In the hustle and bustle of modern life, rest has become a rare luxury. While sleep gets much of the spotlight for its role in health and wellbeing, rest—moments of calm when the body is awake but the mind is at peace—deserves its own recognition. Claudia Hammond’s insightful book, The Art of Rest, explores the myriad ways rest improves our mental and physical health, backed by compelling research. At its core, rest is essential for restoring balance, reducing stress, and enhancing creativity. And with the gentle power of aromatherapy, rest can be even more rejuvenating.
Why Rest Matters
Claudia Hammond conducted a global survey called the Rest Test, which revealed that 68% of people feel they don’t get enough rest. Yet rest, as Hammond notes, is different from sleep. Rest involves activities or states of being that calm the mind, relieve tension, and allow the body to recharge without requiring sleep. Rest can improve focus, mood, and even physical health by lowering stress hormones and boosting immune function.
Scientific studies back this up. A 2016 study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience highlighted how restful activities like reading or walking in nature enhance the brain’s default mode network (DMN), which is responsible for creativity and introspection. Incorporating rest into daily life can therefore help you feel more present, productive, and at peace.
The Role of Aromatherapy in Rest
Aromatherapy uses natural plant extracts, essential oils, to support wellbeing. Certain scents can reduce stress, promote relaxation, and heighten sensory enjoyment during rest by stimulating the olfactory system. The connection between scent and emotion is powerful, as the olfactory bulb in the brain is directly linked to the limbic system, which governs mood and memory.
Research supports aromatherapy’s benefits for relaxation. A 2020 study in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that Lavender essential oil reduced stress and improved mood when inhaled. Other restful oils such as Chamomile, Frankincense, and Ylang-Ylang have been shown to encourage relaxation and calm the nervous system.
By pairing these soothing scents with moments of rest, you can elevate your downtime into deeply restorative experiences…
Restful Reading with Aromatherapy
Reading ranked as the most restful activity in Hammond’s Rest Test. Whether you’re immersing yourself in a gripping novel or flipping through poetry, reading offers a mental escape that relaxes the mind and lowers heart rate.
How to enhance with aromatherapy:
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Diffuse Sandalwood or Vanilla essential oils in your reading nook. These warm, grounding scents can deepen focus and create a cosy atmosphere.
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Place a drop of Bergamot oil on a tissue and inhale before starting your book. Bergamot is known for its uplifting properties and can help clear mental clutter.
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Use a roller blend with Clary Sage (such as our Bergamot, Patchouli, and Clary Sage blend) to apply to your wrists or temples before you settle into a story.
Walking with Aromatherapy
Walking, especially in green spaces, offers a natural form of rest by combining gentle movement with a sense of mindfulness. Studies show that walking outdoors reduces stress and increases endorphins, while exposure to natural scents like pine and cedarwood can enhance this calming effect.
How to enhance with aromatherapy:
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Apply a few drops of Eucalyptus or Peppermint oil to a handkerchief or portable inhaler to carry during your walk. These oils can invigorate your senses and help you breathe deeply.
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Create a pocket diffuser necklace with Cedarwood or Pine essential oils to evoke the grounding presence of a forest walk, even in an urban setting. We love the necklace from Sophie Honeybourne for this.
Bathing with Aromatherapy
A warm bath is one of the most luxurious ways to rest. Hammam baths and hydrotherapy have been used for centuries to relieve stress, ease muscle tension, and calm the mind. Adding essential oils can transform an ordinary bath into a deeply restorative ritual.
How to enhance with aromatherapy:
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Add 5-10 drops of Lavender or Chamomile essential oil to a tablespoon of carrier oil and mix it into the bathwater. These oils are renowned for their calming properties.
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Use our Rest Bath Oil, specially formulated to ground and soothe the mind. It contains high-grade pure essential oils of Vetiver, Sweet Orange, Chamomile, Geranium, and Lavender—for those who need an extra helping hand to relax and unwind, aiding a restful night’s sleep.
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Light candles scented with Frankincense to create a meditative atmosphere as you soak.
Practising Mindfulness with Aromatherapy
Mindfulness is the practice of staying present and fully engaged in the moment. From simple breathing exercises to guided meditations, mindfulness can help quiet the mind and reduce stress. Aromatherapy complements mindfulness beautifully by anchoring your focus on sensory experiences.
How to enhance with aromatherapy:
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Before a meditation session, diffuse Frankincense or Vetiver. These oils have grounding qualities that promote deep introspection.
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Use a scented eye pillow infused with Lavender to block out distractions and deepen relaxation.
By incorporating aromatherapy into your rest routine, you can deepen these moments of calm and connect with your senses in a powerful way. At its best, aromatherapy doesn’t just enhance rest—it transforms it into a sacred ritual that nourishes the mind, body, and spirit.
So light that candle, diffuse your favourite oil, and embrace the art of rest. You deserve it.