A – Aromatherapy
Starting the ABC’s of Mental Wellness off right with Aromatherapy. I would consider this on the “A Team” of tools that can help get the mind and body in a healthy and calm zone. It was hard picking just one “A” to begin this series. I could go on and on about anxiety, acupuncture, or even something as simple as the benefits of air. All of these A’s are as deserving as the rest, however, this post will focus on the Mental Wellness tool of Aromatherapy.
What is it?
Aromatherapy has gained a lot of attention in recent years. It is also known as essential oil therapy and utilizes extracts that are naturally derived from different plants, flowers, roots to promote health and a sense of overall balance. I am sure several of your friends have opened up their own essential oil shops and are posting all about it on Facebook. Maybe that part of aromatherapy isn’t quite as beneficial and instead annoying. Despite the repetitive posts on your NewsFeed about their essential oil shops, those Facebook friends are actually onto something.
How can it help?
Despite the recent attention aromatherapy has been getting, scientists are still dealing with some bigger issues in the world (fair enough) and there is limited research out there about the benefits of aromatherapy. The research that is out there has found that the use of essential oils has health benefits such as reduction of stress, anxiety, and depression. Improved sleep is another awesome benefit of the use of aromatherapy and improved quality of life for some individuals that have chronic pain. The use of essential oils has also been shown to increase alertness and memory. Aromatherapy can help to increase the immune system and create an overall calming effect.
Aromatherapy may not be a “cure” for depression, anxiety, stress, or pain, however, it can help aid in the process towards feeling better. Some people are going as far as trying to reduce use of medications and replace it with aromatherapy. Remember, it is always important to consult with your doctor before making any major changes to your health routines and medications.
How to use it?
There are different ways to use Aromatherapy. It can be a scent in the background of your home through the use of a diffuser. A diffuser mixes the essential oils with water and then creates a mist that will permeate the room. You can also use the diffuser in a smaller space and practice a meditation or deep breathing exercise. They can be mixed with scentless lotions or put directly on the skin. Using essential oils in a bath can be another way to to help create moments of calm. In order to get the most benefits out of aromatherapy, utilize mindfulness. Be present in the moment. Smell the scent of the oil. Feel the texture of the oil, mist, or bath. Let passing thoughts of things outside of the room continue on their path and be in this space with this tool. Below you will find some helpful essential oils for the following conditions:
Anxiety
Basil
Geranium
Lemon-scented ironbark, Lavender
Sweet Orange
Palmarosa
Patchouli
Petitigrain bigarade, Orange bigarade, bergamot
Depression
Burn Out
Basil
Peppermint
Fatigue
Citronella
Clary
Coriander
Geranium
Ginger
Grapefruit
Spearmint
Sleep
Angelica
Bergamot
Juniper berry
Lavender
Lemon balm
Neroli bigarade
Roman chamomile
Ylang ylang
For more information and specifics about aromatherapy, research, and other resources visit the following link for the article Essential oils used in aromatherapy: A systemic review.
Products I love 💕
Diffusers
I have two different diffusers that I use and love.
Wood Grain Essential Oil Diffuser
I personally love the look of this diffuser. It adds a bit of decor to your space so it is not only an awesome diffuser but pleasant to look at.
LED Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser
This diffuser is simple, elegant, and cheap. It’s probably the cheapest of the bunch and it works great! It had awesome LED lights that add to the whole sensory package.
Essential Oils
The Radha starter kit is a great way for anyone that is just beginning the process of aromatherapy. It comes with a guide that tells you which oils are helpful for which problems you’re experiencing.
The Healing Solutions best blends includes blends of pure essential oils so you don’t have to do the mixing yourself. It includes blends for sleep, stress relief, head relief, deep muscle relief, and breathing.
Conclusion
I have found the use of aromatherapy to be a beneficial part of my own mental wellness and an excellent tool to use in the therapeutic setting with my clients. Scents can stimulate positive parts of our brain to help increase a sense of alertness, reduce stress, or create calm. What are some benefits you’ve found from using aromatherapy in your life?
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