While spring is often welcomed with open arms as it signals new beginnings, brighter, warmer days and more time outdoors, it can also bring negative emotions and mental health issues for some. This is commonly known as spring anxiety, spring blues or reverse seasonal affective disorder, which can be caused by things like increased light levels, social pressure and even spring allergies.
If you’ve ever felt worse just when others are brightening up, you’re not alone. In our blog we look at the heavier emotions and physical symptoms associated with spring, why they occur and how essential oils can be used to soothe, calm and rebalance the body and mind.
The impact of the seasonal change on our mind and body
Although seasonal mood swings are more common in the winter, the shift to spring can also cause an imbalance in some people.
Increased daylight and changing circadian rhythms can cause people to feel restless, restless, unable to relax, irritable, anxious and unable to sleep.
Although more sunlight generally increases energy levels, some people may experience “spring asthenia” or “spring fatigue,” which is a state of low energy or lethargy.
While others become busier and more active as the weather improves, some people lack the same motivation or even find increased activity overwhelming or overstimulating. This can reinforce the underlying stress.
People may also feel pressure to perform or keep up, or ‘be happy’ like everyone else. This can make them feel isolated and insecure, as if they are out of step with others and are somehow failing in life.
As temperatures rise and people wear less clothing, insecurities about body image can come to the fore.
Spring allergies can also come into play, causing misery for many and contributing to chronic fatigue, poor sleep, emotional problems and social exhaustion. The allergic immune response that produces high levels of inflammatory cytokines is also believed to have a direct impact on mental health and increases the risk of anxiety and depression.
Finally, feelings of sadness can feel sharper. When everything around us is growing and blossoming, the contrast between the brightness of spring and any internal sadness can feel more intense.
Aromatherapy blends for a more balanced spring!
If spring is feeling heavy rather than hopeful for you, try some of our recommended aromatherapy blends to lighten the load.
Essential oils for improving mood
Bergamot essential oil is excellent for improving mood and is often referred to as ‘happiness in a bottle’ or ‘natural Prozac’, due to its mood-boosting, anti-depressant properties. It is great for improving and maintaining emotional balance and its uplifting, cheerful effect is especially helpful for those suffering from seasonal affective disorders.
Sweet Orange is wonderfully soothing and both a mood enhancer and relaxing. It’s a perfect choice if you’re feeling down, stressed or anxious. It is also said to help you find optimism, joy and laughter and to revive stagnant energies.
Geranium essential oil is an excellent ’emotional balancer’ that can help lift the spirits, relieve anxiety and combat low mood.
Recommended mixture
Diffuse 3 drops of Sweet Orange, 2 drops of Bergamot and 2 drops of Geranium in an aromatherapy diffuser or candle burner.
Premixed advice
Try our wonderfully scented Balance Spritz with Neroli, Bergamot, Sweet Orange and Petitgrain to calm emotions and lift the spirits.
Essential oils to support sleep
Roman Chamomile essential oil is a calming, soothing, relaxing oil that is perfect for helping insomnia caused by anxiety and stress.
Lavender essential oil is a favorite for treating insomnia and helping to eliminate nighttime awakenings. It helps remind the body what it should be doing at bedtime, rebalancing the body’s natural rhythms.
Ylang Ylang is perfect for balancing emotions during times of stress and can help treat depression, anxiety, nervous tension and stress-related insomnia.
Recommended mixture
Diffuse 3 drops of Roman Chamomile, 2 drops of Lavender and 1 drop of Ylang Ylang in your bedroom before going to sleep.
The anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties of lavender and chamomile also help soothe any allergy symptoms that are keeping you awake.
Premixed advice
Diffuse our Sweet Dreams pure essential oil with French lavender, Roman chamomile, valerian root, cedarwood atlas and red mandarin.
Essential oils for energy and motivation
Rosemary essential oil is fantastically stimulating for both body and mind. It is an excellent choice for fatigue, weakness, lack of direction and motivation, overthinking, poor concentration and memory.
Grapefruit is a cheerful, stimulating oil often used for seasonal affective disorders. It can help relieve stress, depression, nervous exhaustion, lethargy, negative feelings and sad thoughts. It can also promote concentration and focus.
Peppermint has a sharp, pungent aroma that helps stimulate the mind and improve concentration. It’s great if you’re feeling mentally tired, stressed or insecure.
Recommended mixture
Diffuse 4 drops of Grapefruit, 3 drops of Rosemary and 1 drop of Peppermint in an aromatherapy diffuser or candle burner at the start of the day and as needed.
