil diffuser basically emits the essential oil into the air through a mist. You fill the reservoir with water and several drops of essential oil, and then the diffuser does just that, it diffuses the essential oil into the air for you to smell.
Diffusers are my favorite way to use essential oils, and it’s fun to select a diffuser style that complements the room’s decor.
3. Body Oils & Lotions
Body oils and lotions are another great way to use essential oils to reduce caregiver stress.
Using a luxurious lotion after a warm shower in the evening, is a wonderful way to relax before bed, and slip into a peaceful slumber.
4. Accessories
Aromatherapy accessories, like bracelets and car fresheners, are a fun and effective way to use essential oils on the go.
I often use essential oil fresheners in my car.
Here’s a simple DIY car freshener trick. Grab your favorite oil and put a few drops on either a tissue or cotton ball, then just place it under the seat of your car. Super simple and cheap!
An aromatherapy bracelet or necklace works well when you are traveling, especially on an airplane when you don’t want your essential oil to diffuse and smell up the entire cabin.
NOTE: I do not recommend using essential oils for internal use due to safety concerns.
FREE GUIDE: Essential Oil Blend Recipes
Best Essential Oils to Reduce Caregiver Stress
Here are some of my favorite essential oils that help me during times of stress.
- Lavender. Sweet and floral.
- Bergamot. Citrusy and fresh.
- Frankincense. Woody and musky with citrus.
- Cedarwood. Woody and earthy.
- Peppermint. Minty and sweet.
- Citrus. Citrus oils like lemon, orange, and lime.
- Ylang Ylang. Sweet and floral.
Essential Oil Quality and What To Look For
Essential oils are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) like pharmaceutical prescription drugs.
Although there is ongoing research to see how essential oils can be incorporated into a wellness routine, they cannot claim to prevent, treat, or cure disease.
That said, finding high-quality essential oils is important. Here are some things to look for.
Glass containers. Essential oils are highly concentrated and can break down plastic bottles and contaminate the oil. Look for essential oils that are housed in dark glass containers.
Purity. Look for oils that are 100% pure, and not fragrant oils that may contain toxic chemicals.
Labeling. Quality essential oils will have labels that contain the Latin name of the plant, purity information, the part of the plant the oil was extracted from, and the country where the plant was grown. Look to purchase essential oils with this information, transparency is key.
Reputation. It helps to look for well-known reputable companies that have been in business for at least several years. Research their background, methods, and mission statement.
Price. Pricing of essential oils vary widely. Some oils are more expensive than others, like rose or sandalwood. So, if you find a company that is selling a expensive essential oils super cheap – beware.
Video: How To Use Essential Oils To Reduce Caregiver Stress
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Let’s Connect
Using essential oils is a helpful way to reduce caregiver stress. The ritual of deciding which oil to use, or combination, and how to use it are all part of a positive wellness routine.
I hope you will consider using essential oils to help relieve stress and to implement a sense of calm in your household.
Using essential oils benefit not only busy caregivers but also other family members and loved ones sharing our home.
QUESTION. What are your favorite essential oils, and how do you use them?
Let me know in the comment section below. I’d love to hear from you!
Additional Caregiver Support and Healthy Recipes
