We all know that stress can be harmful to your physical and mental health. In fact, stress has been linked to depression, weight gain, sleep problems, anxiety, headaches, muscle pains, exhaustion, and more. Even mild levels of stress can increase inflammation in the body which will only contribute to any inflammatory conditions you may already have. All this information adds up to one thing – reducing stress is crucial for your overall well-being.
Essential oils can help. Essential oils have long been used for their therapeutic benefits. And while essential oils can be used in many ways to reduce stress, for the purpose of this article, we are going to focus on using a warm, relaxing bath with essential oils to reduce stress. When added to warm water, the oil will disperse and the aromatic compounds enter our nasal passages. We breathe in these molecules, which then transport messages directly to the brain through nerve cells in your nose, inducing relaxation. At the same time, the essential oils are also penetrating our skin and relaxing our muscles. How amazing is that?
Using Essential Oils to Reduce Stress
Now that we know essential oils can reduce stress levels when delivered aromatically and topically in a bath, it is time to talk about what kinds of oils you should choose when you need to feel more calm and relaxed.
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil has a fresh floral scent. It can be soothing for those who are stressed and looking for a little bit of calm in their life. Lavender relaxes muscles and may help with insomnia. If you suffer from headaches or muscle pain, this oil can offer you some relief there, too.
As one of the most popular oils in aromatherapy, the smell of lavender essential oil has often been associated with calmness and relaxation. This may be because it is able to induce sleep, reduce stress, improve mood, boost concentration, and decrease anxiety when used in aromatherapy.
This oil is also used often in skincare products because it is anti-inflammatory. When applied to the skin, it can help reduce redness and inflammation caused by acne or eczema. It even boosts immunity too.
Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to your warm bath or diffuser for some stress relief.
Sage Essential Oil
Another great oil for a relaxing bath is sage essential oil. This scent has long been used to promote feelings of calm and well-being, especially when inhaled. Note that it may be strong for some people so use with caution.
This oil has antioxidant properties that make it incredibly beneficial for your health. When added to your warm bath, you can reap its benefits by having an antioxidant effect on cells and protecting them from damage caused by free radicals. In fact, it’s been said that sage may be just as effective as aspirin in treating minor pains including headaches. This oil is also antibacterial and is credited with aiding to prevent cognitive decline.
Pets and young children should not be exposed to sage essential oil. You also want to stay away from this oil if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
Peppermint Essential Oil
The scent of peppermint essential oil is often associated with feelings of freshness and cooling. This antispasmodic oil can help ease headaches and tension in your body which can help offer relief from stress. It may even reduce the appearance of cellulite when used topically as an ingredient in skincare products.
Peppermint also aids digestion, relieves cramps, reduces flatulence and diarrhea as well as eases nausea and morning sickness. Of course, this oil has a cooling property that will feel amazing during a hot bath or shower! Add two to three drops to your tub for some truly relaxing time!
While it isn’t safe for pets or young children, pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers may use peppermint essential oil to help relieve stress, but always consult your physician first to make sure it is safe for YOU.
Simply Earth Essential Oils Subscription Box
These three oils are included in the Simply Earth Essential Oils Subscription Box for August 2021. Each month, subscribers receive a box filled with essential oils, 6 recipes with recipe cards, and the little extra items needed to make the recipes, all handpicked from their exclusive collection. This month’s box is all about stress relief.
In addition to the 3 single oils of lavender, sage, and peppermint, this month’s box also includes a blend called Peace and Quiet, which includes Sweet Orange, Frankincense, Cedarwood, and Lime essential oils. These four oils all help reduce stress and increase relaxation. When mixed together, they create an amazing aroma that promotes feelings of calming and peace.
The handy recipes included for August include bath salts and diffuser blends as well as cleaning supplies for your bathroom too. Using essential oils in your shower and toilet is a great way to keep them clean and smelling fresh without using harmful chemicals or toxic products that harm you and the environment.
Should you wish to try the monthly subscription box from Simply Earth, be sure to use my special code: MARCYFREE at checkout. This will give you a $40 gift certificate to use toward your 2nd box or to purchase anything else you wish to from their store. Also with your first box and every 6 months thereafter, your subscription includes a bonus box filled with carrier oils, beeswax, roller and dropper bottles to use for your recipes. This bonus box is absolutely free!
If you have found this article after August 2021, be sure to check out the current subscription box. It changes monthly!
How to Take a Bath with Essential Oils to Reduce Stress
A bath is a great way to relax and recharge. One simple way to make your bath even more relaxing is to add a few drops of essential oils. Essential oils have been shown to be extremely beneficial for the body and mind. Some essential oils are powerful enough to soothe away stress when added to a bath.
Incorporating essential oils in your bath is fairly simple, but you should not add them directly to the water. If you add essential oils directly to the tub, the basic premise applies – oil and water don’t mix. And using undiluted essential oils directly on your skin can be harmful or very irritating. So it is important to emulsify or dilute your essential oils first. There are several options for dispersing essential oils in water:
Castile soap: Mix 5-20 drops of essential oil per ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) of unscented castile liquid soap. Add to running bath water for a relaxing bubble bath.
Solubilizer: Mix 5-20 drops of essential oil with an equal amount of solubilizer. Add to running bath water.
Fractionated coconut oil: Why it is true that oil and water don’t mix, adding your essential oils to FCO and then to your bath, will safely dilute the essential oils so they do not harm your skin. And you can still receive the aromatherapy benefits of the essential oils. Mix 5-20 drops of essential oil per ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) of FCO and add to running bath water.
Some safety tips:
Always exercise caution when using essential oils. If you have sensitive skin, patch test oils diluted in a carrier on a small area before using them all over your body. Also, always check the label for any warnings or cautions about certain oils that may be unsafe if used by pets, children, pregnant women or those who are breastfeeding.
Follow dilution guidelines carefully. Never use essential oils on your skin with diluting with a carrier oil or other dispersant.
Always store your essential oils out of reach from children and pets who could accidentally ingest some if they get a hold of the bottle. Some oils, like sage, have been shown to be potentially harmful when ingested by humans, young children, and animals alike. Always use these products with care around young children and animals.