Stillness in the Noise: How Aromatherapy Can Support Your Mental Health
Please note - This article explores mental wellness and aromatherapy for general wellbeing. It is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment, or therapy.
If you are struggling with your mental health, please reach out for support — contact your GP, Mind (0300 123 3393), or Samaritans (116 123) for free and confidential help
In a world that moves fast, our minds often sprint ahead. Deadlines, distractions, screens, social noise. Your brain juggles so much — and your nervous system quietly asks for pause.
That’s why cultivating calm isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity.
The State of Play: Why Mental Health Matters Now
- Around 1 in 4 adults in England will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Mind
- For children and young people (ages 8-25) in England, about 1 in 5 had a probable mental health disorder in 2023. NHS England
- Demand for mental health services is rising: over 3.8 million people in England were in contact with NHS mental health, learning disability and autism services in 2023–24. NHS England
- Poor mental health also brings huge wider costs — socially, economically, individually. Mind
These figures don’t just show how many people are affected; they show how deeply mental exhaustion, anxiety, depression, and overwhelm are embedded in everyday life. What’s needed isn’t always a major intervention — sometimes a gentle shift will help.
What You Can Do: Practical Ways to Support Your Mental Health
Here are several simple, actionable steps you can adopt:
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Create intentional pauses
Even brief breaks matter. Stand up. Stretch. Change your space. Give your nervous system a chance to rest. -
Cultivate a sensory ritual
Using scent, light, texture or sound to mark a transition (“work → home”, “activity → rest”) helps your nervous system switch modes. -
Support brain health with movement & breath
Gentle movement, like walking or stretching, plus conscious breathing can help regulate mood and reduce anxiety. -
Frame your space for your mood
Changing your environment (lighting, scent, clutter) can send your brain the message: “It’s okay to slow now.” -
Talk and reflect
A quick check-in: “How am I feeling right now?” “What can I let go of today?” These questions build self-connection.
Why Aromatherapy Fits Quietly but Powerfully
Scent is a direct line to the brain’s emotional centre. When you inhale a fragrance, chemical molecules travel through your olfactory system into the limbic region — where mood, memory and emotion live. PMC
Here’s how aromatherapy can help:
- Several studies show aromatherapy may help reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms. PMC
- A systematic review found compounds such as lavender, bergamot and eucalyptus have mood-regulating effects when used as inhalation or massage. PMC
- Though it’s not a substitute for medical treatment, aromatherapy is a low-barrier, accessible way to support your mental space. Organizations like Cleveland Clinic say inhaled essential oils can help with stress and mood when used alongside other wellness habits. Cleveland Clinic
How to Use Aromatherapy in Your Everyday Wellness
Here are some gentle rituals you can integrate:
- Morning start: Light a candle in your favourite space as you prepare your day. Let the aroma set the tone: “I’m choosing calm.”
- Midday reset: Use a room spray around your workspace when mental fog creeps in. A fresh scent acts like a mini-reset.
- Evening landing: Finish the day by lighting a candle or using a calming spray. Let the scent signal to your mind: “Time to rest.”
For example:
- Lavender & Patchouli blend : Ideal for grounding and easing racing thoughts. Our blend combines French Lavender and grounding Patchouli to ease racing thoughts. See our Aromatherapy Candle here
- Lemon & Eucalyptus blend: Great when your mind is crowded, for clarity or mental focus. Our Blend combines Lemon and Chinese Eucalyptus to boost clarity ad uplift your mood. See our Aromatherapy Candle here
Why This Matters for You
Because calm isn’t about the absence of everything.
It’s not about waiting for perfect peace.
It’s about choosing a moment — one breath, one scent, one space — that reminds your nervous system you’re safe.
You matter. Your mind deserves softness. Your well-being deserves space.
Final Thought
If you’re feeling like your mind is loud, your to-do list heavy or your calm hard to find — know this: you’re not alone.
And you don’t need to wait for rest to find you.
You can create calm.
One breath. One scent. One moment at a time.
Useful External Resources
- Mind — “Mental health facts and statistics” (UK) Mind
- Mental Health Foundation — UK statistics and insight Mental Health Foundation
- Cleveland Clinic — “Can aromatherapy help you feel calmer?” Cleveland Clinic