It is widely accepted that degenerative diseases, including cancer, arthritis, and heart disease have an underlying emotional component.

Indeed, according to the American Institute for Stress, our number one health problem is stress. It is responsible for approximately 75 percent of doctor visits.

Regardless of the source of your stress, taking the time to relax is an essential part of staying healthy and happy. Here is a proven method to help you do just that:

Add aromatherapy in your environment:

The science for using essential oils is commonly known as aromatherapy. It is used for physical, psychological, and spiritual well being. The scent of an oil makes a vital contribution to its natural healing properties.

Although they are the tools of gentle therapy, essential oils have the power to reach deep into the psyche and to relax the mind and uplift the spirit.

Sesquiterpenes, found in high levels in essential oils, such as Frankincense and Sandalwood help to increase the oxygen in the limbic area of the brain, which, in turn, "unlocks" the DNA and allows emotions to be released.

In her new book entitled, Releasing Emotional Patterns with Essential Oils, Carolyn Mein explains, "Emotions are stored in the body in its organs, glands, and systems. Disease occurs when the body's vibrational frequency drops below a certain point. Essential oils can raise the body's frequency, and therapeutic (medicinal quality) oils are able to do this because they vibrate at a higher frequency and transfer that frequency to the body."

Here are a few ways that we can use essential oils in everyday life, to enhance our physical and emotional well being. Unlike drinking, smoking, or other stress relievers, these tips will only do your body good:

Increase memory and stamina: Drink a glass of water with 2-3 drops of lemon, orange, or peppermint essential oil in it. The action of these oils is similar to what happens when you drink coffee or soda, but without caffeine's deterimental impact on your adrenal glands.

Enhance your Mood: Wear a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil as a perfume. Pleasant smells put people into better moods and make them more willing to cooperate and compromise.

Ease Stress and Muscle Pain: First, draw a bath. Then mix 3 drops of lavender, 2 drops of Petitgrain, 1-2 drops of Frankincense with a tablespoon of milk. Add this mixture to the bathwater, swirl with your foot, get in the tub and relax for 10 to 20 minutes. Do not get the bathwater in your eyes, as the oils will sting.

Increase Driver Alertness: Place a cotton ball or tissue with a few drops of peppermint or cinnamon bark essential oil in your automobile to feel calm, yet alert.

As a Study Aid: To increase your focus and concentration, diffuse one of these essential oils near the study area: lemon, grapefruit, peppermint, bergamot, or pine.

Essential oils are non-greasy, yet, soft and soothing. They are nature's perfect solution for the problems that stress and poor nutrition have added to our lives.

Although essential oils are generally considered without risk. it is wise to respect their powers and to become well versed in their use and safety. Efficacy can only be realized when proper care is given to protect the chemical structure of the essential oils during the distillation process. Generally speaking, the essential oils that you find in department stores and, even in some health food stores, are of uncertain quality and not meant to be ingested. For best results, only pure and natural oils should be used.

When choosing an essential oil, select and use those scents that you find particularly appealing. Experiment and find the scents that evoke positive emotions and introduce those scents into your everyday life, to enhance your health and well being.