Did you know that fragrances, such as essential oils and perfumes, can have a physical effect on your brain? According to recent studies, certain calming scents can impact the way your brain processes stress and anxiety, and even impact mood! While your favorite candle is no substitute for your psych meds, aromatherapy is clearly more than just another trend.
That doesn’t mean that any mass-produced, glitter-infused cotton-candy body spray will carry your worries away! The most relaxing scents are those derived from nature. Societies that practice natural medicine have been using pungent herbs and flowers in healing rituals for centuries.
Take a moment to unclench your shoulders, jaw, back, and neck. If you were holding tension, then it’s time to take a deep breath and sniff it away! Keep reading to learn more about seven of the most calming scents for stress and anxiety.
1. Lavender
When it comes to calming scents for anxiety, gorgeous lavender is as effective as it gets. It has positive effects on your overall mood, and can even help you get some good sleep. It’s the perfect scent to use in the evening or after a long day of work.
If you prefer sweet scents, consider giving lavender vanilla oil a try.
2. Jasmine
Jasmine is perfect for soothing body tension. If you store your stress in your shoulders or jaw, a whiff of jasmine flower can help you to relax. It can aid in sleep for that very reason!
3. Pine
Have you heard of “forest bathing?” It’s a meditative practice that involves strolling through the forest and actively using your senses. Studies have found that a walk in an evergreen or pine forest can aid with anxiety, depression, and even hostility.
If you can’t make it to the forest, a pine-scented candle will do the trick!
4. Rosemary
The herb rosemary can help you to improve your concentration, and even has links to memory. That makes it the perfect scent for stressed-out students at exam time. Smelling calming rosemary before a test will reduce tension while helping you retain the course material.
5. Ylang Ylang
Even if the name of this flower looks funny, you’ll know it when you smell it! The smell is both floral and fruity and is commonly used in soaps and body sprays. It’s a natural mood booster that can help improve low mood or depression.
6. Bay
Do you have a jar of bay leaves in your spice rack? Open up that jar and give them a sniff! This common ingredient contains linalool, a scent tied to reduced anxiety.
Bay doesn’t smell the best on its own, however. If you want to take full advantage of the benefits, try it mixed with another scent from the list!
7. Fig
Fig is a sweet scent that can help anxious people feel relaxed. It tends to inspire feelings of the home environment, and can even evoke sunshine during long winters. Try a fig candle or lotion if you’re struggling with seasonal depression.
Calming Scents for a Tranquil Life
Before there were pharmaceutical companies, all medicine grew on trees. We’ve known about the benefits of the most calming scents for generations, and science finally agrees. Go ahead and treat yourself to a new candle in one of the best scents on the list!
Before you go, why not check out the rest of the blog? It’s full of plenty of posts that can help you to prioritize wellness in your daily life.
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