5 Essential Oils That Can Help Manage Anxiety

Have you been looking for a way to promote peace and calm outside of your therapy sessions?

Aromatherapy is a great way to create a more balanced environment and reduce feelings of anxiety in your day-to-day life.

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is often used in complement to therapy and utilizes essential oils to stimulate the olfactory system (the part of the brain that processes smells). This can have a calming effect on the body and mind. Many people find that using essential oils to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being, is helpful in reducing their symptoms of anxiety.

Today, we are so excited to share some of our favorite scents from the popular essential oil brand, Young Living! Continue reading for a guide on scents, how to use them, and some helpful tips for promoting well-being.

While there has been a lot of research done on the impacts of essential oils on reducing anxiety levels, it is important to note that aromatherapy should not be used as a substitute for professional treatment and care for anxiety disorders.

Are Young Living Oils “Better?”

As therapists, choosing the best, quality options for mental health is our passion! That’s why we are so excited to promote Young Living’s essential oils. Founded in 1993 and based in Lehi, Utah, Young Living offers a wide range of essential oils, as well as other natural products, such as supplements, personal care products, and cleaning solutions.

Young Living is committed to providing high-quality, pure essential oils that are sourced from their own farms and partner farms around the world. They have a "Seed to Seal" process that ensures the purity and authenticity of their oils, which includes rigorous testing and quality control measures. Don’t get me wrong, I have definitely grabbed some seasonal holiday oils at HomeGoods or Target once or twice. But I’ve observed a HUGE difference in quality and experience. In fact, some of them actually gave me a headache with their synthetic fragrances and lack of authenticity. When it comes to choosing essential oils, quality matters, and I trust Young Living to uphold the highest purification standards. The brand cares about the health and experience of their customers, and that is invaluable to me.

Not only does every product go through rigorous testing, but each product is vegan, cruelty-free, kosher-certified, and gluten-free. This is why we are so excited to share our favorite scents with you!

So, What Are Our Favorite Young Living Oils?

1. Valor

It’s no surprise that this oil has been affectionately referred to as “the natural Xanax.” It possesses calming properties that help ground you in the present moment. Valor is recommended and revered as an aromatherapy oil to help treat anxiety. Valor is a foundational daily blend that features a positive aroma to inspire confidence and courage.

Benefits:

• Relaxes the body and mind

• Relieves joint pain

• Helps eliminate stress

• Boosts energy

• Strengthens the immune system

• Helps heal respiratory infections

• Helps induce sleep

• Helps relieve headaches

• May enhance the appearance of healthy-looking skin

• Creates a grounded environment for yoga and meditation

Suggested Use:

• Apply Valor to the bottoms of your feet and/or the back of your neck to unwind before bed.

• Apply it to the back of your neck for an aroma that inspires feelings of confidence.

• Refresh throughout the day by directly inhaling Valor or massaging it onto your neck, chest, or hands and wrists.

2. Lavender

Lavender is renowned for its ability to create a relaxing atmosphere. It holds the title as the most universal oil and has a tranquil aroma that is soothing to the senses, as well as to the skin when applied topically. Taken internally, it contains antioxidants, may provide immune support, and can be used to add a floral flavor to your evening tea. One of the main benefits or lavender is its ability to calm the body without creating a sedating effect. Lavender helps reduce anxiety by soothing the body’s fight-or-flight response.

It has been found to be effective in helping reduce anxiety, restlessness, agitation, disturbed sleep, nervousness, and depressive symptoms.

Benefits:

• Helps ease occasional nervous tension and improve sleep quality for occasional sleeplessness

• Contains cleansing and antioxidant properties

• May help cleanse and soothe minor skin irritations when applied topically

• Creates a tranquil environment when diffused or applied topically

• Contains cleansing and antioxidant properties

• Supports general wellness

Suggested Use:

• Apply Lavender topically following sun exposure or add it to your facial essence, serum, or moisturizer.2.

• Diffuse it with Cedarwood and Orange to create a peaceful space at bedtime.

• Add 4 drops of Lavender and 1 cup of Epsom salt to a bath to create a relaxing environment.

• Use it as a spot treatment for minor bumps and blemishes.

• Unwind in the evening with a calming Lavender-infused neck or back massage.

• Place a few drops in your water in the evening to help improve sleep quality for occasional sleeplessness.

