Best Essential Oils to Combat Holiday Stress

The holidays bring lots of fun and festivities, but they can also bring unwanted stress. Whether you’re trying to get everything done at work before taking a much-needed vacation or entertaining family from out of town, you’ve got a lot on your plate. This is why it’s important to prioritize self-care during this time of year.

Rather than getting caught up in the hustle and bustle, start implementing healthy habits now, so your mind and body don’t get rundown. One way you can do this is by incorporating essential oils into your daily routine. Essential oils are fantastic at calming the mind and easing tension, especially when paired with other healthy habits like meditation and exercise. Read on to find out which essential oils are ideal for combating stress and how you can use them during the holidays and beyond.

Why Do Essential Oils Make You Feel Calmer?

The olfactory bulb, located at the top of the nose is directly linked to the brain’s limbic system, which is involved in our behavioral and emotional responses. It can help us identify scents that can trigger emotions and cause our brain to release serotonin or endorphins, which are hormones that directly impact mood. That’s why when you inhale essential oils, you may feel more relaxed or at ease.

Top Essential Oils for Holiday Stress Relief

There are many essential oils that can promote relaxation and tame even the most frazzled nerves. Below are a few of our favorites.

Lavender Essential Oil

One of the most popular essential oils, lavender precedes its reputation with its amazing ability to calm the mind and promote clarity. Derived from the flowers of the lavender plant, lavender essential oil has a floral, herbaceous scent and can be applied topically or inhaled.

Orange Essential Oil

If you love sweet, citrusy-smelling essential oils, then orange essential oil is a great choice for you. Made by cold-pressing orange peels, orange essential oil is known for having a positive effect on the mind and promoting happiness. It also blends well with holiday-scented essential oils scents like cinnamon and peppermint, so you can capture the spirit of the season and also reap the relaxation benefits.

Basil Essential Oil

You’ve probably used basil in the kitchen, but have you tried it in aromatherapy? Similar to lavender, basil essential oil is both calming and energizing. It has an herbaceous aroma that smells great when paired with other essential oils like ylang ylang or bergamot.

Cedarwood Essential Oil

Having a deep, woodsy scent, cedarwood essential oil comes from the bark of the cedarwood tree. It’s known to boost the mood and soothe the soul. In fact, in a 2017 study, Japanese cedarwood essential oil was shown to have a positive effect on employees’ mental health — all the more reason to use it as you're trying to complete all of your end-of-year tasks.

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Ylang ylang essential oil can make you feel more grounded and at ease with the world around you. It comes from the star-shaped, yellow-green flowers of the canaga tree, which is native to the Philippines and Southeast Asia. The deep floral aroma pairs well with other floral or citrus essential oils.

Bergamot Essential Oil

Bergamot essential oil is derived from the small pear-shaped fruit of the bergamot tree. It has a sweet and tangy, citrus scent and is highly calming. Inhale it directly from the bottle or add it to your diffuser to soothe the mind.

Essential Oil Diffuser Recipes for Relaxation

Ready to let your worries melt away? Try making these diffuser recipes when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just be sure when diffusing essential oils around kids and pets that you’re in a well-ventilated room and that the diffuser is not left on for prolonged periods of time.

Holiday Happiness Diffuser Blend

Let go of pent-up stress and recenter yourself with this grounding and calming blend of lavender, cedarwood, and orange essential oils.

Ingredients

Instructions

Add all essential oils to your diffuser with water (as directed), turn on, and breathe in the floral, woodsy, citrusy scent.

Winter Blues Be Gone Diffuser Blend

If the cold weather has got you down, boost your mood with this enlivening blend of orange, peppermint, and ylang ylang essential oils.

Ingredients

Instructions

Add all essential oils to your diffuser with water (as directed), turn on, and embrace the positive vibes.

Time to Unwind Diffuser Blend

Bright and uplifting this blend of basil, bergamot, and geranium will make you feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders.

Ingredients

Instructions

Add all essential oils to your diffuser with water (as directed), turn on, and breathe into ease tension.

Don’t let holiday stress get the better of you this year. Use essential oils to stay relaxed, focused, and grounded. To learn more about how you can use essential oils to boost your mood, take a look at this article: Essential Oils for Happiness.

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Author:

Cliganic Team