No matter our age, lifestyle, or geographic location, one thing that all humans have in
common is that we all experience emotions every day. Emotions are an inescapable part of
being a human, and they have a serious impact on our happiness and well-being. Although
emotions are somewhat mysterious, they can be characterized as complex internal
reactions that will differ from person to person.
Because we each have a unique personality and a unique set of personal experiences, each of us will
experience emotions in different ways. We each have different methods for responding to and coping with
emotions, and each person displays their emotions a little differently.
While our emotions can affect our quality of life in several ways, we know that they are very influential in
shaping our motivations—which can then shape our behavior and way of thinking. Our responses to emotions
can have negative or positive effects on our quality
of life, depending on how we choose to respond
based on our personality or experiences. While each
person experiences emotions differently, unchecked
emotions can seriously affect anyone’s quality of
life by impacting their emotional or physical health.
Conversely, experiencing positive emotions and
finding healthy ways to deal with negative emotions
can lead to an improved quality of life. Whether
we choose to deal with our emotions, or leave
them unchecked, we will never be able to escape
emotions entirely.
A scientific look at emotions
For decades, scientists have studied human
emotions because of their mysterious nature and the
vital role they play in our daily lives. Most scientists
agree that emotions are complex, multi-factorial
responses that are triggered by multiple mechanisms
and stimuli. This explains why emotions are so
complex and mysterious—they are multi-factorial,
which means that they are dependent on a variety
of factors or causes. Emotions are also complicated
because they can be triggered by any number of
means or stimuli.
Simply put, emotions are your response to the
environment around you. This “environment”
includes your physical location, the people around you, any activities you are engaging in, and dozens of other
factors (both in and out of your control.) Your brain will process these factors and determine how to respond
emotionally. This response will usually lead to some sort of action, and is typically based on your previous
experiences and survival instincts.
As mentioned, emotions and responses will vary from person to person because of our unique personalities
and life experiences. An individual’s personality and experience will influence how they perceive stimuli and
their environment. This is why we each have unique responses and ways of dealing with emotions—the same
stimuli can be perceived differently by two people.
While there are a wide array of emotions, and countless possible responses, emotions can generally be
categorized into one of two categories: positive or negative. As mentioned, positive emotions can help improve
well-being and quality of life, while negative emotions can take a toll on the body, both mentally and physically
when they are not dealt with properly.
Scientific definition of emotions: complex, multi-factorial responses that are triggered by multiple
mechanisms and stimuli.
Multi-factorial: dependent on a number of factors or causes
Mechanisms: devices, means, or methods
Stimuli: something that stimulates or acts as an incentive, or creates a response
Negative emotions
Any emotion that we might feel throughout the day can typically be categorized as either a positive emotion
or a negative emotion. Positive emotions uplift our mood and usually motivate us to act in a way that will help
us maintain that positive mood. Negative emotions can also motivate us to act in a way that will uplift our
mood; however, if these negative emotions are left unchecked, they can have serious effects on overall health,
especially emotional health. As discussed, negative emotions can impact our quality of life, and even alter how
our body feels and functions.
Handling negative emotions
To keep negative emotions from decreasing your
quality of life, it is important to have healthy coping
mechanisms. Because emotions vary from person to
person, it should come as no surprise that methods
for handling emotions will also vary depending on
your personality, preferences, and other factors. For
example, some people find physical activity and
exercise to be an effective way to deal with negative
emotions, while others prefer quiet reflection or
meditation. Any number of activities (or a combination
of several activities) can work to help an individual deal
with their negative emotions.
When it comes to handling negative emotions, it
is important to find a method that works for you
personally. Consider engaging in a favorite hobby or
pastime, confiding in a friend or loved one that you
trust, practicing meditation or simply setting aside quiet
time for relaxing. Finding an activity that you enjoy and
that will help you work through any negative feelings is
a healthy part of dealing with emotions.
Using aromatherapy to deal
with negative emotions
In addition to developing healthy habits for dealing with negative emotions, you might also consider
incorporating the use of essential oils into your regular routine for mood management. Although methods
for dealing with negative emotions will vary from person to person, there is a wide variety of essential oils
to choose from when it comes to uplifting mood and promoting positive emotions. Because each person is
unique, it is helpful to have an equally unique set of oils, each with its own unique chemistry, to help soothe,
calm, or uplift the mood. Once you learn about how to use essential oils to manage your mood, you will find
that they can become a regular part of your routine for combating negative emotions in your daily life.
