CAN ESSENTIAL OIL BOOST YOUR MOOD?
Many people may be depressed, stressed, or anxious due to their family or work issues. However, there is a solution to improve your mood. Consider yourself in the middle of a beautiful garden, surrounded by aromatic flowers. As you inhale the fresh, sweet aroma of the flowers, you may feel a sensation of calm and relaxation almost instantly. Imagine yourself in the kitchen, squeezing oranges to extract the juice. The fresh, energizing citrus aroma gives you a boost in the morning. These examples demonstrate how scent has the power to change our mood, and using essential oils, recreating these pleasant sensations is simple and convenient.
Can essential oil boost your mood?
- Lavender essential oil
Lavender is well-known for its soothing effects on the body and mind and promoting good sleep. It ensures that you wake up and feel energized, in a positive mindset, and ready to face the challenges of the day[1].
It also aids in the removal of unneeded stress and tension, balance mood swings, reduces sad or worried thoughts, and provide a beautiful sense of serenity.
- Sweet Orange essential oil
Sweet orange essential oil is famous as a mood enhancer. It has antidepressant properties, as well as an energetic and uplifting smell that may improve anyone’s day[2]. Its invigorating aroma, interestingly, not only evokes sensations of energy and pleasure but also soothes and relaxes the mind. It also increases motivation and alertness, as well as encourages creativity.
- Rosemary essential oil
If you’re feeling physically or mentally drained, rosemary is an excellent stimulant to help you re-energize your mind, body, and emotions[3].
Rosemary oil boosts activity, heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate, making it refreshing, energizing, and stimulating. Its antidepressant qualities also aid in improving general brain performance by enhancing focus and memory.
- Lemon essential oil
Lemon is a citrus oil that will put a smile on your face and instantly brighten your mood – and day. This cheerful, fresh, and joyous essential oil boosts serotonin levels, making you feel happy and placing you in a good, upbeat mood. According to a recent study, it can even improve your self-esteem and body image[4].
- Frankincense essential oil
Many people enjoy the warm, pleasant, and woody fragrance of frankincense and find it calms them down and regulates their emotions. It produces sensations of relaxation, increases focus, and boosts the mood, and is well renowned for its calming and grounding characteristics[5].
It can also assist in relaxing a mind, especially when you’re upset or overwhelmed, and bring about a sense of inner serenity.
- Bergamot essential oil
Bergamot is a citrus oil that is both refreshing and mood-enhancing properties. It’s been discovered to be especially beneficial when you’re feeling depressed due to stress, negativity, worrying thoughts, or sad, depressed moods – and may immediately lift your mood after a long day at work[6].
- Peppermint essential oil
If you’re feeling tired and mentally exhausted, a sniff of peppermint’s fresh, crisp smell will instantly lift your mood – and your day – when you need it the most. Its revitalizing fragrance can make you feel refreshed and energetic right away[7]. It’s widely used to promote attention and mental alertness.
Bottom-line
Essential oils should be utilized as a part of the overall healing strategy. It may be sufficient to inhale an essential oil to improve your mood at the moment, but you may require the more thorough assistance provided by a clinical physician.
References
- Ogata, Keizaburo, et al. “Lavender oil reduces depressive mood in healthy individuals and enhances the activity of single oxytocin neurons of the hypothalamus isolated from mice: a preliminary study.” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2020 (2020).
- Lehrner, Johann, et al. “Ambient odors of orange and lavender reduce anxiety and improve mood in a dental office.” Physiology & Behavior 86.1-2 (2005): 92-95.
- Moss, Mark, et al. “Aromas of rosemary and lavender essential oils differentially affect cognition and mood in healthy adults.” International Journal of Neuroscience 113.1 (2003): 15-38.
- Fukumoto, Syuichi, et al. “Effect of flavour components in lemon essential oil on physical or psychological stress.” Stress and Health: Journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress 24.1 (2008): 3-12.
- Heart, Rose. “How to Reduce Holiday Stress with Aromatherapy.” Alternative Medicine 49 (2019): 32-32.
- Watanabe, Eri, et al. “Effects of bergamot (Citrus bergamia (Risso) Wright & Arn.) essential oil aromatherapy on mood states, parasympathetic nervous system activity, and salivary cortisol levels in 41 healthy females.” Complementary Medicine Research 22.1 (2015): 43-49.
Hoult, Lauren, Laura Longstaff, and Mark Moss. “Prolonged low-level exposure to the aroma of peppermint essential oil enhances aspects of cognition and mood in healthy adults.” American Journal of Plant Sciences 10.6 (2019): 1002-1012.