The Sweet Smell of Relieving Your Stress
Aromas play a huge part in our lives. When you wake up, perhaps you are greeted by the sweet smell of cinnamon rolls baking on the stove. As you travel to work in the morning, maybe you smell oil outside the car. With so many smells and aromas around us, is it any wonder today that some smells are more inviting than others?
When it comes to scents, as a general rule we don’t usually link aromatherapy to
stress relief. But the truth is that it can have huge benefits for your overall
health and well-
Aromatherapy can be beneficial for anyone. Not only does it produce pleasing smells, but it also does wonders to help you relax. After a long day, you may feel stressed and uptight.
As a result, your muscles tense up; you can feel your entire body fill with stress,
which can cause your blood pressure to rise. This is the body’s natural reaction
to stress. Stress caused by a long day or a life-
Because of this you feel tired, overwhelmed. This is an all too familiar scenario for most people, regardless of where you live.
Our lives are evolving constantly. We go to work, and are faced with unending responsibilities and tight deadlines. And of course, there is often no relief for the feelings of stress that course through your body or for the concerns that flood your mind.
Therefore, if you’re looking for a reason to lose yourself and reduce stress simultaneously, consider a few simple techniques that involve aromatherapy.
Pour yourself a bubble bath. This is one gift you can give yourself to help lift your stress and give you quiet time for yourself. Pick up some bubble bath solution at the shop. Some popular scents include vanilla or strawberry. Once you pour your bath, immerse yourself in the water. In addition to helping you relax, the warm water will permeate into your pores and surround you in a warm and comforting sensation.
If it helps, light some scented candles, and dim or turn off the lights. Sit in the glow of candles, as the aromas float to your nostrils.
As a stress management technique, aromatherapy is incredibly effective in helping you relax.
Massage oils are also effective in helping you relax. Applying scented massage oils gives you the opportunity to enjoy a comforting smell. The gentle stimulation of a massage also helps to melt away feelings of stress.
Many smells in today’s world are actually a cause of stress, and may actually contribute to making you tense. Such smells include the smell of tar and smoke, which are usually a source of worry and anticipation.
In today’s busy lifestyle, it may seem difficult and sometimes impossible to find time for yourself. The kids need dinner; the laundry needs to be done; the list goes on and on. Even if you are overwhelmed with responsibilities, lighting a scented candle in the living room, or baking some cookies will give the house a warm, inviting feeling. This may help relax your body and eventually lift your stress.
Another helpful aromatherapy technique that can help alleviate stress is to visit a food market where fresh food is sold. You don’t have to buy anything, but by visiting this type of store, you can immerse yourself in the delectable smells of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as the smell of freshly baked goods.
If you are more discerning in your taste, and prefer only sweet smells, forgo the fresh produce market and opt for a local bakery. The scents in markets and bakeries are often reminiscent of old memories, which may actually bring you comfort and help you relax.
Perhaps your grandmother used to bake lemon meringue pie in her kitchen when you were young. If you smell lemon meringue in the bakery, you may be overcome with feelings of warmth and comfort. And you may begin to think of your grandmother.
If you find yourself in this type of situation, enjoy the experience and watch your stress begin to dissipate. Another great thing is that many foods are associated with warmth and happiness. Surrounding yourself with the smells of these foods can recreate these happy feelings and as a result can help you relax.
Aromatherapy can also help boost your mood. Smells have different effects. Some are sensual. Vanilla and chocolate, for example, are both aphrodisiacs. Studies have shown that chocolate is effective in heightening male arousal, while vanilla is generally preferred by females.
These smells, of course, can lead to feelings of pleasure and desire, which have a relaxing effect. They can even produce feelings of euphoria and elation, and are great stress relievers, as they serve two purposes.
First of all, they are pleasing to the nose, but they may aid in sexual desire. The neurotransmitter, dopamine, plays a huge role in sex, as does seratonin. Seratonin is critical to attraction, and actually helps reduce stress and aids in stress management.
So light some candles, and surround yourself with sweet scents. It’s nice to know that stress relief could be only as far away as your pantry or spice rack!
I hope you found this article to be useful. Don’t forget you can download my FREE EBOOK for more help and advice on managing and relieving stress.
