Chances are either you or someone you know is currently dealing with stress and looking for stress relief. Often we tend to feel that our situations in life are the driving forces of the stress we endure.
Whatever the driving force may be, our body’s natural response to dealing with stress is to release certain chemicals in our brain to ensure its own survival. This is why things can sometimes get a little wacky when we are stressed.
Just to name a few things that are by-products of stress we might say weight gain, sleepless nights, high blood pressure, depression, low immunity, anxiety, and irritability.
Stress Chemicals
For those of you who are unfamiliar with bodily chemicals associated with stress, cortisol is known as the main stress hormone. High cortisol levels can lead to things like weight gain, high blood pressure, a weak immune system, and general fatigue.
Dopamine is another key chemical component associated with stress. It, on the other hand, is a chemical associated with feelings of pleasure, happiness, and satisfaction. This is why when a certain drug, event, or situation triggers the release of dopamine in our brains we often become addicted to it.
Last but not least Serotonin is another big player in the game of dealing with stress in life. Serotonin is a chemical responsible for regulating our sleep cycles, mood, appetite, memory, and social behaviors. Increased serotonin levels are often associated with feelings of well-being and happiness.
Lavender
First up on this list of essential oils for stress relief Lavender. I have named lavender first because it is the biggest contender for stress relief. When we experience stress our body’s natural response increases our cortisol hormone levels. Subsequently, it also decreases our dopamine and serotonin levels. Studies have shown that lavender helps decrease our cortisol levels and increases our serotonin and dopamine levels. This is also why lavender is among the best oils for sleep aid and relaxation.
Using lavender to help balance the chemicals in your body will leave you feeling calm and relaxed. The effects of lavender are strongest when they are most concentrated. I find it best when you rub a small amount of lavender oil on the temples of your head before bed. This will focus your mind more intently on the smell. If a topical application is not your thing, sprinkling a few drops on your pillow will do great things as well. Some people even suggest keeping a lavender plant in your bedroom for maximum effects.
Rosemary
Rosemary is another herbaceous essential oil great for stress relief. While this has a more woodsy aroma than lavender, it is still a very pleasing scent. The chemical properties of rosemary are great for boosting concentration, which improves basic cognitive functions. Rosemary is also good for improving one’s mood!
The reasoning behind this is due to several studies conducted. Rosemary is known to decrease cortisol levels. When you are feeling stressed, take a big whiff of some rosemary essential oil. Load up your diffuser, or put a few drops in your hand lotion throughout the day. Sure, you might end up smelling like a nice oven-roasted turkey, but who cares when you are living large without any stress in your life? But seriously, rosemary oil is one of the best essential oils for stress relief, which is why it has made this list.
Ylang Ylang
This is one of the more floral-scented essential oils that is helpful for stress relief. Ylang Ylang is said to be a component in the fragrances of major perfume brands like Chanel. How true that is, I am not sure, but it is an interesting note. Ylang Ylang has made this list of essential oils because it is known to help decrease cortisol levels and ease symptoms of hypertension. When you start to destress, naturally your hypertension should fade away as well. However, ylang-ylang hits both of these issues at the same time, which could result in a faster healing process for someone with high blood pressure.
Ylang ylang is also said to help with libido. Stress can be found connected to having a low sex drive at times. This essential oil could start help getting things spiced back up in your life again. With its natural floral aroma, it likely acts as a natural aphrodisiac. Destress with ylang-ylang, and get cozy with your partner. Add some to your massage oil, or just your nightly diffuser blend, and learn to take a load off every now and then.
Bergamont
Bergamont is among the citrus family. The aroma produced is of a fresh, sweet, and tart scent. Like many citrus essential oils, Bergamont is great for boosting concentration, and uplifting one’s mood. The chemical properties of bergamot help increase our dopamine and serotonin levels. This is why we tend to feel happier, and satisfied when this essential oil is introduced to our bodies.
To use this essential oil in stress relief, I would recommend adding a few drops to a warm bath. If you apply this oil topically to your body it is best to dilute it with a carrier oil like avocado oil or jojoba. Adding some bergamot to an essential oil blend in your diffuser will do wonders for your body. Use this oil as a mood booster, when you are feeling tense and overwhelmed by life’s daily situations.
Lemon
For stress relief, lemon is probably the second biggest contender on this list. One step down from lavender, in my opinion, lemon helps relieve stress on many different fronts. It helps to increase our serotonin and dopamine levels and also decreases hypertension. In addition to this, because it is a citrus oil, Lemon is great for improving concentration.
When we use lemon in aromatherapy, our bodies respond by producing feelings of energy, happiness, and excitement. This is another reason why lemon is an essential oil that is good for persons dealing with depression.
To use lemon essential oil I recommend going with a diffuser. Because lemon is usually a strong and concentrated scent, a diffuser can really help break it down to a pleasurable scent. As a side note, you can also boil and simmer lemon peels on the stove with some water and let the steam waft through your home. Mixing lemon, lavender, and rosemary are probably my absolute go-to mix for any type of mood or ailment I am facing.
Frankincense
This essential oil is from trees native to the continent of Africa. Because Frankincense is derived from the sap of trees, it has quite a woodsy aroma. Frankincense has been known throughout many centuries to have medicinal qualities. It has made this list of essential oils for stress relief because it is known to reduce hypertension. Hypertension is associated with high blood pressure, which is often caused by stress. Frankincense is also used to aid with sleep and anxiety, as it acts almost like a natural sedative.
To use this essential oil for stress relief, I would recommend using it in the bath or in a diffuser. It has a strong scent in the concentrated form of essential oil. To play down the concentration levels it’s best to dilute it with water in the bath to get some direct contact with the oil or disperse it into the air with a diffuser.
Rose
I would say rose may be one of the lesser-used essential oils out there. Rose has made my list as a stress reliever for several reasons. First off, rose is good for reducing high blood pressure. According to several studies, rose used as aromatherapy was effective in reducing hypertension. Another reason is that rose is thought to reduce irritability and aggression. Rose has often been associated with feelings of love and happiness throughout time. This may also be because the rose is another floral scent that acts as an aphrodisiac.
For this essential oil, I would suggest mixing it into a lotion or massage oil, so that it may be applied topically. Using it in a diffuser is also an effective way to introduce this scent to your body. However, for the best results, I would recommend using a nebulizer diffuser, which acts in the same way as perfume bottles. With a nebulizer diffuser, the oil does not need to be diluted as with most diffusers.
Resources
I hope these essential oils help you relieve the stress in your life. Comment down below which essential oils work best for you when handling stress!
For further self-care resources join us in our 5 days of Self Care challenge. Our Free Ecourse offers a simple guide to building healthy habits for a happier you.
Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that earn me a small commission, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and trust, or think my readers will find useful. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
