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How Women Can Use Aromatherapy for Stress Relief

Life in Nigeria can be overwhelming, with work, family responsibilities, traffic stress, and even hormonal changes. Many women carry a load that often leaves their bodies and minds feeling drained.
While most people turn to sleep, food, or even social media to ease the pressure, there’s a gentler and more natural method that many women around the world already use but is still new to us here: aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy uses the scents from natural plant oils to calm the mind, relax the body, and even uplift the spirit.
Think about how the smell of freshly baked puff-puff or peeled oranges instantly makes you feel lighter; that’s the same power at work. Now imagine channeling that power intentionally to fight stress.
In this article, you’ll see how simple scents can calm your mind, the oils every woman should know, and easy ways to bring them into your daily routine.
 
How Aromatherapy Works for Stress Relief
The power of aromatherapy lies in the way scents affect the brain and body.
When you breathe in an essential oil, the tiny scent molecules travel through your nose and directly connect with the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls emotions, memory, and stress response.
This is why certain scents can instantly make you feel calm or uplifted.
 
Here’s how it helps with stress:
  • Calms the nervous system: Scents like lavender or chamomile send signals to the brain that reduce tension and slow down the body’s “fight-or-flight” response.
     
  • Balances mood: Citrus oils like bergamot can trigger the release of “feel-good” hormones, helping to fight irritability and low mood.
     
  • Improves sleep: Some essential oils promote deeper rest, which naturally reduces stress levels the next day.
     
  • Encourages relaxation rituals: The act of diffusing oils, massaging with them, or using them during a bath creates a mindful routine that helps the mind unwind.
Research has shown that aromatherapy can lower stress hormones like cortisol, improve mood, and even reduce symptoms of anxiety.
 
Essential Oils Commonly Used for Stress Relief
Some plant oils stand out for their calming effects, and they’ve been tested in studies to show their benefits. A few worth trying include:
  • One of the most studied oils for stress relief.
  • Helps lower cortisol (the stress hormone) and eases anxiety.
  • It can also improve sleep quality.
  • Known for its uplifting citrus scent.
  • Helps reduce feelings of tension and mild depression.
  • Useful for women dealing with postpartum stress.
  • Gentle and calming, especially helpful for relaxation.
  • Supports better sleep and eases emotional restlessness.
  • Sweet floral scent that lowers blood pressure and encourages relaxation.
  • It can help with mood swings linked to stress.
  • A calming scent that helps you feel more stable when emotions are running high.
  • Helps quiet a racing mind and reduce feelings of overwhelm.
  • Especially useful for women during PMS or hormonal stress.
  • Known to improve mood and bring a sense of calm.
  • Refreshing scent that fights mental fatigue.
  • Can improve alertness while reducing stress.
     
Simple Ways You Can Use Essential Oils for Stress Relief
a. Diffusing at Home or Work
  • Add a few drops of essential oil (like lavender or bergamot) into a diffuser filled with water.
  • Let the scent fill the room while you relax, work, or sleep.
  • If a diffuser isn’t available, add drops into a bowl of hot water, cover your head with a towel, and inhale gently.
b. Inhalation on the Go
  • Place 1–2 drops of oil on a tissue or handkerchief and breathe in when feeling tense.
  • Some women keep a small roll-on bottle in their bag so that they can rub a little oil on their wrist or neck.
c. Stress-Relief Bath
  • Add 5–6 drops of lavender, chamomile, or ylang ylang oil into warm bathwater.
  • The steam and scent together calm both body and mind.
  • If a bathtub isn’t available, mix a few drops with your body wash or use them on your sponge during shower time.
d. Massage Oils
  • Mix a few drops of essential oil with a carrier oil (like coconut or almond oil).
  • Gently massage into the shoulders, neck, or feet after a long day.
e. Sleep Support
  • Put 1–2 drops of lavender oil on a cotton ball and tuck it inside your pillowcase before bed. This helps promote deeper, restful sleep.
Things to Keep in Mind When Using Essential Oils
1. Always dilute before applying to your skin.
Mix your essential oil with something like coconut, olive, or almond oil. Using it straight can easily cause irritation or rashes.
 
2. Be extra careful if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Some oils are not safe during this time, so it’s best to check before using them.
 
3. Avoid taking oils by mouth unless a qualified professional tells you it’s okay.
Not every oil is safe to swallow, even in small amounts.
 
4. Choose good-quality oils.
Look for 100% pure essential oils with no added chemicals. Cheaper oils may not work well and can sometimes irritate the skin.
 
5. Do a small patch test first.
Dab a little oil on the inside of your arm and wait for 24 hours. If your skin becomes red, itchy, or you feel dizzy, stop using it immediately.
 
6. Pay attention to your body.
Everyone reacts differently, so if something doesn’t feel right, don’t push it.
 
Conclusion
Stress is something we all deal with, but finding small ways to calm ourselves makes a big difference. Sometimes it’s as simple as surrounding yourself with a soothing scent after a long day.
Now, over to you. Have you tried using scents to relax before, or is it something you’d like to try out?
 
 
 
Researched by Victoria Odueso
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