Take a deep breath and let these powerful herbal extracts relax you. Essential oils are always associated with relaxation, wellness treatments, health and a sense of comfort. Research shows that inhaling essential oils is a good remedy, especially if you feel anxious.
What are essential oils?
The practice of using essential oils is known as aromatherapy. These oils are highly concentrated liquids that are extracted either by distillation or by manual processes such as cold pressing.
Be sure to always look for blends made from 100% essential oils. Be careful with vague, unregulated expressions on the label like: “fragrant oil,” writes Very Well Mind.
Advantages of using essential oils
Essential oils act by inhalation or topically. They can be used on the skin, and many of them help fight acne, and some even hydrate the skin and make it radiant. But when you smell them, then feel the blessings of mind and body.
Studies have shown that essential oils absorb odor receptors in your nose that are connected to the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls our emotional reactions.
This in turn affects heart function, blood pressure and the nervous system. Essential oils are also inhaled into the lungs, where they enter the bloodstream and affect hormones through the endocrine system, where they can alter the body’s stress response.
How to use essential oils to relieve stress and calm the mind
Although they are natural, essential oils are still strong and should be used with caution. A diffuser is the most common way of releasing into the air. Close your eyes, loosen your shoulders, and take several deep breaths before returning your breathing to normal.
Just add a few drops to a bowl of hot water and apply the same rules. But 30 to 60 minutes is the recommended waiting time because the smell can become too intense.
Rollerball applied to the temples and pulse points on the joints is also a good way to relax with essential oils. Apply a rollerball to your wrists and palms and breathe deeply five times to get rid of the tension.
Sleep problems?
Pour a tablespoon of essential oil (jojoba or coconut oil), add five drops of your favorite essential oil to the jar and mix well in the bath water. Or use a pre-mixed mist to relax.
Over time, we create a connection in the brain that connects the smell with the experience of calm and sleep, so rituals like this can help you improve your sleep quality.
When you consider that the fastest way to change your mood is through a scent, oils are an ideal way to relax more easily and minimize stress.
If you are taking medication or suffering from a chronic medical condition, ask your doctor before you start practicing aromatherapy.
Lavender essential oil
This purple flowering plant contains the compound linalool which has a sedative effect. Smell increases alpha waves in the front of the brain, encouraging you to relax. Numerous studies have shown that lavender also has a physical effect, lowers blood pressure and helps the body produce melatonin, a hormone that promotes restful sleep.
Chamomile essential oil
According to the National Cancer Institute, a two-week clinical trial investigated the effects of chamomile oil massage in people with cancer. The study found that massage with this diluted oil helps reduce anxiety and other symptoms more than the massage itself.
Bergamot essential oil
If you’ve ever had a cup of Earl Gray tea, you’re already familiar with the soothing floral aroma of bergamot or bitter orange. A study published in the journal Physiology & Behavior found that patients who smelled orange oil while waiting for a dental procedure reduced anxiety and improved mood compared to those who listened to soothing music and those who had no stimulation at all.
Sage
It is known to work against spasms, so it will reduce muscle stress for a restful night’s sleep. A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology also found that sage has antidepressant properties and that the effect of the oil was closely linked to dopamine, a hormone that always makes us feel good.
Lemon grass
This is not an oil that people automatically associate with stress relief. But in a study published in the journal Alternative and Complementary Medicine, scientists measured an immediate drop in anxiety levels in people who inhaled three to six drops of the scent.
