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The Best Aromatherapy Diffuser for Stress Relief and Relaxation

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For thousands of years, aromatherapy has been used to help people feel relaxed when under stress and to maintain good health. Essential oils taken from adaptogenic herbs are massaged into the body or diffused into the atmosphere via an aromatherapy diffuser. In this article, we discover the benefits of aromatherapy and recommend the best aromatherapy diffuser on the market today.

What Is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils, which are derived from plants, to bring soothing relief from stress and physical ailments. Essential oils can be massaged into the body, inhaled, used in the bath, and spread through an aromatherapy diffuser. Focus and breath oils can also be inhaled nasally to improve respiration.

Aromatherapy 101: 3 Amazing Uses, Facts and Health Benefits

Essential oils must be diluted in a base or carrier oil before use. Soya, sunflower, grapeseed, and sweet almond oils all make good carrier oils for body massage. For use on the face, and especially for people with sensitive skin, carrot or jojoba oils are more suitable, although they are also more expensive.

Benefits of Essential Oils

Aromatic oils absorbed through the skin during massage evoke beneficial hormonal and emotional responses. Aromatherapy is most commonly used as a stress reliever. Aromatic compounds contained in essential oils act as relaxants, induce a calming effect, and help to relieve stress.

Also, aromatherapy benefits those who are suffering from depression, particularly with peppermint, lavender, and jasmine essential oils. In addition, a number of essential oils have been known to increase energy levels, boost blood circulation, and act as a central nervous system stimulant. Even better, they do it without the negative side effects that come with caffeine and other stimulants, like energy crashes.

Essential Oils to Help Improve Your Health?

The increased blood circulation that results from aromatherapy can speed up healing. This is due to the increased supply of oxygen and nutrients to the affected area. Certain essential oils also contain compounds with antimicrobial properties. The best wound-healing essential oils are lavender, rosehip, and buckthorn.

Aromatherapy has also proven itself to be a powerful remedy for headaches. While it is not known exactly how essential oils reduce headaches, there’s no denying that they do. Using essential oils rather than relying on pharmaceuticals for headache management has become increasingly popular; the best oils for this purpose are peppermint, sandalwood, and rosemary.

Brown Bottles of essential oil with fresh herbs
Use Essential Oils for Headache Management (Image Source: Shutterstock)

Furthermore, essential oils help people get to sleep and are effective as inhalants for upper respiratory infections in both children and adults. Care must be taken, however, to measure the number of drops used and to monitor the length of use; otherwise, the delicate nasal lining may become damaged.

Self-care rituals involving essential oils can promote calm living. Adding drops of oil such as lavender to your bath can enhance its relaxing effects. However, it is important to remember that oils are very concentrated and that less is more. Apart from being toxic, if the amount added is excessive, the oil can have the opposite of its intended effect. It may stimulate and irritate the nerves rather than relaxing them. If you are going to add essential oils to bathwater, do so when the tap is running and never use more than 10 drops.

How Are Essential Oils Selected?

There are around 40 plant oils that are commonly used in aromatherapy. These oils are often classified according to their effects on their body—for example, whether they are relaxing, stimulating, or uplifting. They may also be classified according to the nature of the aroma, such as woody, herbaceous, or fruity.

The effect of an oil as well as its aroma type can vary considerably depending on the soil on which the plant was grown and the season in which it was harvested. Some lavenders can produce an oil that is almost citrus in aroma, which can be invigorating, while other lavender oils have a pine-like aroma, which is relaxing and lowers anxiety. Any oil made from basil is uplifting with a warm and spicy aroma, with hints of camphor and fruit, while fennel oil stimulates and refreshes with a warm yet fruity aroma.

Are There Any Side Effects?

A person could become so relaxed that they fall asleep during treatment. If this happens in a treatment situation, they should be allowed sufficient time to wake up. If a deeply relaxed state has been induced, it may not be safe for the patient to drive or operate machinery until they are fully awake. However, aromatherapy will not impair the judgment and cognition of the person. In fact, these are often enhanced.

A woman who fell asleep while using her essential oil diffuser.
Essential Oils Can Help You Relax (Image Source: Shutterstock)

People who have very sensitive skin may develop a slight irritation if the blend of oil is strong.

Aromatherapy Diffusers

An aromatherapy diffuser is a product that diffuses essential oils into the atmosphere. They provide all of the benefits of aromatherapy throughout the day by infusing living areas with essential oil aromas. Many people also place their essential oil diffuser in their bedroom to help promote a good night’s sleep.

As well as keeping your home smelling great, an essential oil diffuser can eliminate airborne germs and odors while also bringing relief from congestion and respiratory disorders.

selective focus of girl sitting in bedroom with tulip flowers and air purifier spreading steam
Aromatherapy Diffusers Can Eliminate Airborne Germs While Keeping Your Home Smelling Great (Image Source: Shutterstock)

When choosing a diffuser, look for a product that allows you to cycle it on and off at intervals of about 20 minutes. This will avoid diffusing too much essential oil into the atmosphere, which can cause nasal irritation and create an overwhelming fragrance.

The aromatherapy diffuser should also have a detachable bowl or base. This will make it easy to clean. The water tank should also be readily accessible for cleaning purposes.

The aera diffuser and a white tea essential oil capsule.
The Best Aromatherapy Diffuser is Aera Diffuser (Image Source: AeraForHome)

The best aromatherapy diffuser that meets all of the criteria just mentioned is the Aera Diffuser.

If you think essential oils might benefit you in your everyday life, why not try them? Pick the scents that are most appealing to you and see their effectiveness for yourself.