Essential Oils for Emotions

Our sense of smell is directly connected to the limbic system, the part of our brain that controls emotions and memory. This means that essential oils can have a profound impact on our emotional state by influencing brain chemistry and releasing calming, balancing, and uplifting neurotransmitters.

GRIEF

While essential oils can't eliminate grief they can certainly act as a gentle companion on your healing journey and can offer up a solution with immediate impact (unlike the long-term work of therapy and relationship building, both of which are important as well).

Grief can manifest in many forms - sadness, anger, guilt, and even confusion. While there's no one-size-fits-all approach to addressing this complex emotion, essential oils can offer comforting support. Here are some of the most impactful oils for grief:

Joy: This blend is known for its uplifting floral scent that can bring a sense of happiness and positivity, even during difficult times. A combination of Geranium, Bergamot, Ylang Ylang, and Rose, Joy essential oil also works to raise the frequency of the body, which can support overall wellness and combat the physical challenges that often accompany deep grief.

Orange: Orange oil can alleviate feelings of stress and anxiousness and has been clinically proven to boost mood. In addition to its benefits for emotions Orange oil is high in d-limonene, which can offer support to the immune system, which is often impacted by grief.

Bergamot: Known for its calming properties, Bergamot can help reduce feelings of anxiety and agitation, allowing for emotional balance. Use Bergamot as a standalone oil or enjoy the benefits via Joy essential oil.

Forgiveness: This blend encourages the release of negative emotions and promotes a sense of peace. Since essential oils are tied to the limbic system, which control emotions and emotional memory, oils like Forgiveness can help you to recall a painful experience and deal with it in a safe and healthy way.

Release: Release is a blend of sixteen oils that is designed specifically to help your body and your brain let go of these difficult or intense emotions. This helps your body return to homeostasis, and for you to feel like yourself again.

Transformation: A powerful blend of nine essential oils that help shift negative emotions and transform them into positive ones, fostering growth and resilience. This combination of Lemon, Peppermint, Sandalwood, Clary Sage, Sacred Frankincense, Idaho Blue Spruce, Cardamom, Ocotea, and Palo Santo help you to transition your emotions on a cellular level that starts with the limbic system.

White Angelica: Known for its protective qualities, White Angelica is known to soothe the nervous system, enables the body to release stored negative emotions, and can help you to operate from a place of emotional wellness. White Angelica is a combination Bergamot, Myrrh, Geranium, Rose, Sacred Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang, Coriander, Black spruce, Melissa, and Hyssop; each powerful oils on their own, and even more potent when applied in this incredible blend!

If you are in a season of grief and need help processing your emotions, moving on, or simple getting through the day to day, then grab 2-3 of these oils and use them on a daily basis. Be gentle with yourself and know that healing takes time, that you aren't alone, and that things won't always be this way.

If you have used oils for a season of grief, we would love to hear how they helped you in the comments.

FEAR

Let's talk about an emotion that we all experience but rarely discuss-fear. Whether it's fear of the unknown, fear of failure, or fear of making the wrong decision, this emotion can be incredibly damaging. It keeps us stuck, clouds our judgment, and prevents us from living fully. It's important for you to know that everyone experiences fear, so you are not alone!

Let's unpack a little more about fear and how our amazing Young Living essential oils can help!

Where Does Fear Get Stored in the Body?

Fear isn't just a mental game; it manifests physically in our bodies too. Common areas where fear tends to reside include:

Stomach: Those "butterflies" you feel can be a sign of stored fear. The phrase "I am sick to my stomach" demonstrates that the emotion of fear can be felt in this part of the body. Interestingly, fear getting stuck in the body can lead to digestive issues like gut pain, bloating, constipation, and irritable bowels.
Neck and Shoulders: Tension in these areas often indicates that you are holding on to fear and stress. The feeling of being afraid can cause constriction and tightness in the body, and this can cause sore muscles in the neck and shoulder area.
Chest and Heart: Ever felt your heart race when you're scared? Fear can escalate into panic, and you can feel it as a heaviness in your chest or a racing pulse.

