Essential Oils For Emotional Wellbeing: Transform Your Mood

Essential Oils for Emotional Wellbeing

Sometimes, especially during times of uncertainty, it is crucial to possess the capacity to adapt to ongoing changes. Transitions and a disruption of routines can be tough to deal with and can inherently cause stress, resulting in various issues such as depleted energy, racing thoughts, confusion, low spirits, restlessness, and occasionally, feelings of loneliness or isolation. In these times, cultivating a positive mindset and employing healthy strategies for coping, although challenging, can play a significant role in igniting hope and embarking on a journey towards emotional healing. 

This is where essential oils can be useful. Essential oils can serve as a potent complementary tool that can aid the mind and body in adjusting to the overwhelming sensations of fear, boredom, lethargy, sadness, and hopelessness commonly experienced during a crisis. Combining essential oils with other therapeutic and self-care practices like meditation, exercise, and seeking guidance from a licensed therapist, can provide a comforting, calming, and stimulating break from the daily worries and anxieties. In this post, we explore some of the best essential oils to use for managing anxiety and depression and how you could use them. 

How essential oils can support emotional wellbeing

Historically, essential oils have been used for mental health and mood support for centuries. Inhaling or topical application of essential oils can allow their compounds to interact with the body and brain through olfactory receptors or skin absorption. Inhaling an essential oil might stimulate the limbic system, influencing emotions, stress levels, and motivation. This can lead to changes in neurochemistry, like the release of serotonin, improving mood and reducing anxiety. It's important to consider that not all essential oils have these effects, and individual responses may vary. 

Essential Oils for Emotional Wellness

Emotional wellness encompasses our ability to understand and manage our emotions effectively, fostering a positive mindset, and maintaining healthy relationships with ourselves and others. It's about finding that perfect equilibrium that allows us to navigate life's ups and downs with grace and resilience. In the hustle and bustle of our modern lives, finding ways to cultivate inner peace and tranquility is essential. That's where the aromatic wonders of essential oils come in, offering a delightful journey towards emotional wellness. 

The importance of emotional wellness

• Mental Health – Emotional wellness plays a vital role in our mental health. When we prioritize and nurture our emotional well-being, we enhance our ability to cope with life's challenges, reduce the risk of mental health issues like anxiety and depression, and maintain a positive outlook.
• Relationships – Healthy emotional well-being enhances our relationships with others. When we understand and manage our emotions effectively, we can communicate more openly, show empathy, and build deeper connections. Emotional wellness fosters healthier and more fulfilling relationships with friends, family, partners, and colleagues.
• Stress Management – Life is filled with stressors, and emotional wellness equips us with the tools to manage stress effectively. When we are emotionally balanced, we can better handle pressure, maintain a sense of calm, and make healthier decisions, ultimately improving our overall resilience.
• Self-Development – Emotional wellness is intricately linked to personal growth and self-development. It involves self-reflection, self-awareness, and self-compassion. By understanding our emotions, we can identify areas for growth, set boundaries, and work towards becoming the best version of ourselves.
• Physical Health – The mind and body are interconnected, and emotional wellness has a significant impact on our physical health. Chronic stress and negative emotions can manifest as physical symptoms and impact our immune system, cardiovascular health, and overall well-being. By nurturing emotional wellness, we can support our physical health and promote overall vitality.
• Life Satisfaction – Ultimately, emotional wellness contributes to our overall life satisfaction and happiness. When we are emotionally well, we experience a greater sense of contentment, fulfilment, and joy in our daily lives. We are better equipped to navigate challenges, savors positive experiences, and cultivate a positive mindset.

Aromatherapy for emotional wellness

For centuries, essential oils have played a vital role in promoting mental well-being and uplifting moods. These remarkable compounds have a rich history of supporting our overall mental health, leaving a positive impact on our emotional state. Whether we inhale their enchanting aromas or apply them topically, essential oils possess the remarkable ability to influence the chemistry of both our body and brain. When it comes to emotional wellness, essential oils have a remarkable ability to influence our mood, emotions, and overall sense of well-being. Science suggests that these aromatic wonders can impact the limbic system—the part of our brain responsible for emotions, memories, and behavior's. By inhaling or applying essential oils, we can activate certain responses in the brain, triggering feelings of calm, joy, or relaxation.

