A common blend for relaxation is lavender and chamomile, which has been found to reduce anxiety and promote sleep. Everyone has their own response to different smells, so trying a few different scents or blends of essential oils can help you find the most relaxing ones for you.
Lavender. The scent of lavender is associated with feeling calm, and for good reason. It may help lower blood pressure, calm the nervous system, and even improve your mood. 9. Smelling lavender may have a relaxing effect without making your mind feel cloudy or foggy.
Lavender
This oil helps to calm your mind, which helps provide mental clarity. Also, studies show that lavender can affect the nervous system to help with neurological disorders, as well as increase alertness.
Lavender, chamomile, vanilla, jasmine, and valerian are the most common scents that are marketing to help you relax and de-stress. While some of these are more pungent than others (we're looking at you, valerian), you can often find them combined with other smells that offset the strong scent.
The comforting scent is an excellent way to make a room feel cozy. Citrus scents, such as lemon or orange, are fresh, fragrant and long-lasting. Aromatic herbs, such as rosemary, thyme and basil, are familiar and refreshing, as well as welcoming, especially in the kitchen.
Orange, grapefruit, and lemon are all energizing and uplifting scents," says Cynthia LaBonte, aromatherapist and herbalist at Newport Aromatherapy. "We associate citrus with cleanliness. Their top notes go straight up the sinuses to the head and make us feel better, fitter, and even more confident and in control."
The sense of smell can and should be used to reduce tension and stress. That is why there is a relaxing, stress reducing type of spa treatment called aroma therapy, much like massage therapy, but using pleasant scents to arrive at the same goal.
Take a shower and call it a day
There's just something about the clean, subtle scent of a soap or body wash. A scented bar of soap, body wash, or shower gel offers up just a hint of fresh fragrance. Unscented body wash and soaps without added fragrance do the trick, too.
A common blend for relaxation is lavender and chamomile, which has been found to reduce anxiety and promote sleep. Everyone has their own response to different smells, so trying a few different scents or blends of essential oils can help you find the most relaxing ones for you.
One study found that bergamot, lavender, and lemon essential oils are particularly therapeutic. Using your sense of smell, they prompt your brain to release serotonin and dopamine.
A small 2017 study supports this finding, suggesting euphoric essential oil aromas (such as lavender) can lead to endorphin release. You can try other euphoric oils, including: rosemary. citrus fragrances such as orange, grapefruit, or bergamot.
Peppermint.
The scent is known for boosting attentiveness. In a brainstorming session, use peppermint oil to invigorate the mind and soon your team could have all the right ideas.
The hippie culture emphasized unbounded love and inclusiveness. Patchouli oil is known for its calming and libido-enhancing effect, which made it popular among the hippies.
May promote relaxation
Eucalyptus is widely believed to decrease symptoms of stress. In one study, 62 healthy people experienced significant reductions in pre-surgery anxiety after inhaling eucalyptus oil. Eucalyptus contains eucalyptol, which has been found to possess anti-anxiety properties ( 14 ).
The study suggests the human body produces chemical signals, called pheromones. And these scents affect how one person perceives another. Scientists have demonstrated the effects of pheromones in a whole range of animals, including insects, rodents, squid and reptiles.
Use adjectives.
Adjectives can describe the general, overall quality of the smell. Wispy, rancid, airy, musty, stale, fresh, putrid, faint, light, floral, and acrid are all adjectives that could pertain to smell. Smell origins may take the form of a noun (the smell of leather) or an adjective (a leathery smell).
Use essential oils
To smell naturally good, going natural is the answer. Essential oils have been a part of aromatherapy for centuries. While perfumes also derive their notes from nature, choosing an all-natural essential oil can make you smell fresh, moisturize your skin and treat skin problems as well.
Scents send signals to our limbic system, which is the sector of the brain that controls memory and emotion. According to a 2011 study conducted by Masahiro et al, positive emotions, which can be elicited by certain fragrances have been proven to lower stress levels and improve overall mental outlook.
But some evidence suggests it might have benefits. For example, a review published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that aromatherapy might help relieve depressive symptoms. However, you shouldn't rely on it alone to treat depression.