Relax & Recharge with the Help of Essential Oils

If there is one thing we all have in common these days, it is stress! The global pandemic has been a tipping point (in the wrong direction) for many of us. Whether fears about our health, financial concerns, or simply the frustration of being on “lockdown”, many of us are feeling the negative impact of living under enormously stressful conditions. Even though restrictions are lessening and more places opening, planning for re-entry into this new normal can be overwhelming.   One easy self-care step to help you reclaim your peace is to add some aromatherapy and essential oils to your daily routine.

Essential oils are a lifeboat during stressful times, consistently and quickly they will help you navigate life’s storms and find your center. Essential oils are naturally occurring aromatics found in nature which are distilled or extracted from the flowering tops, stems, bark, skins, or leaves of plant material. All-natural essential oils typically have little to no side-effects and are nonaddictive, but there are certain exceptions. Tea tree oil (Melaleuca) while very popular in lotions and soaps, is toxic if ingested and citrus oils may cause photosensitivity for some people.

Using essential oils is as easy as opening the bottle and taking a sniff. Inhaling essential oils delivers tiny aromatic compounds directly to our limbic system, i.e. our “emotional brain”. Different odors sensed by the limbic system stimulates a release of hormones that leads to positive physiological and psychological effects, like soothing our nervous system and calming our fight or flight response.

The following essential oils are great tools to add to your “self-care toolbox”. If you are nervous about leaving your home and dipping your toe back into the world at large, I encourage you to try the essential oils that best support your needs.

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia): Bergamot is to stress what kryptonite is to Superman; this powerhouse essential oil stops stress in its tracks and increases our sense of well-being. I encourage you to keep a bottle of it in your car, next to your bed, and on your desk, because this natural stress-reducer will calm your frazzled nerves in the time it takes to slowly inhale its scent a few times.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): Lavender is a soothing essential oil that calms the mind, helping us to slow down our thoughts and welcome sleep. Before bedtime, I rub a drop of lavender along my jawline and the back of my skull, it helps me quickly wind down and prevents me from grinding my teeth at night. Putting a drop on your pillowcase is a wonderful way to induce sleep.

Wild Orange (Citrus sinensis): The sweet scent of wild orange is uplifting and energizing, yet it is also calming and soothing, stimulating feelings of joy and lessening feelings of depression. If you’re experiencing sadness, grief, or simply feeling overwhelmed by life, wild orange can help you process these intense emotions and restore peace.

Frankincense (Boswellia): Frankincense helps improve our concentration and focus our energy, minimizing feelings of impatience, irritability, and restlessness. Frankincense can increase blood oxygen levels in the brain which leads to clearer thinking. When I feel a headache coming on, I rub one drop on my brain stem, or the roof of my mouth, to nip it in the bud.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita): Peppermint is an uplifting oil that will quickly wake up a sleepy mind and put some pep in your step. I find it works better than a shot of espresso! Diffuse it in your office for improved focus and keep a bottle in your car and take a sniff if you feel tired driving in traffic. (of course, pull over and take a nap if the feeling persists) It is worth noting that peppermint EO naturally cools the body and is said to help reduce fevers.

Cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana): You may feel like you’ve stepped deep into the forest when you open a bottle of Cedarwood, the rich earthy scent is calming and helps reduce feelings of anxiety. It is a grounding oil that is especially good to use when you feel overwhelmed. When feeling off-kilter I like to blend cedarwood with bergamot (one drop each, in the palms of my hands) for added oomph.

These are simple suggestions to help reduce minor stress and help with focus.  If you’re feeling overwhelmed or hopeless please reach out to your doctor or a help hotline linked here. You don’t have to navigate these challenging times alone.