Sometimes our lives can feel like they are running away from us causing us to feel stressed, anxious, overwhelmed, and unable to focus.

It could be a family crisis or the holidays with all the activities, parties, shopping, and family gatherings.

Stress can trigger a myriad of physical and mental symptoms, adding to the chaos of an already hectic environment.

Essential Oils To The Rescue

Essential oils are an exceptional, natural way to restore a feeling of calm and can have a positive effect on our body, stimulating the release of certain chemicals in our brain while also stimulating other parts of our central nervous system.

They can also help lower our blood pressure and decrease our heart rate while also relieving other symptoms of stress and anxiety.

Certain essential oils even change the way our body reacts to stressful situations.

Keep Reading For Essential Oil Tips And Recipes 

Six Ways to Use Essential Oils For Stress

I’ve shared how to use oils in other posts but just for review here are the common ways you can use your oils to help calm your nerves.

1. Inhale Essential Oils

You can add oils to your palms, rub them together then hold your hands 5 inches from your face and take a long deep breath.

Alternatively, you can add a few drops to cotton balls, or add a few drops to your essential oil jewelry.

2. Diffuse Essential Oils

This is different than just inhaling the oils straight.

Diffusers provide you with longer-lasting and intense benefits.

You can diffuse them in your home, place of business, or wherever…allowing others to partake in the joys of these potent oils.

You can create a spa-like environment in just a few minutes.

3. Add Essential Oils To Your Bath

Inhaling essential oils via steam in a hot bath is another method for safely indulging in essential oils.

Just add several drops of essential oils and Epsom salts to your bathwater then turn on some music and you’ve got a relaxing detox bath.

4. Apply Essential Oils To Your Skin

You can apply essential oils to your temples in a roller bottle or use them as a massage oil to promote full-body relaxation.

*Test all oils on a small section of your skin to be sure you aren’t sensitive to it. Most oils are best used on the skin diluted with a carrier oil like coconut oil.

5. Create Stress-Relieving Air Fresheners

Create an air freshener using water and essential oils.

You can mix three to five drops of oil with two ounces of water in a spray bottle and spray it in the air, onto fabric, or on your bed before you go to sleep.

Go here for fabric spray recipes to use instead of Febreeze

6. Wear A Diffuser Nose Ring

I know that sounds weird, but nose rings are little rings that you soak in essential oils and wear on your nose.

These would be great if you get stressed when you’re driving or riding in a car, like I do.

I’ve seen other nose rings but the ones from Essence are the most affordable and made in the USA.  

Five Most Popular Oils To Use When You Feel Stressed Or Anxious

There are many oils that can be used to help ease anxiety and stress but below are 5 of the most popular.

Try one of these oils alone in a diffuser or inhale directly from the bottle.

If that doesn’t bring relief combine them with other essential oils to find what works for you.

Read to the end for a few other oils that might help you plus some premade blends you might want to try.

Note: Many cats, dogs, and birds suffer from anxiety so be sure to check which oils are safe for them.

1. Lemongrass Oil

If your nerves are feeling a bit frazzled or you have feelings of mental fatigue, lemongrass oil may prove useful.

Lemongrass oil (get it here)produces an immediate stress-relieving effect on your senses, helping to calm your nerves and immediately drain tension from your body.

With as few as three drops, this oil can take effect in as little as three minutes.

2. Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender oil (get it here) is the quintessential scent of almost any spa you enter.

This oil can produce a sedative-like effect, helping to drive away stress and enable you to relax.

Lavender is a favorite agent for promoting sleep and improving your overall well-being.

3. Grapefruit Essential Oil

Grapefruit essential oil (get it here) demolishes stress and can help infuse energy where fatigue might be weighing you down.

This oil is useful in delivering headache relief and decreases symptoms of depression.

4. Rose Essential Oil

Rose essential oil (get it here) is great for creating an environment of tranquility and peace.

It is even more effective than lavender in helping you combat those doldrum feelings of depression.

5. Frankincense Essential Oil

Frankincense essential oil (get it here) is another powerful oil with a reputation for improving your mood.

This oil is an excellent, supportive meditative oil that can assist in curing feelings that sometimes accompany panic.

