Mental load is an increasingly recognized phenomenon, affecting millions of people around the world, particularly women. This term describes the invisible burden associated with simultaneously managing daily tasks, whether professional, family, or personal. Indeed, juggling responsibilities while managing a constant stream of thoughts and worries can lead to a state of psychological exhaustion.
According to a 2021 study conducted by the Mental Load Observatory, nearly 80% of women report experiencing daily mental overload, compared to 34% of men. This constant mental pressure can have detrimental effects on health, leading to chronic stress, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and decreased productivity.
Faced with these challenges, natural solutions, such as essential oils, offer a gentle and effective approach to lightening the load. Used correctly, they can help soothe the mind, calm mental ruminations, reduce emotional tension, and improve overall well-being.
Through practical advice and recipes for diffusion and skin application, you will learn how to incorporate these oils into your daily routine to lighten the weight of thoughts and responsibilities.
4 essential oils to lighten the mental load
Petitgrain bigarade: Calm mental chatter
Petitgrain bigarade is a powerful essential oil for calming a restless mind and lightening the mental load. Known for its relaxing properties, this oil is extracted from the leaves and young branches of the bitter orange tree, a tree also used to produce neroli essential oil. Petitgrain bigarade is particularly rich in linalyl acetate, a biochemical compound known for its calming effects on the central nervous system.
Linalyl acetate acts directly on GABA receptors in the brain, helping to calm recurring thoughts and ease emotional tension. It is often recommended for people prone to mental rumination, a common symptom of mental overload.
Practical advice:
- Diffusion: Add 3 to 5 drops of Petitgrain Bigarade essential oil to a diffuser and let it diffuse for 15 to 30 minutes in a rest or work space to calm the mind when thoughts tend to race.
- Relaxing bath: Dilute 5 drops of Petitgrain Bigarade in a neutral bath base and add to warm water. This ritual helps release physical and mental tension after a busy day.
- Precautions: Not suitable for pregnant women under 3 months - Not suitable for infants under 3 months
Fun Fact: During World War II, Dr. Jean Valnet, a French military physician and pioneer of modern aromatherapy, faced a shortage of medicines to treat soldiers. In this difficult situation, he turned to the use of medicinal plants and essential oils to relieve various ailments, including psychological disorders and injuries. He discovered that certain essential oils, such as Petitgrain Bigarade, had soothing properties that were particularly effective in calming soldiers' anxiety and stress.
Lemon: Clarify the mind and reduce mental confusion
Lemon essential oil is a valuable ally for calming the mind and clarifying thoughts. Derived from the zest of the lemon, this oil is primarily composed of limonene, a biochemical compound known for its stimulating and purifying properties. Lemon oil is widely recognized for promoting focus and improving mental clarity, particularly in situations of cognitive overload or mental confusion.
Limonene acts as a powerful nervous system tonic. Inhaling lemon essential oil can promote concentration while reducing stress and anxiety levels. It's an ideal solution for times when you feel overwhelmed by too much information or when your mind is distracted.
Practical advice:
- Diffusion: Diffuse 3 to 5 drops of Lemon essential oil in a diffuser during work or revision periods to stimulate concentration and maintain a clear mind.
- Inhalation: Place a drop of Lemon essential oil on a tissue and inhale deeply several times to refocus and combat mental fatigue.
- Precautions: Not suitable for pregnant women under 3 months - Not suitable for children under 1 year - Dilute before applying to the skin - Do not apply to the skin before sun exposure, as lemon oil is photosensitizing.
Lemongrass: Relieves mental and emotional fatigue
Lemongrass essential oil, derived from the leaves of the tropical plant of the same name, is prized for its energizing and invigorating properties. This oil is rich in citral, a biochemical compound that gives it revitalizing properties for the body and mind.
Citral acts as a mild stimulant that can help overcome mental and physical fatigue. It is often used to reduce tension built up during periods of emotional overwork, and is ideal for times when one feels unmotivated or exhausted.
Lemongrass is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties and may be helpful in relieving stress-related body pain.
Practical advice:
- Diffusion: Add 2 to 4 drops of Lemongrass essential oil to a diffuser to create a revitalizing and energizing atmosphere, ideal for periods of intensive work or in cases of mental fatigue.
- Relaxing massage: Dilute 2 to 3 drops of Lemongrass essential oil in 10 ml of vegetable oil (such as jojoba oil) and gently massage into the shoulders, neck or feet to soothe physical and mental tension.
- Precautions: Prohibited for pregnant and breastfeeding women - Prohibited for children under 6 years old - Dilute before application to the skin
Fun Fact: In Thailand, lemongrass essential oil is regularly used in massages for its relaxing and invigorating effects. Thai spas often incorporate this oil into their treatments, as it helps revitalize the body while reducing muscle pain due to stress. It's ideal for those looking to reduce their mental load while revitalizing themselves.
