9 Ways To Use Essential Oils For Wellbeing

Whether it’s in the morning, during yoga, or in the evening before bed, diffusing essential oils is a simple daily ritual that can have a profound impact on your mood and wellbeing

Scent can do wonders for your mental health – it can regulate your stress, improve your mood, and help you feel calmer, happier and more productive throughout the day. Here's how to use essential oils to enhance even the most ordinary moments.

A Gentle Morning Ritual

If you’re prone to anxiety, starting your day by diffusing a calming scent can keep stress in check, balancing the sharp increase of cortisol, a natural physiological process known as the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR). 
 
Luckily, there are many essential oils that are known to stablise the nervous system. Grapefruit, for example, has been shown to reduce cortisol; patchouli can soothe the body’s “fight or flight” stress response by as much as 40 percent, while ylang-ylang reduces blood pressure and slows the heart rate.

For Pre-Workout Motivation & Performance

Before hitting the gym or heading to your game, invigorate yourself with stimulating essential oils or blends containing rosemary or peppermint.

Peppermint doesn’t just smell energising – one study published in Physiology and Behavior found that peppermint actually improves speed, endurance and performance – resulting in more reps, faster runs, increased cardiovascular capacity, and reduced fatigue.

For an extra dose of motivation – or to amplify your focus – try rosemary, which can help with mindset. One 2013 study found that smelling rosemary essential oil led to an increase in beta brain waves, which are associated with focus and cognitive performance.

Post-Workout Recovery

As well as stretching, foam-rolling and ice baths, essential oils can significantly enhance recovery – an crucial, yet often overlooked aspect of any fitness regimen.

How? By helping to rebalance your nervous system.

While brief spikes in cortisol – after a HIIT class, for example – are beneficial for overall health, chronically elevated levels can stress the body and disrupt endocrine balance. 

So after a strenuous workout, consider diffusing some calming essential oils, even while stretching, to reset your nervous system and speed up your recovery.

A review published in Molecules, which examined 10 years worth of scientific studies, found that essential oils have an "immediate effect" on the autonomic nervous system.

Research shows that essential oils can relax muscles and lower both blood pressure and heart rate, helping your body to recover from an intense workout

According to the authors, "inhalation via the olfactory system is the fastest and easiest method," to experience the benefits, however, since essential oils are also absorbed through the skin, massages or a baths are a great way to reduce muscle soreness. 

A massage with anti-inflammatory oils like eucalyptus, frankincense or lavender, diluted in a carrier oil like jojoba, will knead out aches and pains, but if you prefer a a long relaxing soak, be sure to read our guide on scenting your bath naturally and safely.

Before Driving

Road rage can have disastrous consequences. Just think of Netflix’s popular show Beef. According to research from Northumbria University, peppermint essential oil can help. 

Researchers were curious to know whether peppermint could reduce aggressive driving behaviour. To test their theory, participants wearing VR headsets underwent driving simulation tests involving rage-inducing scenarios, such as sudden braking or lane-changing. 

The results? Participants exposed to peppermint oil through a diffuser prior to driving exhibited 16.7% less aggressive behaviour compared to others. The study also found that peppermint essential oil made drivers more alert and calm, reducing both aggression and stress.

During Meditation or Yoga Practice

Scent can help to anchor the mind and enhance mindfulness practices – particularly calming essential oils, such as lavender, sandalwood, bergamot, or frankincense. 

Diffusing these oils during yoga or meditation can foster the mind-body connection, aiding in relaxation and unwinding the mind and body when you need it most. 

No diffuser? Simply add a drop to your pulse points or palms and inhale – a great way to wake up your senses.

For Focus and Clarity At Work

With so many digital distractions and demands on our attention, mastering focus has never been more important. 

Instead of reaching for another cup of joe or a sugary snack, try diffusing rosemary in your workspace. 

Compounds found in rosemary essential oil have been shown to interact with neurotransmitters in the brain, actively boosting acetylcholine, which promotes mental clarity and concentration, helping you stay on task and avoid the 3pm slump.

Citrus oils can also boost cognitive function. Scientists at Ohio State and Penn State universities found that inhaling lemon oil raised levels of norepinephrine, a brain chemical that makes us feel alert and focused.

For Creativity

Struggling to come up with innovative ideas? When engaging in creative activities, such as writing, painting, or brainstorming, try diffusing eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary or basil, which can work wonders on the mind.

These fresh, energising scents contain 1,8 cineole, a naturally occurring chemical compound that reduces fatigue and stimulates creative thinking, helping you to overcome procrastination, overwhelm and other mental blocks.

Diffuse, or simply add a drop or two to a tissue or cotton pad and keep in your pocket.

An Evening Wind-Down Ritual

As the day comes to an end, soothe away any lingering worries and tension by incorporating calming essential oils into your evening routine. 

Lavender or frankincense, or blends formulated with soothing essential oils like bergamot, patchouli, geranium or ylang-ylang are known for their anxiolytic, or anxiety-reducing properties, helping to promote relaxation. 

Simply add a few drops to your diffuser and feel the stress of the day melt away.

To Enhance Deep Sleep

You might be getting enough hours of sleep, but if you’re still feeling tired during the day, it may not be quality sleep.

Lavender essential oil has been shown to enhance deep sleep and improve sleep quality, even after just one night of exposure. You can also try geranium, rose, vetiver, sandalwood, patchouli and frankincense – these are just some essential oils known to stimulate GABA ( gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptors in the brain, which help to soothe the nervous system, helping you feel sleepier at bedtime, naturally.

Simply put on your diffuser 30 minutes before you go to sleep. By the time you’re ready for bed, your bedroom will be beautifully scented – setting the stage for a peaceful night’s slumber.