If you doubt the power of aromatherapy then let me ask you something. Have you ever smelled something that brought back a powerful memory? Maybe it was a type of soap that your mom used to bath you when you were a kid. You smell it again at random and the memories of bath time come rushing back and so vividly.
I would bet that many of you have had a similar experience with other smells like food or perfume that bring you back to a certain time in your life.
If a smell can do that then think about all the other things that a smell can do. If you are stressed, tired or feeling low then the right essential oil can help.
In this article, I will go over several of the ways that aromatherapy can help you overcome many of the things that may be holding you back in life.
1 – Destress
There are a lot of wild claims about essential oils out there, but one of the proven ways that they do actually work is to help relieve stress.
Certain oils have scents that bind to receptors in the brain that decrease cortisol. Cortisol is the chemical that elevates stress levels and can also impact your health when you have high levels.
Oils like lavender, chamomile and bergamot release a pleasant scent that are very effective at lowering cortisol levels.
There are diffusers that can spread the scent around so you get the full benefit of the oils. Put some oil in an electric diffuser in a room and within minutes you can start feeling some stress relief. Diffuser jewelry is also very effective and can be worn so you enjoy the effects throughout your day to avoid stress in the first place.
Taking a bath with a few drops of calming oils is also helpful. The steam will help diffuse the oils so you can breathe them in and start to feel the relief. The warm water also relaxes you so it is a very effective way to lower your stress levels.
2 – Depression
Again, think back to when you’ve smelled something that brought back a fond memory. Sometimes a simple smell can make us feel really good. Realtors often bake cookies before an open house as the aroma from the cookies makes people feel good and gives them a positive impression of the house.
If you are feeling down and need a lift to get through the day, then using the right oils can be very helpful. There have been studies that suggest that clinically depressed people that use aromatherapy can reduce the dosage of their medication to treat depression.
Citrus oils are especially effective at helping to boost your brain and lower your depressive symptoms. Eucalyptus oil, lavender and frankincense all help to relieve depression. Of course, using essential oils is no substitute for seeing a medical professional as depression is a serious disease.
3 – Meditation
If you like to practice meditation to help you stay healthy mentally, then you can enhance the experience by adding aromatherapy to your sessions.
Putting a diffuser on in the space where you plan to meditate will help you slip into your trancelike state much easier. Using oils that promote relaxation are usually best, but it does also depend on what type of meditation you are trying to practice.
Clary sage is one of the best to use as it purifies the air and helps the mind to relax. It is very fragrant and has been used in medicine for thousands of years. If you are having a hard time to get into a meditative state then this is a way to break through that barrier.
Other helpful oils are vetiver as it helps you to focus, patchouli as it is synonymous with meditation and sandalwood to reduce stress.
4 – Massage
A relaxing massage is not only good for your muscles, it is also good for your mind. And when you add aromatherapy to the massage then you can gain a lot of other benefits.
For instance, peppermint oil is very good at loosening tight muscles with its menthol qualities. The scent will also awaken your senses and stimulate your brain. You will feel rejuvenated inside and out with the use of the oil in your massage.
If you are looking to relax during the massage and destress, then lavender is a perfect oil for that. There are dozens of oils that work well for a massage, you just have to decide how you want to feel and go from there.
1 comment
wonderful article