If you’re feeling discouraged and “down”, essential oils can be a great way to help lift your mood naturally. One of the simplest and easiest ways is to diffuse your essential oils.
Today, I’ll show you two “Uplifting” essential oil diffuser blends that may help improve your mood and raise your spirits.
One of the essential oil blends listed here is ideal for use during the day and may help improve concentration, while the other blend is perfect for relaxing in the evening.
Erika Bragdon is a Certified Essential Oil Coach from the Essential Oil Institute.
Please note that essential oils are in no way a “cure” for depression. Please seek help from a healthcare professional if you are feeling depressed. You are not alone and there are many people who will come alongside you. This post is not meant to replace that care nor is it intended to be medical advice. Please read my post on essential oil common sense safety before using this blend or other essential oils.
We all have long days where might need a little encouragement. Maybe your child has autism and you haven’t had a break in a long time or your family caught the flu (read this post for essential oils for the flu).
Long winters with few hours of daylight may leave you feeling more tired than usual, discouraged and even depressed. This is sometimes called the “winter blues” or seasonal affective disorder (SAD.)
Whether you’ve had a long week or the cold winter has got you down, these uplifting essential oil blends can offer a simple way to support yourself naturally.
You’ll need a diffuser, water, and 4-5 common essential oils listed below for this encouraging blend.
You can use any diffuser – it doesn’t need to be expensive or fancy.
This is my favorite diffuser and the one you see in the photos in this post. It’s my workhouse diffuser yet surprisingly pretty too. I’ve used it almost every day (sometimes day and night) for over a year. Unlike the expensive MLM diffuser I purchased only to have it quit working after a handful of uses, this one was inexpensive and still works just as well as the day I bought it.
The Essential Oils
Orange essential oil
Latin name: citrus sinensis
Orange essential oil may lift your mood while relieving stress.
One study found that orange essential oil along with rose essential oil has the ability to relax the brain. Participants noted increases in feeling “relaxed” and “comfortable” when exposed to diffused orange and rose essential oils for 90 seconds.
Lemon essential oil
Latin name: citrus limon
Lemon may help lift your mood and even potentially improve concentration when diffused or applied topically.
A study found that lemon essential oil had strong “anti-stress” effects on mice. It concluded that “lemon oil possesses anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), antidepressant-like effects.”
Buy lemon essential oil.
Bergamot essential oil
Latin name: Citrus Bergamia
Bergamot may help improve your mood and even potentially increase energy.
A 2011 study found that participants who were exposed to a blend of bergamot and lavender essential oils resulted in significant decreases in blood pressure and pulse rates. The study also concluded that their “investigation demonstrates the relaxing effect of a mixture of lavender and bergamot oils. This synergistic blend provides evidence for its use in medicine for treating depression or anxiety in humans.”
Tip: for a quick potential mood-boost, add 1-2 drops of Bergamot essential oil directly into the palm of your hand. Dilute with a carrier oil if desired. Rub your hands together then cup them over your nose and mouth. Breathe in deeply and slowly for a few breaths.
Rosemary essential oil
Latin name: Rosmarinus officinalis
Rosemary may help improve alertness and cognitive performance.
A 2012 study found that participants had increased cognitive performance during test-taking when rosemary essential oil was inhaled at higher concentrations. “…inhalation of rosemary essential oil would possess the potential to impact on cognitive performance in a positive manner.”
Spikenard essential oil
Latin name: Nardostachys jatamansi
Spikenard can be relaxing and calming, plus it may be helpful for those who have difficulty falling asleep.
Spikenard is one of my favorite oils because I’ve experienced how calming and relaxing it can be and I’ve also used it to successfully help me fall asleep when I’ve dealt with occasional insomnia.
A 2008 study found that Spikenard essential oil had a sedative effect on mice.
Note: As of 2021, Spikenard seems to be difficult to find. You can try Vetiver for similar benefits.
Vetiver essential oil
Latin name: Vetiveria Zizaniodes
Vetiver essential oil has the potential to help with relaxation and also improving alertness and increasing levels of concentration.
One study noted this about Vetiver essential oil: “Ultimately, the stimulating effects of vetiver EO (essential oil) might be beneficial for learning and memory processes. In conclusion, the present findings provide information that vetiver EO may be used as a stimulant to improve alertness and task performance.”
(Note: check out my DIY “Focus” essential oil blend that includes Vetiver.)
Uplifting Essential Oil Diffuser Blends
Daytime “Uplifting” Essential Oil Diffuser Blend
This is a great blend to diffuse if you’re studying or working as well as want to boost your mood. I personally find it motivating along with noticing an improvement in my overall attitude.
Essential Oils:
- 1 drop orange essential oil
- 1 drop lemon essential oil
- 1 drop bergamot essential oil
- 1 drop rosemary essential oil
- 1 drop vetiver essential oil
Add the oils above to your diffuser along with water and diffuse. Relax and enjoy.
If you have a larger diffuser (for example, 700ml) and are using it in a larger room, you may want to increase the number of drops slightly. I do this for my large 700ml diffuser that sits in my open living room.
Evening “Uplifting and Relaxing” Essential Oil Diffuser Blend
This diffuser blend can be relaxing as well as uplifting. I sometimes diffuse this all night in my bedroom while I sleep and I do notice I sleep deeper and more restfully as a result.
Essential Oils:
- 1 drop orange essential oil
- 1 drop lemon essential oil
- 1 drop bergamot essential oil
- 1 drop spikenard essential oil*
- 1 drop vetiver essential oil
Add the oils above to your diffuser along with water and diffuse. Relax and enjoy.
*You can omit Spikenard and increase the Vetiver to 2 drops if desired.
If you have a larger diffuser (for example, 700ml) and are using it in a larger room, you may want to increase the number of drops slightly. I do this for my large 700ml diffuser that sits in my open living room.
Feel free to try different combinations if you don’t have one or more of the oils listed or simply don’t prefer one listed here. There are MANY more essential oils that are helpful for “uplifting.”
You can also choose to increase the number of drops if you have a larger diffuser.
Whichever way you prefer it, I hope you enjoy these uplifting essential oil diffuser blends as much as I have.
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