What Is Aromatherapy and How Can It Benefit Seniors?

Your personal health and wellness should always be at the top of your priority list, especially as a senior. While there are many ways that you can go about this, such as participating in routine exercise and adding nutritious foods to your diet, it never hurts to think outside the box! If you have never heard of aromatherapy or given it a try, now is the time! Using essential oils has many health benefits, including improving your sleep quality, reducing pain levels, and decreasing feelings of anxiety.

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Interested in learning more about aromatherapy? Then continue reading to get more info courtesy of our Pacific Palisades senior living community:

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What is aromatherapy?

The practice of aromatherapy dates back to ancient Egypt and has long been used for its many health benefits. The Egyptians used essential oils to improve one’s physical, mental, and spiritual health with little to no side effects. Over time, this practice has been refined for a more modern setting and is extremely popular to use in essential oil diffusers, room sprays, bath bombs, perfumes, and more.

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Aromatherapy focuses on harnessing the curative properties of various herbs and plants as an all-natural home remedy for different ailments. Tree bark, flower petals, roots, and leaves are also popular options that can make up essential oils.

5 Aromatherapy Health Benefits

1) Minimized Stress

‍Do you struggle with feelings of stress? Even if you are retired and you are a resident of our luxury Pacific Palisades senior living community, you can still experience stress from time to time. Aromatherapy could be an effective, all-natural solution for managing stress and helping you to lead your happiest, healthiest life.

Some of the best essential oils that can help you to relax include lavender, bergamot, and lemongrass. These scents are known to may reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.

2.) May Improve Sleep Quality

‍Getting good quality rest at night is an essential for maintaining your overall health and well-being. However, if you have ever dealt with irregular sleep patterns, you know how absolutely frustrating it can be. Chronic insomnia may lead to irritability, forgetfulness, stress, a weakened immune system, and so much more.

If this is something that you face on a regular basis, aromatherapy can help! Lavender and chamomile are among the top essential oils for improving your sleep quality. Add a few drops in your tub prior to bathing or diffuse oils on your nightstand as a part of your bedtime routine. Either way, you are bound to get a more restful sleep.

3.) Better Digestion

If you are wanting to help improve gut health and have a better functioning digestive system, then it’s time to turn to essential oils! Orange oil, peppermint oil, and ginger oil are the top three aromatherapy options for aiding digestion. They can help to reduce spasms in the stomach, ease feelings of nausea or queasiness, and aid in the overall detoxification of the body.

4.) May Reduce Feelings of Anxiety and Depression

‍In recent years, the topic of mental health has become increasingly destigmatized and more widely discussed among all age groups and demographics. Unfortunately, older adults, including seniors, are not immune to feelings of anxiety and depression. If you are experiencing these negative feelings, it is very important that you find ways to manage them in a healthy way.

One place to start could be using essential oils. Once again, lavender is a go-to choice. When you sleep better and feel less anxious, you are bound to also experience less depression symptoms. Also, lavender can help naturally reduce your blood pressure, which can be a huge culprit that may add to your anxiety. In a 2015 study, wild ginger was shown to reduce depression behaviors in rats.

5.) May Decrease Pain

Bodily aches and pains are bound to happen with age. Stiff joints, achy muscles, and other discomfort can arise even in healthy individuals. While it’s a good idea to consult with your doctor if these feelings persist, aromatherapy can prove to be an effective home remedy.

Chamomile, eucalyptus, and rosemary can all be beneficial in relieving general aches and pains. When using these herbs in aromatherapy, try adding them to a hot bath or shower. When combined with the curative properties of the water, you are sure to find relief. Also, diffusing them in your bedroom or living area is also an excellent option.

Start Using Essential Oils Today

Getting started with essential oils is a very easy process! While it is encouraged that you seek out help from a licensed aromatherapist, you can begin by investing in an oil diffuser for your senior living apartment. Should you be on any particular medications or have concerns about an underlying health condition, be sure to consult with your physician prior to using essential oils. However, generally speaking, they are safe to use.

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