7 Essential Oils to Help Defeat Stress (And Three Simple Ways to Use Them!)

Are you feeling anxious, overwhelmed or maybe even stressed? Given the common stressors that arise at the start of a new year or maybe due to other life stressors such as work and struggling to find the balance between the different roles in your life, it’s quite understandable if you aren’t feeling at your best lately. Unfortunately, due to the aforementioned reasons, stress can come rather easily, but, the good news is that you can quickly help ease stress with aromatherapy.

While there are many ways to help relieve stress, the use of essential oils is a cost-effective, holistic method proven to aid in calming the mind. According to this study conducted at Ruhr University in Bochum, Germany, “essential oils may affect a number of biological factors including heart rate, stress levels, blood pressure, breathing and immune function.” Additionally, some essential oils have the ability to be both calming and stimulating depending on what the individual needs.

If you’re interested in using aromatherapy to help defeat stress, continue reading on for a list of seven essential oils that can provide much needed mental healing and boost your mood.

Lavender

Lavender essential oil is one of the most commonly used ”adaptogens” simply because it’s an essential oil that can adapt to any mood. Whether you need help with calming yourself down after a frustrating moment, mitigate insomnia, or you want to concentrate while studying, lavender essential oil is a great mood-enhancing oil.

Frankincense

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This essential oil is associated with many different faiths since it’s an oil known to provide spiritual grounding. Deriving from the Boswellia carterii tree, Frankincense oil is believed to have the ability to deepen meditation, quiet the mind, and increase intuition and spirituality.

Clary Sage

Known to be a natural anti-depressant according to multiple studies, clary sage oil has a beautiful aroma and can be a wonderful remedy for anxiety. Clary sage oil promotes relaxation, boosts self-esteem and confidence, as well as increases happiness. Fun fact: the English name clary originates from the Latin word sclaera, which was derived from clarus, meaning “clear;”  thus explaining why this essential oil is an excellent oil to help with calming and clearing the mind of any stress.

Jasmine

Descending from the jasmine flower, jasmine oil uplifts the mood and increases one’s confidence and optimism. Research also shows jasmine oil is effective in calming the mind, relieving stress, and treating anxiety, insomnia, and depression.

Ylang Ylang

This essential oil has many benefits and abilities as it can be both stimulating or calming depending on the feelings of the person using it. This “adaptogen” oil is effective in reducing stress and insomnia, all while providing an immediate feeling of calm and peace.

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Rose

Serving as an excellent natural remedy for individuals experiencing feelings of depression, rose oil stimulates the mind, promoting peace, tranquility and the feeling of happiness.

Orange

This citrus oil has a powerful uplifting fragrance that can enhance one’s mood, reducing feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression.

How to incorporate the use of these essential oils into your daily routine to help defeat stress:

1. Use oils in a diffuser – place a few drops of your oil choice into a diffuser and allow the aroma to permeate into the air around you as you inhale and exhale.
2. Add oils to your shower – Drop a few oils into your shower, cover your drain and breathe in and out as the steam doubles with the oils providing a relaxing experience.
3. Inhale oils directly – Inhale the oil of your choice directly from the bottle to provide instant and convenient relief.

There are many other methods to help reduce stress levels, but the use of these essential oils, as well as others including bergamot, vetiver, and peppermint, provide a cost-effective and proven method to help enhance your mood while decreasing stress. If you’re interested in using essential oils, be sure to research or consult with a specialist to determine which oils will be most beneficial to you and your needs.