7 of Our Favorite Essential Oils to Help Manage Stress

Stress is a health challenge that more than a majority of adults report as becoming so burdensome that they are unable to cope. We know that stress is not good for our overall wellness, but the demands of daily life and a lack of health care resources can make managing stress anything but a top priority.

Luckily, there are many proactive strategies that you can use to keep your stress levels from overwhelming you. Some of the more obvious practices include getting plenty of sleep, eating a nutritious diet, staying hydrated and keeping active. They are the foundations of any wellness journey.

One of our favorite ways to enhance the positive benefits of the strategies listed above, is to be even more intentional about managing your stress through the use of essential oils.

Not only will the aromatherapeutic properties of the oils benefit the mind, body and spirit, but the practice of using essential oils will create a habit that signals the body that you are safe and comforted, and able to let go of the feelings of tension, stress and anxiety.

Each ¥ear, April is Stress Awareness Month. In celebration, here are seven amazing essential oils that can help you manage the stressors that pop up in your life.

1. Lavender

There’s a reason Lavender is one of the most loved essential oils – it works!

Research published in the International Journal of Nursing Practice found Lavender spray misted on clothing could reduce the impact of work-related stress for three or four days.

Breathing in the light, herbal scent works quickly to instill a feeling of calm and relaxation. Muscles feel less tense and the mind can begin to slow down.

Diffusing Lavender oil is one of the easiest ways to enjoy its benefits. It is also a great option to add to an aromatherapy bath or use directly on pulse points. We also love to add it to linen sprays and mist it over our pillows before bed for a good night’s sleep.

2. Bergamot

This citrus oil from Northern Italy has a fresh green aroma that can encourage the release of pent up emotions and can help in relaxation.

Add a few drops to a cotton ball when you start to feel stress and breathe in the aroma, using deep, cleansing breaths.

Bergamot oil pairs well with Lavender. Mix 15 drops (total) of Bergamot and Lavender oils with 2 ounces of water to create a calming and relaxing room spray. Use on linens or to freshen up your environment.

3. Blue Tansy

Sometimes known as Blue Chamomile or Tanacetum Annuum, Blue Tansy is a must-have in any stress-busting essential oil blend, like our Lavender Tansy Essential Oil Roll-On.

Good at dispelling feelings of anger and allowing you to let go, this oil is especially useful when used on the throat area to help express your true feelings.

For more uses of Blue Tansy, check out our previous blog, by clicking here.

4. Rose

One of the most precious of all essential oils, Rose smells heavenly and has powerful aromatherapy properties that just make you feel better.

Especially good for women, Rose can calm the feeling of nervousness and balance the severity of mood swings. Blend Rose, Fennel and Orange oils, with a carrier oil like Apricot Kernel and massage on the abdomen during times of the month when hormone levels rise.

5. Marjoram

Not nearly as common as Lavender, Spanish Marjoram, actually wild-growing thyme, is one of our favorite oils for promoting a deeply relaxing state for the mind and body.

Use when feeling anxious to cut the jittery feeling you get when your nerves are on edge. Use in an aromatherapy bath to soothe tense muscles and diffuse throughout your environment to encourage tranquility.

Marjoram blends well with floral and citrus oils, like Lavender and Bergamot. It is a part of our Tranquil Essential Oil Inhaler, MultiSpray and Diffuser Blend. 

Note: Pregnant women should avoid using Marjoram Essential Oil.

6. Clary Sage



With a lovely, slightly sweet aroma with a hint of green, Clary Sage is both refreshing and relaxing. Great to use in combatting the feelings of mental fatigue when you’ve been working long hours.

Inhale directly from the bottle or diffuse when feeling tense. Clary Sage is also believed to encourage dreaming and can help you remember dreams. Place a drop or two under your pillow before bed and give it a try!

7. Frankincense

Most of us know Frankincense as one of the gifts the Three Wise Men brought to Jesus. In aromatherapy it is known for spiritual healing by promoting a sense of peace and tranquility.

Sweet and woody, it is a great oil to use during meditation or to enhance the sense of calm in your environment. Frankincense can also help to balance the feeling of mood swings. Add a few drops of this oil with your favorite carrier oil and apply to the bottom of your feet to stay centered.

Read more great uses of Frankincense Essential Oil by clicking here.