Using Essential Oils for Depression, Anxiety and Feeling Blue

Hey guys this post is a little heavy and weighing big time on my heart but I feel I must share it and hopefully bring a little light to someone who may need it. I believe aromatherapy can be a very powerful tool in supporting folks going through depression and anxiety. Experiencing depression and anxiety is no joke, it's not to be taken lightly and when necessary medical interventions may need to be made. There is no weakness in that, no shame so please get assistance if you need it. We all have the blues every now and then but actual depression, may need more care and treatment options, or it may not but it's always best to have someone chat with you to be sure you are getting exactly what is best for you! 

Aromatherapy has been shown to have positive effects on mood and emotional health for decades, heck maybe even a century, certainly using them, herbs and such have been around for 100's of years. There are numerous studies on Pub Med where researchers are beginning to try and see just how helpful they can be, however we have been using the art of Aromatherapy for many years and it has already proven itself to be a powerhouse in lifting the mind. Some essential oils are very good for sedating and calming the nervous system so they are perfect for anxiety, then others are very uplifting and make us feel happy so they might be just what is needed for the depression.

How do you know which to choose? I like to look at profiles of the oils and I like to choose oils in those categories that the person really likes. Don't get me wrong there is a place and time for those oils that stink away but get the job done! ;) But I feel like when someone is dealing with their mood and mental health if it is a smell they enjoy it is half the battle. Next I like to create a blend based on having a very grounding oil, ticks the anxiety box, and then oils that are very uplifting and bright to offer that element of happy to the blend. I personally love to use citrus oils for their high Monoterpene levels which are anti-depressive. Using the sedative oils such as Sandalwood, Vetiver, Frankincense can be very relaxing to those dealing with anxiety.

We actually created our entire line of mood blends around these ideas I've shared, we want our oils could offer support and benefit not only in just every day needs of living in a busy and stressful world but that those working through more serious times would receive the benefits these powerful little tools. There have been times when someone is in full blown melt down, the stress is overwhelming, the world is out of control and they just feel like they can't breathe. Taking a minute to use an inhaler or grabbing an oil or blend and just smelling it, or applying it can stop the cyclone spinning inside them, it can offer a moment to collect oneself and come at life from a different angle. There are many wonderful recipes out there in the big old web to find but here are a few of my favorites.

1 ounce Jojoba
2 drops Neroli
5 drops Balsam Copaiba
1 drop Jasmine

Blend together Essential Oils with the Jojoba and apply to body.

Happy Day Blend

2 drops Vetiver

2 drops Bergamot

2 drops Sweet Orange

15 ml of Jojoba or filled roller bottle with carrier oil and apply to wrists, neck and chest.

Stress Buster Blend

2 drops Bergamot
2 drops Frankincense
2 drops Lavender
Add to diffuser or inhaler or add to 15 to 30 ml of Jojoba and apply to wrists, neck or chest as needed or desired.

Balance and Calming Blend

2 drops of Vetiver

3 drops of Spikenard

2 drops of Sandalwood

2 drops of Lavender

5 drops of Lemon

1 ounce Jojoba

Blend into Jojoba and apply topically or add only the essential oils into an inhaler.

I love to use inhalers and diffusers for emotional health. I feel like the benefit from inhalation is as powerful or more so in these situations than topically applying the oils. So all of these recipes can be made into inhalers or diffuser blends by omitting the carrier oil. Inhalers are awesome ways to take these oils with you on the go and use them discreetly without smelling up your office or other location. Give them a try and let me know what you think! As always we learn from each other so if you have ideas, recipes or things to share please do so below. Thank you for being part of this community ❤