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With COVID-19 (coronavirus) closing in on American communities, many people are becoming increasingly stressed. Schools are closing, and concerts, sporting events, and community events are being canceled. Grocery and convenience stores are starting to be wiped out by panicked shoppers (we have you covered on hand sanitizer). Stress release is becoming hard to find (read: children are chaotically running through the house and significant others are building up tension without being able to zone out to sports events on the TV).
Essential oils can be an easy way to release stress and anxiety without even leaving the house. Simply add a few drops to your favorite diffuser or add a few drops to your favorite body butter to massage into weary hands and feet. If you have a bit more time to spare, add drops to warm bath water for a spa-like getaway.
Lavender and Geranium are especially gentle essential oils and are perfect to use on children as well. If your children are worried about the spread of the virus or their friends, massage a 1% dilution into their hands and arms to help keep them calm and relaxed.
Licensed acupuncturist Kerry Boyle with Integrative Acupuncture went on to tell us more about the use of essential oils. "Aromatherapy is the art of using the branch of plant based medicine that incorporates concentrated, pure, essential oils for therapeutic purposes. The goal of using essential oils is shared with holistic medicines of many kinds, to bring balance and harmony to body, mind and spirit. Essential oils are highly concentrated oils of plants that provide therapeutic change, including feelings of relaxation, meditation, reducing anxiety, fear and trauma."
With any essential oil, you should always conduct a patch test by placing a dime-sized amount on the arm and waiting 24-48 hours to watch for any irritation or adverse reactions like rashes, burning, or swelling.
Bonus: Radha Beauty's Stress-Free and Rest & Relax Blends
Lavender is the quintessential calming aroma. If you’re anxious, chances are that someone will recommend the soothing scent of lavender. It’s a gentle, well-studied plant that has been shown to relieve symptoms that can come with anxiety and depression. As a fan favorite, lavender has an earthy floral smell.
Andrea Travillia with Aspirify often uses lavender among other oils to relax. "I love essential oils for changing my mood. For relaxing and stress reduction I use lavender. I will sometimes mix and sometimes use individually. I use them in a diffuser, in the bath and at night just a few drops directly on my pillow."
Shop: Lavender 4oz Bottle
Geranium is steam distilled from the leaves of the geranium plant that originates in South Africa. Geranium is used to improve mood, promote emotional wellbeing, and some believe that it may reduce anxiety and increase healthy sleep. This rose-like scent is floral and bright.
Shop: Top 18 Essential Oil Set
Ylang Ylang has quickly become a staple in essential oil users for its soothing properties. It is made from the flowers of the Cananga tree, native to India. This study shows is may lower cortisol – the stress hormone – levels, and it may even lower blood pressure. As a bonus, ylang-ylang is also popular for promoting a healthy sex life. The oil has a fragrant, sweet, fruity scent.
Shop: Ylang Ylang 5mL Bottle
Bergamot oil can boost your mood, lower stress hormones, and reduce fatigue that may reduce anxiety and help calm your spirit and mind. Bergamot is a type of citrus, with a warm and bright scent. It is shaped similarly to an orange but green like a lime, and the essential oil is extracted from its rind.
Shop: Top 18 Essential Oil Set
Clary sage has an earthy, herby, and slightly floral scent. It is made from the flowering herb native to the Mediterranean Basin. Clary sage can also help calm stress and anxiety. It can act as a hormone balancer and may reduce symptoms of PMS.
Shop: Top 18 Essential Oil Set
Fight nerves and stress with this blend of Bergamot, Patchouli, Orange, Ylang Ylang and Grapefruit may help to release tension and nerves from the inside out.
Kim Brimhall with We Three Shanes finds oil blends relaxing and uses them in at home beauty products to further her relaxation. "Homemade skin care treatments are one of my favorite ways to use essential oils to relax. With spas closed right now, it's been really helpful to make my own sugar scrub using essential oils."
Shop: Synergy Blend Set
Calm the mind, body, and spirit with a perfect infusion of relaxation and tranquility with our Lavender, Marjoram, Copaiba Balsam, Roman Chamomile, Rosemary, Peppermint, and Clary Sage blend.
Shop: Synergy Blend Set
