The first step in releasing negative emotions is awareness. Often, we are aware of the “things” that stress us out, overwhelm us or make us angry. But what we need to focus on is the “why” – the root issues behind our emotions.
If you’re not sure where to start with your own emotions, start by looking at the people you’re always around. Often, we are most irritated by the problems we subconsciously recognize in ourselves but we recognize externally in other people. Also, fear is often an underlying cause of instinctual emotional reactions.
It’s best to work through one emotion, one situation, one memory at a time.
Take your chosen oil and apply it to your wrists and the back of your neck. Then cup your hands over your nose and breathe deeply.
Focus on your emotion and your “why.”
Then begin to let go of the negative emotion and start focusing on the opposite side of that emotion, or how you want to feel about the situation or memory.
If you are working through a deep-seated memory, this process will take time.
For example, it's the holiday season, the kids have cabin fever, your in-laws are coming in town in a few days, the house looks like a disaster zone, the presents you ordered online are delayed and you have a to-do list that's so long you don't even know where to start. Sound familiar?!
Chances are you're feeling overwhelmed, stressed, chaotic and anxious. Grounding or Bergamot would be an excellent choice.
Looking deeper at these emotions you realize they are driven by a fear of failure. That you will fail as a mom by not giving your kids a storybook Christmas. That you will fail as a daughter-in-law by not being the gracious host with the beautiful decorations you envision yourself to be.
Now that you understand the root of your emotions, apply your oil and inhale it deeply. Begin to shift your focus to the positive. Focus on welcoming your family into your home with joy, on allowing yourself and your kids grace, on connecting and building memories as a family, and on releasing all the expectations you've put on yourself.
Then when your in-laws come through the door, roll on some Valor, feel any remaining self-doubt melt away, and make it the best Christmas yet!
Remember, everyone's body and emotional responses are different. So, try a few different oils to see which one's resonate best with you!
We know that not everyone shares the same faith and belief as us .... but we as believers we also use these triggers as a time to reflect on giving things over to the Lord and making sure that what we are feeling is in line with who He says we are and what lies we might have been believing about ourselves. Take time to release those lies and focus on the truth of who Jesus is and who we are in Him.
For more in-depth information we recommend the books “Feelings Buried Alive Never Die” & “Releasing Emotional Patterns With Essential Oils”.