In previous blog posts, I shared some of the traumatic experiences from my past including my pregnancy and the bank robbery. These events, among others, contributed to many mental health struggles for me including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety (GAD), depression, and post-partum anxiety and depression (PPA/PPD). I take medications but I supplement those with exercise and essential oils.
I want to share my best tips for using essential oils to support your mental health. I'll start off with a list of some of the oils that I use for certain circumstances. Under the list you'll find an explanation of how and why I use these particular oils.
*Please keep in mind that I am not a doctor and these are not a replacement for traditional medicines. You should always follow your doctor's orders and check with them before adding anything into your routine to ensure it does not interact with your medications.
Anxious Feelings
Sad Feelings
All the Feels
Anxious Feelings
Lavender
Lavender is one of the most versatile essential oils there is. It can be used to support so many different things from bumps and scrapes to relaxation. When I first started using essential oils, I was not sure if I really liked the scent, but I knew that lavender is well-known for its calming effects. I stuck with it and put drops of this oil on my wrists when I am feeling especially anxious. I also diffuse this a lot at bedtime for not only my own benefit but for my daughter so that she can sleep easier through the night. Now, lavender is one of my favorite oils and I add it to many of the roller blends that I make for myself and others.
BONUS INFO: Young Living now offers Lavender Aroma Rings. These are AMAZING! When my mom had open heart surgery in August 2020, I used one to keep myself grounded and calm. As an added benefit, it helped my hospital mask smell SO much better!
Calm CBD
Valor
Sad Feelings
Citrus Oils
There are multiple citrus oils, all of which can really boost the mood. Young Living offers citrus oils such as Bergamot, Lemon, and Orange. All of these are like sunshine in a bottle and are considered very uplifting. My personal favorite citrus oil is actually a mix of orange, tangerine, and spearmint called Citrus Fresh. I love to diffuse this in the morning when I am dreading work and need to wake up fast.
BONUS INFO: The Vitality line of citrus oils from Young Living can be used in water to give a flavorful boost.
Peppermint
Christmas Spirit
All the Feels
Peace & Calming
I will be honest with you. I am not really a fan of Peace & Calming, but it would be wrong for me to talk about supporting mental health and leave out this heavy hitter. As the name suggests, this oil blend evokes feelings of peace and calming. Use it at bedtime for a restful night. I diffuse Peace & Calming for my daughter at bedtime quite often. If this oil's so great, why don't I care for it? One of the oils in the blend is Patchouli (along with Blue Tansy, Orange, and Tangerine), which I am NOT a fan of at all.
BONUS INFO: Combine this oil with Frankincense for the perfect roll-on to use when your kids are in a mood. You know the one: screaming, won't listen, crying, writhing on the floor. We call this blend the Tantrum Oil.
Stress Away
Stress Away (Photo credit: YoungLiving.com)
Frankincense
Frankincense, or Frank for short, is the jack-of-all-trades oil. It is great for any situation and supports the mind and body in every way. There is a reason this is an ancient oil of the Bible and was a gift given to Baby Jesus. Diffuse it during prayer for a calming, peaceful environment. If you'd like to know more ways that this oil can be used in your everyday life, I would love to share!
BONUS INFO: My daughter calls this the "Good Dream Oil" because we diffuse it at bedtime when she is feeling scared. It helps to protect the mind from intrusive thoughts.
