Though it’s known as the ‘time to relax’, the festive season can actually be quite stressful. We all have our own way of unwinding after a long or busy day. Let’s be honest, the festive season has us on our feet a lot. Whether you’re out shopping for gifts all day or cooking for the family, you might need some time off your feet to unwind and relax. Some of us opt for stretching, yoga, walking, or even meditation. But could scent be the key to relaxing the senses?
No matter what else you’re doing to wind down, adding a calming scent can soothe the senses and relax the body even more.
You’ll need more than a candle
If you want to use scent to its full advantage, you’ll need more than a lovely-smelling candle. Unfortunately, beautiful though a candle may be, it just won’t be enough to fully immerse you and soothe your senses. Instead, you need to opt for aromatherapy. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you can’t use that lovely candle. You’ll just need to combine the experiences.
So how does scent aid relaxation?
As one of the most primal senses, smell originally served as a means of survival. Indeed, the olfactory nerve is the only cranial nerve that comes into direct contact with the outside environment. The nerve endings that are situated in the nose “are in contact with the air you breathe”. Thus, when the nose connects with scent molecules, messages are sent to the primal part of the brain. This is the part of the brain that controls emotion, memory, and pleasure.
What this means is that the olfactory system is the quickest way for the brain to ascertain whether an environment is safe or not. Certain essential oils let off aromas that contain chemical components which are able to elicit relaxation.
The connection between scent and emotion is immense. The link happens exceptionally quickly which is why scent is such a powerful tool for relaxation. Many essential oils can aid in eliciting feelings of calm and relaxation.
What are the best scents to calm you?
When it comes to what scent to use, specific scents are proven to calm you. Experts back essential oils such as citrus and lavender as some of the scents that will elicit a calm response in the brain.
Lavender
It’s highly likely that, when you think of calming scents, lavender is one of the first ones to come to mind. It is one of the most popular essential oils for relaxation, and not for naught. Its floral yet tranquil aroma makes it a crowd-pleaser.
Aromatherapist Valencia McClure told Mind Body Green that it is certainly a favorite as far as relaxing scents go. The aroma of lavender is restorative, but that isn’t what’s most interesting about it. Scientific research has shown that smelling lavender can have a powerful effect on the quality of rest, making it the ultimate in calming aromas. Even better is that lavender is one of the most affordable essential oils.
Sandalwood
A prized essential oil in India, sandalwood oil is well known for its use in ceremonies and meditation in its native home of India. This scent has none of the light, sweet florals or citrus notes usually associated with aromatherapy. Instead, it has a warm, rich and earthy scent. This woodiness helps to ground the body and allows for a quiet headspace. Sandalwood is also a great oil for pairing with lighter scents such as lavender. In fact, it’s often used by those who crave a bit more than a basic and traditional lavender scent.
Cedar
This is another woody scent that has been shown to have a soothing effect on the mind. Research has shown that cederol, a compound found in cedar oils, is directly associated with bringing a sense of calm. It is most commonly used in meditation rituals to promote spirituality and bring about a sense of calm within the mind.
Neroli
McClure also favors neroli as a calming aroma. She says that it has a “beautiful aroma of floral and citrus” which has been shown to assist in calming the mind. A sophisticated but bright scent, neroli is a favorite addition to many perfumes.
Amazingly, it also offers benefits for both the hair and skin due to its high antioxidant content. According to Australian dermatologist Daniel Lanzer, neroli also aids in cell regeneration and the oil can produce quite the glow.
Photo by Chelsea shapouri on Unsplash
How to get the most out of these scents
Of course, choosing a good calming scent is the first and most important step. But once you have selected one of the scientifically backed scents, what should you do? How should you use it for the best results?
Time to defuse the situation
One of the best ways to make use of a scented oil is with a diffuser. Using a diffuser is a safe way to prepare a room for relaxation well in advance. Unlike candles, many diffusers can be left alone in a room. It is worth noting that you shouldn’t be leaving your diffuser for hours and hours.
However, many now come with automatic timers that feature time limits like 4 or 8 hours. If you don’t have a diffuser, you can also add a few drops of essential oil to a tissue and place it nearby. This will essentially act as a miniature diffuser.
Room Sprays
Another popular and incredibly easy way to boost those calming scents is with a room spray. You could also opt for a sleep spray or even a pillow mist to really relax your mind and body when it’s bedtime. Many pre-formulated sprays are available in calming scents that will start to relax you from the first light mist. Room sprays are also great if you need to take a moment during the course of the day.
Apply it topically
Applying essential oils topically (directly to the skin) can have a huge impact on calming the mind and body. This is especially true when applied to the pulse points found on the wrists, base of the neck, temples, and even the soles of the feet. This is where the skin is at its thinnest, which means that the scent is closer to the blood and body heat. When the fragrance begins to warm the skin, the aroma releases and relaxation is imminent.
The most important thing to note when applying essential oils directly to the skin is that they must be diluted. Never put pure essential oil directly onto the skin, as it’s very potent and will likely cause irritation.
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