The Best Essential Oils to Cope with the Pandemic

What is aromatherapy?

Have you experimented with aromatherapy? Aromatics have been used for thousands of years to enhance physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Natural oils are extracted by steam distilling leaves, bark, roots, flowers, and other plant parts. The most popular form of aromatherapy is essential oils.

Essential oils are used as an alternative medicine to promote a sense of well-being. They improve the connection between body and mind. Essential oils may reduce anger, relax the body, improve sleep, and support emotional balance. Certain blends may also boost energy and enhance attentiveness.

How essential oils work

When inhaled, the scent travels to the olfactory nerve, which sends the aroma to the brain’s limbic system. The limbic system is the section of the brain that houses emotions and emotional behavior. The brain responds with various mood-enhancing benefits depending on the scent.

How to use essential oils

An excellent way to become comfortable with essential oils is by adding them to a diffuser. The soft mist will sweeten the air with the aromatic scent making it a gentle way to experience the effects. Inhaling essential oils is one of the best natural ways to reduce stress, calm the mind, and relax the body. Experiment with various blends and pure oils to find which fragrance best suits you. Each aromatic scent will bestow a unique benefit and effect.

Best essential oils for stress

Studies have shown that the use of essential oils significantly reduces stress. If you are looking for ways to manage anxiety or cope with stress, consider incorporating these essential oils known to calm the nerves into your life:

• Lavender: This is a soothing scent that helps reduce heightened emotions while providing calm, relaxing qualities. Apply topically or diffuse for a tranquil aroma.
• Rose: This floral scent is emotionally uplifting. Apply to the neck and wrists as a personal fragrance.
• Jatamansi: This oil is used as a sedative and for coping with emotional turbulence. It is also known to improve memory and brain function. Dilute in a carrier oil and apply to the skin.
• Sandalwood: This earthy scent is frequently used during meditation for its grounding and uplifting qualities and combines well with lavender and vetiver.
• Vetiver: This oil supports the immune system and produces a calm and grounding effect. Add a few drops to a warm bath or diffuse for concentration and focus.
• Valerian: This root is famous for its sedative effects. The earthy scent can be enjoyed topically or with a diffuser.
• Ylang Ylang: This is a sweet and floral scent used to improve the mood while simultaneously providing a calming effect. It also helps relieve tension and stress while promoting positivity. Diffuse with lavender for restful sleep or apply to the back of the neck when feeling overwhelmed.

Best oils for coping with the quarantine

The pandemic may make you or someone you know struggle with feelings of isolation or loneliness. Essential oils can aid in uplifting the spirit. To help cope, try these suggestions:

• Bergamot: This unique citrus oil is calming and uplifting, making it the perfect combination for dissolving sad and lonely feelings. Apply to the bottoms of the feet before bedtime for relaxing sleep.
• Clary Sage: Widely known for its calming abilities, this scent is soothing and balancing. Diffuse at bedtime for restful sleep.
• Cedarwood: This warm and woody aroma helps relax the mind and body. Diffuse at the end of a long day to promote emotional balance and create a Zen-like environment.
• Frankincense: This scent has been revered for its wide variety of uses and does a wonderful job balancing and uplifting emotions. Diffuse this scent to enhance feelings of peace and satisfaction.
• Neroli: This essence comes from the flowers of bitter orange trees. The scent promotes a positive mood while encouraging relaxation. Apply to the back of the neck when feeling anxious or pair with lavender in a diffuser.
• Roman Chamomile: This sweet floral scent supports a healthy immune system, releases anxiety, and promotes peaceful feelings.
• Wild Orange: This is a beautiful citrus scent with powerful antioxidant functions for maintaining health. Diffuse to purify the air and for an uplifting aroma.

Other ways to use essential oils

• Apply topically with a carrier oil like coconut, sesame, or castor.
  • Best placements include:
    • Behind the ears
    • On the neck and throat
    • Wrists and inside of the elbow
    • On the heart and chest
  • Essential oil mister: The general rule is to add 20 drops to 4 oz of water in a spray bottle. Spritz for a little refresher.
  • Yoga mat: Add a few drops of your favorite oil to your mat to allow the magic to flow into your practice or meditation.
  • Sniff them from the bottle: Gently move the bottle left to right about 4-5 inches from your face and let the aroma wash over you.
  • Treat yourself to an aromatherapy massage: Receive the benefits of massage and aromatherapy combined. Massages help reduce stress, improve circulation, reduce muscle soreness, improve overall sleep quality, and lower heart rate and blood pressure.

One final thought

The human body has a natural vibrational frequency measured in megahertz (MHz) and will range from 62 MHz to 70 MHz. When you feel depleted, emotionally drained, or physically stressed, the MHz in your body can drop. Essential oils support the raising of your vibration to a healthy 70 MHz. Incorporating essential oils is a holistic way to support a healthy mind and body, promote overall wellness, and curate your space into a loving, safe, and protected environment.