By Many face anxiety, and it cripples them mentally! The power it has over us is, unfortunately, massive! This is where we are unable to make any decisions without overthinking everything. This is why we must look for natural means to help relieve us from its grip. Afterall, modern medicine is not always the choice. So, if you are looking for natural ways to get help, essential oils for anxiety are one such means.
Known for its calming qualities, this natural formula can do wonders. Works perfectly when you are looking for self-care ideas.
Aromatherapy, the art of dispensing scents for the well-being of the mind and body, has various essential oils to soothe anxiety.
Ranging from the gentle floral scent of lavender to the citrussy aroma of bergamot, essential oils for anxiety come in varieties.
Our ancestors have been utilized for ages to help in the management of anxiety. In this journey of exploring the essence of essential oils, their importance in the relief of anxiety.
What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is a holistic approach that uses natural plant extracts to boost body wellness. It is a practice that involves the employment of essential oils. These are the concentrated liquids extracted from plants’ flowers, leaves, roots, or stems.
The oils capture the plant’s aroma and quintessence, which are good for healing the mind!
The simplify the science behind it –
The aroma of the essential oils in respiration stimulates your limbic system. This is part of the brain and plays an integral role in emotion, behavior, and long-term memory. Significantly, this system is very active in the storage of memories.
Although this may be part of the phenomenon, familiar scents can often trigger memories or emotions. Inhaling the oils can trigger a psychological response that lowers stress or anxiety levels.
Thus, it acts as a complementary therapy for those who seek the natural approach to the management of their anxiety.
Understanding Anxiety
Anxiety is a common reaction to stress of any kind. It’s an emotion of anxiety or unease about what’s ahead. Just like the first day of school, an interview at a job, or a speech giving.
Nevertheless, if anxiety becomes frequent, being extremely severe and typically affecting normal everyday matters, it may be a disorder.
Symptoms of anxiety may include palpitations, shortness of breath, nerves, trouble concentrating, and insomnia. It can be provoked by numerous triggers, ranging from heredity to the surrounding factors.
While it is a highly individualized process, the main thing is it is ongoing. Out-of-proportion severe anxiety that can even interfere with daily activities.
Safely Using the Essential Oils
So, as a self-care for anxiety formula you can always use essential oil. But it is important to keep the health concerns in mind. Essential oils are secure if used in the right way, and poor practices may result in negative consequences.
You should note that they are very concentrated and can irritate the skin if applied without the carrier oil.
It is imperative to dilute essential oils with carrier oil (e.g., coconut and jojoba oils) before topical application.
On the other hand, inhalation can be done through a diffuser, ensuring a safe oil diffusion into the air.
- Following the manufacturer’s instructions and being careful not to diffuse oils for long periods is very important. This is because prolonged exposure to oils can cause headaches and even nausea.
- Additionally, some oils may interact with the drugs. Doctors might not recommend it for patients who suffer from specific health conditions. This includes pregnant and nursing women, children, and so on.
- Always consult a healthcare practitioner before attempting any new treatment, including aromatherapy.
- Finally, buying oils from credible sources ensures they are authentic, pure, high-quality, and have no harmful additives.
Top Essential Oils for Anxiety
Here are the top essential oils to soothe anxiety! Know what to use when you finally take the route of aromatherapy.
Lavender: The All-Arounder
Lavender is frequently thought of by many as one of the best essential oils for anxiety. Many choose it for its flexibility and gentle qualities above all. Lavender oil has known properties that can quiet the mind, reduce stress, and help weary people sleep.
Studies indicate that lavender scent causes decreases in anxiety levels and mood upswing. The relaxation effect makes it possible to use the oil for those who permanently experience anxiety, panic attacks, or just need a moment of calm.
Lavender’s effectiveness is not only legendary but is highly recommended!
Studies show that it can act as an anxiolytic (a compound that acts to rescue against anxiety) (Source). This is why many use various relaxation and sleep-inducing products.
To use it, add a few drops of lavender essential oil into a nightstand diffuser.
This helps create a calming atmosphere for sleeping.
You can also use a carrier oil, which you can apply on the temples to soothe yourself.
Chamomile: The Soothing Sedative
Chamomile as an essential oil for anxiety is also gaining popularity due to its calming properties. This includes sedating nerves, which can be of benefit to people with anxiety.
The essential oil comes from chamomile flowers with sweet herbal aroma we widely use in aromatherapy. Among its many benefits are relief from stress and insomnia.
Chamomile oil is assigned with tranquilizing properties due to its high content of azulene. A well-known feature of azulene is its stress-reducing and anti-inflammatory effects.
Chamomile oil also provides relief from an overactive mind, even to the extent of relaxing muscles and relieving headaches.
To obtain the benefits of chamomile, you can add the oil to a warm bath or use it in a diffuser before bedtime. This will quickly help you enter relaxation mode. It is also effective when you use it as a topical rub in with carrier oils.
You can massage it onto the abdomen or back of the neck to help relieve stress.
Rose: The Ultimate Comforter
Rose essential oil has the nickname for being the queen of oils. This is because of its relaxing scent, linking with feelings of love and personal protection. Descended from rose petals, this oil is a main component of stress relief and love blends.
