We all get overwhelmed sometimes. Life can be stressful, and when stress lasts for a long time, it can begin to take a toll on your wellbeing. Stress can leave you anxious, burned out, exhausted, and struggling to find a sense of peace in your life. 

If you’re feeling stressed or anxious and you need a little help, our go-to recommendation is to start doing essential oil therapy as a daily practice. We couldn’t survive without them!

Essential oils are amazing for stress relief. They contain powerful natural compounds that rewire your brain for relaxation[*][*], leaving you with a sense of calm wellbeing. 

Here are eight of our favorite essential oils for stress relief and mental clarity — because we all need a little extra calm in our lives sometimes. 

1. Lavender Oil

Lavender is one of the best oils for stress relief and relaxation. 

In a 2012 study, people inhaled steam infused with lavender oil. They saw an almost immediate decrease in blood pressure and heart rate, and an increase in their alpha brain waves — activity in your brain associated with feeling peaceful and calm[*]. 

Another study found that lavender oil changes your brain’s serotonin levels, turning off anxiety pathways in your brain to help you relax[*]. 

We love diffusing lavender oil throughout the day to promote a calm environment. 5 drops in a diffuser can make a world of difference. It’s also nice to diffuse on your bedside table in the evening, to help your brain wind down and get ready for sleep. When stressed or needing extra focus, we will take 2 drops of pure lavender oil and massage our temples, back of neck and tops of shoulders. 

2. Peppermint Oil

Peppermint is a clarifying, refreshing essential oil that’s great for anxiety.

People given peppermint oil aromatherapy before a hospital procedure were significantly less anxious throughout the experience than people given aromatherapy with plain water[*].  They also reported less pain during the procedure. 

Peppermint oil also enhances alertness and memory[*], making it an ideal essential oil to use during the work day. We like to diffuse it for our kids, too — it helps them stay focused when they’re doing homework. 

You can also use peppermint oil topically. We like to dilute one drop of peppermint oil with one drop of Young Living’s V-6 carrier oil and apply it to the base of our necks and temples, then deeply inhale 3-4 times. It creates instant mental clarity and relaxation. 

3. Frankincense Oil 

Frankincense oil has a deep, complex aroma that helps you feel grounded. It’s been used for centuries as a way to promote calm clarity. 

A 2007 study found that people who received a hand massage with a blend of frankincense, lavender, and bergamot oils were less stressed and anxious afterward, compared to a massage with unscented almond oil[*]. 

Another study found that frankincense relieves neuroticism, which includes anxiety, self-doubt, and depression[*]. 

Frankincense is great when you want calm, grounded mental clarity all day. Try diffusing it in your office with lavender or valor, or mix it with peppermint oil and apply 3-4 drops directly to the crown of your head – always deeply inhaling. It’s great if your thoughts feel fragmented or frazzled. 

4. Peace and Calming

Peace and Calming is a blend of several relaxing essential oils. It includes sweet orange, tangerine, ylang ylang, patchouli, and blue tansy. 

Each ingredient in Peace and Calming promotes tranquility and ease to support the central nervous system. 

Here are a few highlights:

• People who rubbed ylang ylang oil on their skin showed an almost immediate decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate. They also said they felt significantly more relaxed within minutes[*]. 
• People with anxiety reported less nervousness after patchouli aromatherapy[*].  
• Another study found that inhaling steam infused with patchouli decreased fight-or-flight activity in the brain by 40%[*]. 
• Diffusing sweet orange oil relieved tension and reduced anxiety in people who were asked to perform a stressful task[*].  

A lot of people apply Peace and Calming directly to their skin so the scent stays with them throughout the day. One drop rubbed on the base of the neck, temples, wrists or behind your ears. You can also diffuse 5 drops in your home to set a relaxed mood. 

5. Stress Away

Stress Away is another essential oil blend that’s perfect for relaxation. It’s a rich, complex blend of lavender, copaiba, cedarwood, and vanilla. 

You read about the stress-relieving benefits of lavender oil above. The other ingredients in Stress Away are equally powerful and the smell is so pleasant and dreamy. 

• In rats, vanilla oil extract relieved anxiety in a variety of stressful tests[*]. 
• Copaiba also relieved anxiety and improved performance on anxiety-inducing tasks[*]. 
• Cedarwood oil is rich in cedrol, a gentle sedative that calms the nervous system and relieves stress[*]. 

Stress Away blend is instant relaxation in a bottle. Put a roller top on it and roll it on your temples, tops of shoulders, and tops of ears.  You can carry it in your purse or pocket and use it anytime you need a moment of serenity. 

6. Valor

Valor is a woodsy, grounding essential oil blend that’s great for both topical use and diffusion. It’s made with frankincense, black spruce, camphor, blue tansy, and geranium and is one of the top pick’s among our wellness community. 

• Camphor oil’s menthol-rich aroma improves cognitive function and promotes mental clarity[*]. 
• Pregnant women given geranium aromatherapy showed a decrease in blood pressure and reported significant anxiety relief after the session[*]. 

Valor is both calming and uplifting and has such an inviting aroma. Try diffusing it in the morning to get your kids ready for the school day, or rubbing a bit on the wrists or heart before school or work. It’s often called the Bravery Blend because it promotes that calm confidence. 

7. Kidscents Geneyus Oil

We love this oil blend of Frankincense, Cedarwood, Palo Santo, Melissa, and Bergamot essential oils. It smells incredible and is perfect to use with your kids for focus and calm, mental clarity  — just grab an AromaGlide roller and put it directly on the wrists, temples, across the forehead and back of the neck. 

• Cedarwood oil is rich in cedrol, a gentle sedative that calms the nervous system and relieves stress[*]. 
• A study from the Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology measured the effects that inhaling vetiver essential oil has on brain function. By measuring brain activity, it was shown that those who inhaled vetiver essential oil showed an increase in their attention levels.

8. Brain Power

Brain Power is so amazing for getting rid of brain fog. 

This bright, woodsy blend contains sandalwood, blue cypress, and frankincense. It’s high in sesquiterpenes — which are aromatic compounds that decrease mental fatigue and improve cognitive function[*]. 

If your thoughts feel fuzzy or you’re having trouble concentrating, a few drops of Brain Power will help you clear your mind. 

Try rubbing a drop of Brain Power into each temple, or diffuse 5-7 drops in your office while you work. 

Bring Calm and Clarity Into Your Home

Ready to turn your home into a peaceful sanctuary? We can help.

Our Premium Starter Kit has everything you need to get started with essential oils. It includes:

• 12 essential oils (including the 6 relaxing ones you just read about)
• Your choice of diffuser
• Essential oil hand purifier
• Thieves essential oil spray
• Ningxia antioxidant-rich supplement packets
• AromaGlide rollers for easy roll-on skin application
• Essential oil display tray
• A beginner’s guide to essential oils
• Access to the WellKeep private Facebook and Instagram groups

And you buy a Premium Starter Kit now, we have a limited-time offer that includes extra bonuses, from recipe cards to health videos to complete daily wellness routines. 

Stress gets to all of us sometimes, and that’s okay. Essential oils are an incredible way to keep yourself grounded on even the most stressful days. Give them a try — you’ll be amazed by the difference you feel.