Summer is ending, and with it, vacations, lounging poolside and basking in the warm sun. But while we may be setting aside these luxuries that help us relax, we don’t have to give up every method to lowering stress. 

Essential Oil Blends, for example, are quite effective when it comes to providing stress relief. To prove it, we’ve gathered the best essential oil blends for stress relief, how to use them effectively along with other natural ways to unwind. Read on for the ultimate guide on how to de-stress the natural way. 

What’s Causing You Stress?

One of the primary ways to reduce stress is first identifying the cause. 

Stress often occurs when you:[1]

• Face big changes
• Feel under pressure
• Are worried
• Have lost control
• Are facing uncertainty 
• Experience discrimination
• Are overwhelmed by responsibilities

Knowing what’s triggering your stress, in itself, is monumentally helpful. It prevents anxious feelings from sneaking up on you and better equips you to lower your stress levels.

Once you know your triggers, it’s time to make an anxiety relief plan. This means avoiding or reducing triggers and finding a way to reduce stress when it inevitably comes into your life. 

If you can change the circumstances that are causing you stress, by all means, do. But regardless if you can or can’t change your circumstances, you can still change how you deal with stress.  

Natural Ways To Reduce Stress

What are some natural ways you can deal with stress? Here’s what experts at Mayo Clinic recommend: 

• Get active
• Eat healthy
• Meditate
• Avoid unhealthy habits
• Connect with people
• Build confidence
• Get better sleep
• Seek counseling

Along with these stress-relieving tips, we recommend using essential oils. Here are some top ways to use them for this purpose.

Inhale: Add 10 drops of essential oil per every 100 ml of water in an active diffuser. Alternatively, add 10-15 drops of oil to an Essential Oil Inhaler or the top of your Bloom Ceramic Diffuser. 

Topical: Dilute 12 drops of your essential oil in 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil such as Fractionated Coconut oil. Apply to pulse points, such as the inner elbows, wrists, behind the ears, temples and neck. Alternatively, try our prediluted essential oil roll-ons. 

Bath: Combine 6 drops of essential oil with 2 tablespoons of carrier oil. Then add 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt. Add to your bath, or try our Relax bath salt. 

Best Essential Oil Blends for Stress Relief

Now that you know how to reduce stress naturally, let’s look at some pure essential oils which can help take your stress away. 

#1 Stress Relief

With Stress Relief essential oil blend, the name says it all. It’s a balanced blend of Orange- Sweet, Bergamot, Patchouli, Grapefruit and Ylang Ylang. 

Grapefruit, Orange- Sweet and Bergamot essential oil are three citrus essential oils that are all bright, zesty and rich in antioxidants. This makes them:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Cleansing 
• Uplifting

What’s more, Stress Relief boasts soothing Ylang Ylang which has been studied for its powerful aromatherapy benefits: 

• One 2006 study demonstrated that Ylang Ylang essential oil lowered test subjects’ blood pressure when applied to their skin. The researchers concluded that this makes the oil a promising therapeutic for people experiencing stress and associated sadness.[2]
• Another study from 2008 showed that Ylang Ylang had a significant calming effect on people asked to complete a timed task.[3]

#2 Chamomile Lavender

Chamomile Lavender diffuser blend has a powdery, soft, subtly sweet and floral aroma. This blend is one of our essential oil combinations that can help replenish and restore as you wind down for the day and prepare for restful sleep.

It’s a soothing blend of Lavender- Bulgarian essential oil, Cedarwood- Virginia, Chamomile- Roman, Ylang Ylang, Sweet Marjoram, Chamomile- German, Vetiver, Sandalwood- Hawaiian, Lavender- Greek and Vanilla CO2. 

