5 Essential Oils That Can Reduce Stress for Relaxation #essentialoils #stress #relaxation #aromatherapy
In your quest to reduce stress and promote relaxation, have you tried essential oils?
The perfume industry has long been aware that smell is intensely linked to both memory and emotion, perhaps more than any other sense.
And lately, people have opted to take their scents into their own hands with aromatherapy using essential oils for a variety of purposes, including stress relief and relaxation.
What is Aromatherapy?
First of all, it helps to know a little more about what aromatherapy is.
Put simply, aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils for the purpose of healing your body or mind.
These intense aromatic compounds are derived from plants and have the power to change and influence mood, memory, and emotion.
The two main methods of aromatherapy include inhaling the oils, perhaps using a diffuser, or applying them to your skin for a topical treatment.
Pure essential oils must always be diluted before they come into contact with your skin.
How do Essential Oils Reduce Stress?
Stress is one of the hazards of modern life.
Unfortunately, stress has been linked to many health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.
An easy solution for easing chronic stress is aromatherapy using essential oils.
They are effective for reducing stress and promoting sleep or relaxation because of the close connection between emotion and the sense of smell.
5 Essential Oils for Stress Relief
There are many ways to use essential oils.
Some people like to use a diffuser which disperses the scent while purifying the air.
Others benefit from rubbing diluted essential oils onto their skin, especially at acupressure points, or wearing a necklace diffuser.
Practicing mindfulness and focusing on the scent and your other senses while using essential oils can help you reap the most benefits.
Essential oils can be very effective in helping to reduce stress and boost relaxation.
Here are some of the best oils for stress relief:
1. Rose
Rose is one of the first essential oils many people use for aromatherapy.
A sweet, floral, emotional scent, rose has been popular throughout history.
Rose belongs to the group of floral essential oils that not only have a subtle smell, but have some exceptional healing benefits as well.
Rose essential oil is good for many things, but especially if you have emotional or mental health issues, particularly with stress.
Recent studies have found that rose essential oil can serve as a relaxation and anti-anxiety aid.
A little rose essential oil for aromatherapy can really help to de-stress you, offer gentle relaxation, and help you sleep if anxiety or stress is keeping you up at night.
2. Lavender
Lavender is the most common essential oil that's used for relaxation and calming purposes.
It's great for releasing stress and tension, relieving anxiety, and making you feel more relaxed and peaceful.
This scent is the most widely researched and commonly used for relaxation, promoting sleep, and reducing stress.
It has also been used to treat depression and anxiety.
Some medical professionals even use lavender essential oil to reduce stress in doctor’s offices and before surgery.
This is another great starter scent for aromatherapy since it is easy to find just about anywhere, and has a mild scent that most people are familiar with.
One way to use it is to put it in your bath as you soak, where you'll also benefit from its amazing aromatherapy properties.
Another way to use it is to diffuse the lavender oil into the air, particularly in your bedroom before you go to bed to help you relax and fall asleep more easily.
Lavender is so calming and relaxing, you might want to use it every day or even multiple times a day.
This scent is wonderful for stress, mood issues, insomnia, and to help aid better concentration.
3. Grapefruit
The next scent on this list may surprise you, grapefruit essential oil.
But it is good to mix and match scents when you can, instead of just sticking to one group, like florals.
Grapefruit is a citrus oil with a fresh, fruity scent.
It is refreshing and invigorating, which makes it great for fatigue and giving you energy in the morning.
Grapefruit can also help to relieve headaches, and helps with stress and mental fatigue as well.
Bergamot, perhaps best known for its contribution to Earl Grey tea, is another citrus fruit hybrid.
Traditionally used in Italian folk medicine, the unique scent of bergamot essential oil has been shown to reduce anxiety, promote sleep, and relieve symptoms of chronic stress.
4. Ylang-Ylang
Ylang-ylang is a unique plant that has a delicate scent and is found in tropical Asia, where it is used medicinally.
Ylang-ylang essential oil has been found to reduce stress, heart rate, and blood pressure and to promote relaxation.
This beautifully floral-scented essential oil will be instantly calming to you as you inhale its scent.
Diffuse this oil, add it to a bath while you soak or dilute it with a carrier oil and use it for a massage oil.
Not only does this oil help with anxiety and depression, but it's known to help aid in relaxation and insomnia.
5. Peppermint
Stress can leave you feeling tired both mentally and physically.
Peppermint essential oil can serve as a perfect pick-me-up and energy boost.
The scent promotes alertness and improved cognitive function.
Additionally, it has been found to relieve headaches and IBS symptoms, and may be used in treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s.
Aromatherapy is a wonderful way to heal your body and mind naturally, without any medications, chemicals, or visits to the doctor.
Whether you opt to use essential oils in the air or on your skin, they can be the perfect relief after a long, stressful day.
These volatile aromatic compounds have been scientifically shown to be calming – plus, they’ll make your house smell great!
Try essential oils and aromatherapy as a natural way to help combat stress in challenging times.
Do remember, if you apply any oils to your skin, they need to be diluted with another oil first.
More ways to reduce stress:
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