Today’s guest post is written by Chloe Trogden.

Aromatherapy is good for a lot more than making a room smell nice. It can be used to reduce stress, improve mood, and treat a number of health conditions. For students, it can also help them to study more efficiently so that they are more successful in their classes.

Here are just a few of the benefits of aromatherapy that can help students to study more efficiently and to improve their academic performance:

Improve Concentration and Memory

Aromatherapy can help students to improve their memory, making it easier for them to recall information from their notes and from lectures. It can also help students improve their concentration so that they are able to take in more information when they first hear it or read it. Improved concentration can also improve memory and recall. Both of these can help to make study sessions more effective and improve academic performance.

Rosemary is the scent of choice for improving memory and concentration. However, sage, basil and bay laurel have also been shown to improve mental stimulation.

Reduce Stress

When you are stressed out, it’s hard to do much of anything. You can become anxious and pre-occupied, making it hard for you to focus on the task at hand. Students are especially prone to stress as they are juggling busy schedules that include a full course load, part-time jobs, volunteer work, extracurricular activities and socializing.

Aromatherapy can help you to reduce stress so that you can focus more easily on your studies. Some of the best scents for reducing stress include chamomile, citrus, black pepper, and lavender.

Improve Sleep

Students spend a lot of long, sleepless nights studying for exams. However, research has shown that sleep deprivation can impair memory and concentration, undermining academic performance. In order to put in an effective study session and to improve academic performance, a good night’s sleep is critical.

Lavender, marjoram, lemon, valerian and sandalwood are all great choices for improving sleep – and, therefore, improving concentration and memory.

Increased Energy

With all that stress and lack of sleep, it’s no surprise that many students don’t have the energy to study or to study well. Exhaustion and general fatigue can make it difficult to focus on the study material – or to pay attention in class.

Oils with citrus or spice in them are the best choices for increasing energy and combating fatigue. They will help give you the extra pep you need to give your full attention to the study material. The better you can concentrate, the less time you will have to spend on study, helping you to make more efficient use of your time.

Aromatherapy is a powerful tool for health and wellness. Students can take advantage of it to improve the efficiency of their study sessions while also addressing some underlying health issues, such as high levels of stress and lack of sufficient sleep. There are many oils that can help to achieve these goals, promoting both health and academic success.

References:

• How Stuff Works website, accessed August 5, 2013

About the Author:

Chloe Trogden is a seasoned financial aid writer and a major contributor at http://www.collegegrant.net. Her leisure activities include camping, swimming and yoga.