The Best Essential Oils for Stress and Anxiety Relief (and how to use them!)
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Essential Oils for Stress and Anxiety
Essential oils are my go-to when my emotions are getting out of hand. It’s super simple to grab an oil, take a few deep breaths and try and relax and calm my mind.
What’s crazy about essential oils is they work immediately! As soon as you inhale an essential oil, the molecules send information to the olfactory bulb in your brain. The olfactory bulb communicates directly with the amygdala, which is where our emotions are housed.
Whether the smell is good or bad, we get an immediate reaction – smelling poop versus smelling Lavender – makes sense right?
So let’s harness the power of our limbic system and use essential oils to specifically help us out in times of stress and anxiety.
My Favorite Essential Oils for Stress and Anxiety
These six essential oils are the ones I use the most when I am feeling stressed or anxious. I diffuse them and apply them topically in different combinations.
Lavender – calms and relieves stress
Bergamot – uplifting
Frankincense – reduces depression, trauma and tension
Copaiba – soothes anxious feelings
Eucalyptus – invigorating and fresh
Wild Orange – reduces anxiety and depression, energizing
How To Use Essential Oils for Stress and Anxiety
Cup and Inhale
Direct inhalation is one of my favorite ways to use essential oils, because it’s so easy. You literally open the bottle and smell it. Simple!
I also like to do the cup and inhale method because it relaxes my whole body. Put a drop of an essential oil in the palm of your hand, rub your palms together (avoiding your fingers!) and make a cup with your hands. Put it up to your nose and mouth and breathe it in several times. Deep breaths. It’s so relaxing and calming.
Apply Diluted to Forearms and Back of Neck
I also keep roller blends on hand so I can apply the oils topically. Topical use of essential oils is extremely helpful for stress and anxiety. Massaging the oils onto areas of your body that feel tight or tense – for me it’s my neck and shoulders – really helps to relax your body.
The bonus here is you get the aromatic experience as well!
My favorite spots to apply the oils are my forearms, the back of my neck and behind my ears. In the book, I am Fabulous by Desiree Mangandog, she talks about the energetic pattern and frequencies that emotions carry. She believes that applying essential oils topically to specific acupuncture points and meridians will change your mood.
One of the spots she recommends is the inside forearms. She says:
“Roll up and down the inside of forearms – both sides – to have oils circulate quickly throughout the body. Many veins are close to the skin on the inside of the forearms, so the oils enter the bloodstream rapidly. This is the best location to instantly create change in your emotional state.”
I love this method because our forearms are so accessible! Just roll up your sleeves and apply those oils.
Diffuse Them
I always have my diffuser rolling. Diffusing is great because everyone in your house can experience the aromatic benefits of the essential oils. It’s also one of the super easiest methods for using essential oils.
This is one of my favorite, inexpensive diffusers. You just add a little bit of tap water and then about 4-6 drops of essential oils. Turn it on and let that baby do the work!
My Favorite Recipes for Stress and Anxiety
DIY Anxiety Roller
This is my absolute favorite. A little bit behind the ears, on the wrists, and forearms helps reduce anxious feelings. If you don’t have Balance, substitute with Frankincense.
I keep one by my bed and one downstairs in the kitchen. Gotta be prepared y’all!
To Make An Anxiety Roller
Add about 5-10 drops of each essential oil (Balance, Copaiba and Wild Orange) and then top off with fractionated coconut oil.
Diffuser Blend for Stress and Anxiety – AKA Spa Blend (bonus – it purifies the air!)
2 drops Lavender
2 drops Wild Orange
2 drops Eucalyptus
This blend is absolutely intoxicating. I love the uplifting vibes we get from it and it makes your house smell like a spa for hours! The added bonus is it purifies the air (check out a few other antiviral diffuser blends here).
Other Tips for Using Essential Oils for Stress and Anxiety
Have your oils in places where you spend the most time so it’s easy to grab them when you need them. I have about five bottles of Lavender scattered around my house!
Don’t make it complicated. Pick one of the oils from the list above and use the cup and inhale method. Instant relief and calming!
Experiment to find out what you like. All of the oils I mentioned have incredible benefits for emotional healing. That being said, if you are really turned off by the smell of one (or all) of them, do some research and find one that works for you. This book on emotions and essential oils is a great guide.
Time to De-stress!
I hope you picked up a few tips on how to use essential oils for stress and anxiety. Leave a comment below and tell me what your go-to essential oil is for emotional support!
The Best Essential Oils for Stress and Anxiety Relief (and how to use them!)
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