Out of our five senses, our sense of smell is the only sense that is directly connected to our limbic system, commonly described as the emotional control centre in our brain. This means that scents have a powerful effect on our emotions.
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Aromatherapy is one such alternative therapy that uses our sense of smell to stimulate our emotions. Through the use of essential oils, aromatherapy induces a psychological effect of our emotional well-being. A stressed and anxious mind too can find solace when exposed to these healing properties of essential oils. Here are a few essential oils to beat stress and anxiety.
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Lavender Essential Oil
When you’re stressed and anxious your brainwave speed is really fast. Inhaling the scent of lavender helps slow down this fast wave brain activity and replaces it with slower alpha wave brain activity. This helps you feel relaxed and calm.
Jasmine Essential Oil
Jasmine is said to be as effective as valium when it comes to calming nerves. Jasmine oil can increase the GABA activity in the brain which in turn helps regulate stress, anxiety and over-excitement. Jasmine is certainly one of the best essential oils when it comes to relieving your nerves.
Rose Germanium Essential Oil
Rose germanium oil has a flowery scent that can help revive your mood and beat anxiety. This oil is known to balance hormonal levels and cause your body to relax. It provides a soothing sensation throughout your body.
Bergamot Essential Oil
Bergamot oil is obtained from the rind of an unripe citrus fruit of a bitter orange tree. It has a refreshing and fruity scent. This scent helps the hypothalamus part of the brain reach a state of calmness and homeostasis. The essential oil is highly recommended to help relieve stress and anxiety.
Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
Although it is not as effective as jasmine oil, ylang ylang too has stress relieving properties. This essential oil is called a “poor man’s jasmine”. You can blend it with bergamot oil or other scented oils for a pleasant fragrance.