What Are Essential Oils, Exactly?
They are highly potent distillation of a plant’s active chemical constituents, thus increasing their therapeutic potential.
Not all essential oils are the same, so weve broken down the top essential oils for stress relief.
Verywell Mind / Michela Buttignol
Lavender Essential Oil
One of the most common essential oils,lavenderis a crowd favorite.
Bergamot Essential Oil
Bergamot is a fresh citrusyscentwith deep herbal undertones.
Beloved for itsanti-inflammatoryand antioxidant properties, it is often recommended for stress relief.
In fact, a 2022 study found bergamot oil to be especially helpful in alleviating symptoms ofdepressionamong postpartum women.
Lemongrass Essential Oil
Notes of lemon and rose make lemongrass a dreamy scent for stress relief.
A 2015 study found that just a few drops of lemongrass oil made an impressive drop in symptoms ofanxiety.
Neroli Essential Oil
For something bright anduplifting, reach for Neroli.
Not only is neroli effective for de-stressing it can also relieveanxiety and sensations of pain during childbirth.
For example, the orange essential oil is known to alleviate symptoms ofdepression, shares Faith.
This study is revelatory, providing convincing evidence that this oil could reduceanxietysymptoms in humans.
Frankincense Essential Oil
This sweet, woodsy scent is a common staple for many.
Kirby loves Frankincense, noting that it can help both whenmeditatingbut also for restorative sleep.
Whenever youre feelingoverwhelmed, simply bring it close to your nose and take adeep breath.
you’ve got the option to also use essential oils with a diffuser.
Dont have a diffuser?
you could also boil a pot of water and add some drops.
The steam will release the fragrance into the room.
Because these are highly concentrated substances, many plant chemicals can irritate or burn your skin.
There are plenty of other ways you could decrease stress naturally.
Faith shared similar sentiments, recommending meditations focused on a specific positive mantra of your choosing and breathwork.
One of the most important ways to decrease stress is through cultivating a supportivecommunity.
Surrounding yourself with uplifting and trustworthy humans fosters joy, peace, and strong connections, explains Kirby.
This then only increases your sense of belonging, support, and well-being.
If thats how youre feeling, consider reaching out to a therapist for more support.
2015;21(12):766-773.
F. & thomson) essential oil reduced neuropathic-pain and associated anxiety symptoms in mice.J Ethnopharmacol.
