How to Use Essential Oils for your Emotions
Emotions are deeply personal reactions influenced by our unique personalities and life experiences. They serve as important signals from our body, helping us understand what’s happening internally. Each individual experiences emotions differently, and they can have both positive and negative effects on our lives. While positive emotions uplift us, negative emotions can significantly impact our health if not managed effectively. Developing healthy coping mechanisms is essential for emotional well-being.
Ways to deal with negative emotions
Managing emotions effectively varies depending on the individual and the situation. Here are some practical strategies to help cope with and process emotions:
- Engage in regular exercise.
- Practice meditation or mindfulness.
- Use deep breathing techniques.
- Dedicate time to hobbies or self-care.
- Ensure you’re getting quality sleep.
- Explore the benefits of aromatherapy.
These are just a few ideas—experiment to find what works best for you.
The science behind sing essential oils for emotions
Essential oils can be a powerful tool for positively influencing emotions. Their effects start with the olfactory system, which processes smells. When you inhale an aroma, it travels through the olfactory system and connects to the limbic system via the olfactory nerve. The limbic system is the part of the brain that stores emotions and memories, which is why certain scents can evoke strong memories or feelings. This connection is why inhaling essential oils can produce an immediate emotional response.
Since preferences for scents vary from person to person, you might need to experiment to discover which essential oils work best for you.
Why use essential oils to manage emotions?
Safe and Natural
Essential oils offer a natural and gentle way to support emotional health. When used correctly, they can soothe, calm, or uplift your emotions safely. Due to their potency, only a small amount is needed to experience their benefits.
Quick Response
Essential oils work quickly, as their effects are felt throughout the body in just minutes. While every individual is different, essential oils can be a valuable part of a holistic approach to emotional well-being.
Simple and Accessible
Despite initial concerns about complexity, aromatherapy is simple and easy to integrate into daily life. Start with a few basic oils, and as your confidence grows, you can explore and add more. A simple method is inhaling the scent directly from the bottle—quick, effective, and powerful.
Oils to use for emotions
Uplifting Oils
These oils can help rejuvenate and energize your emotions:
- Cypress
- Douglas Fir
- Grapefruit
- Lemon
- Lime
- Peppermint
- Wild Orange
Calming Oils
These oils promote relaxation, soothing, and grounding:
- Clary Sage
- Eucalyptus
- Lavender
- Roman Chamomile
- Ylang Ylang
General Oils
Arborvitae: The grounding aroma of Arborvitae oil can help promote a sense of peace and calm.
Basil: Diffuse Basil oil to lessen occasional anxious feelings.
Bergamot: Both calming and uplifting, Bergamot can be used to reduce feelings of negativity and stress.
Cardamom: The clear, refreshing aroma of Cardamom oil can help promote a positive mood.
Cedarwood: Use Cedarwood oil aromatically to help relax the mind and body.
Clary Sage: Clary Sage creates a restful environment while reducing feelings of stress and anxiousness.
Clove: Many people use Clove oil for its stimulating and energizing properties.
Coriander: Coriander oil can be used to promote feelings of calmness and relaxation.
Cypress: The refreshing aroma of Cypress oil can be energizing and can help reduce anxious feelings.
Douglas Fir: Use Douglas Fir oil to promote a positive mood and sense of focus.
Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus is commonly used to lessen feelings of tension and promote relaxation.
Frankincense: Use Frankincense oil to induce feelings of peace, satisfaction, and overall wellness.
Geranium: Inhaling Geranium oil can produce a calming, grounding effect.
Grapefruit: The fragrance of Grapefruit oil is light and uplifting for the user.
Jasmine: Use Jasmine oil to evoke feelings of peace, joy, and self-confidence.
Juniper Berry: When used aromatically, it can promote positive feelings and lessen feelings of stress.
Lavender: People commonly use Lavender oil for its relaxing and calming properties.
Lemon: Use Lemon oil aromatically to promote a positive mood.
Lime: The chemical constituents of Lime oil make it useful for promoting emotional balance and wellbeing.
Marjoram: For centuries, Marjoram oil has been used for its calming properties.
Melissa: Use Melissa oil to help calm tension and nerves.
Myrrh: Myrrh oil can help increase spiritual awareness and promote a creative, inspiring, energetic mood.
Patchouli: Aromatic use of Patchouli oil can help ground and balance emotions.
Peppermint: Use Peppermint oil for an invigorating energy boost.
Petitgrain: The aroma of Petitgrain oil can help ease feelings of tension and promote feelings of calmness.
Roman Chamomile: Use Roman Chamomile oil to promote peaceful, calming feelings.
Rose: The scent of Rose oil can be emotionally uplifting.
Sandalwood: Sandalwood oil can help enhance mood.
Spearmint: The fresh aroma of Spearmint oil uplifts mood while promoting a sense of focus.
Spikenard: Frequently used in aromatherapy, Spikenard oil is renowned for its grounding properties.
Tangerine: Apply Tangerine oil topically to help promote feelings of happiness.
Vetiver: Vetiver oil can have a calming, grounding effect on emotions.
Orange: With a revitalizing aroma, Wild Orange oil can provide energy on a stress-filled day.
Ylang Ylang: Apply Ylang Ylang oil topically for a calming, uplifting effect. 
How to use oils for emotional wellbeing
Aromatically
The easiest way to use essential oils is through inhalation. Methods include:
- Diffusing oils in an essential oil diffuser.
- Wearing aromatherapy jewelry.
- Inhaling directly from the bottle.
- Creating room sprays.
Topically
Topical application also supports emotional well-being. Applying diluted oils to the skin allows you to experience both aromatic and topical benefits. Try:
- Using rollerball blends.
- Adding oils to massages.
- Applying to pulse points or the soles of your feet.
Ideas & Recipes
- Add a few drops of essential oil to a diffuser to create a calming or uplifting atmosphere.
- Create a room spray for your home or clothing.
- Rub essential oils on your hands, cup them over your nose, and inhale deeply.
- Use calming oils during a massage.
- Apply oils to the feet in the morning for energy or at night for relaxation.
- Spray calming blends on your pillow before sleep.
- Add oils to a warm bath (diluted in a carrier oil).
- Use oils during a shower by placing drops on the floor to create an aromatic steam.
Diffuser blends for emotions
For Stress Relief
- 3 drops Lavender
- 3 drops Lime
- 1 drop Spearmint
For Energy
- 2 drops Juniper Berry
- 4 drops Wild Orange
- 4 drops Grapefruit
Relax and Uplift
- 3 drops Patchouli
- 3 drops Bergamot
Rejuvenate
- 2 drops Lavender
- 2 drops Bergamot
- 1 drop Lemon
Positive Thinking
- 1 drop Myrrh
- 1 drop Eucalyptus
- 1 drop Lime
Calm and Uplift
- 3 drops Coriander
- 3 drops Peppermint
- 3 drops Balance
Inhale and Exhale
- 2 drops Juniper Berry
- 2 drops Grapefruit
- 1 drop Douglas Fir
Relax and Refresh
- 3 drops Lemon
- 2 drops Lavender
- 1 drop Rosemary
Aromatherapy is an accessible, natural way to manage emotions and stress. Once you understand the basics of essential oils, you’ll find countless ways to integrate them into your daily life. Start small, and let these natural tools support your emotional well-being.
