Uplift Your Spirits: Aromatherapy and Wellbeing

Living with a neurological condition can be hard going, and looking after your emotional wellbeing matters as much as looking after your body. Many people enjoy aromatherapy as a simple way to relax, relieve everyday stress and lift their spirits.

In this post, we share some favourite essential oils and a couple of easy blends to try.

Scent and how we feel

Our sense of smell is closely linked to the parts of the brain involved in emotion and memory. That is why a scent can bring back a memory, or change how we feel in a moment. Many people find certain scents help them feel calmer or brighter.

Oils people often choose

• Citrus oils: orange, lemon and grapefruit have bright, fresh scents that many people find uplifting.
• Ylang-ylang: sweet and floral, often used to help people relax.
• Frankincense: warm and woody, popular for quiet moments and meditation.
• Lavender: soft and calming, one of the most popular oils for winding down.
• Bergamot: fresh but gentle, and many people find it both uplifting and calming.

Two blends to try

Uplifting citrus blend

• 5 drops orange essential oil
• 3 drops lemon essential oil
• 2 drops grapefruit essential oil
• 2 tablespoons carrier oil (such as sweet almond or jojoba oil)

Combine the essential oils in a small glass bottle, add the carrier oil and shake well. Use in a diffuser, apply a little to your wrists, or add a few drops to a warm bath.

Calming floral blend

• 5 drops lavender essential oil
• 3 drops ylang-ylang essential oil
• 2 drops frankincense essential oil
• 2 tablespoons carrier oil

Mix the essential oils in a glass bottle, add the carrier oil and shake to combine. Diffuse in your bedroom, apply a little to your wrists, or use during a quiet moment or meditation.

Ways to use aromatherapy

1. Diffuser: add your blend to a diffuser at home or at work.
2. On the skin: apply a little of your diluted blend to your wrists or behind your ears.
3. Bath: add a few drops of your blend to a warm bath to relax and unwind.
4. Inhaling: put a drop or two on a tissue and breathe in slowly.

Using essential oils safely

• Always dilute essential oils in a carrier oil before they touch your skin, and do a small patch test first.
• Citrus oils such as lemon, grapefruit and bergamot can make skin more sensitive to sunlight, so avoid using them on skin that will be in the sun.
• Check with your GP, midwife or pharmacist before using essential oils if you are pregnant, have a health condition such as epilepsy or asthma, or take medication.
• Use extra care with children, and keep oils out of their reach. Peppermint is not suitable for young children.
• Never swallow essential oils.

Final thoughts

Aromatherapy can be a simple, enjoyable way to relax and look after your wellbeing. Try different blends to find the scents you like best. If you are struggling with low mood or anxiety, please talk to your GP, as aromatherapy is not a substitute for support.