5 Scents to Help You Relax

Scents significantly affect your mind, emotions, and stress levels. 

Certain scents promote rest and relaxation. After a long day, who doesn't want to relax?

Aromatherapy is a great and simple way to relieve stress. Just pour in the essential oil of your choice and turn on the scent diffuser. There are other methods of using essential oils.

Continue reading to find out the 5 best scents for relaxation and ways to apply them.

1. Lavender

Lavender has a variety of traditional uses including the treatment of burns, anxiety, and bug bites.

The purple plant has adaptogenic properties. Adaptogens adjust the stress levels in the body. This means lavender can be a stimulant (lift your mood) or a depressant (relax your mind).

Lavender can aid sleep quality and mood, and decrease anxiety and stress.

2. Vanilla

Not a fan of stronger scents like lavender? Get the rest you deserve with the calming scent of vanilla.

This familiar sweet scent is a natural tension reliever and mood booster. It can also help you get a more satisfying sleep at night.

3. Rose

Another popular scent, rose has a delicate, floral aroma. This is another great choice for those who prefer lighter smells. 

Improve your sleep and unwind with this relaxing scent. Rose can even decrease some premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms.

Rose essential oils are often diluted with rose water. That doesn't take away from the benefits of the scent. Rose water is used as a skin anti-inflammatory and acne treatment.

4. Bergamot

Bergamot has a citrusy fragrance taken from the rind of the unedible bergamot fruit. 

It may sound unfamiliar, but the fruit is what gives Earl Grey Tea (also called Bergamot tea) its citrus flavor.

As an essential oil, it helps get rid of stress while lifting your mood. Smelling bergamot can balance your hormone levels, too.

Do not apply bergamot or any citrus essential oil directly to the skin.

5. Clary Sage

This calming scent also doubles as a tea flavoring. Clary sage is a herb in close relation to the sage commonly used in cooking.

Although it smells similar to sage, it's not as heavy. This is the right scent for you if you like herbal fragrances over floral ones.

Clary sage is an antidepressant and anxiety reducer. The scent can ease menstrual cramps and some menopause symptoms.

Application Methods

There are a variety of ways to use essential oils to achieve relaxation.

A well-known method is adding a few drops into a scent diffuser. The scented air will spread through the room. If you're tech-savvy, you may even have a smart scent diffuser.

The reeds of a reed diffuser soak up the oil and give off a relaxing smell. Candles and room sprays are other options.

More direct approaches include applying lotion or oil.

The Best Rest and Relaxation

Aromatherapy is beneficial for calming the mind if you have the correct scents. 

Thankfully, there is a range of smells to choose from and different ways to apply them. 

Try these scents for the rest and relaxation you deserve.