Is anyone else feeling the pressure? The days are literally getting shorter and time feels more precious than ever. And sometimes there just isn’t the time to stop and breathe. And while we’re taking care of everyone else on our list, what about ourselves? I can’t stress enough (no pun intended) how important it is to take some time every day to create a personal sense of calm. And essential oils are a great tool to get there.
But before the pressure of it all makes you rip your hair out, know that creating a sense of calm only has to take a few minutes of your day. And the results can be long lasting. You only get one life. You might as well spend it feeling good.
Here are some of my favorite ways to use essential oils for de-stressing and creating a calm environment:
- Add essential oils to a diffuser and let the scent fill the room
- Mix the oils with water and spray them onto sheets or clothing
- Add them to bath water for a relaxing soak
- Mix them with a carrier oil and apply the mixture directly to the skin. (It is always best to mix essential oils with another oil before direct skin contact.)
Does any of this seem like it will take a lot of time? Nope! And many essential oils are fabulous for reducing stress and enhancing a sense of well-being.
And what are my favorite essential oils to create a sense of calm?
Lavender:
Mmmmm, i just LOVE the smell of lavender. I add it to my diffuser and let peace waft through the room. Lavender oil actually has a healing and restorative effect on the nervous system, And when the nervous system is too stimulated, you become prone to stress and anxiety. So just breathing in lavender oil can help settle your tension and add calm to your day.
Bergamot:
This one originates from the rind of fruit and is great for when you are feeling down and relaxation. It is known to really uplift the spirit. Breathe in the scent when overcome with anxiousness or having sleep troubles. Use it when getting (or giving) a massage. (Yum, massage!) If you’re looking to just relax, bergamot oil is a great one to try.
Frankincense:
Originating from the Boswella plant, this is a great one for when life seems to be spinning a little too fast. Combine with lavender and diffuse or spray it into the room and aaaaaah! Amazing. Frankincense is considered very uplifting and stress lifting. And is a great for creating an inner sense of calm.
Chamomile:
This is another one that is distilled from flowers. This oil is all about its comforting nature. It can soothe both your upset tummy as well as calm your frazzled nerves. Put it to your diffuser and let the pleasant scent travel through your home. Or add it to your bathtub and let it put you at ease. It is known to calm your nerves, lift your mood and help you sleep with tranquility.
Yiang Yiang:
So not only does this oil have a really fun name. It’s a great oil for when life has pushed you just a little too far. (Yeah, I’m talking to you 12 hour workday!) This is great for chronic stress, deep anxiousness and anything else that is trying to mess with your sense of calm. There is no better way to wind down from a “oh my gosh, help me” week than getting a massage with yiang yiang. No time for a rub down? Diffusing it into the room will do the trick.
You can make the time.
Hey, life might be hectic, but essential oils are a great way to squeeze in some “you time”. If you’ve used essential oils before, you understand their rewarding nature. If not, it is truly time to give them a try.
And experiment with these oils to help calm your nerves. My middle name is stress (well, actually it’s Renee, but you see what I’m getting at.) If they work for me, they can work for anyone.
Not sure where to start. Get an oil you like and put some drops on the bottom side of your pillow. Ready for something more advanced. I highly recommend getting a diffuser. Bottom line: You will love essential oils so much more than those fake, scented air fresheners. And they don’t just smell good. They make you feel good!
Erica, as you know I’m a lavender addict and use it in many different ways. I love spraying it (diluted) on myself, on my sheets, add some to my bath, etc. But you have given me a new way to use it – mixed with frankincense. I’m already de-stressing, just thinking about it. Sounds heavenly.
Lenie, definitely try frankincense. It is wonderful. Unfortunately, it is one of the pricier essential oils I’ve used. But a little goes a long way. And you’re very resourceful so maybe you can make your own!
I love Lenie’s sachets tucked into my pillow–the lavender is soothing as can be. I like chamomile tea in the afternoon to mellow hyper me out a bit. But so far, other than in the great soaps my sister makes, I haven’t used essential oils. This is another wonderful thing to add to my try something new in 2017 list!
Thx for the great post, Erica. I totally love Bergamot. I love the taste and scent of it. I didn”t know it was available in an essential oil. I shall look for some! All the best to you for a happy holiday season.
You will definitely love the oil then. I hope you give it a try! And happy holidays to you too!
I do not use oils but I understand the importance of taking time out to reflect, de-stress and relax. Life is busy and we can get caught up in the chaos, especially at this time of year.
Late evenings are when I chill out. The children are sleeping and my husband is resting, on his laptop or pottering around the house.
If I do not factor in “me time”, I become cranky.
“Me time” really is so important..especially for those of us who are more introverted. I’m glad you find some time for yourself.
Unfortunately, I’m allergic to most fragrances. But I do believe during this hectic holiday season we need to be careful not to become too stressed by all that we need to do. It’s important to leave some time for yourself to chill out and just sit down and relax. Why do we feel so guilty that we aren’t filling every minute with “productive” work? Make some time to smell the roses and scented oils!
I know it is a very American concept that we should always be working. I think a lot of people feel really guilty if they give themselves a break. When we don’t take care of ourselves, we certainly can’t be there for anybody else. But that is so easy to forget.
Erica you mention exactly the essential oils I used when I lived in London and had a bath. Now with only a shower relaxing baths are a thing of the past. The oil that most people overlook is bergamote which is a pity because it’s most likely the most powerful one.
Catarina, I’ve been through the shower only situation as well. Someday I want a jet tub (which actually you can’t use essential oils in a jet tub) But for me, I’m mostly diffusing them now because my bath situation isn’t great either.
I’ve wanted to explore essential oils for quite some time, but haven’t done much in that area yet. I do know that I can’t stomach the smell of lavender, but thankfully there are so many scents to choose from, and the idea of customization is fun too.
The more I learn about essential oils, the more amazed I become at home many different oils exist. It is really amazing what you can do with them. And there is really something for everyone. It is nice that many retail stores actually have testers so you can smell them before you buy.
Just added this to my shopping list! I used to use lavender oil all the time, but that was when I lived in Maui and I could get it right from the lavender farm. Haven’t even seen essential oils where I am now, but I’m still finding my way around and this sounds like it needs to be on my personal stocking list. Thanks Erica!
Ahhh, that must have been so nice to get lavender right from the far. There is a big lavender farm about 2 hours from where I live (in Solvang). Not so close that I can just swing by, but it is a nice place to visit.
It seems Lavender is everyone’s favorite, I love it too and other than that what I love is a Forest Essentials Blend it helps me relax mostly use it when bathing.
Loved your idea of spraying on sheets will try it today itself.
Thanks for sharing!
The Forest Essentials blend really sounds wonderful. I hope you try spraying it on the sheets. It really helps create a relaxing environment for sound sleep. I keep my spray bottle by the bed to remind myself before sleep.
I like any tips that help you remain calm. I think being calm is the secret to a long happy life. The less stress on your body, either physical or mental, will take its tool after a while.,
Thanks for sharing these oils with us.
William, the older I get the more I agree about calmness as a secret to a long and happy life. I’m more prone to stress than any other unhealthy habit. So I’m becoming more and more vigilant about working on it which is really my inspiration for articles like this!