May 15th to 21st marks Mental Health Awareness Week, dedicated to drawing attention to mental health and tackling the stigma. Anxiety is this year’s theme – which is an emotion and a feeling that can be brought on by stress that the body is experiencing. Read on to discover which scents offer soothing effects on stress.
Why is stress bad?
When we feel stressed, our bodies release chemicals like adrenaline, cortisol and norepinephrine as part of a ‘fight or flight’ response to the problem. These hormones give us a rush of energy that can help in dangerous or urgent situations. However they also divert blood away from brain function to the muscles and shut down unnecessary functions such as digestion. Staying in a state of stress for prolonged periods causes negative health effects such as increased blood pressure and anxiety.
How can fragrance help with stress?
Our sense of smell is linked to the limbic system and the amygdala, the part of the brain that deals with emotions and anxiety. Thanks to this link, humans have used fragrance for therapeutic purposes for thousands of years – a holistic practice called aromatherapy. Though scientific research into aromatherapy’s effects is still in its infancy, early results are promising.
Numerous fragrances have been linked to soothing stress, including amber, bergamot, orange and tuberose, here are just a few that you may find helpful. We suggest using scents for stress together with mindfulness practices like meditation and breathing exercises to fully unwind.
Clary Sage
An earthy, refreshing scent, clary sage comes from a flowering herb native to the Mediterranean. Commonly used as a flavouring for tea, clary sage is also recognised for its calming effects. One study found that clary sage essential oil helped lower blood pressure and respiratory rate in stressful situations.
Clary sage is found in the Sleep Lamp Fragrance from our Aromatherapy collection, made from natural essential oils.
A soothing and restful blend of sweet lavender, petitgrain and clary sage to ease your mind and body into a beautifully peaceful sleep.
Geranium
Geranium is known as a sweetly floral scent with an herbaceous hint to its aroma. Extracted from the leaves of the geranium flower, it’s a common ingredient in perfumery and cosmetics as well as favourite for aromatherapists. A reduction in anxiety and blood pressure after inhaling geranium essential oil was found by one study.
A calming and soothing combination of delicate geranium, wild lavender and clary sage is found in the Relaxation Lamp Fragrance from our Aromatherapy collection. This fragrance is made from natural essential oils to relax your senses and relieve stress.
Lavender
The delicate, sweet yet herbal scent of lavender is one that’s familiar to most of us, with a history dating back to its use by the ancient Egyptians and Romans. Taken from lavender flowers, the scent is well known to have calming effects. Studies have reported that lavender oil helps suppress stress responses, reduces anxiety levels and improves sleep quality.
Lavender is at the heart of our Lavender Lamp Fragrance. Soothing, serene and reminiscent of unwinding in the midst of a floral meadow. The relaxing scent of lavender is gently blended with calming peppermint and patchouli essential oils.
