Essential oils are a natural way to relieve anxiety and stress. The practice of using scents to balance your well-being is called aromatherapy, and it has been practiced for hundreds of years. Aromatherapy is a holistic treatment that you can practice in addition to more traditional therapies.
Aromatherapy works because certain scents activate the smell receptors in your nose, sending relevant messages to your nervous system. When you feel anxious, it’s because your nervous system has initiated responses like a quicker pulse rate and a rush of adrenaline.
Smelling a calming scent can change the message that your receptors send to your nervous system, so instead of a pounding heartbeat and shallow breathing, you’re able to breathe slowly and deeply and remain calm.