Are You Living in These Emotional States Without Realizing It?
- Elena Zhidkova-Rice
- Sep 10
- 4 min read
By Elena Zhidkova-Rice
Signs You Might Be Stuck in Hidden Stress
Do you ever wake up already tired? Struggle to fall asleep — or wake up at 3 a.m. with racing thoughts? Maybe you feel like you’re moving through life on autopilot, with no spark left.
If so, you’re not alone. More and more people are finding themselves trapped in invisible states of stress, anxiety, and burnout. They don’t always show on the outside — but inside, they drain your energy, your health, and your joy.
Here are just a few examples:
Constant fatigue, even after sleep
Anxiety that doesn’t let you relax
Apathy and loss of motivation
Trouble concentrating or remembering things
Feeling empty, purposeless, or disconnected
Burnout at work and in relationships
These states aren’t “just in your head.” They affect your body, your hormones, your immunity, and your quality of life.
My Story: From Stress and Sleepless Nights to Balance Through Olfactotherapy
A few years ago, I found myself overwhelmed by stress and anxiety. It started to affect my sleep — I would either lie awake for hours or wake up repeatedly during the night.
Doctors prescribed me strong medications. At first, I thought they might help, but in reality, they only made me feel constantly sleepy, drained of energy, and like a zombie moving through life. On top of that, the pills began to affect my digestive system.
That was the breaking point. I knew I needed a more gentle, holistic, and effective approach to balance my emotional state and restore my sleep.
That’s when I discovered French olfactotherapy and aroma diagnostic techniques. While finishing my certification program, I found my special scent — the one essential oil that helped me rebalance my emotions and finally sleep better again.
Through this process, I also learned how different essential oils can be used to support specific emotions and psychological states. It completely transformed my life. Now, I want to share this knowledge and these practical tools with others who are struggling, so they too can find relief and rediscover balance.
Aromatherapy vs. Olfactotherapy: What’s the Difference?
Most people have heard of aromatherapy, but it’s often confused with olfactotherapy. Let’s clear that up.
Aromatherapy is the clinical use of essential oils based on the biochemical and therapeutic properties of their aromatic molecules. Professional aromatherapists can prescribe oils for use on the skin, through diffusion, or even orally and internally. This approach can be powerful, but it also comes with limitations and possible side effects, which is why it should ideally be practiced under the guidance of a trained aromatherapist.
Olfactotherapy, by contrast, works only through inhalation and diffusion. It doesn’t rely on the chemical action of essential oils in the body, but on their direct influence on the limbic system — the brain’s emotional center. By bypassing rational thought, olfactotherapy helps you reconnect with emotions, release stress, and rediscover pleasure, joy, and fulfillment in everyday life.
The big advantage? Olfactotherapy is absolutely safe. Since it uses only inhalation, it has virtually no limitations and is accessible to everyone. All you need is the right essential oil — one that resonates with you personally.
How Olfactotherapy Helps With These States
Let’s take a closer look:
Chronic fatigue & burnout → Certain scents can gently stimulate your nervous system, helping you regain energy without overstimulation.
Anxiety & sleep problems → Soothing aromas can calm the overactive mind and improve sleep quality.
Loss of purpose & motivation → Scents linked to memory and pleasure can reignite creativity and emotional balance.
Emotional breakdowns & irritability → Olfactotherapy helps regulate emotional swings and ease inner tension.
Negative thoughts & self-criticism → Smell has a direct path to the brain’s emotional center, offering relief where words sometimes fail.
Want the Full Emotional Health Checklist?
Reading about these states is one thing… but seeing them written in front of you can be eye-opening. That’s why I created a practical self-assessment checklist with 50 emotional and psychological signs linked to stress, anxiety, and burnout.
Use it to:
Spot hidden patterns in your emotions and energy
Understand how stress may be affecting your mind and body
Take the very first step toward restoring balance and clarity
Final Thoughts
If you recognized yourself in some of these states, don’t ignore them. They’re signals from your body and mind that something needs attention.
Olfactotherapy isn’t magic — but it’s a powerful, natural tool that works with your brain’s deepest pathways. Combined with awareness and self-care, it can help you restore balance, energy, and emotional resilience.
I’ve been where you are — stressed, anxious, exhausted, and sleepless. And I know from experience that there’s a better way forward. If I could find balance with the help of olfactotherapy, you can too.
You deserve to breathe easier, sleep deeper, and feel alive again. Sometimes, all it takes is the right scent to guide you back.
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