Emotional Resilience with Essential Oils
Emotional resilience, or the ability to recover from stress and adversity, can be supported by various tools, including essential oils. By tapping into the power of aromatherapy, essential oils can help soothe the nervous system, promote emotional balance, and reduce the physical effects of stress.
How Essential Oils Work
Essential oils interact directly with the limbic system in the brain, which controls emotions, behavior, and memory. This connection allows specific oils to calm the body, uplift mood, and reduce anxiety, which can help with emotional resilience. When inhaled, the aromatic compounds of essential oils are believed to stimulate parts of the brain responsible for mood and stress response.
Top Essential Oils for Emotional Resilience
Bergamot
Benefits: Known for its uplifting and mood-enhancing properties, bergamot can support a reduced feeling of anxiety and sadness. It has been shown to support the reduction of cortisol levels, promoting a sense of calm.- How to Use: Add a few drops of bergamot to a diffuser in the morning to set a positive tone for the day, or mix 3 drops bergamot and 1 drop lavender per 1 tablespoon of fractionated coconut oil and apply it to pulse points.
Lavender
- Benefits: One of the most popular essential oils for relaxation, lavender is renowned for its calming effects. It supports the reduction of stress and promotes restful sleep.
- How to Use: Diffuse lavender oil in the evening to wind down after a stressful day or add 1 drops to a cottonball and place it next to your pillow to aid sleep.
Ylang Ylang
- Benefits: Ylang ylang helps promote emotional balance by reducing tension and uplifting the spirit. It’s particularly useful during periods of overwhelm.
- How to Use: Use ylang ylang during meditation or relaxation exercises to promote emotional calmness and reduce anxious thoughts. Add 3 drops per 1 tablespoon of fractionated coconut oil and apply to pusle points.
Frankincense
- Benefits: Known for its grounding properties, frankincense can help calm the mind and improve focus. It’s a great option for managing stress and fostering emotional resilience.
- How to Use: Diffuse during periods of stress, or blend with a carrier oil and apply to the back of your neck for instant relaxation.
Practical Tips for Using Essential Oils:
- Daily Routine: Incorporate essential oils into your daily routine by diffusing them in the morning to set a positive tone and again in the evening to unwind.
- On-the-Go: Carry a rollerball blend of your favorite essential oils for quick relief from stress during the day.
- Self-Care Rituals: Add a few drops of essential oils to a 1/4 cup of neutral bath gel for a relaxing self-care ritual that supports emotional well-being.
- Safety First: Essential oils are powerful substances. Less is more! Use diluted in a carrier oil or lotion when applied to the skin and start with 1 or 2 drops per 1 tablespoon of oil.
SOURCES
PubMed Central: Effects of Aromatherapy on Stress and Anxiety NIH Study on Bergamot Essential Oil and Cortisol Reduction
Mayo Clinic: Lavender and Stress Reduction
Journal of Pharmacognosy: The Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils in Aromatherapy
