How Scents Relax the Body

It can be difficult to wind down after a long day. When you're busy for so many hours on end and have an ongoing to-do list (sometimes ones that grow quicker than they get checked off), the body becomes stressed. And so does the mind. A normal reaction to such a "go go go" type of atmosphere. But when it's time to actually stop, to rest and relax rather than get in as much work as possible, the adjustment is then hard to achieve. 

By training the body to relax, however, this step can be much easier than it sounds. Especially when you have certain triggers to help get you there. In the same way that a work call can heighten your senses and put you into scheduling mode, the same can be done with relaxation. By drinking a hot cup of tea, or putting on comfortable pajamas, the mind can be alerted that it's time for winding down. Work is over, and now it's time for enjoyment – and the body picks up on those clues.

Perhaps nothing does this better than scents – in beverages (including teas), essential oils, candles, bath salts, and more. Not only are certain smells designed to calm the muscles and the brain – one of the biggest factors that keeps us up – over time, recognizing them will have an auto-effect on the body. Allowing it to instantly relax just as soon as familiar scents hit the nostrils.

Such relaxing triggers include lavender, lemon, peppermint, thyme, vanilla, and more. Use them before bed, or throughout the day to help ease the mind whenever you become stressed. Each can be put in foods, décor, in sniffing salts – or in whatever manner you prefer. So long as their natural aromas are allowed to flow freely, you can gain incredible bouts of relaxation with each passing smell. 

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How to Benefit From a “Sleep Ritual”

Sleep is an everyday norm. It’s something we need to rest and regain energy for the following day. And it’s something that, after a hard or long day, we crave. But aside from necessity – or rather an inevitability – there can be much more to it. Sleep, as a practice, can be good or bad. It can be deep or restless. The more we focus on those facts, and what affects them, the better we can create sleep success. Or as one writer puts it, a “sleep ritual.”

A sleep ritual is the routine that you follow before bed. The time you usually lay down, habits you develop when getting under the covers, and so on. It’s also what mentally and physically prepares you for sleep every day, no matter what took place earlier. While they might vary (slightly), each night, over time, your body understands what’s taking place, and it helps ready itself for sleep. Without a relaxing ritual, however, you could be greatly reducing your chance at sleep. Especially restful versions of it. 

By disengaging from work, or any other stressful event from the day, the inventor of “sleep rituals” agrees that sleep will come more naturally. Failing to do so, in contrast, will make it more difficult to relax, and therefore, obtain actual rest. If that’s difficult to do at first, however, use it as a goal to work toward. The smaller and gentler each step, the easier it is to master the art of your sleeping routine. And because everyone is different, a ritual will be personalized; no two people will have the exact same go-to-sleep list. 

To learn more about the art of a sleep ritual, or what you can do in order to get yours started, check out the original article here. 

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Even More Scents that Will Help Reduce Stress

Earlier this week, we discussed ways to reduce stress (and subsequent muscle pains) through the help of scent. Just by sniffing different natural substances, the body can easily and effectively relax. Without the need for medicine or even mental cooperation. In fact, keeping one of these items on hand is likely the most effective way to stay calm, no matter what may come your way.

Today we explore part two of these natural calming agents. While apples, lavender, and more have proven themselves effective, there are even more ways to smell your way to a calmer state of mind. 

Plants and Fruits That Can Promote Mental Healing

• Peppermint plants – A crowd favorite, peppermint is a pleasant way to smell your cares away. Keep a plant at home, at the office, or both. Springs can even be dried and stored away in a small container for a more mobile way to transport peppermint aromas. 

• Chocolate – It’s no surprise that chocolate brings on some serious comfort. But it may not just be about the taste. Darker blends are also proven to offer their magical powers of feeling good through the scent of cocoa. Though be careful not to “smell” too much chocolate as extra pounds are sure to cause anyone stress. 

• Carbs – Our bodies crave carbs – it’s just a fact. But it might not just be for the taste; studies show that consuming carbs promotes the production of serotonin, or the “feel good” chemical that’s released in the brain. Smelling breads and grains might do the body good, but in this case, it’s better to actually eat your natural cure.

No matter your personal preference, there are plenty of scents that offer body-healing powers. Rather than enduring ongoing stress, consider these nose-happy alternatives instead. Best of all, they’re proven to work!

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Calming Scents That Will Help you Relax

Are you a naturally stressed out person? Do you take everyday events personally, and then let them affect your day negatively? Do your shoulders and muscles tense up in the process? Unfortunately, this is a personality trait that many endure on a daily basis. Whether they’re high strung or are constantly looking for a way to fix everything, they carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. A task that can become literally painful over time, even just from tensing the muscles too often. It’s a practice most don’t realize they’re doing when under stress.

However, by working toward relaxing practices – such as scents that naturally calm the body – you can easily release tension. Even subconsciously, which can work to eliminate the most amount of stress.

The next time you need to relax, look to these scents to help naturally boost the process. 

Scents that Can Reduce Stress

• Teas – Consuming tea has long been thought of as a way to relax the body, but have we ever stopped to wonder why? Flavors such as chamomile and mint have calming powers, though it’s also shown that mild doses of caffeine can jumpstart the brain into a more alert state. 

• Lavender – This herb (as well as some of its cousins) can trigger the body’s anxiety relief. Smell fresh sprigs to relax, or opt for scented candles or oils instead. Just be sure to avoid perfumes that are too sugary sweet. 

• Apples – Believe it or not, smelling a green apple has been shown to reduce the body’s stressors. It can also work to reduce headaches, just through its built-in scent. 

• Coconut – Fresh coconuts may be hard to come by (depending on your location), but hunting one down might be well worth the effort. Scientists say cutting into the fruit can lower blood pressure and reduce the body’s natural “fight or flight” instincts. 

Use these scents to naturally relax on a daily basis. And stay tuned for even more smells that will lower your body’s stress levels. 

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