Learn About The Top Calming Essential Oils For Stress
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Stress and anxiety are common, and long-term stress can take a toll on your mental and physical well-being. That makes healthy coping habits important.
A lot of people use exercise or breathing exercises to relieve the stress they are going to or have already dealt with during the day. Unfortunately, not everyone has time to do that.
Some people find the scent of certain essential oils relaxing. The research is limited, though: NCCIH says it's unclear whether lavender aromatherapy helps anxiety.
Essential oils are not a treatment for an anxiety disorder. If stress or anxiety is affecting your daily life, talk with a doctor or mental health professional.
Here are some popular oils people use for relaxation.
Majestic Pure Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender oil is the most studied essential oil for relaxation, and many people find its scent calming.
Research on its aroma for anxiety and helping concentration and sleep deprivation is still limited and mixed.
You can use it in a diffuser, or dilute it in a carrier oil or lotion before it touches your skin. Topical lavender can cause allergic skin reactions in some people, so do a small patch test first.
Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense oil has a warm, woody scent that many people use for relaxation.
There isn't good evidence that inhaling it lowers blood pressure or helps with panic or anxiety attacks. If you have panic attacks, see a doctor.
Frankincense has a woody, spicy smell which goes well with other citrus oils. Some people find the earthy scent relaxing at bedtime.
Stress Relief Blend
Stress Relief Blend is a popular essential oil blend for relaxation. It starts with bergamot oil, which is pressed from the rind of the citrus fruit. Citrus oils such as bergamot can make skin more sensitive to sunlight, so avoid sun on skin where you've applied it.
Another oil in the blend is patchouli, which is extracted from leaves. Claims that it raises dopamine or “Serotonin” in the brain aren't backed by good human research. It has a strong, musky scent that grounds the blend.
The blend also includes blood orange oil, which adds a bright citrus note.
Ylang ylang adds a sweet floral scent and grapefruit adds a fresh one. These oils blend together well in one convenient little bottle.
Anxiety Ease Synergy Blend Essential Oil
The first essential oil in this blend is lemongrass, which has a vibrant lemon scent.
Sweet orange oil adds a cheerful citrus note, and ylang ylang rounds out the blend. These oils don't treat anxiety or depression or boost immunity; enjoy them for their scent.
Anxiety Relief Essential Oil Blend
This blend has silver fir oil in it, which gives it a fresh, forest-like scent.
Pairing a scent you like with a few minutes of slow breathing can be a simple relaxation ritual. The blend also has ylang ylang and earthy oils like juniper needle, Norway spruce and cedarwood.
This blend has a woody scent that many people find soothing. Dilute it in a carrier oil before applying it to skin, and never swallow essential oils.
Essential oils can be a pleasant part of a relaxation routine, alongside proven habits like exercise, good sleep and breathing exercises.
They are not a substitute for medication or therapy. Never stop a prescribed medication without talking to your doctor, and seek help if stress or anxiety is hard to manage. Keep oils away from children and pets, and ask your doctor before using them if you are pregnant.
Sources
- Lavender: Usefulness and Safety, NCCIH (NIH)
- Aromatherapy, NCCIH (NIH)
