There are many ‘life hacks’ seen on the internet. These are little tricks that make some aspect of our life easier. They range from methods of organizing the wardrobe to improving cognition with better diet and supplements. Some of the older hacks are still the best. One is using our sense of smell to alter our mood.
Aromatherapy has a history, or prehistory, dating back centuries. The smell of plant and flower oil has been used since ancient times for healing, preserving, cleaning, pain relief, and for just creating pleasant environment. Many noted the effect they seemed to have on mood.
Some essential oils for altering mood
Mental Boost- Peppermint, Rosemary, basil, helichrysum, cedar, vetiver, grapefruit, pine, juniper
Energy – citrus smells like lemon, orange, grapefruit. Other oils like eucalyptus cinnamon, peppermint, ginger, rosemary, spearmint, black pepper, jasmine
Breathing – eucalyptus, tea tree oil
Inflammation- peppermint, eucalyptus, wintergreen, chamomile, nutmeg, ginger, cayenne, rosemary, black pepper
Sleep – Lavender, cedarwood, chamomile, valerian,
The most commonly used oils in Thai massage include:
- Lemongrass
- Oil papaya
- Coconut
- Jasmine
A regular massage helps us stay physically and mentally healthy, so we are in a better place to deal with the demands of life.