A WHIFF OF CALM
Enjoy a deep breath of relaxation
Simply taking a deep breath or doing mild breathing exercises can help reduce stress. And when you add a favorite fragrance of an essential oil, you've gone the extra step to aromatherapy.
You could add a scented biscuit to your bath and take 20 minutes to chill out in a warm tub. Or sit in that cushy, comfortable chair in the living room while reading a magazine-all the while enjoying a fragrant candle (try one made of soy wax instead of soot-producing paraffin). Or maybe add a few drops of an essential oil to a handkerchief and gently wave it near you like an old-time Southern belle. Any way you do it, the soothing effects of the aroma are impossible to avoid.
There even are weighted, scented sleep masks that can relax you, ease headaches and leave you refreshed.
Don't have a candle, mask or bath oil handy? Check the fridge or freezer for a roll of slice-and-bake cookies. Even if your diet prevents you from eating them, the sweet smell of baking just a couple will succeed in soothing your soul.
Some scents that have showed a calming and/or stress-reducing effect include lavender, sandalwood, vanilla, ylang-ylang and lemon.