How to Use Aromatherapy to Reduce Stress

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Aromatherapy is the use of aromas to treat physical, mental and emotional issues. Most people practicing aromatherapy use essential oils (made with volatile plant oils), but the use of incense and other items is also common. Aromatherapy is especially useful to treat conditions such as stress, which have no medical solution but can still impact your life significantly and end up interfering with your everyday activities. Read on to learn how to use aromatherapy to reduce stress.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Essential oils
<br>Diffuser
<br>Tea candles

Step1

Identify your key stress areas. Decide whether the major stresses are present at work, home or school. This will help you choose the best ways to apply aromatherapy, how to change your environment, and what scents to use to reduce stress.

Step2

Buy a diffuser for home. This is basically a small container in which you can place the oil and then heat it in order to diffuse the aroma. Most diffusers are made of clay, terracotta or ceramic, depending on whether they require the use of a candle to heat up the oil. Diffusers might not be allowed on work areas, so check your company’s policy beforehand just in case.

Step3

Choose essential oils that have a proven track record of lowering stress and improving mood. Lavender is the main one, but you can also use chamomile, sandalwood and rosemary. Peppermint is especially good if you feel drained or weak because of stress.

Step4

Use essential oils in clever ways. Add a couple of drops to a sponge and throw the sponge into your clothes dryer. Or add them to the inside of your toilet paper so it distributes the essence through the bathroom. You can also add a drop or two to your pillowcase to induce sleep.

Tips & Warnings

Combining more than one essential oil can make the resulting scent more effective and attractive. Experiment with mixes of cinnamon, ginger, pine, rosemary, geranium and eucalyptus. All of them are effective for reducing tension and clearing mental fog.
Essential oils can be toxic if ingested. Always read the manufacturer's directions for use and proceed with care when handling them.