In January the Christmas decorations that help things to be merry and bright are taken down leaving the holiday cheer behind with cold, damp and dreary winter following. Even if you don’t struggle with depression, it’s likely that someone around you does. In the winter, it can be even more difficult as a lack of sunshine and gloomy weather can lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder causing a greater risk for this struggle. Essential oils can be a great tool for helping to conquer the winter blues and uplift your mood. I’ve done some research on which essential oils are the best for relieving stress and uplifting your mood.
Jasmine Oil
A report in the Journal of Biological Chemistry explored the use of aromas on the brain and found that Jasmine can be very calming to the nerves without side effects of something like valium. (5) Out of all the aromas tested, jasmine had the best effect on calming the GABA neurotransmitter. It has such a sweet aroma, it’s hard to not enjoy it!
Bergamot Oil
Citrus oils such as Bergamot, as well as Grapefruit, Orange, Lime, and Neroli can all be good for uplifting and energizing. Bergamot is shown to create a feeling of joy, freshness and energy by improving circulation of your blood. A 1995 study on the effects of citrus fragrance on immune function and depressive states found that citrus oils could normalize neuroendocrine levels and immune function more effectively than some anti-depressants. (3) When you are looking for a mood boost, these oils are usually a good choice.
One thing to be careful with when using citrus essential oils would be to stay out of the sun or a tanning bed for at least 24 hours as it may cause photosensitivity. (2)
Ylang Ylang
To enhance confidence, mood, and de-stress try diffusing ylang ylang. Inhaling ylang ylang can have instant positive effects on uplifting your mood and can act like a mild remedy for depression. Research even shows it can help release negative emotions such as anger, low self-esteem and even jealousy! (8)
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender oil is a go-to essential for many reasons and that includes when you feel the It’s also one of the few essential oils that can be applied without diluting it so if you have a bottle with you, you can rub it directly on your wrists, temples or nape of the neck for some instant relaxation.
In one study done on people suffering with post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), which can result in depression it showed lavender aromatherapy to have amazing results at enhancing mood. It revealed results that lavender was able to decrease depression by 32.7 percent and dramatically decrease sleep disturbances, moodiness and overall health status in people suffering from PTSD. (5)
A study done using a blend of Lavender and Bergamot showed therapeutic calming and relaxing effects. (4)
Clary Sage
Clary said oil is said to be uplifting, promoting feelings of hopefulness and confidence. Depression is linked to low levels of serotonin and anxiety to high levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Clary safe essential oil can significantly increase serotonin levels while also decreasing cortisol making it a possible natural remedy to use. (6) Another study compared the antidepressant effects of clary sage, chamomile, rosemary and lavender. Clary safe was found to have the strongest mood boosting effects due to it’s ability to modify dopamine pathways in the brain.(7)
Have you had any success using essential oils to boost your mood? I’d love to hear about any of your success stories!
- https://bebrainfit.com/essential-oils-depression/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4096528
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8646568
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21922934
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/7881819/Smell-of-jasmine-as-calming-as-valium.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24802524
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874110002667
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16807875
- https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/22475718/Phase_II_trial_on_the_effects_of_Silexan_in_patients_with_neurasthenia_post_traumatic_stress_disorder_or_somatization_disorder_
- https://draxe.com/essential-oils/essential-oils-for-depression/
Leave a Reply