View All. Create a calming and uplifting ambience that will instantly transport you to a place of tranquillity. Find out more In the hustle and bustle of modern life, rest has become a rare luxury. While sleep gets much of the spotlight for its role in health and wellbeing, restโmoments of calm when the body is awake but the mind is at peaceโdeserves its own recognition. At its core, rest is essential for restoring balance, reducing stress, and enhancing creativity.
And with the gentle power of aromatherapy, rest can be even more rejuvenating. Yet rest, as Hammond notes, is different from sleep. Rest involves activities or states of being that calm the mind, relieve tension, and allow the body to recharge without requiring sleep. Rest can improve focus, mood, and even physical health by lowering stress hormones and boosting immune function. Scientific studies back this up. Incorporating rest into daily life can therefore help you feel more present, productive, and at peace.
The Role of Aromatherapy in Rest Aromatherapy uses natural plant extracts, essential oils, to support wellbeing. Certain scents can reduce stress, promote relaxation, and heighten sensory enjoyment during rest by stimulating the olfactory system. The connection between scent and emotion is powerful, as the olfactory bulb in the brain is directly linked to the limbic system, which governs mood and memory. A study in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that Lavender essential oil reduced stress and improved mood when inhaled.
Other restful oils such as Chamomile, Frankincense, and Ylang-Ylang have been shown to encourage relaxation and calm the nervous system. By pairing these soothing scents with moments of rest, you can elevate your downtime into deeply restorative experiencesโฆ.
Diffuse Sandalwood or Vanilla essential oils in your reading nook. These warm, grounding scents can deepen focus and create a cosy atmosphere. Place a drop of Bergamot oil on a tissue and inhale before starting your book. Bergamot is known for its uplifting properties and can help clear mental clutter. Use a roller blend with Clary Sage such as our Bergamot, Patchouli, and Clary Sage blend to apply to your wrists or temples before you settle into a story. Walking, especially in green spaces, offers a natural form of rest by combining gentle movement with a sense of mindfulness.
