Calming Scents That Mellow You Out

Scents can be a very powerful thing. I’m sure you’ve noticed this yourself. Smelling a particular scent like a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie brings back a childhood memory. The scent of coffee in the morning helps you crawl out of bed and wake up. Other scents, like that of a burning fire, may make you feel fearful or afraid. Scents can warn us of danger, and help us relax, and certain scents have even been shown to help increase our memory. As I said, scents are a powerful tool. Why not use it to help us mellow out and reduce anxiety when needed?

Let’s look at some calming scents that mellow you out. You can use essential oils and a diffuser, find a scented candle, make some potpourri, or use fresh or dried ingredients around the house. The most important thing is to find a way to incorporate the scents that you find particularly helpful into your life.

·         Lavender

The fragrance of lavender replaces fast brain activity with a slower alpha wave to help reduce anxiety.

·         Chamomile

Chamomile helps reduce stress and can also help with insomnia & tense muscles.

·         Rose Geranium

Along with helping with relaxation by soothing the entire central nervous system, it can also help balance hormonal levels.

·         Jasmine

A great fragrance for anti-anxiety.  By increasing the GABA activity within the brain, jasmine can help to regulate feelings of stress and anxiety.

·         Bergamot

This citrus scent helps to restore the hypothalamus to a state of homeostasis and calmness

·         Sandalwood

Sandalwood has been used to help reduce overall anxiety in terminally ill patients. It has also been noted to help improve the quality of sleep.

In addition to these particular scents, look for essential oil blends and scented candles that mention relaxation or calm. They may include one or more of the scents mentioned above in a mix that’s specifically designed to help you relax.

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