Monday, March 23, 2015

Aromatherapy: Helping You De-stress!

By: Levena Lindahl and Megan Lindahl
 
Do you love how certain scents just help you unwind and feel better?  The use of scent as a therapy tool is called aromatherapy, and the practice has been around for quite a while!  While some essential oils can be expensive, it is possible to find or even make some of your own scents to use to help with issues such as headaches and stress.  Here are some quick tips to taking advantage of aromatherapy!
Lavender is most commonly used as a stress relief and to promote better sleep. It allows the body to relax easier and get a deeper, more restful sleep. The best ways a college student can utilize this is a lavender candle by your bed at night. The best part is, you don't even have to burn it! Every night before bed take the lid off your candle (I recommend a soy candle as the scent will be more natural), and take a few nice deep breaths in. Leave the candle open while you sleep and put the phone away at night to capitalize on a good night's rest! If you are not a candle fan, try a nice lavender scented room spray. Not as effective as the oils in a candle, but will certainly help put your mind at ease instead of worrying about deadlines. The last good method would be to take a hot bubble bath with lavender body wash. Relax for about 20 minutes with 2 cups of Epsom salt to help release tension right before bed.
Next up is mint. Mint is fantastic at relieving headaches, improving focus and mental clarity, and calming stomach aches. Many studies have found that if you chew a minty gum while studying and then that same type of gum when taking tests, you are more likely to remember what you studied. Mint increases circulation which brings more blood to the brain. It also helps calm nerves and a queasy stomach. Mint gum or a mint tea will help cool your stomach and make you feel less likely to throw up when sick or nervous. It also helps wake you up. If you feel groggy during classes, try adding a few mint leaves and a slice of your favorite fruit to your water bottle. Not only will this keep you more alert, your body will thank you for the extra hydration.
The last scent I would like to talk about is orange oil. Citrus smells have a way of waking up the mind and lifting your mood! College is stressful and sometimes you can't help but be a little depressed. Just the smell of lemon or orange peels will uplift your spirits. The best way to utilize this to your advantage?  Buy citrus scented cleaners so that your kitchen and bathrooms always smell clean and clear. Also, add an orange to your breakfast. The vitamins alone are great and the orange itself will spare you from all the sugar found in orange juice.
Aromatherapy is a really interesting concept!  To find out more about other scents, please check out this link here.

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