Summer is supposed to be a time to slow down and relax. But chilling out seems impossible sometimes, especially with the kids out of school and family vacations looming! Whether you are running your essential oil diffuser in your home or wearing essential oil jewelry, the oils that you choose to diffuse/wear can certainly have an effect on your levels of stress and help you bring on the calm. We’re sharing twelve of our favorite essential oil blends for stress relief.
The Best Essential Oils to Use When You’re Stressed
Can aromatherapy help reduce stress?
Use of essential oils to help aid in stress relief is becoming more popular today as a natural alternative. Stress is caused by some sort of negative situation, and although essential oils can not magically make a situation disappear, one may benefit from relaxation effects that aromatherapy offers.
Anxiety (and, on the other side, joy!) originates from the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls emotions, and the sense of smell is the only one of the senses that is linked to this part of the brain. Before we might even become aware of the effects an oil or fragrance may have on us, the molecules from the essential oils we smell are already at work on our limbic lobe.
We breathe in the soothing scents and the oil’s teeny tiny chemical compounds reach our olfactory nerves, which then send messages to the brain to release serotonin or endorphins. Those hormones impact your mood and emotions. That’s how inhaling essential oils for stress can result in emotional stability, calmness, or relaxation.
Much of aromatherapy research has centered on lavender. Studies have concluded that inhaling lavender reduces stress in intensive care unit patients, postpartum women, high school students and even dental patients (yay!). Other studies have found that lavender is an excellent natural remedy to treat insomnia and improve sleep quality.
But you don’t have limit to yourself to just lavender. Many essential oils have the same stress-relieving chemical compounds that have been studied in lavender. Here’s how those chemical compounds work.
What should I diffuse?
Some of the most popular essential oils used to combat stress are lavender, geranium, jasmine (a favorite of mine!), rose, frankincense and citrus oils. Our friends at Drops of Joy Jewelry have helped put together some of the “stress-away recipes” below for you to try in your home diffuser or essential oil jewelry.
Blend #1: Lavender, Frankincense, & Orange
Lavender has a very calming & relaxing scent which may be helpful in alleviating both physical and emotional stress. Studies have shown that smelling lavender may help reduce feelings of anxiety, stress, and even depression (source). Lavender also has been shown to decrease blood pressure, heart rate, and skin temperature, which indicates a decrease of autonomic arousal (source).
Frankincense is a great essential oil that many believe may help lift the decrease stress and improve attitude (source). Frankincense has a long history of use both medicinally and religiously.
Orange is very uplifting like many of the citrus oils. One university study found that orange and other citrus scents helped promote relaxation – something much needed this time of year!
Diffuse:
- 4 drops Lavender
- 4 drops Orange
- 2 drops Frankincense
Adjust the number of drops to accommodate your diffuser’s instructions.
Blend #2: Lavender, Roman Chamomile, & Ylang Ylang
Roman Chamomile has a calming scent that may help ease anxiety and stress. For many years, chamomile has been used to help promote a calm environment (source).
The influence of Ylang Ylang (“flower of flowers”) may be beneficial when dealing with mood issues due to its harmonizing and relaxing properties (source). This oil has been used medicinally to help regulate heartbeat & to possibly ease anxiety and depression (source).
Diffuse:
- 5 drops Lavender
- 3 drops Chamomile
- 1-2 drops Ylang Ylang
Adjust the number of drops to accommodate your diffuser’s instructions.
Blend #3: Bergamot, Patchouli, Ylang Ylang
Bergamot is another personal favorite of mine! I love the calming scent, which helps lift my mood almost immediately. It has been used for hundreds of years for its medicinal benefits (source).
Patchouli‘s distinct aroma is believed to have a relaxing effect (love using this one near the end of the day), which is why it’s a favorite with so many!
Diffuse:
- 5 drops Bergamot
- 3 drops Patchouli
- 2 drops Ylang Ylang
Adjust the number of drops to accommodate your diffuser’s instructions.
Blend #4: Lavender, Lime, Mandarin
Lime has historically been used to for its potent antibacterial properties (source); Mandarin has a scent that promotes happiness and smells wonderful combined with Lavender and Lime.
Diffuse:
- 4 drops Lime
- 4 drops Mandarin
- 2 drops Lavender
Adjust the number of drops to accommodate your diffuser’s instructions.
Blend #5: Bergamot, Geranium, Lavender
Geranium may be helpful when dealing with feelings of anxiety (source). It’s wonderful when blended with Bergamot & Lavender, and together the three may help ease feelings of nervous tension, lift the spirits and bring an overall sense of balance and calm emotionally.
Diffuse:
- 4 drops Geranium
- 4 drops Bergamot
- 2 drops Lavender
Adjust the number of drops to accommodate your diffuser’s instructions.
Blend #6: Sandalwood, Clary Sage, Bergamot
The rich, woodsy scent of sandalwood is so pleasant you’ll want to slow down and take a few deep breaths. That musky aroma has been used for centuries in ayurvedic medicine, yoga and meditation to promote feelings of connection and grounding (source).
Clary Sage has an incredible aroma and studies are finding that it has a positive effect on the nerves as well (source).
Diffuse:
- 5 drops Sandalwood
- 3 drops Clary Sage
- 2 drops Bergamot
Adjust the number of drops to accommodate your diffuser’s instructions.
Blend #7: Rosemary, Peppermint, Lavender
Sometimes stress comes out physically – a tension headache, tight neck and shoulders, or a stomach ache, which is where these oils can come in especially handy (source).
