Everyone has bad days sometimes.
You may feel moody, irritable, stressed out, or grouchy for any number of reasons while just going about your day, and that’s okay.
What’s important is knowing and learning how to help turn that bad mood around and pick yourself up. To help you with that, we’ve found five essential oils that could help uplift your mood.
1. Rose
A beautiful and wonderful smelling flower - rose essential oil can provide a soothing, springtime scent that can help pump the brakes on a bad mood.
It’s a milder oil than most, so with a carrier oil it can be applied more often than stronger oils and can even be applied in 2 to 3 drops directly into a warm bath for a relaxing soak. (Maybe even throw some fresh rose petals in with it and make it a little more luxurious.)
If baths aren’t your thing, you can diffuse a few drops and the incredibly fragrant aroma can fill your living space with a calming vapor taking you to that flower market in Paris you still have to go to.
2. Peppermint
Maybe your crummy mood is being caused by some soreness or a stuffy nose? Perhaps some peppermint essential oil will help your irritability.
Either you or a significant other can easily mix a couple drops of peppermint essential oil with a carrier oil and use it for a soothing massage to your temples, shoulders, or any other spot that could use a little tingly goodness. But remember, always spot test first for skin sensitivity with this and any other essential oil.
If a massage isn’t an option, you can also dilute a couple drops into hot water and carry it around in an atomizer to spray as needed, or you can even smell it directly from the bottle if you work in an environment where aerosol scents are frowned upon.
3. Frankincense
Frankincense essential oil may be the king of the anti-stress oils.
Used for thousands of years, the heady, enveloping aroma is like a gentle hug for your weary self.
Mix 4 or 5 drops with a carrier oil and massage it onto your pulse points to carry the relaxing scent with you all day, or drop the same amount into a diffuser and enjoy half an hour of smokey, sweet chill out time.
It’s also popularly available in concentrated incense cones or sticks from the same manufacturers commonly as the essential oil itself.
4. Tea Tree
Everyone could use a spa day when they’re in a bad mood, but it’s just not practical sometimes. That’s why it’s always nice to have some tea tree essential oil handy to make a little spa moment of your own.
Stress can mess with your skin, as well as your mind, and your temples can carry a lot of that with you throughout the day.
When you get home, try adding 3 to 5 drops of tea tree essential oil into a bowl of steaming hot water, drape a towel over the back of your head, lean over the bowl, and just take some time to inhale the uplifting steam as it opens your pores and hydrates the delicate skin of your face.
You’ll smell good and feel good for the rest of the day.
5. Sandalwood
Another more “classic” essential oil, sandalwood is perfect if you get relaxed in a more woodsy, log cabin kind of environment.
It’s best applied topically with a carrier oil on your pulse points to let the scent wash over you, or diffuse it for the middle of nowhere nature vibe you would love to have on your daily grind.
For even more of a concentrated application, place it and the carrier oil on your hands or wrists so you can simply raise them up to your nose and inhale as needed. Coconut oil’s scent mixes well with sandalwood if you prefer to use a scented carrier.
As Always, Use Essential Oils Safely
Always make sure to check with your healthcare professional when trying to use essential oils to boost your mood or lessen your irritability, especially if you’re pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.
Make sure to spot test for skin sensitivity, and keep all oils out of your eyes and mouth.
That wraps it up for our favorite essential oils for relaxation.
Let us know which oils help you relax! Do you use any we didn’t list? Tell us in the comments.
