If you live with chronic stress, practicing mind/body techniques (such as mindfulness meditation) and talking to a mental health professional may help lessen your worries.
There’s also some research suggesting that the scent of aromatherapy essential oils may help ease anxiety in those who have difficulty sleeping or feel stressed during the daytime.
If you are stressed, there are some home fragrance you can use to ease your anxiety. You can also use these best scents for your diffusers. Below are some of the ideal scents you can look into that will offer stress relief:
Lavender
Lavender is a well-known and much loved essential oil in aromatherapy. Lavender has been shown to be calming, which can help lessen anxiety for those who use it regularly.
In one study published by the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, participants were exposed to stressors before completing memory tasks; they performed better when inhaling lavender than with placebo scents!
Bergamot
The Earl Grey tea that provides its signature fragrance relies on bergamot essential oil. Sourced from the peel of Citrus Bergamia, a citrus fruit in aromatherapy, this is an expensive but well-loved scent for many people who are looking to alleviate their stress levels and be more relaxed.
Though research into its effects may not have been as extensive due to how rare these oils are today (due to overproduction), some studies show promising signs that they can help reduce one’s anxiety or promote relaxation with no known side effects when used correctly.
Lemongrass
The calming effects of lemongrass essential oil, sourced from the herb Cymbopogon citratus, makes it an attractive option for individuals looking to find relief in anxiety. Lemongrass is believed to promote relaxation and reduce symptoms associated with this ailment through aromatherapy. Inhaling or applying its scent directly onto skin after combining it with a carrier oil.
Although research on how effective these oils are remains limited due to lack of funding, one study published in Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that participants exposed to lemongrass had immediate reductions in their levels of stress-related hormones cortisol (43%) and epinephrine (-13%).
Neroli
In a study published in Hepato-gastroenterology, participants inhaled either neroli oil or a control (sunflower oil) before undergoing a colonoscopy. The result showed that those who had inhaled neroli oils experienced lower systolic blood pressure readings and reduced anxiety levels but no change in pain intensity was observed among the two groups of subjects.
A 2014 study on human participants found improvements with menopausal symptoms after inhalation of neroli as well as decreased PMS effects on university students when compared to controls.
Lemon
Lemon essential oil, sourced from the leaves of the lemon plant has been found in preliminary studies to have sedative and anxiety-reducing properties.
Used for centuries as a natural remedy, it can be inhaled through personal aromatherapy inhalers or rubbed into skin when applied topically.
In cancer centers across England, they are used to promote relaxation and relieve nausea with their most popular scent being that of lemons.
Orange
Preliminary research suggests that breathing in orange oil can alleviate anxiety, but more study needs to be done before it becomes a popular treatment for those with an anxious nature.
A recent study published by the Journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine found participants who inhaled sweet orange didn’t have increased stress levels like those who had used tea tree oil or placebo during times when they were exposed to stressful situations.
Ylang Ylang
Preliminary research also suggests that ylang-ylang essential oil, a substance long used in aromatherapy, may be of some benefit to people with high blood pressure. For instance, a small study published in 2012 found that breathing the scent of an aromatherapy blend containing ylang-ylang led to lower stress and higher levels of serotonin hormones.
