Aromatherapy is believed to rejuvenate both the mind and the body. Our sense of smell is directly wired to ours centers of memory and emotion. Essential oils primarily impact us via the Limbic system, which is the busy part of your brain responsible for regulating both your emotional and higher mental functions. Including learning, motivation, forming and storing memories, controlling adrenaline and autonomic response, regulating hormones, sexual response, sensory perception and motor function.

Essential oils are all natural and can promote a balancing and calming effect on our emotions. Smells can trigger memories and feelings and these natural chemicals from essential oils can then enter brain cells and can help to shift our moods. The trapped emotions we have can be stored in every cell in our body, therefore overtime they can have a physical effect on our health where we store negative emotions or traumatic experiences not processed completely.

Essential oils can help us to reduce the symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression but they’re not a cure.

5 calming and relaxing essential oils that can help with anxiety

Frankincense: Can aid your body’s ability to protect and heal, can relieve feelings of emotional trauma, anxiety and depression.

Lavender: It is one of the most versatile essential oils with numerous therapeutic benefits. It helps in enhancing mood and aids in relieving stress, anxiety and frustrations.

Bergamot: Bergamot oil has a pleasant, citrusy scent. Although you may not have heard of it, bergamot has been very well researched, especially for reducing work-related stress, anxiety among people with mild depression and even pain relief.

Spearmint: This is such a stimulating scent, but it also helps relax the respiratory and nervous system. Spearmint can also help open and release emotional blocks and bring about a feeling of balance.

Rosemary: Rosemary essential oil is a mainstay in aromatherapy, not just for its pleasant smell but also because it’s able to calm the body while energizing the mind. Rosemary significantly enhanced the quality of memory and increased mental alertness.