ANXIETY

When you feel anxious, the adrenal gland pumps out adrenalin which causes the sympathetic nervous system to speed up the heart, quicken the breathing and dilate the pupils.

Feelings of anxiety can be helped by doing things which help to lower the threshold of adrenalin response, and which induce a relaxation response instead.

Hot Bath.
A hot bath last thing at night induces a relaxation response.

Herbal Baths.
An infusion of chamomile, lavender or gentian is useful in inducing relaxed feelings.

Aromatherapy Baths.
Chamomile, jasmine, sandalwood and ylang ylang are all extremely helpful in controlling anxiety.

DEPRESSION

Features of being significantly depressed include lowness of spirits, loss of vitality, feelings of guilt, self criticism, hopelessness and despair, sleep disturbances, mood swings, and thoughts of self harm.

The more of these factors that you feel, the greater the need to seek help. You may, however, be able to tug yourself out of an occasional bout of the blues with these mood lifting ideas.

Herbal Baths.
Chamomile, gentian, and valerian are all worth considering putting in your bath if you're mildly depressed.

Aromatherapy Baths.
Basil, bergamot, chamomile, jasmine, lavender, rose, sandalwood, thyme and ylang ylang are all valuable in treating mild depression.

INSOMNIA

Insomnia is actually common at all ages. Some people equate it wth lack of sleep time, others with difficulty getting off to sleep, and stll others with a tendency to wake repeatedly.

Hot Bath.
A hot bath at night is often enough to help someone get off to sleep as it induces the relation response.

Herbal Baths.
Chamomile, lavender, and rose infusions in a bath every other night will help with insomnia.

Aromatherapy Baths.
Chamomile, lavender, rose, sandalwood and ylang ylang are all effective in easing insomnia.

ANGER

Anger is an emotion which can be very destructive if permitted to continue without being tempered. It certainly affects the health of the circulatory system.

Herbal Baths.
Chamomile, lavender and gentian are all very useful in reducing anger and soothing tension. The temperature of the bath should only be tepid.

Aromatherapy Baths.
Chamomile and ylang ylang are good choices.

GRIEF

Three stages of grief are well recognised: shock (usually lasting for a week or two), intense grief and sadness (anything up to three months), followed by continued depression (another three months, or longer). This represents a 'normal' pattern, but clearly if the emotional pain is such that you cannot cope, professional guidance should be sought.

Aromatherapy Baths.
I find that these essential oils help considerably: frankincense, marjoram, neroli and rose.

JEALOUSY

This emotion is hardly ever taken seriously by the medical profession, but it is a fearfully destructive one, and I have seen it destroy lives.

Aromatherapy Baths.
Soaking in a soothing rose essential oil bath twice or three times a week seems to work wonders on this emotion.