Enhance Your Mood with Aromatherapy
Enhance your mood with essential oils and aromatherapy. (Photo: Garance Doré/Trunk Archive)
Aromatherapy cannot only improve your skin, but also your mood throughout the day. “One of the simplest ways to utilize the olfactory aspect of essential oils is to place two drops of oil in the palm of one hand, rub hands together and then gently bring up to the nose (but not on the face) and take a few deep inhalations,” says Jade Shutes, the founder of the East-West School for Herbal and Aromatic Studies.
Remember to always consult a doctor before adding essential oils to your wellness regime, as some oils may have side effects, especially for children, pregnant or nursing women, or people with allergies — otherwise enjoy the benefits that aromatherapy has to offer without the costly price tag of a day at the spa. Try Shutes’ method with the suggested oils below for whatever ails you.
Pre-Workout Pick Me Up
Stimulating oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, wild orange, grapefruit, rosemary, basil, lemon, bergamot, and geranium will perk you up before you hit the gym.
Post-Workout Pain Reliever
Essential oils, when combined with a carrier oil (like olive oil or coconut oil) and placed on the skin may also be effective for reducing or relieving muscular tension or spasms. Chamomile, sweet marjoram, eucalyptus, rosemary, yarrow, and peppermint all make a great post workout rubdown.
Focus Before a Big Presentation
Drop the grande latte and avoid a case of the jitters by sniffing lemon, peppermint, rosemary, basil or sage five minutes before you command the room to keep your thoughts on track.
Chill Out
One study proved aromatherapy to be a complementary therapy for people with anxiety symptoms; frankincense, lavender, ylang ylang, bergamot and geranium are known for their relaxing and balancing effects.
Catch Some Z’s
Lack of sleep is only behind weight gain on American’s top list of complaints. A study from Wesleyan University found that subjects experiencing sleep disorders who were exposed to lavender increased their time of deep sleep without the use of drugs. Lavender, vetiver, clary sage, rose-scented geranium, sandalwood, ylang ylang, or Roman chamomile sprayed on your pillow will help you sleep like a baby.
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