Other Essential Oils For Your Mental Health

Aside from the 5 essential oils above, some of the other oils known to have a calming effect are:

• Lemon
• Rosemary
• Wild Orange
• Peppermint
• Vetiver
• Patchouli 
• Bergamot
• Ylang-ylang
• Clary Sage
• Sandalwood
• Chamomile
• Jasmine
• Sweet Marjoram

If you don’t find help for your stress with essential oils please seek help from a professional.

I’ve known some people turn to alcohol or drugs as a way to self-medicate when they felt depressed or anxious.

Please don’t do this.

Seek help if that is you because treatment for substance abuse disorder may be necessary. 

DIY Essential Oil Recipes For Stress, Anxiety, Mental Health

Aside from using single oils, you can also try blending them using some of the recipes below.

Diffuser Blends For Stress And Anxiety

The most popular way to enjoy essential oils is in a diffuser.

Try one of these recipes whenyou feel stressed, anxious, or just want to keep things calm.

You may have to experiment to find what works best for you.

I usually have a diffuser going in my office all day long to reduce stress and help me focus.

Recipe #1

• 2 Drops Bergamot Essential Oil
• 2 Drops Frankincense Essential Oil
• 2 Drops Lemon Essential Oil

Recipe #2

• 3 Drops Orange Essential Oil
• 3 Drops Clove Essential Oil
• 3 Drops Cedarwood Essential Oil
• 2 Drops Lemon Essential Oil

Inhaler Blends For Stress

Add the oils in these recipes to a blank inhaler.

If you prefer a premade essential oil blend (such as Tranquility) simply add 5-8 drops to the blank inhaler.

1. Stop Your Panic Inhaler Blend

• 2 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
• 2 Drops Peppermint Essential Oil
• 2 Drops Bergamont Essential Oil
• 1 Drop Frankincense Essential Oil
• 1 Drop Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Click here for more DIY Inhaler recipes

2. GoodBye Stress Inhaler Blend

• 5 Drops Orange Essential Oil
• 2 Drops Frankincense
• 2 Drops Cedarwood

Massages For Stress

Combine a few drops of Lavender and Frankincense with a carrier oil such as coconut oil and use it as a stress-relieving massage oil.

Relaxing Baths For Stress

Soothe anxiety and panic attacks with some of these recipes.

1. Anxiety Relief Bath Recipe

I found this recipe on  CushySpa.com. 

Add these ingredients to your bath water and enjoy a long soak.

• 3 Drops Rose Essential Oil
• 2 Drops Frankincense Essential Oil
• 1 Drop Lavender Essential Oil
• 3 Tbs of your favorite carrier oil

2. Rose Hydrosol Relaxing Bath

This recipe uses rose hydrosol to soothe skin and help you destress.

3. Stress And Detox Bath Recipe

This simple bath with Lavender essential oil, baking soda, and Epsom salt will help lower your stress and help you detox. 

I take one of these baths anytime I think I might be getting sick.

Stress and Anxiety Relief Roller Blends

Roller bottles allow you to take your oils with you anywhere you go. 

Combine the listed oils in a empty roller bottle and top with coconut oil.

More roller blend recipes here

1. Stress Relief Roller Blend

• 10 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
• 10 Drops Peppermint Essential Oil
• 10 Drops Frankincense Essential Oil

2. Anxiety Relief Roller Blend

• 2 Drops Cedarwood Essential Oil
• 2 Drops Ocotea Essential Oil
• 2 Drops Copaiba Essential Oil
• 2 Drops Vanilla Oleoresin Essential Oil
• 1 Drop Lime Essential Oil
• 1 Drop Lavender Essential Oil

Credit: One Community

Premade Essential Oils Blends For Stress

If you don’t have any of these oils you could start with a premade blend made specifically for stress/anxiety such as one of these:

• Tranquility Blend by Simply Earth go here to learn more about this blend.
  
• Worry-Free Synergy Blend by Plant Therapy go here to learn more about this blend or find it in my Amazon shop.

Keep It Simple

There are many oils known for their ability to help calm your nerves and help you relax but if you are new to oils don’t overcomplicate things by buying a bunch of different oils.

Start with one oil or an oil blend until you find what works for you. 

Let me know if you tried any of these oils to help you deal with stress or anxiety.

Keep Reading

19 Selfcare Hacks To Keep You Mentally Healthy
Discover over 100 Practical and Easy Uses For Your Essential Oils
6 Top Essential Oils Plus 20 Recipes To Use Them In