Stress can be damaging to the mind and the body. It is important to incorporate methods of reducing stress into our daily routines, and aromatherapy makes it easy to do so. Breathing deeply helps us relax, and adding aromatherapy-the use of scent-help reduce stress even more. Candles, oils, sachets and even pillows are ways to use aromatherapy to reduce stress and relax your mind and body.
Scents that reduce stress
Several scents that are known for their stress- and anxiety-reducing qualities. Try smelling several of them to see which are most appealing to you. Common relaxing aromatherapy scents include:
Store-bought aromatherapy
Buying a sandalwood-scented candle or a pillow filled with lavender and rose petals is an easy, foolproof way to incorporate aromatherapy into your life. You can find these and similar items at health-food stores, bath-and-body stores and department stores.
Essential oils
Essential oils can be carried around and sniffed, used in a bath or applied to pulse points on the body. This makes them an extremely versatile tool for aromatherapy. Some oils are quite strong and need to be diluted before making contact with your skin. Be sure to look up that information on any essential oil before using it.
Dried herbs
Dried herbs can be an inexpensive way to use aromatherapy in your home. Choose herbs such as dried lavender, bergamot and rose, and wrap them up in mesh bags to make fragrant sachets. You also can put them in bowls or containers in strategic places as potpourri. If the dried herbs smell weak by themselves, add a few drops of the corresponding essential oils to kick the fragrance up a notch.
Surrounding ourselves with the right smells-the kind that make us want to breathe deeply-keeps us relaxed and happy, and is a great way to reduce stress. With a few simple tools, it is easy to improve our sense of well-being by incorporating aromatherapy into our lives.
The aromatherapy benefits of tea tree oil make it a favorite among herbalists to treat a variety of health conditions. Tea tree oil has antiseptic as well as antifungal characteristics and is native to Australia. |
Pure essential oils can cause harm if not used correctly; here are some general safety tips and precautions to use when practicing Aromatherapy and using essential oils |
Aromatherapy benefits usually involve stress relief, whether the scents are designed to calm you down or energize a tired immune system. |
Learn about the history of aromatherapy, try some aromatherapy recipes and see what the science of scent can do for you. |
Aromatherapy essential oils work with your sense of smell to restore emotional and physical well-being, |
What is aromatherapy? This article answers that and looks at how aromatherapy has been used throughout history. |
The history of aromatherapy dates back thousands of years, although the latest Western fascination descended in the 19th century. |
A look at what aromatherapy is and how it works. |
Aromatherapy recipes for better sleep, stress relief and skin soothing. |
Descriptions of common essential oils and what they are used for in the practice of aromatherapy. |
Tips for buying and mixing aromatherapy oils. |
Ways to add appeal to your apartment with ancient aromatherapy practices. |
A look at the classifications or notes of essential oils used in aromatherapy and the common carrier oils used with the essential oils |
