SolveYourProblem Article Series: Aromatherapy
Teach Me Some Aromatherapy Benefits

Can Aromatherapy Affect Your Mood?
   

After a long workday we all need to relax and unwind. Instead of a sitting down with a glass of wine, do something better for your body and mind; use aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is the art of using essential oils to benefit you both physically and mentally. These essential oils are distilled from various plant materials including flowers, berries, bark, fruit or leaves. Essential oils can come to you in many forms and will improve your mood, enhance your well-being and generally make you feel better.

To put these wondrous fragrances into your home, you can use different means. Taking your essential oils you can mix them together and then after adding distilled water to the mix you can make room sprays. Not only can they improve your mood, but also they can get rid of unwanted smells, such as animal, cooking or tobacco odors, at the same time. You can use these sprays to enhance your energy, uplift your spirits, relax or help the romantic mood of you and your partner. Don’t forget that by using these sprays instead of room deodorizing aerosols you are also doing something positive for the environment.

Another method to spread these mood-enhancing fragrances would be candles. They will put the same wonderful scents into the air. You will notice quickly a change in your mood as well as the room enhancement that candles bring to any scene.

If you are looking for a scent that will relax and invigorate you you’ll want to use either alone or in combination, sandalwood, lavender, or sage. These have properties in them that relieve anxiety, stress and even insomnia. Studies have shown that the reason these fragrant essentials oils work is that they stimulate a chemical that the body produces naturally, serotonin, which in itself relieves stress and helps you sleep. Other chemicals produced by the body that are stimulated by aromatherapy include enkephalin, which reduces pain, and endorphins that also reduce pain but as well heighten sexual feelings. Because the body’s system of smell is so closely connected to the limbic system of the brain the smell is conveyed immediately and so the feeling of contentment takes over quickly.

If you then put these essentials oils together with a therapeutic massage than you will again increase that feeling of well-being. Aromatherapy massage uses those fragrant essential oils to combine the best of both elements. While you lie there and enjoy the therapeutic massage the oils are absorbed into the skin or through the nose. While the increase in blood circulation also increases the speed at which the aromatherapy oils are absorbed.

So, you want to feel better, the day wasn’t the best and you need a pick me up. Forget the caffeine. Citrus is your answer. Look for candles or sprays of essential oils that are lemon, lime orange or grapefruit. Or maybe you just fell like relaxing. Lavender is what you’re looking for. Studies have proven that lavender slows the heart rate and lowers blood pressure. It can also lessen muscle tension. Other scents have a similar effect including bergamot and sandalwood. Maybe you’re having a get together and want your home to have the clean fresh feeling. Use citrus mint or pine. These will also help make you feel more motivated. Or you may want to prepare the atmosphere for a romantic night. Jasmine, gardenia, and sandalwood would be ideal as they make that flowery, woody scent which can set the mood.

Just like you effect the mood of a romantic moment aromatherapy can also help you affect a holiday mood. Those smells that remind you of the wonderful times when you were a child can now be remembered or enjoyed with you own children. Autumn is the perfect time for pumpkin scents prompting memories of Halloween and dressing up. While in the winter you may want to try the smells of pine or fresh baking like cinnamon or apple. Summer time memories are often tied up in floral smells or citrus. Any of these wonderful sensations can be brought to you through aromatherapy. Its important to be happy and your mood can always use a little brightening up with the wonderful scents of aromatherapy.

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