Essential oils for emotional wellbeing

Lavender oil

Lavender oil is one of the most popular essential oils out there, and its popularity is for a reason. Well-known for its beneficial effects on emotional well-being, lavender oil’s soothing and calming properties is the reason the oil has been traditionally used to promote relaxation, alleviate stress, and improve sleep quality. Inhaling the aroma of lavender oil can have a positive impact on the limbic system, the part of the brain responsible for regulating emotions. This can result in a sense of tranquility, reduced anxiety, and a more balanced mood. Additionally, lavender oil is often used in aromatherapy practices to create a serene and peaceful environment, further enhancing its ability to support emotional well-being. Use lavender oil with a diffuser for best results. A diffuser can allow the aroma of lavender to spread around the house, leading to an uplifting and mood boosting atmosphere. Lavender also blends well with more earthy and grounding oils. 

Bergamot Oil

Famous for its use in Earl-Grey tea, bergamot is a citrus fruit whose oil smells almost like oranges. Bergamot Essential Oil has the potential to be beneficial during times of depression, sadness, or grief. In contrast to other citrus peel essential oils found in the market, Bergamot Oil contains around 30% Linalyl Acetate, an ester known for its calming and soothing properties. The oil's aroma is believed to stimulate the release of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine, which are associated with feelings of well-being and happiness. Bergamot can be used for body massages after diluting a few drops with some carrier oil. However, because of its photosensitive nature, do be careful of being in sunlight after topical use. Bergamot can also be used with a diffuser to create a calming and soothing atmosphere around the house. It also works well with grounding oils or can be used for DIY beauty and wellness products at home.

Rose Geranium Oil

The delightful scent of Rose Geranium Essential Oil, with its sweet, earthy, and citrusy aroma complemented by beautiful rosy-floral notes, possesses the ability to instantly uplift one's mood. It evokes feelings of hope, happiness, and confidence. In the past, Rose Geranium was even thought to have the ability to ward off negative energies when planted near one's residence. Interestingly, this enchanting oil can have a mildly calming effect on some individuals, while for others, it can enhance energy levels. Rose geranium oil works best with a diffuser although it can also be blended with stronger floral oils as well as citrus oils. Rose geranium oil is also often used as a massage oil. 

Peppermint oil

Peppermint oil is known for its invigorating and energizing aroma. Peppermint Essential Oil is renowned for its ability to enhance concentration and mental focus. When applied to the skin, it provides relief for tired or achy muscles while promoting circulation when combined with gentle massage. It has the power to refocus awareness, fostering a greater sense of mindfulness in the present moment, particularly when exhaustion sets in. Diffusing Peppermint essential oil emits a penetrating minty scent that revitalizes the senses.

Frankincense oil

Throughout history, Frankincense has been utilized in sacred and religious ceremonies, as it was believed to enhance spiritual strength and provide protection against negativity. The captivating scent of Frankincense Essential Oil emits a deeply comforting, woody, and spicy aroma that possesses a remarkable grounding effect. In aromatherapy, its calming fragrance is employed to alleviate feelings of fear and anxiety that can hinder clear thinking and optimism. Frankincense oil proves particularly valuable in fostering mental resilience and self-acceptance during times of emotional distress. Frankincense oil can be diffused for best results. Rubbing a drop of the oil on your wrists and occasionally sniffing it can also help induce a sense of grounding and calm. 

Concluding thoughts

Although essential oils aren’t a true replacement for modern medical practice's, they can serve as a great complementary tool to other anxiety and depression management methods. Essential oils like lavender, frankincense, bergamot, rose geranium, and peppermint can be very useful to maintain emotional well-being, and inducing positive thoughts. They can be used with a diffuser to enhance feelings of relaxation throughout a room. Do refer to precautions when using essential oils though, as they might not be suitable for everyone.