Nothing says pleasant atmosphere, great scent and a sense of peace like an ideal candle. Whether it’s standing next to a bed, a bathtub, a window or along with a fireplace, lighting a candle always seems like a perfect idea for many people. But when it comes to relaxation, what scents should you choose? Here are the five best calming scents and some ideas for using these aromas to promote relaxation.
Seven Ways To Use Soothing Scents In Your Home
Light a candle
One of the easiest methods to infuse your home with soothing scents is to light a candle formulated with essentials oils. Candles not only fill the room with a nice aroma but also create a calming atmosphere that will help you unwind.
Diffuser
A diffuser is a popular device that disperses essential oils into the air. While there are different types of essential oil diffusers, the most commonly used are considered ultrasonic and nebuliser diffusers. Usually, all you have to do is to add a few drops of the chosen essential oil to a device but make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safety reasons.
Use room sprays
Room sprays are another simple and affordable way to use aromatherapy in your home. Since no heat is used, the smell from room sprays is generally less intense than some of the other methods listed below. However, room sprays get to work fast, so they quickly make a room smell good.
Inhale it directly
The easiest way to receive the potential benefits of aromatherapy is to open a bottle of pure essential oil and inhale the scent deeply several times. However, don’t take essential oils internally and don’t apply the undiluted oil to your skin.
If you want to use the steam method, you will need to add a couple of oil drops to a bowl of hot water and place a towel over your head. Then all you have to do is to close your eyes and deeply inhale the steam for a few minutes.
Add it to your bath
Taking a warm bath or shower is already a soothing experience, yet adding fragrance oils will take your ritual to a whole new level. You can add the diluted essential oil to hot water or use scented products like bath bombs, shower gel or bath salt. Opt for high-quality products with natural scents for safe and effective aromatherapy. For quick aromatherapy throughout the day, you can also use a bar of scented hand soap to get a pleasant aroma every time you wash your hands.
Apply it to your skin
Using essential oils during your massage session will improve the experience and allow you to reap the benefits of aromatherapy. However, before adding essential oil to your favourite lotions or massage oils, it is advised to do a patch test. To do so, you need to apply a small amount of the diluted oil to the inside of your wrist or below your ear and observe for 24 hours to see any signs of a reaction.
Try to pay particular attention to the areas of tightness, tension and muscular pain. Or you can also rub the oil gently into pressure hotspots such as the wrists, temples and third eye, or apply a couple of drops around your nose and use the oil to massage your feet. Regardless of the body part, always dilute the chosen essential oil in the carrier oil first.
Make a compress
If you are subjected to a headache, you can also apply essential oils topically using compresses to help relieve stress and pain. Simply add a couple of oil drops of the chosen essential oil to a bowl with water and dip a washcloth or towel compress into the water. The scent will be strongest if you prefer a hot compress, but you can add essential oils to a cold one as well.
You can also make a reusable cold/hot pack by mixing essential oils or dried plants with the rice and placing it in a sock or other cloth bag. Or you can buy hot and cold packs or wraps that are already scented with chamomile, lavender or other soothing scents.
Five Best Scents For Relaxation & Stress Relief
Lavender
Lavender is considered one of the most well-known scents, and for a good reason. This purple flowering herb produces a calming effect, which can help to soothe racing thoughts and aids relaxation. It also helps relieve headaches, improve sleep quality and alleviate feelings of nausea.
Whether you are feeling overwhelmed with daily responsibilities, tasks and commitments, stressed from work or just want to recharge after a long day, lavender-scented candles can help you unwind and fall asleep in no time.
Rose
With its sweet, refreshing aroma, the rose-scented candle is great for relieving emotional conditions like stress, anxiety and depression. Rose has been shown to have a soothing effect, which also creates a relaxing atmosphere and can positively influence the romantic mood. So, if you are getting ready for the upcoming date night, consider lighting up some rose candles or use room sprays to inhale this aroma.
Chamomile
Anyone who enjoys sipping herbal teas knows the benefits of this incredibly versatile herb. Due to its calming properties, chamomile is known to be beneficial for relieving anxiety and stress, but in case you are having a hard time falling asleep, you can also try chamomile oil to address insomnia.
Many candles manufacturers also combine chamomile with other relaxing scents like lavender or eucalyptus to heighten its intensity.
CBD
No matter if it is a long soak in the bathtub, massage session after an intense workout or relaxing routine before bedtime, CBD-infused products can offer a truly relaxing and calming experience.
Although cannabidiol (CBD) typically interacts with the endocannabinoid system to provide its potential health benefits, lighting the candle enriched with CBD oil or adding a few drops in a diffuser may help to create a relaxing surrounding, aiding in reducing anxiety symptoms and promoting better quality sleep.
Jasmine
Nothing beats the delicate scent of this beautiful flower. Jasmine is known for its soothing properties, which will help relieve your tension and promote relaxation. In fact, jasmine scent is used as both an antidepressant and an aphrodisiac, helping you improve mood and energy and increase romantic and positive feelings.
When you light a jasmine-scented candle or inhale the oil, its aroma affects a chemical in your nervous system called GABA, which helps calm your nerves, reduce anxiety and mild depression.