This month is Stress Awareness Month, so we wanted to take this opportunity to find ways to relax. In this article, we explored aromatherapy by compiling a list of 10 calming scents to help you relax and unwind, along with a few ideas on how to use them for stress relief.
CALMING SCENTS TO HELP YOU RELAX
All scents featured below are considered to have calming properties. When choosing a scent for essential oils or reed diffusers, for example, it is important to choose the ones that you find are pleasant. These scents will be the most attractive for soothing your mind. If you choose a scent for its calming properties but don’t like it, the scent will have almost no effect on relaxing you.
FRANKINCENSE
The woody and spicy fragrance of frankincense makes it one of the most calming because it actively slows down the breathing process and enables you to take long, deep breaths to calm you down.
LAVENDER
Soothing, calming and relaxing, lavender is one of the most popular scents for relaxation, thanks to the potent relaxing effects of linalool, a fragrant alcohol found in lavender extracts.
ROMAN CHAMOMILE
Roman chamomile is calming, balancing and deeply relaxing, producing a gentle and restorative effect – a viable choice for calming meditations.
NEROLI
A light, sweet and floral fragrance with an element of citrus, Neroli is considered to have calming, soothing and uplifting effects with the ability to enhance mental wellbeing by relieving stress and anxiety.
SWEET MARJORAM
This delicate herb has a sweet, floral and lightly spiced scent, which may induce calm and relaxation on both the body and mind while relieving nervous stress and anxiety.
YLANG-YLANG
The exotic fragrance of ylang-ylang calms, uplifts and creates a sense of peace, making it ideal for aromatherapy techniques, such as massage, or for meditation.
CLARY SAGE
Clary sage offers a sweet, musky and herbaceous fragrance. Its sedative properties may induce feelings of relaxation, clarity and calmness while alleviating dizziness, anxiety and irritability.
SANDALWOOD
With its deep, woody scent that is cooling and relaxing, sandalwood has been used in incense as a meditation aid for centuries; it calms irritation and quietens the mind.
ROSE
The sweet, refreshing scent of rose essential oils and rose water can help reduce stress and anxiety, helping you to relax and unwind.
JASMINE
Sensual, rich and sweet. The floral scent of jasmine is considered uplifting and calming.
HOW TO RELIEVE STRESS WITH CALMING SCENTS
There are several ways to incorporate aromatherapy into your daily routine. Here are some ideas.
SELF-MASSAGE WITH CALMING ESSENTIAL OILS
Massage is one of the best ways to relieve physical tension. A full body massage with appropriate essential oils is a great way to relieve stress and calm the mind. When getting a professional massage is not possible, self-massage can be beneficial for stress relief.
Focus on your neck, shoulders and chest, as well as your scalp if stress gives you a headache. Use your hands to apply a massage oil that contains essential oils, such as lavender, marjoram and chamomile onto your skin. Then use tools, such as massage balls and rollers against tense muscles.
TAKE A FRAGRANCED BATH
A warm bath is one of the best ways to relax and unwind. Add a few drops of one of the essential oils mentioned above to the water or use scented products, such as bath bombs or organic body wash, for the ultimate bath.
LIGHT A SCENTED CANDLE
Candles create a peaceful atmosphere, helping you to focus and reach a calm state of mind. Choose candles with calming scents and enjoy the relaxing benefits of aromatherapy and candlelight.
SPRAY YOUR LINEN
Add a few drops of a calming essential oil to your pillow or fabric refresher spray and apply it to your sheets and duvet just before bed for a restful night. You can either buy a linen spray or make your own with a blend of your favourite calming scents.
USE DURING YOGA PRACTICE OR MEDITATION
Calming essential oils make a great addition to your meditation practice or Savasana – the final resting pose at the end of almost every yoga practice – as they can help calm your mind and transition it to a meditative state.
