I was driving on the highway at 140 KPH, when all of a sudden my feet and hands started to feel numb and my chest started to feel as if it was caving in.  I could not catch my breath and even though I started to feel cold, there was a kind of heat running through me and I was sweating profusely.  I was afraid, and confused and could barely see anything through the tears that had begun to fall.

I slowed the car down, pulled out my phone and called my doctors office to tell them that I was on the highway and I was having a heart attack.

I would find out later on that evening after a hospital visit and several tests, that what I had experienced was actually a panic attack, brought on by severe anxiety.

It wasn't my last time having a panic attack, but it was definitely that most severe one that I had ever had. I would go on to have, many more attacks and make 14 trips to the emergency room in one month.  I actually got to a point where I would go to hospitals in different parts of the city because I was so ashamed.

I was broken, I was tired, I was frustrated and I was sick.

After months of being on all types of anti-depressants, the guilt and shame that I felt from keeping all of this a secret from my family and friends was causing me stress to the point where I was breaking out in hives, I was missing work and I was not being the mother that I needed to be to my son.

I decided to see a Naturopath and after just a couple of visits, she suggested that I try aromatherapy to help calm me any time I felt an attack coming on.  She also suggested prayer and meditation.

Within a couple of months, I could feel a tremendous difference.  When ever I felt like an attack was coming on, I would pull out a kleenex that I had soaked in lavender essential oil, inhale it deeply, take 3 or 4 deep breaths and pray....and IT WORKED!!

Soon the episodes were fewer and farther in between and eventually they disappeared altogether.

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Fast forward several years:  As with most people, in 2020 I had a lot of fearful moments. Thankfully, I have not had another attack, (I believe that's because I still meditate, pray and practice aromatherapy daily), however, my anxiety levels were very high. People with anxiety cannot always just "positively think away" their thoughts. It is much more complicated than that.  It is a chemical imbalance that requires a chemical reaction to help provide some semblance of balance.

Aromatherapy, is one way of helping to provide that balance.  It has worked for me for over 20 years, and if it worked for me, then perhaps it may work for others who may be going through the same thing.

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I am not a medical doctor, nor do I claim to have any sure fire remedies, but I have researched the science of scents and their impact on the brain, and I can say without a doubt that aromatherapy is a great way to help temporarily combat moments of anxiety or panic. 

I have put together a box of things that help me in those moments when I am feeling a little anxious, and I am hoping that they might do the same for you.  The SerenityReigns Collection, offers 3 different boxes to choose from, each put together to help instill calmness, relaxation and peace of mind. I designed them especially for anyone who may suffer from anxiety or has moments where aromatherapy might help to provide relief. At the very least, I hope that this collection will inspire you to take a moment for yourself to just relax.

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Thank you for taking the time to visit my site and to read my story.  Wishing you all mental wellness.

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Love and Light

Denyce