Most of us have heard the old adage “stop and smell the roses” and we interpret it to mean that we should slow down in our lives, and take the time to notice the small things. While this is certainly true, studies have also shown that the rose scent can actually reduce stress!

This is the whole basis of aromatherapy… certain scents triggering “just relax” hormones in your body to help alleviate feelings of anxiousness. The following five scents have proven stress-less effective!

Roses – Not only do roses have a pleasant fragrance, but many people associate receiving flowers with positive emotions, which also can help combat those stress feelings

Coconut – Traces of coconut help slow your heart rate and increase alertness. Personally,  I associate coconut with pina coladas and suntan lotion, and what could be more relaxing then sipping on a drink on the beach?

Green apples – Believe it or not, the scent of green apples can help reduce headaches! A recent study (which you can read about here: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/01/02/green-apple-scent.aspx ) found that by sniffing a green apple when you feel a migraine coming on helps relieve the pain and pressure in the head.

Lavender – Probably the least surprising on this list, lavender is extremely popular with sleep aids. Lavender is the natural “keep calm” scent! Citrus – The smell of lemon has been known to soothe stress, grapefruits help curb depression and oranges help bring more energy, vitality and overall happiness.

So, stop and smell the citrus! Have you experienced with aromatherapy in the past? What scents work best for you?

Source Url: http://gobelmont.ca/stop-and-smell-the-roses/