There is a significant connection between emotional and physical health. The body releases various chemicals in response to emotions. For example, the body’s release of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine or oxytocin result in an uplifting emotion and positive sensation in the body. An experience of stress causes the brain to instruct the release of cortisol, and the body’s response will be one of urgency and perhaps even fear.
Emotional stress, whether acute or chronic, can have a profound effect on the body. A range of illnesses, from headaches to digestive issues, lack of sleep, and heart disease can be the result of emotions such as grief, anxiety and depression taking a toll on the immune system and other cells, tissues, and organs of the entire body.
The sense of smell is a tool that can cause powerful physiologic, mental, and emotional responses. Essential oils are quickly absorbed by smell receptors, which have a direct link to the limbic system through the olfactory nerve behind the nose.
The limbic system is part of the brain that supports a variety of functions including smell, emotions, behaviour and memory. For this reason, essential oils have a particularly powerful effect on emotions. Some essential oils induce uplifting or invigorating effects, while others are more calming.
Over the course of her career, pioneering Neuroscientist, Dr Candace Pert, PhD, concluded that the mind and body are not separate and that we cannot treat one without the other. Dr Pert claims that we are ‘hardwired to feel bliss’. The naturally occurring “bliss chemicals” are called endorphins, and they are released in the brain and body in response to emotional states and physical activities (including exercise and nursing).
Essential oils support mind-body connection by strengthening us during each stage of healing and preparing us for the next level. As we regain our physical health, we are invited to enter the emotional realm. There are five stages of healing that essential oils assist with:
1. healing the physical body
2. healing the heart
3. releasing limiting beliefs
4. increasing spiritual awareness and connection
5. inspiring us to fulfil our life’s purpose.
So what is the difference between emotions and moods? Emotions are chemicals released in response to our interpretation of a specific trigger. Moods are more generalised. They’re not tied to a specific incident, but a mood follows after a collection of emotional inputs. Although changes to moods won’t happen overnight (they took a long time to get stuck in the limbic system) you can take small repeated steps to move up the emotional guidance scale. At Energy-Balance we offer a variety of services that can help to move up from feeling down, to build personal resilience, and to ‘bounce forward’ in life!
DoTerra offer a variety of blends for mood management and emotional support as well as essential oils for a healthy home.
Here are some good old favourite mood boosters:
Lemon nourishes the mind and supports the emotional body. Lemon helps you to concentrate when you are stressed, tired or anxious.
Lavender. This essential oil has calming properties that help control emotional stress.
Wild Orange supports a positive mood, restores physical energy and reconnects you to your inner child.
Tea Tree clears negative baggage. It specifically releases codependent and parasitic relationships.
Cinnamon. The stimulating properties in cinnamon can help fight mental fatigue and improve concentration and focus. Warm and fuzzy feelings.
Peppermint. Let the aroma of peppermint surround you brainstorming. An energy booster, peppermint invigorates the mind, promotes concentration and stimulates clear thinking.
Many researchers agree that physical illnesses are often the result of an inflammatory response to trauma or negative responses. What begins as ’emotional inflammation’ can later become physical disease.
We ONLY recommend SOME of dōTERRA Essential Oils for internal consumption as dōTERRA after undergoing rigorous CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® Quality Testing