How To Use Essential Oils To Relieve Stress & Anxiety
Did you know that nature's aromatic essences hold the power to soothe your mind and calm your spirit? These powerful, potent elixirs have been cherished for centuries, offering...
Did you know that nature's aromatic essences hold the power to soothe your mind and calm your spirit? These powerful, potent elixirs have been cherished for centuries, offering a natural opportunity to help alleviate stress and anxiety.
In this article, we explore the magic of essential oils and discover how they can transform your emotional well-being.
How do essential oils relieve stress & anxiety?
Essential oils have been used for centuries to promote relaxation and emotional well-being. They work through aromatherapy, where the inhalation of their natural scents stimulates the olfactory system, which is directly connected to the brain's limbic system, the center for emotions and memory.
This stimulation can trigger the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which help to alleviate stress and anxiety. Additionally, the topical application of essential oils can also provide a soothing effect through skin absorption, potentially impacting heart rate, blood pressure, and overall mood.
These combined effects make essential oils a popular natural remedy for reducing stress and promoting a sense of calm.
The best essential oils to relieve stress & anxiety
- Lavender: Renowned for its calming and soothing properties, lavender essential oil is often used to reduce anxiety and promote restful sleep. Its gentle aroma can help to lower heart rate and blood pressure, creating a peaceful environment.
- Holy Basil (Tulsi): Known as an adaptogen, Holy Basil essential oil helps the body adapt to stress and promotes mental balance. Its fresh, spicy scent is invigorating and can help reduce feelings of anxiety and fatigue.
- Chamomile: With its mild, sweet, and apple-like fragrance, chamomile essential oil is effective in calming the mind and easing tension. It is especially useful for those who suffer from insomnia or nervousness.
- Pine: Pine essential oil has a refreshing and invigorating aroma that can help clear the mind and reduce stress. Its natural, woody scent promotes a sense of grounding and emotional stability.
- Cedarwood: Cedarwood essential oil offers a warm, woodsy fragrance that can help calm the mind and ease nervous tension. Its grounding properties make it ideal for promoting relaxation and a sense of security.
- Bergamot: Bergamot essential oil has a refreshing citrus scent that can uplift the mood and alleviate stress. It is known for its ability to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
- Jasmine: Jasmine essential oil is known for its sweet, floral aroma, which has a sedative effect that can help reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calm.
How to use essential oils to relieve stress & anxiety
1. Diffuse them
Diffusing essential oils is one of the easiest ways to create a calming environment. A diffuser expels a fine mist of vaporised water and essential oils, creating a truly immersive aromatherapy experience.
Add 5-10 drops of essential oil (either a single oil or a combination) to a diffuser and allow the fragrance to fill your space. Take a few deep breaths.
Diffusing essential oils is particularly useful in your bedroom to promote sleep or in high-stress environments such as the workspace, a hospital room, or even your personal office.
2. Use them in a warm bath
What’s more calming than a hot bath? A hot bath with essential oils!
By incorporating the magic of aromatherapy into your bath, you’ll take this stress-reducing practice to the next level.
Not only does bathing with essential oils allow some of the herbal constituents to penetrate through the skin, but the hot water also vaporises some of the oil, allowing you to breathe it in.
Give it a try and add 10-15 drops of your favourite calming essential oil to your next bathtime routine.
3. Create an aromatherapy body mist
If you need some calming aromatherapy power on the go, this calming body mist recipe is just what you need!
Ingredients:
- A small glass spray bottle (50ml or more)
- 30ml of filtered water
- 1 tablespoon of witch hazel or vodka (these act as a natural preservative)
- 10 drops of calming essential oil like lavender, chamomile, pine, or holy basil
4. Add them to a massage oil
Nothing helps to calm your nervous system like a massage - and it doesn’t have to come from a professional or a partner, even the practice of self-massage is a wonderful addition to your self-care routine.
Great natural massage oil options include:
- Cold-pressed grape seed oil
- Jojoba oil
- Olive oil
- Almond oil
Simply add 1-2 drops of essential oils per tablespoon of carrier oil.
Final thoughts
Incorporating essential oils into your daily routine can be a simple yet effective way to help manage feelings of stress and anxiety. Whether you choose to diffuse them, add them to your bath, create a body mist, or use them in a massage oil, these natural remedies offer a variety of ways to promote relaxation and emotional well-being.
As always, it is essential to use high-quality, pure essential oils and to follow proper usage guidelines to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Written by Zaheera Swing - Nutritional Therapist & Herbalist
(BSc Hons Nutritional Science + NTPD)