After a year of uncertainty, we’re all in need of some good news. So, after what has seemed like forever, it finally came last week when some European countries received the green light for English tourists. The world is opening up, little by little, bringing new opportunities for many of us.
Of course, there are those that have had no choice but to travel for business throughout all of this bleak period. Whilst flying off to sunnier climes or a foreign country to negotiate a sale can feel incredibly exciting, now, more than ever, it can become a source of anxiety too.
Anxiety at Airports
There’s a lot of potential anxiety triggers at airports. After all, many of us haven’t visited one for a while, so we’ve got to acclimatise once more. There’s still the natural concern around Covid-19 and that may be playing on the minds of many. You might also be worried about the large crowds or missing your flight. Or do you obsessively check your bag every 2 minutes for your passport? Then there are public toilets which can be unbelievably difficult for someone with OCD too. And we’ve all heard about the nervous flyer. Suffering from a debilitating fear of flying (aerophobia) means that even thinking about it is a stressful situation. So, if you find yourself sitting tensely at the gate, rather than enjoying the build-up, it’s time to take stock and make some changes.
How Can Aromatherapy Help?
Aromatherapy is a quick, effective, and remarkably powerful tool to use when you’re feeling anxious. This ancient therapy works on the link between our sense of smell and the part of the brain where memory and habits are formed.
When essential oils are inhaled, invisible molecules within the essential oils travel from the olfactory nerves directly to the brain and these have an impact on our limbic system. This is a crucial part of the brain that helps with the formation of memories, habit behaviour and emotion.
Certain smells can remind us of something in the past or evoke a strong emotional response. That’s usually where you’ve smelt that particular smell several times and made a positive or negative association related to it. It’s the smell of warm bread that reminds us of mum in the kitchen and brings a soft smile to the face, the lavender soap that undoubtedly smells just like Grandma, or a vague waft of Brut that instantly transports us back to our first boyfriend and his trusty Ford Cortina.
The same applies with essential oils. The more often that you use aromatherapy to transition into a particular mood or mindset, the stronger the association will become, and a mental cue is created. If you regularly use an aromatherapy blend to destress or manage anxiety, as soon as your brain receives the cue, it will automatically transition into a more desirable calmer mindset.
The limbic system also plays a role in controlling several unconscious physiological functions, such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. These often increase during times of anxiety. It’s believed that aromatherapy can impact on these physical indicators, and help to slow down the rate of breathing, heart rate and blood pressure.
Portable Aromatherapy for Flying
We understand that airports and flying can be a very stressful experience. That’s why Scentered have created portable mini aromatherapy balms, perfect for popping into your hand-luggage.
These clever 100% natural, essential-oil based aromatherapy balms contain up to 25 premium mood-enhancing essential oils, carried within a nourishing moringa and shea butter balm for mess-free application to your pulse points.
Feeling anxious at departures? Try our soothing 1.5g mini Scentered DE-STRESS Aromatherapy Balm for instant calm. The powerful Chamomile, Neroli and Mandarin blend, promotes calmness, soothes tension, and supports feelings of well-being.
This lipstick lookalike balm is ridiculously easy and convenient to use, such a welcome relief from fiddling with bottle tops and clearing up spills. To get the maximum benefit, follow the Scentered Wellbeing Ritual of Stop. Inhale. Reset.
Firstly, stop to apply the balm to your wrists, neck, and temples, then inhale deeply three times. The balm is rapidly absorbed into the skin through the pulse points to travel around the body via the bloodstream. Breathing the scent in also means that the olfactory and limbic Systems are targeted so that a mental cue to de stress is triggered and the physical indicators of anxiety like breath, heart rate and blood pressure are impacted on. You’ll be amazed at how speedily your body and mind responds to instantly reset your mood.
And the good news is that you can repeat the Scentered Wellbeing Ritual with the De Stress Balm as often as you need support, whether it’s the morning of the flight, on the journey, at the airport or on board the plane. Enjoy your flight with the little balm that provides a big dose of support!
We would love to hear about your mental wellness journey. You can also keep in touch via our Instagram @iamscentered or sign up to our newsletter for updates, news and offers.