Stress is an inevitable part of life, especially today when the world is demanding and challenging, people always compete with themselves and others. A lot of things can be stressful, responsibilities at home, school works, tasks and deadlines to be met at work and problems concerning family and relationships. People have different ways of coping with stress. There are those who find relief from simple things such as taking naps or breaks while others result to serious and unsafe methods of coping such as drug and alcohol abuse. People who are most likely stresses are those who cannot keep up with the pressures of life.

Stress has been known to be a common risk factor for many diseases and disorders such as anxiety, depression, heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, hypertension or an increased blood pressure, stroke and obesity. The good thing about stress is that it is can be prevented and relieved with proper coping methods. There is one alternative method that can be helpful in fighting stress and reducing its effects on a person. Aromatherapy has been effective in relieving stress.

Aromatherapy has been used in ancient Egypt as a cure for health conditions. Nowadays, it has been popular in improving the mood of a person and in relieving stress. Aromatherapy uses oils which are derived from plant extracts which makes it natural and considered safe for use. There are available aromatherapy oils in the markets which makes it accessible and convenient to use.

It can be inhaled, mixed with bath water or used as massage oil. Upon inhalation of the scent, the olfactory nerve which is responsible for the sense of smell sends signal to the brain. The brain then processes the scent that is said to have an effect with the systems in the body, especially on the neurologic system which is in charge of the emotions, moods and thoughts of a person. Another explanation is that some scents have been registered in the brain, together with a memory that the scent is attached with. If the scent influences a person positively, most likely it becomes an effective reliever of stress. The most popular stress relievers are those with citrus scents. There are also scents which promote relaxation such as lavender and chamomile. Typically, the effect on people varies because people have different reactions to different scents. Some may find citrus appealing, while others may opt for lavender or other scents.

There are certain considerations, however, that you must be aware of before using aromatherapy. Choose scents that are not too strong since they can irritate your nose. If you have an allergic reaction, immediately wash the oil off and seek the attention of a medical professional. Oils may vary in concentration and strength especially if the manufacturers are different. Be careful not to let it come in contact with your eyes and never ingest it. Aromatherapy oils are only for external use and may be dangerous if ingested. When used properly, aromatherapy oils can relieve stress effectively.