Rosemary has a fresh herbaceous aroma that is invigorating to the mind, which is great if you’ve been feeling a bit down. It also contains analgesic properties that can help with pain you experience as a result of stress (source).
Peppermint essential oil contains menthol, which is frequently used in pain-relieving formulations (source). When these three essential oils are used together, you’re sure to feel invigorated and ready to take on the day!
Diffuse:
- 5 drops Lavender
- 3 drops Rosemary
- 2 drops Peppermint
Adjust the number of drops to accommodate your diffuser’s instructions.
Blend #8: Marjoram, Roman Chamomile, Frankincense
The spicy, herbal aroma of marjoram is traditionally believed to have emotional aromatherapy benefits similar to lavender. Sometimes referred to as the “herb of happiness”, marjoram contains a number of therapeutic properties (source). It pairs well with Roman chamomile to make a sleep-inducing bath blend.
Diffuse:
- 4 drops Sweet Marjoram
- 4 drops Roman chamomile
- 2 drop Frankincense
Adjust the number of drops to accommodate your diffuser’s instructions.
Blend #9: Geranium, Mandarin, Bergamot
One of my biggest sources of stress is anticipatory stress – all of the thinking and worrying about something before it happens. That’s where this blend shines! Geranium, Mandarin, and Bergamot make a lovely blend that help me feel secure when I’m having anxious doubts.
Diffuse:
Adjust the number of drops to accommodate your diffuser’s instructions.
Blend #10: Grapefruit, Juniper Berry, Rosemary
Grapefruit is another uplifting citrus oil that can help when you need a mental boost. The zesty aroma is sure to help you feel brighter and help you let go of negative feelings.
Juniper Berry has a light, clean aroma that pairs excellently with grapefruit. Although scientific studies are lacking, this lovely oil has traditionally been used promote feelings of calm and relaxation.
Diffuse:
- 5 drops Grapefruit
- 3 drops Juniper Berry
- 2 drops Rosemary
Adjust the number of drops to accommodate your diffuser’s instructions.
Blend #11: Frankincense, Lavender, Cedarwood
Cedarwood is another woodsy oil that has an affinity for the nervous system. Cedrol is one of its main components and has been shown to exhibit sedative qualities (source). This is perfect for those times when you’re wound up with nervous energy and are having a hard time getting to sleep!
Diffuse:
- 4 drops Frankincense
- 4 drops Lavender
- 2 drops Cedarwood
Adjust the number of drops to accommodate your diffuser’s instructions.
Blend #12: Clary Sage, Lemon, Ginger
Lemon is yet another citrus oil that is used to combat feelings of anxiety. The fruity aroma is great for helping you feel less stressed and boosting your mood in general (source).
Ginger is a great essential oil for nausea or vomiting (source). So if an upset stomach tends to accompany your anxiety, ginger is a great option to consider!
Diffuse:
- 5 drops Clary sage
- 3 drops Lemon
- 2 drops Ginger
Adjust the number of drops to accommodate your diffuser’s instructions.
This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Holly Smith, a board certified physician in nephrology and internal medicine with a background in nutrition. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical review board here. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
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Thank you for this timely article. I really like the black diffuser pictured and would like to know who makes it and where it can be purchased. Thank you.
This is the one we use: https://amzn.to/3d58MXn
If using in a rollerball.. I would use a carrier oil of maybe grape seed or sweet almond oil.
10ml of oil would take 4-6 drops of essential oil. This would give 2% blend
Am a beginner. Do you use a carriet oil in your your oil diffussor? Is coconut oil ok or no carrier oil with essential oils?
Hi Carolyn. Don’t use a carrier oil in your diffuser. Most diffusers run on regular cold water (I use tap water, or leftover water in the kettle). Carrier oils are generally for topical application to assist with massaging or applying to the skin, and to stop the oils from evaporating too quickly.
I wondered why my diffussor is not putting out smell. It is large. Do i need to add more oil? And do you use a carrier oil in your diffussor???
I am a beginner. I just bought my large difusser and it is not putting off fragrance in the air. Wondered what is wrong. Any suggeztions? Other than that it is working fine. Another question can you use whatever oils together in your difussor??
No Caroline, no carrier oil in the diffuser, just essential oils.For a large diffuser, probably no more than 8 or so drops of any essential oil you like.?
Hi
I have seen this question quite often, how many drops? I would start with 2 drops of each, and adjust as necessary. I guess it’s also a preference on how many drops as well but do not use to many drops. They are strong essential oils and a little goes a long way. If you like orange over lavender maybe a drop more of orange and less lavender. Hope this helps… remember a little hoes a long way and adjust as necessary! Good luck xo
This is not helpful. No one has answered the question of how many drops to use.
You pre-mix the oils together and then use the amount for your oil defuser. I use a small 150ml so I use 5 drops
Hello! Your not answering the questions. How many drops of each oil if your diffusing?
depends on how big your diffuser is, a small one is about one drop of each blend. a large one is about 2 to 3 drops depending on the type of oil you use and how big it is.
What if you’re making a blend for use with a carrier oil for rolling on? What is the ratio of each?
I need this for my husband who has Alzheimer’s. What is the recipe per drops per essential oil and carrier oil for a roll on? This is for Calming Blend #3.
I use 2 drops each in my essential oil jewelry. They are concentrated so you don’t need much!! Lasts for days.
Same question as abound, in what proportions
I use 2 drops each in my essential oil jewelry. They are concentrated so you don’t need much!! Lasts for days.
How many drops of each?
How many drops each?
Hi, would these blends require equal number of drops from each kind of oil?
How many drops each?