3 Ways to Relax with Aromatherapy

1. Essential Oils

Work, relationships, traffic, finances...these and so many other factors can leave you feeling frazzled. The good news is that aromatherapy can quickly help you feel calm, relaxed and at peace.

Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils distilled from plants. You can find essential oils by searching online or visiting your local health food store. Lavender, clary sage, chamomile and sandalwood are known for their relaxing and sedating properties. Research done at the Touch Research Institutes at the University of Miami School of Medicine in Miami, Fla., showed that lavender in particular lessens anxiety and promotes relaxation.

"Essential oil molecules are very tiny and when inhaled go directly to the limbic system of the brain," said Certified Medical Aromatherapist Katie Haley-Maloy, L.M.T., owner of CosmicFlower Aromatherapy Inc. in Winter Park, Fla. "The brain responds by sending a signal to the nervous system to calm down. This works very quickly and effectively," she added.

Haley-Maloy suggested putting a drop or two of an essential oil in the palm of your hand, rubbing your hands together and then cupping them over your nose to inhale. A few drops can also be put on a cotton ball or tissue and inhaled with four or five deep breaths.

2. Bathe Stress Away

Aromatherapy also works through skin absorption, so you can add 10 to 15 drops of an essential oil to a warm bath and soak your stress away.

You also can blend a few drops of two or three different oils to create a relaxing scent.

One product on the market today is the aromatherapy pillow, a buckwheat-filled bolster that contains essential oils. Slip this behind your head while bathing for an extra dose of relaxation.

You also can create your own aromatherapy bath salts by adding essential oils to unscented bath salts or Epsom salt. A good ratio is five to six drops of essential oil in one tablespoon of salt.

3. Lubricants for Gentle Application

Essential oils should never be applied directly to the skin in large amounts, as this can cause irritation. However, you can still benefit from aromatherapy by using essential oils in a lubricant, such as grapeseed oil, almond oil or a natural, unscented lotion.

"Essential oils are concentrated and must be used sparingly," Haley-Maloy noted. "Only a few drops are ever needed to promote a state of relaxation." Try five to six drops of essential oil in one tablespoon of lubricant."

You can then use the essential oil-infused lubricant for self-massage. Remember to inhale some of the essential oil's scent as well because you'll benefit most from the oil's properties that way.