How Essential Oils Can Help

Here's the good news - essential oils are a powerful tool, unlike anything else in nature, to help us process and release emotions like fear. They work with the limbic system in our brain, the area responsible for memories, emotions, and thoughts. Certain oils can help shift us out of fear and into a more balanced emotional state.

Recommended Oils for Fear

Lavender: Known for its calming properties and mild sedative effect.
Frankincense: Helps to ground and balance emotions.
Release: This blend of Ylang Ylang, Lavandin, Geranium, Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood, Grapefruit, Tangerine, Spearmint, Lemon, Blue Cypress, Davana, Lime, Ocotea, Jasmine, German Chamomile, Blue Tansy, and Rose is high in sesquiterpenes, which impact the limbic system. The calming scent of Release helps your body to let go of emotions that can feel overwhelming and stuck!
Valor: The Confidence & Courage oil! This gorgeous blend of Black Spruce, Rosewood, Blue Tansy, and Frankincense oils help your mind shift away from fear and into confidence. Valor has gotten may oilers through stressful meetings, confrontations, medical procedures, and other fear-inducing activities.
Surrender: If you find yourself afraid to take a risk or move forward in some area of your life, or you find that fear is holding you back in some way - you need to use Surrender essential oil blend! This blend combines Lavender, Lemon, Black Spruce, Roman Chamomile, Angelica, and Mountain Savory to help you let go of the fears and negative emotions that are holding you back in life.
For Kids: KidPower: This formula was made with kids in mind to help them overcome fear and anxiety as they enter into all kinds of new environments and experiences! Being a kid can be tough - but KidPower can help them shift into a more confident version of their awesome selves. KidPower combines Valor with Orange and Vanilla for an absolutely incredible blend (moms love using KidPower too!) Let your child diffuse KidPower or use the convenient roll-on daily before school or anything that makes them nervous.

How to Use Essential Oils for Fear

Diffusion: Add a few drops of your chosen oil to a diffuser and inhale deeply. You can even diffuse oils for emotions while you sleep.
Topical Application: Dilute with a carrier oil and apply to your chest, wrists, or the back of your neck. For emotions, it is helpful to ask yourself where in your body you can feel sensations when you think about your fear. Anywhere that feels tight, heavy, nervous, or uncomfortable is where you can intuitively apply oils over that area.
Inhalation: Simply inhale directly from the bottle or put a drop on your palms, rub them together, and breathe in.

What is your favorite essential oil for managing fear? Share your experiences in the comments below and let's support each other on this emotional wellness journey.

Anxiety

Do you or someone you know experience anxiety? Anxiety has a number of different forms and can be temporary (based on a situation) or ongoing (chronic). Anxiety may look different for different people, but that doesn't change the fact that it can make life difficult and can contribute to mental and physical decline.

Anxiety is the body's natural response to perceived stress or danger. When we feel anxious our sympathetic nervous system kicks into high gear, triggering the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. This "fight or flight" reaction can cause physical symptoms like a racing heart, sweaty palms, and tense muscles. This "fight or flight" response is great for dealing with immediate dangers, but chronic anxiety can take a serious toll on our mental and physical health.

That's where essential oils come in. Certain oils like Lavender, Bergamot, and Frankincense have been shown to help calm the nervous system and promote feelings of relaxation. When we breathe in the aromatic compounds, they stimulate the olfactory system which is directly connected to the limbic region of the brain - the emotional control center. This can help interrupt the anxiety response and restore balance.

