Aromatherapy in Call Rooms: Wellness Trend or Real Stress Relief?

Introduction: When Medicine Meets Lavender Oil

• Long shifts, sleepless nights, high-stakes decisions—call rooms are where medical professionals steal moments of rest and recovery.
  
  
• In recent years, a new addition has quietly entered these spaces: aromatherapy diffusers emitting lavender, peppermint, or eucalyptus.
  
  
• Is this just another TikTok-fueled wellness trend invading clinical spaces? Or is there actual science behind this scented solution?
  

What Is Aromatherapy, Really?

• Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils extracted from plants.
  
  
• It’s been used for centuries in traditional medicine systems—from ancient Egypt to Ayurveda—for:
  
  • Stress relief
    
    
  • Sleep enhancement
    
    
  • Mood regulation
    
    
  • Headache relief
    
• In modern settings, aromatherapy is used via:
  
  • Diffusers
    
    
  • Inhalers
    
    
  • Topical applications
    
    
  • Baths and massage oils
    

Why Are Doctors and Nurses Turning to Aromatherapy?

• The culture of healthcare often discourages vulnerability.
  
  
• Stress-reduction options during shifts are limited, especially in call rooms.
  
  
• Aromatherapy offers:
  
  • Low-effort intervention
    
    
  • Quick sensory impact
    
    
  • Non-verbal, private coping
    
    
  • Minimal time or space requirement
    

A single diffuser plugged into a corner can create a sense of calm amidst clinical chaos.

What the Science Says: Evidence for Aromatherapy in Clinical Settings
✅ Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

• Evidence: Multiple RCTs suggest lavender reduces anxiety and improves sleep quality.
  
  
• Mechanism: May modulate GABA receptors in the brain, producing a calming effect.
  
  
• Use in medicine: Shown to reduce preoperative anxiety and improve sleep in ICU nurses.
  

✅ Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

• Evidence: Studies show it can reduce mental fatigue and nausea.
  
  
• Mechanism: Stimulates the trigeminal nerve and may increase alertness.
  
  
• Use in medicine: Helpful for night shifts when fatigue and brain fog hit.
  

✅ Citrus Oils (e.g., Lemon, Sweet Orange)

• Evidence: Can improve mood and perceived energy levels.
  
  
• Mechanism: Influences dopamine and serotonin pathways.
  
  
• Use in medicine: Used in oncology clinics and palliative care for mood boosting.
  

⚠️ Eucalyptus and Tea Tree

• Often promoted for “cleansing” or “respiratory clarity,” but may be overstimulating or allergenic in closed environments like call rooms.
  

Benefits of Aromatherapy for Medical Workers (According to Early Research)

• Reduces perceived stress during and after shifts.
  
  
• Improves sleep onset latency during short naps.
  
  
• Lowers heart rate and blood pressure in some studies.
  
  
• Improves focus during night shifts or exam periods.
  
  
• Enhances mood, especially in emotionally taxing units like ICU or oncology.
  

Placebo or Physiology? Why It Doesn’t Have to Be Either

• Critics argue that aromatherapy’s benefits are placebo-driven.
  
  
• But even if partially true, placebo is still therapeutic—especially when burnout is high.
  
  
• Moreover, olfactory input is directly wired to the limbic system, the emotional brain.
  
  
• This isn’t "woo-woo"—it's neurosensory modulation through scent.
  

How to Use Aromatherapy in Call Rooms—The Safe Way
✅ Choose Clinical-Grade Oils

• Look for “therapeutic grade” or lab-tested oils without synthetic additives.
  

✅ Use Water-Based Diffusers or Personal Inhalers

• Diffusers should run intermittently (e.g., 15 mins on, 30 mins off).
  
  
• Inhaler sticks offer private, non-invasive use without scenting the whole room.
  

✅ Start with Calming Scents

• Lavender, bergamot, sandalwood, or chamomile are good for general stress relief.
  

✅ Avoid During Procedures or Critical Care Work

• Strong scents can distract or irritate colleagues or patients in shared spaces.
  

Common Concerns and Counterpoints
❌ “What if someone is allergic?”

• Always post a sign when using diffusers in shared call rooms.
  
  
• Avoid known irritants like clove, cinnamon, or eucalyptus unless cleared.
  

❌ “It’s not real medicine.”

• No one is replacing antibiotics with essential oils.
  
  
• Think of aromatherapy as a complementary wellness aid, not a cure.
  

❌ “It’s just a trend.”

• Trends fade. But stress in medicine is here to stay.
  
  
• If something low-cost, safe, and non-pharmacologic helps doctors cope, it deserves a serious look.
  

What Doctors Say: Anecdotal Evidence from the Field

• “I started using lavender oil in my call room after a week of consecutive night shifts. It helped me fall asleep faster—and stay asleep.”
  — Internal Medicine Resident
  
  
• “A whiff of peppermint during ICU rounds gives me a surprising mental reset. It's become part of my routine.”
  — Critical Care Nurse
  
  
• “We have a communal diffuser in our OB call room now. Morale is better, and I swear people smile more.”
  — Obstetrician
  

The Psychology of Scent: Why It Works So Fast

• Smell is the only sense directly wired to the amygdala and hippocampus.
  
  
• It bypasses logic and hits emotion, memory, and mood directly.
  
  
• This makes it faster than audio, touch, or visual input in altering emotional states.
  

Cultural and Ethical Considerations

• Be mindful of shared spaces:
  
  • Not everyone enjoys scented environments.
    
    
  • Patients may associate certain smells with trauma or illness.
    
• In diverse teams, consult your colleagues before turning call rooms into spas.
  
  
• Use signage, consensus, and opt-in policies to keep it inclusive.
  

Cost and Accessibility: Low Investment, High Impact

• A decent diffuser costs less than a stethoscope.
  
  
• Essential oils can last months and are cheaper than most stress-relief tools.
  
  
• Hospitals investing in staff wellness may consider providing starter kits in call rooms or lounge areas.
  

Should Hospitals Institutionalize Aromatherapy in Wellness Programs?

• Some already do—in oncology wards, palliative care units, and even OR recovery areas.
  
  
• Given the burnout crisis, low-cost interventions like aromatherapy deserve institutional support.
  
  
• Like mindfulness or ergonomic chairs, it’s about giving doctors more control over their environment.
  

When Not to Use Aromatherapy in Medicine

• During active patient care, especially in:
  
  • ICU
    
    
  • NICU
    
    
  • Allergy/immunology clinics
    
• Around asthmatic or scent-sensitive colleagues.
  
  
• In sterile zones like the OR unless approved by hospital policy.
  

Conclusion: Scent as a Clinical Ally
Aromatherapy in call rooms may have started as a wellness trend, but growing research and real-world adoption suggest it’s more than hype.
In a profession where stress is constant and recovery time is scarce, even a few drops of lavender or peppermint can shift a tired mind toward clarity and calm.
It’s not about replacing science with scent—it’s about restoring humanity in the spaces between clinical chaos.