So what exactly does this blend do? Here’s the science that went into formulating this precious oil: 

• In 2017, researchers studied the effects of aromatherapy on women undergoing breast biopsy. They found that women who received aromatherapy with Sandalwood and Lavender oil had a statistically significant stress reduction.[4]
• A 2022 study compared the effects of Lavender and Chamomile inhalation and placebo in elderly individuals. The Lavender and Chamomile group reported having less anxiety and stress after one month of intervention, compared to the control group.[5]

#3 Anxiety Ease

Anxiety Ease has a slightly floral and sweet aroma with notes of citrus. Its uplifting, cheerful aroma will help you regain those moments of clarity and confidence when you feel your cortisol levels spike. It contains Lemongrass, Ylang Ylang and Orange- Sweet essential oil.

As noted earlier, both Ylang Ylang and Orange- Sweet are magnificent oils when it comes to lowering stress. But what about Lemongrass? Here’s what one study has to say: 

• In 2015, researchers studied Lemongrass’ calming effect, measuring how aromatherapy influenced test subjects’ stress levels and the time it took them to complete a task. People who inhaled Lemongrass reported less nervousness than those in the control group. What’s more, they completed the task at a faster pace.{6}

#4 Worry Less

Worry Less has a complex, multi-faceted, yet simple aroma, favorited by many. It is earthy, soothing and floral with a restorative quality. Worry Less is a comforting combination of Vetiver, Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Frankincense, Clary Sage, Sweet Marjoram, Cistus and Spearmint.

Here, you’ll notice several of the oils we’ve already discussed, as well as Spearmint and Frankincense essential oil. 

Why Spearmint? Preliminary studies show the way that menthol (naturally found in Spearmint) interacts with neurotransmitters that affect emotional regulation. This interaction may be at the root of Spearmint’s mood-boosting effects.

What’s more, Frankincense has been used throughout history for its ability to alleviate stress and usher in peace. 

#5 Calm ’Em Down

Adults aren’t the only ones who can be worn down by stress. That’s why we formulated Calm ‘Em Down, a blend that’s safe and effective for kids 2+. This herbaceous and calming essential oil can help relax their muscles and calm their racing minds allowing them (and you) to enjoy some downtime. 

How does it work? 

• A 2010 study on aromatherapy discovered linalool – found in Lavender oil and Petitgrain – had a calming effect on participants, along with the ability to reduce anxiety, increase social interaction and reduce aggression.  

Calm ‘Em Down was expertly formulated with the most soothing essential oils for children, including Lavender, Petitgrain, Douglas Fir, Orange- Sweet, Vetiver, Damiana, and Vanilla CO2, making it an optimal choice for helping your little one to wind down.

#6 Relaxation

Through Relaxation’s balanced and tranquil aroma, you can ease into those moments of serenity with ease. It has been shown to help relieve anxiety and stress while keeping tension at bay

Relaxation is a tranquil blend of Lavender, Patchouli, Sweet Marjoram, Mandarin, Geranium and Chamomile. 

Let’s take a look at how this blend works:

• A 2022 study found that Patchouli had an antidepressant effect on subjects.
• In a study, inhaling Geranium oil during labor and delivery was compared to a placebo group. New mothers who inhaled the Geranium oil had decreased anxiety and improved physiological parameters than the placebo group.[7] 

Next time you could use some mental TLC, reach for Relaxation. 

SOURCES:

1. Stress. https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/stress/causes-of-stress/
2. Relaxing effect of ylang ylang oil on humans after transdermal absorption. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ptr.1950 
3. Modulations of Cognitive Performance and Mood by Essential Oils of Peppermint and Ylang Ylang. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00207450601042094
4. A Randomized Controlled Trial Provides Evidence to Support Aromatherapy to Minimize Anxiety in Women Undergoing Breast Biopsy. https://sigmapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/wvn.12229
5. The effects of Lavender and Chamomile essential oil inhalation aromatherapy on depression, anxiety and stress in older community-dwelling people: A randomized controlled trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33454232/
6. Effect of Lemongrass Aroma on Experimental Anxiety in Humans. http://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2015.0099
7. Effect of Inhalation of Aroma of Geranium Essence on Anxiety and Physiological Parameters during First Stage of Labor in Nulliparous Women: a Randomized Clinical Trial. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4484988/