Davana: Balancing Emotions and Calming Ruminations
Davana essential oil, distilled from the flowers of Artemisia pallens, is a precious oil known for its soothing and emotionally harmonizing properties. Its ketone-rich composition gives it mood-regulating effects, making it an ideal ally for calming intrusive thoughts and soothing mental ruminations.
Davana essential oil is unique in that it adapts to each individual's chemistry, providing a personalized scent that works differently for each person. This adaptability makes Davana a valuable oil for balancing fluctuating emotions and calming repetitive and excessive thoughts.
Practical advice:
- Diffusion: Diffuse 2 to 3 drops of Davana essential oil in a quiet room to harmonize the atmosphere and calm excessive thoughts.
- Inhalation: Place a drop of Davana essential oil on a handkerchief or scarf and inhale slowly to relieve peaks of emotional stress.
- Precautions: Not for pregnant or breastfeeding women - Not for children under 6 years old - Dilute before applying to the skin - Not recommended for people with epilepsy. Not for oral use.
Fun Fact: In some Hindu temples, Davana flowers are offered to Goddess Parvati in the form of garlands, as they are believed to bring balance and inner peace to those who use them.
In contemporary aromatherapy, Davana oil is beginning to find a special place in palliative care to support patients and their loved ones in managing the deep emotions and mental ruminations associated with loss.
Recipes to lighten the mental load
Essential oils, when combined, create powerful synergies that can amplify their benefits for emotional well-being.
Soothing Diffusion to Lighten the Mental Load
This diffusion synergy is ideal for creating an atmosphere of calm and relaxation, whether at home or in the office. It helps reduce mental tension and soothe emotions.
Ingredients :
- 3 drops of Petitgrain bigarade
- 2 drops of lemon
- 2 drops of Lemongrass
- 1 drop of Davana
Preparation and Use:
- Add essential oils to a diffuser filled with water.
- Diffuse for 20 to 30 minutes in a quiet space.
- Use this synergy in times of emotional overload, after a stressful day or before a meditation session to calm the mind and clarify thoughts.
General precautions:
- Do not diffuse continuously for more than 30 minutes to avoid air saturation.
- Use in a ventilated room and away from young children or pets.
Roll-on Anti-mental ruminations
The roll-on is a convenient solution to soothe mental ruminations and restore a sense of inner tranquility at any time of day. Easy to carry, this blend helps lighten the mental load in just a few applications.
Ingredients :
- 4 drops of Davana
- 3 drops of Petitgrain bigarade
- 3 drops of lemon
- 10 ml of jojoba vegetable oil
Preparation :
- In a 10 ml roll-on bottle, add the essential oils of Davana, Petitgrain Bigarade and Lemon.
- Complete with jojoba vegetable oil.
- Close the bottle and shake gently to mix the oils well.
Use :
- Apply to wrists, neck or behind ears during times of mental overload or when thoughts become too overwhelming.
- This roll-on can be used up to 3 times a day to promote a state of calm and concentration.
General precautions:
- Perform a skin allergy test before use, applying a small amount of the roll-on to the crease of the elbow.
- Avoid sun exposure after skin application due to the presence of Lemon essential oil, which is phototoxic.
- Do not use in pregnant or breastfeeding women without medical advice.
General precautions
- Dilution: Always dilute essential oils before skin application to avoid irritation.
- Tolerance test: Before use, carry out a skin tolerance test by applying a small amount of the diluted synergy to the inside of the elbow and wait 24 hours to check for an allergic reaction.
- Medical Consultation: If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have specific medical conditions, consult a healthcare professional before using essential oils. Your doctor is the only primary care provider for your health.
- Avoid mucous membranes and eyes: Essential oils can cause severe irritation. In case of accidental contact, rinse thoroughly with a carrier oil, not water. Consult your doctor.
Petitgrain Bigarade, Lemon, Lemongrass, and Davana essential oils offer a natural and effective solution to soothe the mind and lighten the mental load. By using these synergies in diffusion or roll-on form, you can regain emotional balance, clarify your thoughts, and reduce daily stress. Incorporate these simple recipes into your wellness routine to manage mental overload.
Out with the parasitic thoughts! Hello free spirit!
Sources of information (bibliography):
Anne-Laure Jaffrelo, Essential oils to smell and feel, Édition Alternativ, June 11, 2021, 144 p. ISBN: 978-2072908897
Gilles Fournil, Faniel Alain, Olfactotherapy: Smell to feel better, Amyris Edition, March 16, 2012, 213 p., ISBN: 9782875520029
Video: Guy Roulier, “Lighten your mental load naturally”
Maison Jacynthe disclaims all liability. All information contained on this page is not intended to replace justified allopathic treatment or to disregard the expertise of the medical profession. It is up to each individual to take charge of their own health, to inform themselves, and to make the necessary changes to improve their condition. Therapeutic supervision by a qualified health professional is obviously recommended.
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