Have you noticed some changes lately in the way you feel or in the intensity of your feelings? Are you feeling sad, hopeless, or maybe a bit worried and afraid? Having ups and downs is a normal thing, as well as having concerns over certain things in your life. However, symptoms that last two weeks or more can be an indication that you are struggling with depression, anxiety or maybe both.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and going through a difficult time, it’s a good idea to talk to a therapist who can help you and determine whether your condition needs treatment. Even though depression and anxiety are mood disorders, they can cause both physical and emotional symptoms. These symptoms can vary depending on the person. Severe symptoms include sleeping issues, sudden and unexplained emotional changes, loss of interest for some daily activities or hobbies, and feeling of worthlessness and helplessness.
Some mild symptoms of depression and anxiety, such as sleeping issues, can sometimes be successfully treated with natural solutions, like essential oils, without needing to resort to strong medicines. In consultation with your therapist, you can determine whether essential oils can work with you. But since they don’t have any side-effects like anti-depression medicines usually do, there’s no risk to give them a try.
How Can Essential Oils Help?
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts. They serve many medical purposes, from boosting your energy to acting as natural insect repellents, helping fight the flu and colds and more. And some people even use them to support their depression treatment. But first of all, it’s important to note that they don’t cure depression and you should never use essential oils in place of prescribed medication.
Some of the conventional methods for treating these conditions, such as behavioural therapy and antidepressants, can benefit from the use of essential oils as a complementary therapy. You can find a variety of essential oils for depression that work by reducing stress and relieving negative emotions. But before you begin, discuss the use of essential oils for anxiety and stress relief oils with your doctor or aromatherapist.
According to some research, essential oils are found to enhance your mood, improve sleep and overall quality of life. All of these points are very important and can make a significant change in the daily life of someone who’s experiencing depression, anxiety, or both.
Which Essential Oils Are Best for Anxiety and Depression?
No evidence suggests that any oil is suited for treating depression on its own. However, many studies have found that several oils can have positive effects when used as a part of essential oils blends. The following are some of them and their characteristics. Keep this in mind when choosing a blend.
Sweet Orange
It’s an essential oil with a citrusy aroma, mostly known for its uplifting and calming scent. For that reason, it’s very often referred to as a happy oil. When diffused, this oil can help with nervous tension and sadness, as well as support the normal function of the immune system.
Lavender
This is the most popular essential oil on the market, with a floral aroma that offers calming effects. Aromatherapy with lavender oil may help relieve anxiety, decrease stress, improve mood and make you feel more relaxed.
Ylang-Ylang
A floral-scented essential oil that is used in aromatherapy to promote relaxation and calmness. When mixed in a blend with lavender, it helps lower stress and anxiety levels, as well as high blood pressure, heart rate and more.
Frankincense
The musky aroma of frankincense essential oil is thought to ease anxiety. A blend of frankincense, lavender and other oils may help fight anxiety, depression and physical pain, too.
Other essential oils may relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety as well, such as bergamot, ginger, chamomile, neroli, jasmine, sandalwood. All of these are recognised for their aromatic effects on these two conditions and combining some of them can be beneficial to the treatment.
How to Use Essential Oils to Ease Your Symptoms?
As a drug-free option, the most common essential oils are safe and free of side effects. However, you need to use them carefully, and as said before, contact your doctor or aromatherapist before you choose this option. They can help you determine the best way to incorporate essential oils into tour treatment plan and help you manage your condition.
Once you have your stress relief essential oil blend, follow the instructions on the bottle. These scents are recommended for inhalation or topical use. Make sure to diffuse or dilute before you use them, surround yourself in an atmosphere that is cheerful and calming, or enjoy an aromatherapy massage.
