Sis, have you ever walked into a room and immediately felt comforted by the scent? Aromatherapy is often used to help relieve anxiety and depression, but it can also help you relax or fall asleep during a stressful day. It's no secret that smell is powerful -- what we smell affects us emotionally as well as physically. Here's how aromatherapy can help alleviate some of your stressors:

What is aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy definitely isn't just about candles. Also known as essential oils therapy, aromatherapy is the use of pure and concentrated aromatic compounds from plants. Essential oils are extracted from flowers, leaves, bark and rinds through distillation or cold pressing. The use of these essential oils is considered holistic because it takes into account all aspects of your life in order to promote your wellness on several levels: physical, mental/emotional and spiritual.

Smell is powerful

Smell is actually the strongest of the five senses. Research suggests (because of course we've done the research 😉) that smell influences emotions and memory much more than any other sense. That's why aromatherapy can be used to create a relaxing environment and help with sleep, meditation, and mindfulness. 

Aromatherapy has been used for centuries by cultures around the world. It has also been proven effective by psychologists and medical researchers in helping with physical symptoms like stress, anxiety and depression.

Aromatherapy can help relieve anxiety

Aromatherapy can be a helpful tool when it comes to relieving anxiety. Not only can the scents of lavender, rosemary and other fragrant plants help relax you, they also may make you feel more comfortable in your body. (Alexa play Cozy by Beyonce)

Aromatherapy can help you breathe easier, which can ease stress-related breathing issues like shortness of breath or hyperventilation. It may also help reduce the symptoms of asthma—meaning less coughing and wheezing during tense moments.

If you're feeling tense from anxiety or stress, try breathing deeply with an essential oil such as lavender applied to your temples or abdomen.

Aromatherapy can help with depression

Aromatherapy is a powerful tool for treating depression, but also overall great for helping you relax. Essential oils are known to help with sleep and focus, which can have a positive impact on your day-to-day mental health. If you haven’t tried aromatherapy before, don't hesitate to head over to Amazon and add that difuser to your cart!

If you're feeling down about something, try using an essential oil that has been shown to help lift moods like lavender or rosemary. Try placing 1-2 drops in your bathwater for your next puzzle and sip self-care night.

Try it for yourself!

Aromatherapy is an amazing way to bring about physical relief, but it's also important to remember that not every scent will work for everyone. In fact, there are some scents that can actually be detrimental to your health. The best thing you can do is start small and see how it goes. Try out the new fragrance for a few days or one week and see if it helps with your symptoms. If not, no harm done—you've tried something new! Do your research and see what could work best for you. 

You know we are always here to help our #RVLTribe elevate our self-care. We hope aromatherapy is just another option you can add to your list. Remember that it’s not just about making your home smell good—you want the overall benefits for your body, mind and emotions! So, if you find yourself feeling stressed out, depressed or anxious, give aromatherapy a try sis. All it takes is a few drops of oil and some intentional quiet time to get started on your journey towards better health and a better you.