Using essential oils for emotional benefit
Used anciently for their ability to influence emotions, essential oils are still useful today for
managing mood and promoting uplifting feelings. Those who don’t know about the rich history
of essential oils and aromatherapy might assume that using essential oils for emotions (and
other purposes) is merely a new trend or fad that will soon pass. However, the popularity of
aromatherapy has continued to grow since ancient times as essential oils have constantly proven
an effective method for managing emotions. In addition to historic examples of aromatherapy,
more recent research and scientific findings have also helped to prove the success of essential
oils for managing mood.
History of aromatherapy
Early usage
Although it was not always referred to as aromatherapy,
the use of essential oils for emotional benefit dates back
to ancient times. People in ancient civilizations often
used essential oils, plants, and other plant materials for
things like cooking, bathing, promoting healthy skin, and
a variety of healthcare practices. In addition to these
practical daily uses, essential oils were frequently used
during burials, rituals, and religious ceremonies, as many
ancient cultures recognized the power of essential oils
on emotions.
Aromatherapy was used in ancient civilizations like
Greece, Rome, China, and India—usually during
meaningful events like religious ceremonies and other
rituals. For example, Babylonians and Assyrians would
burn Frankincense during religious ceremonies due to its warm aroma that promotes feelings of peace and
relaxation. In ancient Rome, soldiers would use Fennel before going into battle to help make them
feel strong and brave.
While the idea of aromatherapy has developed and changed since ancient times, it is clear that the people of
these ancient cultures recognized the power in using essential oils to influence emotions.
Aromatherapy in the 20th Century
Even though the practice of aromatherapy dates back to
ancient times, it was not until the 20th century that the term
“aromatherapy” was officially coined and scientists began to
support the idea of using essential oils for emotional benefit.
While many have enjoyed the benefits of aromatherapy for
hundreds of years, it wasn’t until the 1990's that scientists
were able to prove the connection between essential oils and
mood management.
In the early 1990's, substantial research helped biologists
better understand how the brain reacts to aromas. This
research proved what people of ancient civilizations had
already put into practice—essential oils can be used to
create responses within the body, particularly to benefit and
influence emotions. Although the science of emotions still
holds significant mystery, we know that there is a connection
between scent and emotions. Because of this connection,
we also know that aromatherapy is a useful tool for managing
emotions and uplifting mood.
Why use essential oils to manage mood?
As mentioned, each person experiences emotions a little differently, and thus, the methods for managing
emotions will vary from person to person. While there are many options available for uplifting mood and
coping with negative emotions, there are several benefits to using aromatherapy and essential oils to manage
emotions.
A safe, natural way to manage mood
Depending on the individual and the emotion, there are seemingly endless methods for altering or
managing mood. However, many of these options do not promote good emotional health or physical health.
Unfortunately, some people use questionable or even potentially dangerous methods to manage or alter their
emotions, which can lead to more serious problems down the road.
The benefit of using essential oils for mood management is that they can help soothe, calm, and uplift the
emotions in a natural way. High quality essential oils are pure and potent, so only a little oil will be needed
to help the user achieve the desired effect. Although essential oils are extremely powerful, they come
from natural sources, so they are still safe to use. By providing a safe, natural way to manage emotions,
aromatherapy is a good alternative to many of the other mood management tactics out there.
Essential oils generate quick
responses
As discussed, high quality essential oils are extremely
powerful and potent. Typically, you will start experiencing
some sort of response from the moment you open the
bottle, because you will be able to smell the oil from a
distance. This power and potency means that you will
only have to use a small amount of oil to help manage
your mood. While some methods for managing emotions
can be ineffective, essential oils will generate natural,
effective responses. By using aromatherapy for emotional
benefits, you can harness the power of essential oils to
help you quickly and effectively deal with the variety of
emotions you experience on a daily basis.
As mentioned, each person experiences emotions
differently, and thus, the methods for managing emotions
will vary from person to person. While there are many
options available for uplifting mood and coping with
negative emotions, there are several benefits to using
aromatherapy and essential oils to manage emotions.
Essential oils provide a simple method that can be used in
conjunction with other tactics
One reason that aromatherapy has been a popular method for managing mood throughout history lies in its
simplicity. You don’t need to be a professional in aromatherapy or a scientist to enjoy the emotional benefits
of essential oils. Once you learn a little bit about essential oils and how they work, you can easily use them in
your daily life to help manage your mood. After you learn the proper methods for applying essential oils, and
understand which essential oils possess calming, uplifting, invigorating, relaxing, or other properties, it will be
extremely easy to enjoy the emotional benefits of aromatherapy.
Not only are essential oils easy to use and apply, but they can be used in conjunction with other mood
management methods to help you keep your emotions in check. Essential oils are often used with methods
like massage or meditation, and even in conjunction with activities like exercise, bathing, or sleeping. This
makes it easy to tailor essential oils and aromatherapy to your personal preferences—further helping you
cope with negative emotions during your day-to-day routine.
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