아로마테라피와 스트레스 관리에 관한 연구

Abstract

Although the economic riches and advancement in science and technology have qualitatively improved our life, increased competition between individuals and organizations as a result of such development has also increased the stress level, a major source of daily fatigue and modern illnesses. Stress has become an essential part of the modern life, by making people worrisome and nervous in almost all the aspects of life, including the economic, social, political, emotional, and physical concerns. Because a human body is designed to survive based upon revitalization and restoration of the energy, it is best to seek for the ways to reduce stress levels in order to maintain a healthy life. Also, as the fact that most illnesses are due to mental factors, rather than physical factors, has been demonstrated, preventative treatments that activate the inherent ability of the human body to prevent illnesses is getting much focus. As the side-effects and the invasiveness of many chemical treatments became known in the 20th century, re-evaluation of natural cures has also yielded changes of values, leading many alternative and natural methods of cure to be practiced on a more popular basis. Aromatherapy, using natural herbs, has become popular in such situation. Thus, this study aims at increasing professionalism of aromatherapy by suggesting the basic knowledge of aromatherapy based upon the research of the ingredients, reactions, and special properties of essential oils that are scientifically proven for the systemization of aromatherapy in stress management.