How Essential Oils Can Boost Your Mental Well-being

Essential oils are the pure, volatile, aromatic liquids that are found in shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bushes and seeds. The fragrance is what we smell, but virtually everything else we don’t perceive with our nose is what makes the essence of the essential oil. It’s called “essential” because it embodies the most important chemical constituents (smells) that comprise the healing properties of a particular plants’ extract. People all over the world have used these extracts for centuries for cosmetic purposes and to create uplifting or grounding environments.

What Are Essential Oils?

Natural plant-based chemicals are what make up essential oils. This is a plant’s defense from pests, disease, and the environment. Essential oil blends are made to match specific mental and emotional states that naturally occur.

How Essential Oils Affect Your Mind

The chemicals you inhale when you smell an essential oil travel through your nose and into your brain where they may impact your limbic system which controls memory and emotion. This can help brighten your mood or help in relaxation.

Benefits of Essential Oils for Mental Well-being

1. Reducing Stress and Anxiety

Essential oils are used extensively for their potential to relieve stress and anxiety. You can add some oils to your bathwater or inhale them via a diffuser. Some oils, if you dilute them with a carrier oil, can be applied directly to the skin. While castor oil may not be as well known as the other oils on this list, people have been using it for centuries on their skin and hair. In addition, castor oil helps to alleviate stress and promote relaxation. Simply mix a few drops of a relaxing essential oil like lavender with the oil and apply it to your skin. You’ll already feel more relaxed from the pleasant scent.

2. Improving Sleep

Sleeping enough is essential for your mental health. Essential oils like lavender and valerian root may help you relax and fall asleep faster. Just put a drop or two of these on your pillow before going to bed or use a diffuser in your bedroom.

3. Boosting Mood

There are some essential oils that can actually help you feel better and lift your mood. The citrus family of oils, such as orange, lemon or grapefruit essential oil are known to be energizing, so perfect for using in the morning to start your day off right! Or just sniff the bottle to give yourself a little pick me up throughout the day.

4. Enhancing Focus and Concentration

If you need help focusing or have racing thoughts, peppermint or rosemary will stimulate your cognitive processes to help you concentrate and stay focused. You can use a few drops on your wrist or temples – or add a few drops into a diffuser on your desk.

How to Use Essential Oils Safely

While essential oils can have many benefits, it is important to use them safely. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Dilute Essential Oils: Essential oils are highly concentrated and can cause irritation to your skin if used undiluted. Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil such as coconut or almond oil before applying to your skin.
2. Patch Test: Perform a patch test on your skin by applying a small amount of the new essential oil to a small area of your skin and waiting 24 hours for any signs of irritation before using it more extensively on your body.
3. Avoid Ingesting: Do not take essential oils by mouth unless you are under the care of a qualified healthcare provider.
4. Consult a Professional: Pregnant or nursing women and persons with known medical conditions should consult a physician prior to the use of any essential oil product.

Incorporating Essential Oils into Your Daily Routine

There are many ways to incorporate essential oils into your daily routine to boost your mental well-being. Here are a few ideas:

• Diffusing: Use an essential oil diffuser to spread the scent of your chosen oil throughout your home. This can create a calming and pleasant atmosphere.
• Baths: Add a few drops of essential oil to your bath for a relaxing soak.
• Massage: Mix essential oils with a carrier oil and use it for a soothing massage.
• Inhalation: Simply inhale the scent of the oil directly from the bottle or from a cotton ball.

Conclusion

With mental health, we have an arsenal of many different tools available to us. Tools that help us sleep better; tools that help create happier moods; tools for lowering anxiety; and so much more … By incorporating these different “tools” into our lives on a regular basis we are essentially creating an environment around us that is supportive where we can work towards true happiness and fulfillment in life. Essential oils truly are one useful tool you can use in your own journey towards good mental health but remember to first educate yourself about them or consult a professional before getting started if you need guidance.