
Everyone experiences stress and one of the most common reasons why aromatherapy helps boost relaxation is because it promotes a deep sense of calm and aids in relieving stress. In recent years, aromatherapy has become quite popular and products such as essential oils, candles, and diffusers are now commonly available in most grocery stores.
Aromatherapy is a sort of alternative medicine that uses essential oils taken from flowers, peels of plants, leaves, stems, bark, seeds, and roots. The practice of aromatherapy makes use of essential oils in different ways to help elevate your mood, treat some health problems, and promote overall well-being.
Using aromatherapy and essential oils to boost relaxation is a pleasant experience that also supports your healing process. In this blog post, we explore the reasons why aromatherapy helps boost relaxation and ways to use them.
So How Does Aromatherapy Work?

As stated above, aromatherapy makes use of essential oils obtained from natural plant and herb extracts. Essential oils are concentrated oils that are extracted from flowers, leaves, stems, bark, roots, seeds, and peels of plants. It’s important to remember that not all products made with plant essence are essential oils. Real essential oils are made using a particular process that doesn’t alter the chemistry of the plant.
The main chemical elements of essential oils usually include aldehydes, terpenes, esters, ketones, phenols, alcohols, and oxides. Essential oils are complex substances, with various types of oils typically containing varying amounts of these chemical compounds. Its complex chemical components determine the use of the oil. Each one contains its unique mix of active ingredients, which are said to dictate its fragrance and therapeutic characteristics. This means a particular oil can have different uses. . For example, some oils are used to promote physical healing while others are used to treat swelling or fungal infections.
When it comes to aromatherapy and essential oils, our sense of smell may play a major role. Inhaling these oils stimulates the olfactory system or smell receptors in your nose, which send messages directly to your brain’s limbic system. The limbic system in the brain controls functions like memory, breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and stress levels. Since aromatherapy can trigger memory recall, it especially impacts the amygdala– which serves as a storehouse for emotions and memories.
The Top 3 Reasons Why Aromatherapy Helps Boost Relaxation

1. Relieves Stress and Anxiety to Help Boost Relaxation
Stress is an inevitable part of life, and affects everyone differently. It’s possible for one to feel anxious when stressed, but there are ways to manage it. Aromatherapy can be combined with other stress relief methods like a massage or meditation, to help in relieving stress or anxiety.
Practicing aromatherapy helps calm the mind and body, and it’s perfect for when you’re feeling overwhelmed or facing stressful situations. As you breathe deeply and peacefully, it helps you relax and prepares you for optimal rest.
2. Aromatherapy is a Great Mood Booster
There are several ways in which essential oils can help improve your mood. Depending on the essential oil, aromatherapy can help boost your mood and reduce stress whether you struggle with anxiety or depression. Its calmative properties can help encourage a relaxed environment.
Aromatherapy baths or aromatherapy diffusers are great techniques for creating a peaceful ambiance to boost a positive mood. This method of administration is ideal to help reduces stress, calm your nerves, and relieve tiredness.
3. Promotes Quality Sleep
Inadequate sleep can negatively impact your overall health. When you don’t get enough sleep it can leave you feeling unproductive and lacking energy. Adequate sleep is crucial to brain function, memory, and recovery.
Aromatherapy helps to create a relaxing atmosphere which helps provide a restful night’s sleep. Your body gets exhausted naturally at the right time and you’re able to sleep peacefully through the night, and energized to face the day. Integrating essential oils into your sleep schedule can even help restore your circadian rhythms.
Some essential oils are known for their natural sedative properties and can be used to promote quality sleep and deep relaxation. Examples of essential oils with a sedative effect for dealing with sleeping disorders include lavender, jasmine, and chamomile.
The Various Ways You Can Use Aromatherapy at Home

Essential oils are quite potent and you should dilute them with carrier oils before use. Extremely powerful, these oils are concentrated to use alone. They may cause redness or irritation if not used properly. Carrier oils are oils used to dilute essential oils and are usually extracted from nuts or seeds. Some popular carrier oils include coconut oil, almond oil, olive oil, and avocado oil.
There are several ways to incorporate aromatherapy into your daily routine. Some of them include; topical application, diffusers, and inhalation.
Add a Few Drops to Bath Water:
A common reason people turn to aromatherapy is that it gives your mind a feeling of deep relaxation. You can find comfort and unwind by soaking in a warm bath with a few drops of your oil of choice. This is a great way to incorporate essential oils, especially when going through stressful conditions.
Steam Method:
For this method, you will need a bowl of hot water or a facial steamer along with your favorite essential oil blend. Add a few drops of your essential oil into the hot water or steamer and place a towel over your head as you inhale deeply. This method will help relieve your nasal congestion or sinus blockage and also add a dose of relaxation.
Use Diffusers:
Aromatherapy diffusers are a convenient way of creating a relaxing atmosphere. They basically disperse essential oils into the air and diffuse the scent effectively. There are different types, from reed diffusers to candles and even battery-run candles— to avoid any fire incident.
Topical Application:
Dilute your essential oils with carrier oils and mix them with your lotion, or cream to apply it topically to the skin.
Aromatherapy Massage:
Aromatherapy massage combines gentle strokes with essential oils to help you de-stress. It is a common way of using essential oils especially if you enjoy the scent as part of the healing components of your therapy. It serves a dual purpose as your skin absorbs these oils while you also inhale them. Some scents are believed to trigger positive emotions and may benefit people with depression.
In conclusion, aromatherapy is considered generally safe. However, essential oils can cause side effects like allergic reactions if you use them incorrectly. It is best you do an allergy test if you are new to using essential oils. Also, make sure to dilute them with a good carrier oil of your choice.
Remember each one has its unique chemical component and reason for use. So, be sure to speak with a trained aromatherapist or your healthcare provider before using these oils for healing purposes. They will help recommend the appropriate oil as well as give instructions on the correct application or use of these products.
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