“Mom, what if they all laugh at me?
“I don’t want to go. There are too many people there.”
“Dad, if there is a fire in the middle of the night, will all my toys burn too? Who will get our dog? What if the fire department doesn’t come fast enough?”
Childhood is supposed to be a time of happiness and innocence, not excessive worrying. Yet sadly, some children are plagued by worry. Feelings of anxiousness can be normal, even expected, during certain situations. A child can get nervous about going to a new school or scared to go to the dentist. These phases are harmless and temporary. But, as a parent, you want to help them through it.
Your sense of smell is directly tied to the limbic system in your brain. It controls basic emotions and drives. Aromatherapy is a modality that has been shown to help control feelings of helplessness, anxiousness, and sadness. Do a quick search of pubmed.gov for “anxiety and aromatherapy” and 185 studies will pop up. For children especially, it can be an easy way to restore their faith in themselves and their emotional stability. Sounds great, but how do you use aromatherapy as a tool?
I often suggest that inhalation is the most effective and safest when it comes to emotional issues in children. However, we cannot dismiss the power of touch, especially when a child is feeling anxious. How often does a simple hug make you feel better and safer? Imagine combining an uplifting aroma with a gentle shoulder massage from a parent to help relieve tension. Pair that up with some reassuring words and you have yourself a more relaxed child.
Oil Choices
First and foremost, when it comes to feelings of anxiousness, the essential oil must have a positive effect on the child. Even if an oil is “known” to be uplifting, it can bring out negative emotions in a child. Therefore it is imperative that the child smells the chosen oils before creating the blend. Here are some oils that I have found to be uplifting and “child approved”.
Citrus oils- probably the most popular with children since it is an aroma that are familiar with, therefore find comfort in. Mandarin (Citrus reticulata blanco), Grapefruit (Citrus paradisii), Lemon (Citrus limon), Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) and Tangerine(Citrus reticulata) can reduce tension and invoke feelings of happiness. They are a welcome addition to a blend or effective on their own.
I would emphasize the use of Sweet Orange (Citrus sinesis). Kids gravitate towards the aroma and studies have found it to be effective in reducing anxiety. For example, inhalation of Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) was used for induction of anesthesia in children ages 5-14. They found the group that inhaled Sweet Orange was more relaxed and cooperative than the control group. Another example being of 30 children, ages 6-9, who participated in two dental treatments. One treatment session used the aroma of sweet orange essential oil and the other did not. It was concluded “that the use of aromatherapy with natural essential oil of orange could reduce salivary cortisol and pulse rate due to child anxiety state.”
Another wise choice would be Bergamot (Citrus bergamia). When I think of as oil that reduces anxiety levels, relaxes, restores, and uplifts, my brain goes straight to Bergamot. This top note starts out with a sharp, citrusy impact then eases off to a softer, more floral like dry out. Combine it with another favorite of mine, Neroli (Citrus aurantium var. amara) and you have yourself a powerhouse of emotional wellness that shines.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)is the obvious choice to help calm and nurture. Its combination of esters and alcohols help to sedate the central nervous system and relieve anxiety. Lavender is a safe, effective and aromatic pleasing oil to children. Combine it with Sweet Orange (Citrus sinesis) and they can “smell” their worries away.
For emotional healing and tranquility, Frankincense (Boswellia carterii), can be an integral part of the blend. Most children do not like the aroma alone, so pair it with a citrus oil or an intense floral like Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata). Frankincense quiets the mind, therefore minimizes worrying.
Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica)is my favorite base note in these blends. Not only does it marry beautifully with the above oils, it boosts confidence in challenging situations. It tells the child, “You can do this. I believe in you. Keep going!” It grounds the child to realize that nothing bad is going to happen and there is no need to worry.
How to Use the Oils
School is a normal place for kids to feel anxious. It could be fear of doing poorly on a test or dealing with an argument with a friend on the playground. The perfect solution is to take along an aromastick to keep in his/her desk or backpack. They have their own personal, portable diffuser that they can use whenever a situation arises. Here’s a simple recipe that I’ve had success with for children 5 and older:
Anxiety can manifest at night. Nightmares can be common, especially in children. Their room is dark and their mind starts racing with thoughts since there are no distractions. Diffusing a blend before bedtime can encourage peaceful thoughts and promote a more restful sleep. Here’s an example of a 5 ml bottle stock blend:
Another idea to lull them to a better night’s sleep is a bath with a splash of hydrosol. Neroli (Citrus aurantium var. amara) would be the stress relieving hydrosol of my choice. The general rule of thumb is “For children up to twelve years, one teaspoon of hydrosol per year of age, with a maximum of eight teaspoons”
Prior to an event that is nerve-racking for the child, use a shower steamer. Shower steamers are molded discs made of natural ingredients, such as baking soda and citric acid, which we can apply essential oils to. When they hit water, they release the aroma. We all know how a hot shower can melt our troubles away. Combine a therapeutic shower with a cheerful aroma and you’ve just turned your happiness up a notch. Plus, kids love shower steamers. They like watching it fizz and enjoy adding a new element to an otherwise boring task.
As previously mentioned, a massage in a 1% dilution could be beneficial. A soothing aromatic shoulder massage can relax tense muscles. Muscle tension is probably the most common physical symptom of anxiety. When I feel anxious, I notice my shoulders rise up and it causes my body to feel out of sorts. By releasing the cortisol in the trapezius muscles, you are encouraging the body and mind to relax and recoup.
Lifestyle Ideas
Part of anxiety with children is the fear of the unknown. Try creating a checklist for them, broken into short, manageable tasks. For example, if the child is afraid of the dentist, list every step that will probably occur during the appointment. Create a checklist on the computer and put it in a protective sleeve. This makes it a dry erase “board”. Have the child check off after completing each occurrence with a dry erase marker. That way they feel accomplished with each completed step and know what to look forward to next. It makes the experience less scary for them. If the child can’t read, use picture clues.
Another therapeutic exercise is to have the child write about their fears in a journal. Addressing your fears, either by writing or speaking, can help alleviate the worrying inside. They are facing their fears, therefore making them easier to tackle.
Lastly, empower the child through positive affirmations. Together with your child, come up with a phrase, for the child to repeat when feeling anxious. Practice this phrase together with confidence. Some children like to have a visual cue. When I was teaching, I would encourage the parent to draw a symbol on the child’s hand as a visual reminder that everything is going to be ok. This is another tool in their toolbox for handling situations that cause anxiousness.
Final Thoughts
As a parent or teacher, when do you know when it's just feelings of anxiousness versus a disorder? Generally speaking, if the anxiety impedes on the child’s desire to participate in normal activities and hinders their daily activities , it is something that should be brought up to his/her pediatrician.
If it ends up being a disorder, I encourage you to speak to a qualified aromatherapist who will work with your pediatrician and behavior therapist to ensure success.
References:
1.Mehta, S., Stone, D. N. and Whitehead, H. F. (1998), Use of essential oil to promote induction of anaesthesia in children. Anaesthesia, 53: 720–721. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2044.1998.537q-az0584q.x.
2. Jafarzadeh, M., Arman, S., & Pour, F. F. (2013). Effect of aromatherapy with orange essential oil on salivary cortisol and pulse rate in children during dental treatment: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Advanced Biomedical Research, 2, 10. http://doi.org/10.4103/2277-9175.107968)
3. Catty, Suzanne (2001), Hydrosols: the Next Aromatherapy. Rochester, Vermont: Healing Arts Press.
This article was originally published in the March 2017 issue of AromaCulture Magazine and has been adapted for use here with permission from the publisher.