In a world where we can easily be bogged down by the stresses of life, it is important to make time for relaxing and rejuvenating the mind. For centuries, people have used aromatherapy for its many benefits, including its ability to improve mental wellbeing.
Aromatherapy is a form of holistic medicine that uses essential oils to invoke the senses to aid in your overall health. Essential oils are typically sourced from plants and have a wide range of therapeutic benefits, including helping with chronic pain, insomnia and mental health. When used in aromatherapy, essential oils can be inhaled or applied to the skin.
It is understood that essential oils usually work in two ways: by stimulating the senses and affecting the limbic system, which is responsible for regulating hormones and emotions. But can aromatherapy help to improve your mental health and overall wellbeing?
Can Aromatherapy Help With Improving Your Mental Health?
The state of our mental health is essential to how we feel each and every day. It is vital that we proactively make time to care for our psychological wellbeing, just as we would our physical body. When our mental wellbeing is out of balance, it can contribute to developing a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, and stress.
Now, we are not saying aromatherapy is the miracle cure for all mental health issues. The use of essential oils to aid in improving your mental wellbeing should be used as a complementary treatment, alongside a broader treatment plan, which may include other types of therapy and medication.
As well as having the ability to boost your mood and help you relax, essential oils are typically very affordable and incredibly simple to use. Whether you believe that aromatherapy can help with your wellbeing, or you are simply looking for a new way to relax, there is no harm in giving it a go.
Ways Aromatherapy Can Help With Wellbeing
You can opt to incorporate essential oils into your daily routine with ease. By using a room diffuser, applying it to the skin, adding it to your bath or even as a room spray, you can reap the benefits of aromatherapy no matter your lifestyle.
Aromatherapy is seen to offer a range of benefits for mental wellbeing, which may include:
-Reducing anxiety
-Improving sleep quality
-Relieving stress
-Easing depression
-Increasing energy levels
-Aiding concentration
With the above benefits in mind, let's deep dive and explore how aromatherapy can help with your wellbeing in more detail.
Aromatherapy and Depression
Depression is a mood-related mental health disorder that affects millions of people all over the world. Symptoms can include feeling sad, hopeless and having a loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy. Depression can last for a varied period of time, be it days, months or even years, if left untreated.
When left untreated, depression can have a severe effect on your mental health and psychological wellbeing. While there are effective treatments and support available for depression, such as medication and talking therapies, some people may also find aromatherapy to be beneficial.
When we light up our smell receptors with an appropriate essential oil, our body releases feel-good chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. These neurotransmitters can not only improve our mood but also positively affect our overall wellbeing, helping to lessen the symptoms of depression.
Essential Oils for Depression:
- Bergamot
- Ylang ylang
- Lavender
- Chamomile
- Grapefruit
Aromatherapy for Reducing Anxiety
Anxiety is a natural emotion that most of us will feel from time to time. It is our body's way of preparing us for a situation that may be tricky or nerve-racking. However, for some, anxiety can become more frequent and intense, to the point where it interferes with everyday life.
Often triggered by something from our past or uncertainty for the future, anxiety can cause physical side effects such as an increased heart rate, sweating, and issues sleeping.
Aromatherapy is a simple way to help take control of your anxiety and provide some relief. When using essential oils, it can be a brilliant way to help ease the symptoms of anxiety and promote a sense of wellbeing. Due to how compact essential oils are, you can easily take them with you wherever you go, meaning you can have some form of anxiety support available at all times.
Essential Oils for Anxiety:
- Neroli
- Mandarin
- Jasmine
- Frankincense
- Basil
Aromatherapy: Stress Relief Aid
Aromatherapy can help to reduce stress by calming the nervous system. Stress is a condition that is caused by our bodies overreacting to a challenging situation, which can result in physical symptoms such as a headache, increased heart rate, chest pain and trouble sleeping.
While we all experience some element of stress in our lives, it is crucial to find ways to manage it effectively before we become overwhelmed. If left unchecked, stress can lead to more severe conditions such as anxiety and depression, as well as physical ailments.
You can use aromatherapy as a tool to help manage stress. The act of inhaling essential oils can help to slow down our breathing, which in turn can help to lower our heart rate and ease muscle tension.
Essential Oils for Stress:
- Cedarwood
- Eucalyptus
- Lemongrass
- Clary Sage
- Sandalwood
Final Thoughts on Using Aromatherapy for Mental Health and Wellbeing
Aromatherapy is a simple but effective tool which you can use to help improve mental wellbeing. Whether you are battling with anxiety, depression or stress, there are essential oils that can aid in easing your symptoms and promote a calming sense of wellbeing.
Take a look at the essential oils we have mentioned above and see if any of them resonate with you. Once you have selected your oil, experiment with ways to use it until you find a method that works best for you. Also, always be sure to do your research and purchase high-quality essential oils from a reputable source.
Get started on your aromatherapy journey today and see how it can help to improve your mental health and personal wellbeing!