Here are 7 oils that can help your brain to calm down when you are feeling anxious:

Lavender: This classic oil has a soothing, calming aroma that helps relax both the mind and body. Diffuse it before bed for a restful night's sleep.
Frankincense: With its grounding, earthy scent, frankincense is amazing for centering and focusing the mind. Apply it to your wrists and temples when you need to find your Zen.
Bergamot: The bright, uplifting fragrance of bergamot oil helps ease feelings of worry and nervous tension. Diffuse or keep a roller bottle of it on hand for anytime you need a mood boost.
Vetiver: This thick, earthy oil has a unique ability to quiet the mind and promote feelings of tranquility. Add to roller blends or the diffuser when you need a new level of calm (tip: this is a very thick oil. Place it in your pocket for a few minutes before trying to get drops out to warm it up for easier use).
Ylang Ylang: With its sweet, floral aroma, Ylang Ylang oil is incredibly soothing and helps relieve nervous tension. Use it in a relaxing bath after a stressful day, in a roller, applied topically, or diffused.
Clary Sage: This oil has a calming, slightly herbaceous scent that can help alleviate anxious thoughts and feelings. Apply it to your wrists and inhale deeply when you need to refocus.
Roman Chamomile: The gentle, apple-like fragrance of chamomile oil is so comforting and helps promote a sense of peace. I diffuse it in my office when I'm feeling overwhelmed.
Citrus Oils: Lemon, Orange, Tangerine, Bergamot, and Lime are all effective at helping to boost mood and alleviate stress and occasional feelings of anxiety. Use these oils in roller blends, the diffuser, or inhale directly out of the bottle for a boost!

Apply any of these oils topically, put a combination in the diffuser, or inhale straight from the bottle! Pro tip: use your oils on a daily basis and before a strong wave of anxiety hits! Starting your morning with a diffuser full of citrus oils can make a huge difference in your day!

ANGER

Let's talk about an emotion we all experience sometimes - Anger. Anger is an emotion with an intense building wave that can often make us feel out of control and cause us to make poor decisions in the moment. Not only does anger affect our emotional well-being, but it also takes a toll on our physical health, as it often gets stored in our bodies. Anger can lead to an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. Over time, anger can become stored in the lower back and impacts the liver and gallbladder (both of which are important organs for detoxification!). This can manifest as pain and stiffness in the lumbar region (or even the hips), and impact liver and gallbladder function.

Oils for Anger

1. Purification

How it helps: Purification is fantastic for cleansing negative emotions from the body and providing clarity of mind. It doesn't just "purify" bug bites (we love it for that too!) - but it can work on an emotional level to help purify stuck emotions like anger.
How to use: Diffuse 3-4 drops in your room and/or apply 2-3 drops over the liver morning and evening.

2. Humility

How it helps: If you search for the word "Anger" on Young Living's website, Humility oil pops us as the result. That should tell us something about the purpose of this oil and how it can help us with anger!
Humility can bring a sense of peace and acceptance, helping you to let go of the feeling of not being good enough. This feeling often stems from anger and resentment. Humility oil makes it easier to release anger and shift into a more positive mindset.
How to use: Apply 1-2 drops to your heart area as often as needed or diffuse nearby while journaling.

3. Release

How it helps: This blend is specially formulated to help release negative emotions from the body. Release is a special essential oil blend that is best used when emotions feel overwhelming - which Anger often is.
How to use: Apply 2-3 drops to the back of your neck, over the liver, or the soles of your feet (especially if you don't like the smell). Diffuse while you sleep or add 5 drops of Release to a cup of Epsom salts and add to a hot bath.

4. Forgiveness

How it helps: Forgiveness helps to soothe the mind and heart, promoting emotional balance and letting go of grudges. Anger stored in the body often turns into unforgiveness towards either ourselves or those who hurt us. Forgiveness is a hard decision - but one that is ultimately so much better for YOUR peace of mind and your body. Forgiveness essential oil blend will make it easier for your mind to embrace the mental action of forgiving and moving past anger.
How to use: Diffuse 4-5 drops when reflecting on past grievances or apply to pulse points as often as needed.

Feeling angry is a natural and common response, so we will never be able to avoid it altogether. However, it's important to remember that you don't want anger to get stored up in your body and negatively impact your health & well-being! Use these oils frequently to support you in processing and releasing anger.

Share your favorite ways to use these oils or other tips for how essential oils have helped you manage anger in the comments below!

