The year 2020 was one marked by uncertainty as the whole world was faced with the unprecedented situation of COVID-19. While we were learning how to protect ourselves from the pandemic, resorting to various health measures, many of us were left completely unprepared for the secondary pandemic that resulted from this: that of stress and anxiety.

Being faced with the fear of the unknown, experiencing deaths of loved ones and job loss, plus spending time in isolation at home during quarantines and lockdowns, it’s not surprising stress caught us unawares. The danger with this kind of problem is once it becomes chronic, it can wreak havoc on our bodies and lives.

From an increase in the cases of telogen effluvium, to cardiomyopathy, hormonal and mental health issues, the struggles of 2020 have been many and eye-opening, to say the least. Thankfully, nature has always provided humanity with the right solutions in the form of alternative medicine and that has certainly gained more popularity recently.

So, when it comes to taming COVID-19 and modern lifestyle-driven anxiety and stress the natural way, non-invasive treatments such as aromatherapy are truly God-sent. Want to hear the best thing about opting for this solution in particular? There are numerous certified pure organic essential oils for stress relief you can choose to introduce into your life, and they won’t break your bank.

Which Essential Oil Is Best for Stress and Anxiety?

Although such oils have often been associated with the spas and resorts, you can easily make use of them in your own home. More so now that over the past year most spas and resorts closed their doors, and homes became people’s personal sanctuaries.

Quarantines or not, trying out the benefits of aromatherapy certainly proves to be of help for modern day people packed with errands. The following are some of the most common options you could consider making up a collection of, either on their own or in the form of blends. They’re all known for their incredible properties that help combat the host of unwanted stress-related symptoms.

Lavender

Proven to lower the blood pressure and heart rate, and restore the nervous system, it’s definitely a must-have for anyone’s home aromatherapy and first aid kits who’s prone to experiencing chronic stress. Its calming and soothing properties have long been known to humankind, so it’s no wonder it’s been present in various civilisations in antiquity when it came to improving sleep, tension, headaches, migraines, and panic.

Moreover, besides calming one’s spirit, nerves, and improving the mood, it’s also part of the essential oils for anxiety that are famous for the antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. In this aspect, it comes in handy with treating insect bites, and lice, as much as acne, asthma, colds, and throat infections.

Ylang Ylang

If you’re looking for the essential oils for stress relief that also prove to be helpful with elevating the humour, look no further than this one. In addition to being comforting and uplifting the mood, taking its natural sedating properties into consideration, it’s great with beating the feelings of depression, as well as anger and irritation by promoting feelings of joy. Once you start using it, you’d notice how easy it is to bid those negative emotions farewell!

German Chamomile

It’s not surprising this oil has found itself on the list given that a cup of chamomile tea has long been used as the solution to calm the nerves, taking into account it’s always been regarded as a sleep inducer and tranquiliser. Things aren’t different with the essential oil, though given that German chamomile (Chamomilla recutita) has more of the beneficial chamazulene ingredient than the Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis), that’s why it’s among the suggested options.

Since it’s great for promoting a sense of inner calm, you should include it in your oils for anxiety kit. Not only would it offer assistance when you need to calm your nervous system, and regulate your stress levels, but it would also prove to be of use with improving your digestion, curbing the symptoms of allergy, as well as treating your dry and sensitive skin.

Clary Sage

Inducing a state of well-being, this oil can help alleviate the effects of stress as it elicits feelings of relaxation and as such has been linked to the dopamine hormone. This isn’t the only benefit you can expect to reap from this amazing option which is part of the essential oils for depression. It’s in fact every woman’s best friend given that it’s key for easing menopausal symptoms and allowing for comfortable and carefree periods by reducing the pain and spasming.

Lemon Balm

Also known by the name Melissa, and the mighty “elixir of life” that was commonly used in the past, this antioxidant essential oil has uplifting and medicinal properties. Calming the mind, reducing feelings of alertness, and reducing the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, are among the advantages it provides. Though they aren’t the only ones because it’s also great for immune boosting, increasing neuronal activity, and improving concentration. So long blue Mondays!

Neroli

If you want to relax both body and soul, you’ve got to include this oil among your list of essential oils for stress relief. Promoting calm, overall well-being, and putting excessive worrying to a halt, there’s no denying it’s just as helpful as the previous oils we’ve covered. There’s no surprise as to why the exotic fresh and sweet aroma that regulates the metabolic system and generates happy feelings has been part of the ancient Egyptians’ healing and purifying rituals centuries ago!

How Do I Start Using Essential Oils?

Let’s get one thing clear: just because essential oils are easily found pure and organic doesn’t mean they’re free of side-effects. Same as with medications, it’s important to learn as much as you can about them prior to using them, and stick to what specialists recommend, to be on the safe side. It doesn’t matter how many essential oils for stress relief you start with, so long as you implement the right strategies when making them part of your daily relaxing rituals.  

Give Inhalation a Go

Okay, this has got to be one of the easiest ways to welcome aromatherapy into your day to day life. Simply open up the bottle of your favourite oil, inhale for a couple of minutes with deep breaths, and let the olfactory membrane in your nose do the job. Repeat several times throughout the day for best results!

Other ways you can surround yourself with the amazing scents of these potent natural remedies are adding a few drops on your bedding, a cotton ball to carry with you when out and about, or in the shower (add the cotton ball near the drain) for a refreshing experience. And, of course, for that ultimate spa-like result, reach for help from diffusers and vaporisers that would turn your oils into lovely air-fresheners too.

Dilute Then Apply Topically

Topical use has got to be one of the most effective approaches, though it can lead to unwanted skin irritation if handled without caution. Having in mind essential oils are highly concentrated, it’s crucial to dilute them using carrier oils. To ensure you don’t get any side-effects, it’s important to know the dilution ratios which are different for adults from those for children.

For instance, the one drop of essential oil diluted with five or more drops of the carrier oil of choice for adults equals to one drop of essential oil diluted with 10 or more drops of the carrier oil. While we’re at pieces of advice, read up the labels, avoid sensitive areas like eyes, broken skin, inner ears and inside the nose and store the oils away from direct sunlight. These are just a few heads-up for playing it safe to guarantees long and proper use of aromatherapy.