Unfortunate but true, there are so many people struggle who stress these days regardless of age and gender. There are many ways to manage stress such as working out, consulting a therapist, getting a massage, listening to music and etc. Here is a list of essential oils to use for stress relief either as an alternate way to manage stress or something extra to be added to self care routine.

1. Ylang Ylang

Ylang ylang (pronounced e-lang e-lang) essential oil has a strong fruity scent that is slightly sweet and medicinal but quite pleasant. It contains anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-anxiety, anti-depressant and sedative properties which can help with those who are struggling with stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia. It even has an aphrodisiac quality that will help boost low libido levels.

2. Sandalwood

Sandalwood essential oil has a pleasantly mild, sweet and light woody scent that helps to promote mental alertness, peace and clarity. This links to helping reduce and manage feelings of discomfort such as headaches and indigestion which is caused by stress or contributes to worsening existing stress. Just like ylang ylang, sandalwood is known to help enhance mood as well as low libido levels. Its mood enhancing properties also helps to provide higher quality sleep and feeling balanced. The only downside to sandalwood is the price but if you can afford it, it is worth.

3. Geranium

If you’re opting for a more sweet, floral and fruity scent instead, do try geranium essential oil which contains anti-anxiety, anti-depressant and sedative properties. With that being said, geranium essential oil will definitely help to enhance one’s mood by reducing feelings of stress, fatigue and anxiety. Geranium essential oil is also known to help with focus and can even help with imbalanced hormones caused by stress.

4. Lavender

Another essential oil with a pleasant floral scent would be lavender. This powerhouse essential oil is widely used its calming properties. It helps to induce sleep, reduce cortisol levels (the hormone responsible for causing stress), and balance hormones. One thing to be cautious about is that lavender essential oil should not be used when pregnant as it can cause drowsiness.

5. Chamomile

Chamomile essential oil is known for its reputation for being a cure-all, with roots tracing all the way back to ancient Greek. During ancient times, the ancient Greeks, Egyptians and even Romans would use chamomile for a wide variety of ailments. Chamomile essential oil has a fruity and fresh grass-like smell, very popularly known for its sedative and soothing properties – helping to promote sleep and manage feelings of anxiety.

6. Rosemary

Just like chamomile, rosemary has roots that traces back to the ancient times, it was even considered sacred to the ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Romans and Hebrews. Rosemary essential oil is best known for its stimulating, soothing and pain relieving properties. This refreshing and fragrant scent helps to reduce tension and stress by reducing the level harmful stress hormones, relieving fatigue, boosts mental clarity and improves the respiratory function by relieving nasal congestion. Furthermore, rosemary essential oil boosts the immune system and has anti-oxidant properties to combat free radicals.

7. Ginger

Ginger essential oil actually earned the nickname “The Oil of Empowerment” for its many beneficial uses. Just like how ginger is added to hot tea for bloating and menstrual cramps, and how sliced ginger is added to food to enhance its flavor, ginger essential oil helps to improve one’s mood by reducing feelings of stress, sadness, agitation, fatigue and even dizziness. Ginger essential oil is also beneficial for those struggling with sleep and low libido levels.