Stress is estimated to be the leading factor in at least 80 percent of all illness. Of all types of stress, job-related is the most prevalent for adults (1). Studies show that more heart attacks occur between eight and nine on Monday morning than at any other time of day or week (2). In our high-achieving culture, we’ve even begun to identify with stress, as if without it one is inefficient, unimportant, or without worth. How does one break out of this rut to reestablish inner peace, clarity and deep wellness?

Ultimately, we must deal with the core causes of our stress by creating for ourselves right livelihood, a manageable workload, a pleasant work environment, and a daily routine that includes time for self-nourishment and reflection. Even some easy adjustments to our shift hours can ease the symptoms of stress and slow their compounding effects while we initiate healthy habits towards a workweek of wellness.

There are three simple stress-relieving actions you can integrate into your work hours right now: stay hydrated, take short breaks, and hire herbs, flower essences and essential oils as your right-hand-plants, so to speak.

Holistic herbalism takes into account the whole being—mind, body and spirit—thereby addressing the concerns of each unique individual. It also ensures that recommendations are healthy for not only the person but their planet as well. Herbalism takes into account what type of person has a disease rather than what type of disease the person has. Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of healing that helps ascertain a person’s intrinsic nature in order to create a personalized health plan.

To create a personalized Ayurveda herbal plan for relieving your stress, you need to first assess whether your primary tendency is to become overwhelmed and scattered, irritable and frustrated, or stuck and lethargic when faced with workplace stress. You may experience a combination of these traits, but usually one predominates.

Those who lean towards the scattered and anxious side of stress should consider balancing vata. Vata is formed by air and ether, therefore vata aggravation can cause dryness, cold symptoms that move around the body, gas, popping or cracking joints, and mental exhaustion, over-stimulation, flightiness and dementia.

Vatas need to remember to drink pure water throughout the day. The key word here being “remember.” With so much going on at once, especially in their minds, visionary vatas tend to spread themselves thin at work, starting many projects and not finishing any of them. Details get buried and time flies. Work with your co-workers to remind each other to consistently drink water. If one person is getting a glass, have them get one for you and vice versa. Room temperature or lukewarm water is best for anyone but especially vatas, whose symptoms are exacerbated by cold. Using a glass or ceramic pitcher, add rosemary, thyme, or tulsi (also known as holy basil, culinary basil will suffice) leaves. These warming herbs promote mental alertness, improve memory and concentration and allay gas and bloating. Add fresh lemon slices to promote confidence and clarity in a vexed vata as well as ward off stress-induced viruses to which vatas are susceptible. Orange slices also boost the immune system through their vitamin C content while offering vatas a mellowing mixture. Lavender lemonade would be an ideal drink for vatas in summer, and tulsi and licorice tea in the winter. Tulsi and licorice are both excellent adaptogens for vatas.

Everyone who experiences stress on the jobsite would be wise to take adaptogenic herbs daily. Named after their ability to support the whole being in dealing with physical, mental and emotional stress, adaptogens are excellent allies. For vatas, I choose tulsi for its warming nature and licorice for its moistening quality. Use caution with licorice, however, as it is contraindicated in pregnancy and for those with high blood pressure.

For those who tend to become irritable and frustrated when faced with stress, make cooling herbs your new co-worker. Hydration is essential for the fiery pitta type, for whom stress makes one feel like exploding, lashing out or creating conflict.

Pittas should add lime to their water since lime has similar antimicrobial and immune boosting attributes as lemon but is cooling rather than heating. Mint leaves will rejuvenate pittas at work while helping them keep their cool. Mint limeade would be particularly perfect for the pitta working outdoors in the sun or in an aggressive executive role.

Essential oils should be cooling and calming, and flower essences should temper anger for pittas. Adaptogens that work effectively with pittas can include Urtica (nettles) and Eleuthrococcus (Siberian ginseng). Nettles’ high mineral content alkalizes the blood of pitta types who tend towards over-acidity. Eleuthro helps maintain stamina in those who like to be very physical and are always striving for perfection.

If your tendency is to feel stuck and bored at work, longing to throw in the towel or curl up and take a nap when difficulties arise, consider ways to pacify kapha. Composed of earth and water, kaphas tend towards stagnancy, especially when stress leads to complacency and/or depression. Citrus essential oils inhaled throughout the day offer rejuvenation and raised spirits.

For kaphas, Rhodiola rosea is a powerful adaptogen that invigorates and stimulates those who have lost their stamina while allaying fatigue and depression. Essential oils for kapha are generally spicy and pungent. Choose flower essences that promote self-confidence and stick-to-itiveness.

All the aforementioned adaptogens make nice tea blends or can be taken as tinctures, which are easy to carry with you and require no preparation time to make. Whatever types of stress you face at work, remember to employ herbs to help you enjoy your day!

STRESS-BUSTING SPRITZERS
Spritzers are a great way to hydrate. Dehydration is a common problem at work and can cause exhaustion, headaches, muscle and joint pain. A glass misting bottle with a blend of essential oils (EOs) flower essences and water can be kept on your desk or in your pocket.

NO WORRIES VATA SPRITZER
4 oz spring water
15 drops orange EO
15 drops rosewood EO
10 drops ginger EO
6 drops elm flower essence
5 drops aloe flower essence
3 drops lavender flower essence
3 drops rescue remedy flower essence blend

PEACEFUL PITTA SPRITZER
2 oz spring water
2 oz rosewater
7 drops rose EO
7 drops geranium EO
7 drops chamomile EO
7 drops lavender EO
5 drops sustainably grown sandalwood EO
3 drops chamomile flower essence
4 drops snapdragon flower essence
5 drops impatiens flower essence

CAN-DO KAPHA SPRITZER
2 oz spring water
2 oz orange flower water
5 drops cinnamon EO
10 drops ginger EO
5 drops grapefruit EO
15 drops geranium EO
5 drops wild rose flower essence
3 drops mustard flower essence

Sources: (1)The American Institute of Stress at www.stress.org/job.htm (2)"Monday Morning Bad for Your Health" at http://edition.cnn.com/2005/BUSINESS/02/03/monday.
pressure/index.htm

Ceara Foley is a certified herbalist and beekeeper, steward of Soulflower Botanical Sanctuary, and co-founder of NC Plant Savers and NC American Herbalist’s Guild. She serves on the NC Natural Products Association Board and is director of the Southeast’s oldest herbal studies school: Appalachia School of Holistic Herbalism. She will be teaching at the Southeast Women’s Herbal Conference in September; for more information about the Conference, visit www.sewisewomen.com.

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