Aromatherapy 101: Top 6 Free Resources for Teens
- Isabella M. Ronny R. Norton F. Kim J. Lilli V. Danitza P.
- Apr 10, 2024
- 5 min read
Note. From Mikhail Nilov, 2021,Pexels.:
Are you a person that loves smells? Do certain smells trigger different moods? Ready to discover how a simple sniff can boost your mood and relax you? Welcome to the world of aromatherapy! It's all about using plant-based oils to make you feel at peace, but does it really work? Let's dive in and check out our top 5 free resources to get you started!
What's Aromatherapy Anyway?
Aromatherapy is like magic for your nose! Certain smells can cause changes in the way your brain feels. For example, it can make you feel different emotions, like calmness or happiness. Basically, these scents send messages to the brain that say, "Hey, let’s calm down”, which allows the brain to unwind (Koulivand et al., 2013). So, if you're feeling overwhelmed, a whiff of lavender, or peppermint, could be just what you need to feel better.
A study checked if the smell of lavender and rosemary essential oils helped nursing students feel less nervous during tests. As it turns out, the students that did smell these oils felt more calm, and less anxious, during their exams (McCaffrey et al., 2009). With that being said, even though exam season can be extremely stressful, sniffing these oils might be the solution in helping you relax, so that you can focus better when it’s time to hit the books. It’s like having a little helper in a bottle to calm those nerves and boost your confidence during exam time!
Effects of Aromatherapy on Mental Health
Provides Relaxation and Stress Relief: Aromatherapy is a great way to cope with any feelings of stress that you may feel. Some studies even show that scents, such as lavender, can actually calm down our nerves.
Improved Sleep: Getting into the habit of applying essential oils before bed can actually help you sleep better and for a longer period of time (Koulivand et al., 2013).
Better Mood: Inhaling the calming and nice scents, like orange essential oils, can actually put you in a much happier mood (Lehrner et al., 2005).
Top 6 Free Resources:
Note. From Couleur, 2017, pixabay.: https://pixabay.com/photos/bath-oil-oil-lavender-fragrance-oil-2510783/
Kim - YouTube Channel: Young Living Essential Oils - 1/6
This channel is awesome! Watching their videos feels like being part of a supportive group of people that share the same interest in aromatherapy. They share facts about the benefits and uses of different oils. These videos have been very interesting and have helped me discover new oils to add into my collection and use them in my routine. Plus, their tutorials on DIY blends and recipes have made me want to try them
.
Isabella - Podcasts: The Essential Oil Revolution by Dr. Sarah Lobsico - 2/6
Each episode feels like a new experience into the aromatic world, where I get to learn from some of the most smart and loving people in the field. One thing I love about this podcast is its variety. From discussing mixing techniques with different oils, to exploring the benefits of essential oils and how they can be relaxing, every episode offers something new and exciting to try.
Lilli - Website: AromaWeb - 3/6
AromaWeb has been my go-to website to learn more about essential oils. I remember the first time I visited the site, I got lost with all the colors, articles, and guides they have. From learning about the different properties of oils, to discovering new recipes for homemade skincare products, AromaWeb has become my virtual aromatherapy encyclopedia.
Note. From Moni Core, 2016, pixabay.: https://pixabay.com/photos/essential-oils-alternative-aroma-1851027/
Norton - Course online: Basics of Aromatherapy course on Alison.com - 4/6
I find the course very nice because it allows me to study at my own pace. The course covers many topics, like the history of aromatherapy, benefits of essential oils, and application methods, which I believe helps get a better understanding of aromatherapy and everything it has to offer. I appreciate that the course includes little questions that help me test my understanding of the material and help my learning.
Note. From Ri Ya, 2022, pixabay.: https://pixabay.com/photos/smelling-fragrance-bloom-happiness-7490294/
Danitza - Website: National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) - 5/6
NAHA's website is like a treasure, for anyone interested in aromatherapy. I've spent hours browsing through their articles, gaining knowledge about different oils and their uses, but some of the content can be a bit too much for beginners like me. I've found it incredibly inspiring to learn from people that have done it for a long time. I love smells by the way, so that’s why I was so excited.
Note. From Greza, 2020, pixabay: https://pixabay.com/photos/child-girl-model-female-young-girl-5670273/
Ronny - App: The Essential Life Oil Guide - 6/6
One of the things I love most about this app is that it’s very simple and easy to use. From the moment I opened it, I was surprised by how nice and organized the app is, which made the search for different oils, blends, and recipes very easy. Whether I'm searching for a specific oil, or exploring new blends, I can always find what I need quickly and with no effort.
Why we ranked it this way:
● Young Living Essential Oils YouTube channel: It felt like we were learning a lot about oils, while hanging out with friends.
● The Essential Oil Revolution podcast: Very interesting content, but some episodes were a bit hard to follow.
● AromaWeb website: There are tons of articles and guides that taught us many things about oils, as well as how to make our own skincare products.
● Online Course: The opportunity to earn a certificate of completion is motivating, and gives a sense of accomplishment.
● NAHA's website: Lots of info, but too professional for beginners like us.
● The Essential Life Oil Guide app: Super easy to use, with quick info on different oils and blends.
Note. From Ion Ceban, 2019, Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-holding-brown-labeled-pack-2638413/
Call to action
So here it is, the world of aromatherapy is waiting for you. Make your own recipes and try new smells. You will love it, it’s a very therapeutic activity and also relaxes you in the best way. Tell your friends about this and make your own oils, it can be a great gift for someone. Give us your feet back and see you next time.
Conclusion
Aromatherapy isn't just about smelling nice—it's about feeling good too. Our top 5 free resources will help you kickstart your aromatherapy journey and relax yourself like a pro. Whether you're watching videos, browsing websites, or diving into apps, there's something for everyone in the world of aromatherapy!
References
Koulivand, P. H., Khaleghi Ghadiri, M., & Gorji, A. (2013). Lavender and the nervous system. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013, 681304–681310. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/681304
Lehrner, J., Marwinski, G., Lehr, S., Johren, P., & Deecke, L. (2005). Ambient odors of orange and lavender reduce anxiety and improve mood in a dental office. Physiology & Behavior, 86(1), 92–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2005.06.031
McCaffrey, R., Thomas, D. J., & Kinzelman, A. O. (2009). The effects of lavender and rosemary essential oils on test-taking anxiety among graduate nursing students. Holistic nursing practice, 23(2), 88–93. https://doi.org/10.1097/HNP.0b013e3181a110aa
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