Moving your body to music is like hitting a reset button for your nervous system. When you dance, sway, or even just tap your foot to a beat, you’re engaging your body in rhythmic movement, which helps calm your brain and regulate your emotions.
Music itself can activate the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” mode), while movement releases built-up tension and stress. The combination boosts feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, which help you feel more balanced and grounded. Plus, rhythmic movement syncs up with your breath and heartbeat, creating a natural sense of flow and relaxation.
So whether you’re dancing like nobody’s watching or just nodding your head to your favorite song, you’re giving your nervous system a little extra love!
Use Your Breath & Music to Regulate Your Nervous System
Adding the breath calms your nervous system as well. Slow, deep breaths help your body to relax.
When you take intentional, deep breaths—like inhaling through your nose and exhaling slowly through your mouth—you’re also activating the parasympathetic nervous system. This lowers your heart rate, reduces tension, and helps you feel more grounded.
Breathing to music is a simple but powerful way to regulate your nervous system. The rhythm of the music acts as a guide, helping you slow down and sync your breath without overthinking it. It's a great tool for bringing yourself back to balance.
Using Aromatherapy in Breathwork, Shifts Your Mood
Breathing in certain scents can amplify the calming effects of breathwork. That’s because your sense of smell is directly linked to the brain’s emotional center (the limbic system), which means aromatics can quickly shift your mood.
When doing breathwork, it is important to use pure organic essential oils instead of synthetic fragrances. Essential oils actually support your nervous system rather than overwhelm it. They are derived from plants and don’t contain harmful additives or toxins like fragrances do.
Pure essential oils have therapeutic properties that can help regulate and naturally support your nervous system. They work with the body, and not against it. Synthetic fragrances don’t offer these same benefits—they just mask odors, and can trigger headaches, allergies and even stress responses in some people. So before you light that candle to set the mood, be sure it’s not made with artificial fragrances!
How to Use Aromatherapy with Breathwork & Music
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Pick the Right Music – Choose something slow and soothing (around 60-80 BPM). Classical, ambient, lo-fi, or acoustic songs work great.
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Add Aromatherapy – Here’s a few ideas:
- Put a few drops of essential oil to a diffuser before you begin
- Use an Aromatherapy Roll-on like our Rosemary Lavender Roll-on or Soulshine Roll-on. Roll it on your writs, temples and neck.
- Try Palm Inhalation: Roll-on your palms or use an oil that's blended with a carrier oil, like or Nourish Face Serum. Rub your hands together, cup them over your nose, and take slow, deep breaths.
- Light an essential oil candle or a natural incense, and focus on the scent
- Use an Aromatherapy Inhaler before you begin. Our Calm and Clarity Inhalers are a perfect pairing.
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Find the Rhythm – Listen for the natural rise and fall in the music. Some songs have a wave-like quality that naturally aligns with deep breathing.
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Sync Your Breath – Try inhaling for about 4 beats, pausing briefly, then exhaling for 6-8 beats. The goal is to make your exhales longer than your inhales.
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Let Go – Don’t force it. Just let your breath follow the music naturally.
This technique works great for winding down before bed, resetting during a stressful moment, or even enhancing meditation.
Best Scents for Self-Regulation:
- Lavender – Calms the nervous system, great for anxiety and sleep.
- Frankincense – Deepens breathing and promotes relaxation.
- Peppermint – Refreshes and clears the mind, helpful for focus.
- Eucalyptus – Opens the airways and enhances breath awareness.
- Citrus (Lemon, Orange, Bergamot) – Uplifting and helps with emotional balance.