Our emotions play a significant role in our lives. They often dictate the quality of the life we live. They can positively or negatively impact the relationships that we have.
Although most of us are relatively good at managing positive emotions, we struggle to regulate the negative ones. The failure to regain control of negative thoughts and feelings can bring about a downward spiral.
Aromatherapy holds the key to achieving emotional wellness and stability. The essential oils commonly used for aromatherapy contain properties that can ground you spiritually and mentally.
Believe or not, just a few drops of oil into your diffuser can generate an endless flow of natural benefits, starting with a sense of calm, relief, and relaxation.
Essential oils are known to help in the following ways:
- Reduce stress
- Bring clarity
- Improve emotions
- Harness anxiety
- Create balance
These scents are more potent than most people realize because of the way they affect the central nervous system.
What are the Best Oils for Emotional Well-Being?
The challenge to determining the best oils for emotional well-being is that the options are almost endless. Of the numerous essential oils, you can use to establish a sense of emotional stability, let’s take a look at five of the most common.
Frankincense Oil
Frankincense or olibanum oil, is excellent for combating anxiety and feelings of negativity. Frankincense contains properties that help to decrease your heart rate and blood pressure. This helps to relax your mind and reduce the frequency of dark thoughts.
Bergamot Oil
Bergamot oil can help you to re-establish peace in the face of physical distress. Feeling down in the dumps? Bergamot can help you find your center. Research shows that bergamot essential oil can help you to achieve the following:
- Reduce feelings of anxiety
- Manage symptoms of depression
- Manage fatigue
According to Dr. Axe, bergamot oil helps to generate new energy, feelings of cheerfulness, and a sense of being refreshed—all thanks to the oil’s ability to improve circulation.
Patchouli Oil
Patchouli oil has received high marks in the skin and beauty world because of its ability to reduce inflammation and reverse signs of aging. Less known are the emotional benefits of this essential oil, which include the following:
- Reducing stress
- Alleviating anxiety
- Managing symptoms of depression
This oil provides a calming effect that is highly useful for meditation practices.
Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon essential oil is used therapeutically to manage insomnia. Its also commonly used to help with the following:
- Control anger
- Reduce symptoms of depression
- Mitigate mood swings
In one study, exposure to lemon oil helped to decrease the stress hormone levels in rats, thereby reducing their experience of stress. In another study, inhaling lemon essential oil improved people’s mood more effectively than lavender oil.
Clary Sage
Clary sage is a great oil for dodging stress and anxiety. Clary sage bestows a sense of calm and relaxation because of its natural ability to lower your blood pressure and heart rate.
Clary sage is a natural antidepressant because it reduces cortisol levels flowing throughout your body, mimicking the anti-depressant effect.
Aromatherapy is healing for the spirit and helpful for emotional health. It’s not only about experiencing the joys of pleasant scents in your office, living area or bedroom. These oils affect us physically, mentally and emotionally.
It’s important to note that you should use a bit of caution when using essential oils. They can trigger an allergic reaction, or irritate the skin, if not diluted properly. Do some research before using any particular oils to make sure that you are not at risk for an adverse reaction.
