I think everyone has a time that they feel stressed out, irritable or just plain grumpy or depressed. I love to share the amazing natural things that I have found make a difference in my life and the life of those I know. That's why I love this short video clip that shows a study about how diffusing essential oils (with an oil diffuser) has been shown to decrease stress (yay!!) and contribute to a positive environment. In scientific lingo-the oils send messages to the limbic system of the brain which controls stress and other emotions.
My favorite oils to diffuse for boosting mood are: Wild Orange, Citrus Bliss, Adaptiv, Citrus Bloom, Cheer, Motivate, Frankincense and Melissa. Wild orange is one that is especially great for stress-induced anxiety. We diffuse it in the morning when my son is getting ready for school and stressed out. Citrus Bliss is uplifting (one of my happy oils) and motivating and is my son's favorite oil. He totally loves the smell! Adaptiv is a new oil that also has capsules with the same name but different ingredients-the combination of the oils and capsules has been life-changing for several of my family members and many people! Cheer, Citrus Bloom and Motivate not only lift the mood but are favorite aromas for making your home smell amazing. And last but not least, Frankincense and Melissa are powerhouse oils when it comes to dealing with the blues or deep lows in life. There are other oils that I love to diffuse as well for health reasons other than improving mood but that's a whole different blog post!
Essential oils for improving mood can be diffused with a diffuser like the doTERRA ones that come free with a starter kit or they can also be inhaled from the bottle or very effectively by pouring a drop of oil in one hand, rubbing the hands together and then cupping them up to the nose and inhaling slowly. I used to think that it was silly to think that inhaling an oil would have any effect on a person but after having become educated about essential oils have since learned otherwise (watch video above).
Besides diffusing oils and inhaling them to improve mood I also love to add a drop or two to my Unscented Hand and Body Lotion and rub it all over my arms, neck and chest where I can smell the invigorating aroma while my skin is softened! It is also super fun to be able to make my one tube of lotion become a different scent every day. My favorites to add to my lotion are lime, lemon, and wild orange. All of the citrus oils are so uplifting and fresh smelling! When I think of the lime oil I can't help but mention the awesome recipe for Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub that I make with it and use in the shower. That scent is pure heaven and makes my skin so soft! But why not just use any old scented lotion or scented candle and get the same benefits? The reason is that synthetic fragrances don't have the beneficial components of the therapeutic quality all natural synthetic oils and because fragrances that are added to all of the products around us are not regulated and may contain toxic chemicals:
Fragrance chemicals are an active and generally abundant component in many common daily use products. They vaporize when sprayed into the air or used on your skin. When inhaled, these aromas may be harmful despite their pleasing scent. This type of chemical is found in perfumes and colognes, air deodorizers, scented candles, soaps, health and beauty products, household cleaners, fragrance oils (synthetic essential oils), and countless other products. Inhaling synthetic fragrances has been known to cause headache, illness, breathing difficulties, and ear, nose, and throat irritations. To summarize, natural pure aromas like CPTG essential oils can improve health while synthetic aromas are often damaging. Aromatouch Technique A Clinical Approach to Essential Oil Application Student Manual. 8th ed. Pleasant Grove: DoTerra Intl., LLC, 2013. 7. Print.
Another way to improve mood with oils is to take them internally. Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Oils can be taken internally, diluted or straight, depending on the oil. My friend loves to dilute Wild Orange with water and drink each morning and I love to use a couple of drops of lemon and a drop of peppermint in my glass of water every morning. Besides lifting my mood it clears my sinuses and energizes me! Studies have shown that benefits can be had by using the oils aromatically and topically and evidence has shown that Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils are beneficial when taken internally as well.
Besides the oils mentioned above, other favorites for emotional well-being are oil blends Serenity, Elevation, and Balance. They all help with anxiety and are calming. Serenity is especially helpful for inducing sleep. When I apply it on my chest and the bottoms of my feet at night I feel so calm and fall right asleep. Other people tell me it makes them "sleep like a rock!" Elevation has a nice fruity scent and is great for days when you are feeling down-like sunshine in a bottle! Besides anxiety, Balance can help with feeling grounded and emotionally balanced or calm. I love having these options and more for keeping me feeling great all day!