Do not use before bedtime due to the stimulating nature of the oils.
Premixed advice
Try our uplifting pure essential oil with revitalizing essential oils of Elemi, Rosemary and Grapefruit.
Essential oils for allergies
Eucalyptus boosts immunity, helps reduce inflammation and eases breathing.
Chamomile essential oil is soothing and anti-inflammatory and is known for reducing histamine-related reactions.
Lemon essential oil supports immunity and has an anti-inflammatory effect on the respiratory tract.
Recommended mixture
Add 1 drop of Eucalyptus, Chamomile and Lemon to the cotton swab and place it in an aromatherapy inhaler. Breathe as necessary to help reduce symptoms.
Premixed advice
Our Allergy Ease pure essential oil contains the oils listed above, so if you don’t have the individual oils at home, this is a cheaper way to purchase.
Essential oils for overstimulation and overwhelm
Cypress essential oil is known for its ability to restore peace and tranquility. It has a stabilizing effect and can promote emotional flow when you are frozen. It helps you reconnect with the feeling and return from a standstill to a soft feeling. It can also help restore focus.
Beautiful Rose essential oil is soft, soothing, balancing and nourishing. It is excellent for emotional crises and when you are feeling anxious, nervous or upset.
Ylang Ylang has calming, balancing properties and helps facilitate emotional release. It is excellent for counteracting anxiety, tension, stress, irritability and irrationality and can also help calm rapid breathing and heart rate.
Recommended mixture
Place 1 drop of Cypress, 1 drop of Rose and 1 drop of Ylang Ylang on the cotton swab and secure it in the Aromatherapy inhaler. Carry this inhaler with you so that you can use it when you feel overwhelmed. Take 5 minutes to inhale the soothing aromas, inhaling for a count of 4 and exhaling for a count of 8.
Premixed advice
Use our Mindful Pulse Point Roller which contains a deeply calming, grounding and soothing blend of frankincense, lavender sage, spike lavender, clary sage, dalmatian sage, patchouli and petitgrain. Roll onto the pulse points of your wrist and inhale the scent as indicated above.
Essential oils for self-esteem and self-confidence
Sandalwood essential oil is great when you need some nurturing to remind yourself that you are doing just fine! It can help relieve frustration and quiet negative thoughts so you can see the truth instead of believing your thoughts.
Sweet Orange essential oil can help cheer you up when you’re feeling down about your beliefs.
Jasmine is a powerful antidepressant and is one of the best oils for people who lack self-confidence. It supports decision-making and optimism and restores harmony – and is perfect if your worries about self-esteem and self-confidence are wearing you down.
Recommended mixture
Take the time for a little self-love and self-care, which will help you realize how amazing you really are!
Mix 3 drops of sandalwood, 3 drops of sweet orange and 1 drop of jasmine in 15 ml of bath oil and pour it into the running water of your bath. Sit back and allow yourself to relax and dream. Dig a little into being kinder to yourself and notice that negative thoughts don’t actually mean anything. They are not really who you are!
Premixed advice
Try our Sensuality Massage Oil with nourishing Rose, Sandalwood and Ylang Ylang. Show yourself some love and kindness and massage your body towards the heart. Focus on the areas where you feel tension and allow yourself to see something new about who you really are.
Essential oils for grief and loss
Rose soothes and nourishes, gently supporting deep emotional release.
Bergamot is excellent when sadness manifests itself in a depressed mood, anxiety or exhaustion. It helps to gradually lift emotional heaviness and supports emotional expression.
Cedarwood essential oil is grounding and stabilizing, helping when emotions drain you or cause you to shut down. It can help ground you back in your body and stabilize the nervous system.
Recommended mixture
Grief heals when we meet it with love, rather than with violence or numbness. That is why we recommend taking some time for a gentle, self-care massage. Mix 3 drops of Rose, 2 drops of Cedarwood and 1 drop of Bergamot in 15 ml of Grape Seed Oil. Massage gently and slowly into your chest and heart area or your entire body for maximum impact.
Premixed advice
Again, we recommend using our Sensuality Massage Oil for a bit of self-care.
Finally, if you’re struggling this spring, it’s important to remember that emotional seasons don’t necessarily align neatly with the calendar and nature. You don’t have to be full of the joys of spring, or suddenly be more active; the most important thing is to be kind to yourself and allow yourself to be exactly where you are!
Sharon Lovett
Marketing manager