Although all legal COVID restrictions ended in England back in July, it somehow seems like it’s only now, at the end of the Summer holidays, that we’re finally faced with the reality of returning to a more normal routine. The children are back to school, furlough ends very soon, and many people are returning to their daily commutes and place of work! 

Many of us will welcome this change and embrace the increased freedom and social contact, but equally, some of us might be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or even demotivated about returning to our old routine or starting a new one. We are after all creatures of habit and as the new habits we developed during the pandemic are disturbed, it can easily lead to uncertainty, anxiety and stress. 

If you’re filled with dread about re-emerging into the world and finding it hard to adjust to your new or old routine, essential oils can offer a huge amount of emotional and physical support. Here are some of our favourite oils for easing you back into daily life!

Coping with anxiety

Living with COVID for over 18 months has had a massive impact on mental health, with anxiety being reported as one of the most common symptoms. There are three types of anxiety associated with COVID; anxiety over catching the virus, anxiety caused by lockdown and anxiety surrounding the return to pre-lockdown life. Anxiety can affect us both physically and mentally and depending on the severity of symptoms can start to affect our daily life and cause real distress. It can lead to changes in our behaviour and the way we feel and think about things, causing problems such as restlessness, feeling constantly on ‘edge’, a sense of dread, irritability and difficulty concentrating. Physical symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, nausea, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, headaches, muscular pain and tension, and insomnia.

There are many treatments for anxiety, including medication and psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Unfortunately, medication can come with some undesirable side-effects, particularly when taken for long-periods, so aromatherapy can be a gentler way of restoring balance and easing anxiety without the need for drugs.

There are lots of essential oils that can help in a variety of ways. When they are inhaled, they trigger the release of neurochemicals and hormones such as serotonin, oxytocin, endorphins, and norepinephrine that not only help regulate our thoughts and emotions but also help regulate blood pressure, slow the heart rate, and stimulate our immune system. This immuno-stimulant effect is particularly important as high levels of stress hormones in the body can suppress our immunity and lead to illness and disease.

If you’re feeling anxious about post-lockdown life some of the best calming, relaxing and uplifting essential oils to consider are:

Lavender is perhaps one of the most well-known oils for soothing and calming anxiety.  It can also help with restlessness, sleep problems and muscular pain and tension. In a recent study published in Nursing for Women’s Health (Koehler, 2021) inhaling Lavender was found to reduce mean anxiety scores among female patients about to undergo elective surgery.

Bergamot is known as ‘nature’s prozac’ and has a wonderful calming yet uplifting action that is excellent for anxiety, stress, depression and other negative emotions. In a study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice (Pasyar et al, 2020) the inhalation of Bergamot was found to significantly decrease anxiety and alpha amylase* levels in patients about to undergo gallbladder surgery.

*Alpha amylase is considered a biomarker of stress and anxiety.

Clary Sage is one of the most powerful relaxants known in aromatherapy and is especially valuable for treating anxiety and all kinds of stress and tension, including muscular tension arising from mental or emotional stress. Safety: do not use during pregnancy or in conjunction with alcohol.

Frankincense has been used since ancient times to aid meditation and prayer. It is excellent for soothing an anxious mind and lifting the spirits. It also slows and deepens the breath which helps calm both mind and body.

Sweet Orange is a lovely comforting, cheery oil that can be beneficial for anxiety, stress and depression. It also has a mild sedative action that can be helpful for insomnia. In a study published in Nursing Forum (Mendoza Reyes et al, 2020) the oil was found to be effective in reducing pain and anxiety during needle insertion among patients undergoing hemodialysis. 

Other popular choices include Benzoin, Chamomile, Cedarwood, Cypress, Geranium, Jasmine, Sweet Marjoram, Melissa, Neroli, Patchouli, Rose, Sandalwood, Valerian and Ylang Ylang.

Increasing energy and motivation

One of the few benefits of lockdown was being given the chance to lead a simpler and less busy life, so having to step up a gear into a faster pace of life can be both emotionally and physically challenging.

You may be finding it hard to muster up the motivation, energy and enthusiasm for re-joining the human ‘rat-race’. Going back to work, commuting, socialising and partaking in more general day to day activities may have a bigger impact on your energy levels than you might think and consequently you may be feeling more tired.

Again, there are lots of essential oils that can be used to support your energy levels, stamina and overall enthusiasm for life. 

Citrus oils such as Lemon, Lime and Grapefruit are particularly known for their uplifting, energising, stimulating effects. Yuzu, a lesser-known citrus, is another great choice for soothing stress, anxiety, and exhaustion, providing clarity for the mind and encouraging a more confident and optimistic outlook. Lime and Grapefruit, along with Lemongrass, can also help with motivation.

Cephalic (brain stimulating) oils such as Basil, Peppermint and Rosemary are great for getting your brain back in gear, improving focus, fighting fatigue and revitalising energy levels. 

Other good ‘revitalising’ choices include Black Pepper, Cardamon, Geranium, May Chang, Nutmeg, Pine, Sage, Spearmint and Thyme.

Aiding sleep

Some of us will find that our sleep patterns will change as we start to change our lives. This may be caused by increased stress and anxiety or may simply be due to increased activity levels. Maintaining a healthy sleep routine is important for both our mental and physical wellbeing, and there are many essential oils that can help support a good night’s sleep if you’re struggling – these include Lavender, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Sweet Marjoram, Valerian and Vetivert.

We hope the above tips have given you insight into the best essential oils for supporting you through this period of change. There are many oils to choose from, but the secret is to select the oils that you are most drawn to, as these will be the oils that you need most. Once you’ve decided, pop a few drops in a diffuser or inhaler or dilute with a suitable carrier to make beautifully scented, therapeutic spritzes, bath oils, shower gels, massage oils, creams or lotions.

Finally, remember that it’s perfectly normal to take some time to re-adjust to a new routine. Don’t be harsh on yourself if things don’t instantly go back to normal. Ease yourself back in gently, so you don’t get crushed by all the extra demands on your time and be kind to yourself. We’ve spent much of lockdown talking about and treating ourselves to self-care, so try to ensure that you still make time for yourself! Choose an activity just for you – whether it’s yoga, meditation, an aromatic bath, or anything else that helps you burn off stress, chill out and relax.

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