Mindful Breathing
Madison + Green aromatherapy stress-relievers are effective in helping heal the mind through the use of authentic essential oils and the olfactory method, as discussed in the other pages. When our aromatherapy inhalers are used as directed, they incorporate a relaxing, mindful breathing technique.
When you’re feeling stressed, mindful breathing, or changing the pattern of breathing, can restore balance to the stress response system, improve physical health, and calm an agitated mind*.
The Breathing Pattern
When using our aromatherapy stress reliever jars, we recommend breathing it in slowly through the nose for 4 seconds, then slowly exhaling through the mouth for 6 seconds. This breathing pattern has been found by scientists to be the most beneficial for the mind, because it results in the "sweet spot" where the heart rate viability, or HRV, is maximized(1).
What does that mean? Basically, every breath you take affects your heart, and when you have a higher HRV, the system adjusting the heart rate is responding more robustly and flexibly to the changes in breathing.
People with anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD, ADD, etc., have reduced HRV, and the above breathing practices have been found to be beneficial(1).
(1)“The Healing Power of the Breath” by Richard Brown and Patricia Gerbarg.
The Meditative Experience
Mindful breathing practice can also help you connect to the present moment, which is also one of many meditation techniques. Mindfulness meditation has become a popular healing method in recent years, but most often, people assume that meditation is to sit down and force one’s self to have no thoughts. This couldn’t be farther from the truth, and almost impossible. It’s actually about becoming present to the moment, which means to connect with one’s self and the environment around. This can be healing, because by noticing your thoughts, you are looking at them from a second-point of view, and not identifying yourself with your thoughts. Such is an immediate escape from your mind, and it can be applied when focusing and noticising through your senses, such as the sense of smell.
When using our aromatherapy stress-relievers, the aroma of essential oils can immediately pull you into the present moment. The sense of smell is so powerful that it's almost impossible not to notice it, and it can become an instantaneous escape from the racing thoughts and general agitation. Pro tip: using the inhaler jars, try to simply notice the aroma of the essential oils, instead of judging it.
For more tips
Jasmine Bues, the co-founder of Madison + Green, is also a certified clinical aromatherapist and meditation instructor. She contributes content on Let's Inhale, Be well, the official journal for Madison + Green. Sign up or visit the journal to learn more about aromatherapy, breathing techniques, meditation tips, and more.