Rose oil, with its delicate aroma, has been proven helpful in the relief of sadness and other heartache. Besides that, it is also a very good remedy for emotional anxiety and stress problems. It tends to improve one’s emotional state, acting as an antidote to anxiety while raising self-esteem and self-confidence.
Rose oil is also effective in normalizing body hormones, thus might be helpful during irregular hormonal periods that often lead to mood swings and anxiety.
Using a rose oil diffuser daily, one can add a few drops of the oil for a rejuvenating aroma. Or, for a warming massage you can again blend it with oil. Fragrance also enhances the feelings of meditation practice associated with emotional balance.
Vetiver: Grounding Heaver
With its faintly aromatic nature, the vetiver essential oil is well-known for its calming effects. Vetiver is that essential oil for anxiety which works wonders. This brings about the feeling of emotional peace and stability.
This oil may be particularly useful for those who feel ungrounded and disconnected from reality when anxious.
While the idea is a metaphor, the persistent power of the vetiver in calming the central nervous system is not merely symbolic; it is calming and grounding. It can assist in concentrating better, which is one of the factors that tend to suffer during cases of anxiety and stress.
Making it one of the best essential oils for anxiety!
The uncanny consistency of vetiver reminds us of its steadiness and grounding nature. Many use it as a blend of oils to bring calmness and contribute to a good night’s sleep.
To get the vetiver oil benefit, you can put 2 or 3 drops in your feet before bed to calm down. Or combine vetiver with the other oils in the diffuser to create a restful environment. It provides a sense of comfort due to its fragrance.
You can dilute it on wrists and smell it as personal inhalers.
Ylang Ylang: The Stress Reducent
Ylang-ylang essential oil, a choice many people know for its inviting, sweet, and exotic aroma, is another effective oil in the battle against anxiety.
Also known as flower oil, one gets this oil from ylang-ylang tree. We usually associate it with the sensation of ease and joyfulness. It is famous for its ability to eliminate stress and improve the feeling of well-being.
These essential oils for anxiety work as a calming force for uplifting mood. It also works as a natural pacifier for people who suffer from anxiety and depression.
Ylang-ylang is well known for its ability to lower blood pressure and calm down the neuro-muscular system. Therefore, on the physical level, we can say the essential oil diminishes the physiological responses to stress.
Because it has a strong aroma, ylang-ylang works just a bit and will give you its effect for a long time. You can dispense in small amounts, which would provide a relaxing mood, or diluted with base oil for massage or local application.
Ylang-ylang and citrus oils will promote a positive and relaxing environment. It’s just perfect for relaxation episodes during anxiety. Â
Bergamot: The Mood Lifter
The bergamot essential oil, extracted from the rind of the bergamot orange fruit, has an invigorating and citrusy scent that can be uplifting and relaxing at the same time. I usually use it when feeling depressed and stressed out. It can also uplift your mood and ease your mind.
The limonene chemical in bergamot oil can lessen stress and enhance serotonin and dopamine circulation, which helps with feeling good.
This is one solid reason why many use bergamot as a key ingredient in aromatherapy, is a go-to for a fast reduction of the adverse effects of anxiety and an improvement in emotional health.
However, you need caution when using bergamot oil in direct sunlight. It may cause a reaction with ultraviolet light or certain skin preparations.
We suggest using bergamot as a diffusor in the living area to maintain an uplifted atmosphere or to dilute it in a small quantity and use it topically in the evenings. For a quick pick-me-up during the day, inhaling the bergamot oil from a handkerchief or a personal inhaler can be of good use.
Frankincense: The Spiritual Connector
Frankincense essential oil, anciently used to help attain a spiritual and meditation state, is the most sought-after for giving transcendent peace and relaxation.
The oil from the resin of the Boswellia tree is commonly called frankincense oil. It has a distinct woody and mildly spicy scent. It helps to deepen the breathing and calm the mind. Therefore, many use it as an aid both in meditation and while contemplating.
This oil is appreciated for its ability to create a sense of calm as it reduces or eliminates symptoms of worry, stress, and lack of focus.
It is assumed that frankincense will improve the dynamics of body and mind and, thus, be good for people whose anxiety alienates them from the present moment.
If you want to add frankincense to your anxiety-relieving regimen, just put it in the diffuser during that time you meditate or pray. It can be used as an essential oil and mixed with carrier oil to massage the wrists or temples to enhance your emotional balance and tranquility.
The Beauty of Aromatherapy in Calming You Down
Aromatherapy, especially the employment of essential oils for anxiety, is a natural and holistic way in which you can integrate part of a general approach to manage anxiety.
Each essential oil has its own set of properties that can solve different needs and preferences; for example, lavender and chamomile reduce stress levels, while bergamot and ylang-ylang uplift moods.
However, safety with any treatment would also be the focus here. One must be careful about dilution, understand the potential interactions when necessary, and consult any healthcare providers before using the benefits of aromatherapy. However, all people differ, and strategies to help in its treatment will be diverse as well.
Whether used as a routine to relax you at night, to support your meditation, or simply to remain calm in stressful situations, these essential oils for anxiety are an empowering tool that may help improve your mental well-being.
Check out which scent appeals to you the most! Soothe your soul and forget your worries through essential oils.
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