Aromatherapy and Essential Oils – Fragrant Mood Lifting Therapy
Is there a particular scent that makes you feel happy or relaxed whenever you smell it? That’s because a fragrance can stimulate a powerful emotional reaction when you inhale it. Some scents make you remember fond memories. Some make you more aware of the present moment. This is one of the reasons why aromatherapy has become so popular for lifting mood and relieving stress.
If you haven’t tried essential oils, you could be missing out on a good thing! They’re easy to use and can be combined with conventional treatments and other ‘alternative’ therapies. They’re generally safe to use, although you need to take a bit of caution because they can cause allergic reactions or skin irritations if applied directly on the skin. Some are also toxic when ingested.
How To Use Essential Oils to Lift Your Mood
You can incorporate aromatherapy into your lifestyle using the following methods.
- Diffusion. With a diffuser, you can fill the entire room with the fragrance of essential oils.
- Room sprays. You can mix essential oils and water and put them in a spray bottle. Premixed essential oils are also available in the market. Just make sure you don’t buy synthetic fragrances because they won’t have the same benefits that essential oils provide.
- Massage. Dilute essential oils with a massage oil or carrier oil, such as avocado oil or coconut oil. Remember not to apply it directly to the skin without diluting first to avoid skin irritation.
- Baths. Some bath and shower products contain essential oils, which is great for a relaxing bath after a long day.
Mood-Boosting Essential Oils To Try
Here are some essentials that can boost your mood and make you feel better.
- Peppermint Oil
If you’re feeling fatigued, inhaling peppermint oil fragrance can invigorate you. It’s also effective in naturally boosting your exercise performance, and you know that exercise is a good way to improve your mood.
- Rosemary Oil
Rosemary essential oil is an effective mood-lifting scent because it can stimulate brainwave activity. It’s also useful in helping focus and improving memory.
- Lemon Oil
Citrus fruit fragrances have always been associated with uplifting feelings. Lemon oil is a natural stress reliever because it can stimulate the production of the happy hormones, serotonin and dopamine.
- Sandalwood Oil
Sandalwood oil is perfect to use when you meditate. It provides therapeutic effects on the limbic system of the brain, which enables balanced emotions.
- Chamomile Oil
You know that chamomile tea is good to drink if you want to relax. Even its scent is enough to lift your mood! Chamomile has relaxing and sedating properties that help you feel at peace.
- Jasmine Oil
If you love floral scents, jasmine essential oil is a good choice. It promotes romance and a sense of good well-being. It calms the nervous system and eases anxiety.
- Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus has that fresh and cool scent. This essential oil can help boost your energy and stimulate brain activities.
- Lavender Oil
If you need to calm your mind and body, lavender oil can provide that effect. It’s known to lessen anxiety, and studies have shown its effects in reducing work-related stress symptoms.
- Lemongrass Oil
Lemongrass oil can help reduce tension in the body and anxiety with its relaxation effects. It also helps promote a sense of overall well-being.
- Ylang-Ylang Oil
Ylang-ylang also has a pleasing, clean floral scent that’s calming and relaxing. This essential oil has also been found to reduce blood pressure, decrease body temperature, and regulate stress hormone levels. Studies show that it can boost your self-esteem.
Other great essential oils to try:
- Frankincense and vetiver for a welcoming environment
- Tangerine for boosting your spirits instead of craving for sweets
- Cedarwood for a calming bath before sleep
- Dill for when you’re feeling overwhelmed
- Cinnamon for an instant boost in mood
- Rose to reduce adrenaline and calm you down
- Black pepper to warm your body
Essential oils can shift your mood with their properties that can trigger the production of happy hormones and a shift in stress response and emotions. If you’re feeling low, try one or more of the above essential oils. Remember to buy only pure essential oils and not artificial fragrances to ensure that you’ll receive the benefits. Also, essential oils should not replace any medications you’re taking. As always, it’s best to consult your doctor to avoid any adverse reactions.
If you have pets in your home make sure you check and see if the oils are toxic to your pets. Many of them are extremely dangerous to cats and dogs and just diffusing them can comprise your pet’s health.
“Allow things in your life which make your heart sing, feed your soul or nourish you on a daily basis.”
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