APATHY

You know that feeling where nothing really excites you, and everything just feels...meh? It's called apathy, and the stresses of life and lack of self-care can sometimes cause us to fall into this emotion. I have some good news - our Young Living essential oils can even help us snap out of an apathetic funk and feel inspired and motivated again! Let's unpack apathy a little bit.

What Causes Apathy?

Apathy can creep up on us for a variety of reasons:

Overwhelm and Stress: When life feels like it's too much to handle, it can lead to emotional exhaustion, and then apathy. our thoughts create our feelings, and so when we consistently tell ourselves that things are "too hard" or " too overwhelming" - our brain and body start to believe us. Apathy is a protective mechanism from our brains to keep us safe.
Lack of Motivation: Whether it's in personal or professional life, feeling uninspired can make us indifferent. Maybe we've gotten bored and need a new challenge. Maybe we've faced disappointment in an area of our lives, and we've told ourselves it is too hard to dream or try again.
Feelings of Hopelessness: Persistent thoughts of helplessness can drain our emotional energy BIG TIME. If you feel like there is no hope or you won't be able to get help in a situation - apathy sets in.
Traumatic Experiences: Prolonged sadness or grief can shut us down emotionally.
Social Isolation: Feeling disconnected from meaningful relationships can also contribute to apathy.

How Apathy Manifests in the Body

You might be experiencing apathy if you're noticing:

Sluggishness: A lack of physical energy, often leading to a more sedentary lifestyle. If you notice that you aren't as active as you used to be, and that you FEEL less motivated to be active - this could be apathy in your body.
Breathing Issues: Frequent sighing, shallow breathing, or feeling breathless can be signs of suppressed emotions.
Numbness: A general sense of disconnection, both physically and emotionally.
Mental Fog: Difficulty focusing or making decisions, often with a sense of mental fog.
Loss of Joy: A decrease in the ability to feel pleasure from experiences that would normally bring joy.

Essential Oils to Overcome Apathy

Luckily, nature has given us some amazing tools to help lift our spirits. Here are some essential oil blends that can help move you out of apathy and into more inspiration, motivation, and dedication:

Motivation: Perfect for reigniting your passion and drive. This blend combines Roman Chamomile, Black Spruce, Ylang Ylang, and Lavender. It provides a boost of energy - both cognitive and physical that helps you move forward in a positive direction.
Valor: Provides courage and confidence to face life's challenges. It's honestly hard to keep feeling apathetic when you use Valor! Shift into your highest self by using Valor often.
Transformation: This gorgeous blend of oils helps you to shift from feelings of darkness and apathy into feelings of hope and joy! The aroma empowers positivity and a sense of self-awareness to move forward and transform behavior with courage and an inner knowing of achieving your desires.
Clarity: This energizing blend cleanses the mind and helps you focus! It provides a spirit of productivity for the mind and a feeling of stability. It's one of my go-to oils when I need to tackle a difficult task.
Highest Potential: This one is probably the quintessential anti-apathy oil blend. Highest Potential was one of Young Living Founder Dr. Gary Young's favorite oils - he used it every day. Highest Potential blend encourages you to reach for your best self by elevating your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Use Highest Potential to help you make an important shift out of apathy and into purpose.
Into the Future: Helps you envision and plan for a brighter future. Into the Future blend helps you with the motivation to leave the past behind and move forward in an environment of progress and achievement.

How to Use These Oils:

You can diffuse these essential oils in your living space, add a few drops to a hot Epsom salt bath, or apply them to pulse points like your wrists and temples, or over your heart. Create a daily routine that brings you comfort and consistency, and soon you'll find that your emotions respond quickly and effectively whenever you use these oils! You can literally train your brain and emotions with the aromas of pure essential oils.

Remember, it's okay to feel how you're feeling right now, but with a little help from nature's living energy, and by addressing the root causes of apathy, you can start to reclaim your zest for life! You're worth it and your life is worth living to its fullest!

Have you tried any of these oils? Share your experiences below!

If you have any question, please feel to reach out to me. I am very happy to answer questions and support you on your wellness journey. You can reach me by email at abreathoffreshair23@gmail.com, or by phone at 959-301-1403.