Then press your fingers together as described above. Some cue stimuli are potentially much more powerful than others. For example, tastes and smells are processed by the automatic, emotional part of the brain. Certain disgusting smells can make us wretch automatically, while other soothing smells can relax and delight us. That way, we have the intrinsic calming effect of the smell and the benefit of pairing it with relaxation.
Aromatherapy involves the use of aromatic, essential oils for health benefits.
Certain essential oils are reputed to have calming, stress relieving effects. Anything that can reduce the emotional component of pain should be able to soothe our suffering, so these essential oils should reduce pain to the extent that they can replace the fight or flight defensive reflex of pain with peace and calm. Among the essential oils recommended for their pain relief and calming properties are frankincense, lavender, and sweet marjoram. You can purchase an AromaFocus kit that includes an instruction booklet and a small vial of specially blended essential oils. The booklet teaches you how to do relaxation training and meditation, and how to use the essential oils to enhance and extend the benefits of these practices to pain relief.