3. Peace and Calming

“Peace & Calming is great to diffuse to create a positive, peaceful atmosphere. Its comforting aroma makes it a great companion for activities like yoga, bedtime, and massage.”

Benefits:

• Promotes deep sleep

• Helps calm children and animals

• Creates a comforting, relaxing, and uplifting effect

• Creates a peaceful environment for yoga and meditation3.

Suggested Use:

• Apply to the bottoms of feet at night as part of a bedtime ritual

• Apply 1–3 drops to your neck and temples for a moment of inner peace

• Diffuse 8–20 drops daily to create a positive, peaceful atmosphere

• Dilute with a carrying oil for a calming back massage before naps or bed

• Add 4–5 drops to 1 cup of Epsom salt for a centering bath at the start of the day or as part of a calming evening routine

4. Stress Away

Stress Away is one of Young Living’s most popular oils. Use can diffuse it when you get home from a long day and take a moment to unwind, relax, or meditate. Having a relaxing moment to yourself can help you refocus your thoughts and remember to invest in the things you can control instead of the things you can’t control. Each of the plant extracts in this oil (lavender, vanilla, copaiba, and lime) have clinically demonstrated anxiety-reducing and sleep-promoting effects. That’s why this name is absolutely appropriate for this product by Young Living.

Benefits

• Has a soothing aroma

• Can be diffused or enjoyed aromatically to create a luxurious, spa-like ambiance at home

• Makes a great addition to your favorite skin, hair, and body care products

• Clinically demonstrated anxiety-reducing and sleep-promoting effects

Suggested Use:

• Apply it to your wrists while at work or school to enjoy this blend’s soothing, fresh scent.

• Apply Stress Away topically or diffuse it to enjoy a calming and peaceful aroma.

• Wear Stress Away as a personal fragrance.

• Diffuse Stress Away in your home after a long day for a fresh, soothing aroma that helps you find a moment of calm.

• Add a few drops to a cotton ball and place it in the vent of your car to create a calming environment during a long drive or rush-hour traffic.

5. Nutmeg

With its warm, energizing, and uplifting aroma, nutmeg is a hidden gem when it comes to relieving stress and anxiety. It supports the adrenal system (the stress system) and helps your nervous system remain balanced and out of fight-or-flight.

Benefits:

• Supports digestion (80% of mood regulation is based in the gut)

• Provides adrenal support to help reduce stress

• Maintains healthy circulation

• Helps protect your liver

• Can be applied topically for a refreshing breathing experience

• Can be used to soothe tired muscles following physical activity

Suggested Use:

• Inhale or apply topically to the chest for an invigorating breathing experience

• Apply by massage topically to soothe muscles after activity

• Add to Thieves toothpaste or Thieves Mouthwash to freshen breath

• Apply diluted to your abdomen and feet

What are Some Other Fun Ways to Use Essential Oils?

Each essential oil from Young Living comes with its own suggested use, but below are some other fun and creative ways to use your oils. The goal is to be able to utilize their benefits all throughout the day, not just when you’re at home with a diffuser — though, that’s still a great way to use it!

• Make them into rollers and carry them with you always (I keep mine in my purse!)

• Mix them into bath and shower gels, bath salts, and bath bombs

• Use them to make lip balms or scrubs

• Make scented lotions or body scrubs

• Use topically for all-day scent

Treating Anxiety

As mentioned before, while essential oils have been shown to help reduce symptoms of anxiety, they should not be used as a replacement for treatment and therapy. Rather, use your essential oils alongside treatment to boost well-being outside of your therapy sessions.

If you are struggling with symptoms of anxiety, it’s important that you take the next step in your mental health journey by seeking professional help. Here at Your Journey Through, we offer flexible scheduling and both in-person and virtual appointment availability, because we want therapy to be as accessible, convenient, and comfortable for you as possible.

Not sure what kind of therapy is right for you? Check out the different types of therapy we offer here! 

Take the next step and book your session today!

Disclaimer: These statements and any information contained on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is intended for educational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for medical care or to prescribe treatment for any specific health condition. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Our content is not purposed to replace professional medical diagnosis, treatment or advice. Information obtained from a Young Living member should never cause disregard or delay seeking advice or treatment from a medical or healthcare provider. Use of any information from the content of this site solely at your own risk. Consult individual products labels for safety information. This is an affiliate-sponsored post where the creator does receive a paid commission for products purchased. There is no obligation to purchase.