While Spring is often welcomed with open arms as it signals new beginnings, brighter, warmers days and more time outdoors, it can also induce negative emotions and mental health issues for some. This is commonly known as springtime anxiety, springtime blues or reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder, which can be brought about by things like increased light levels, social pressures and even springtime allergies.
If you’ve ever felt worse just as others are brightening up, you’re not alone. In our blog we’ll look at the heavier emotions and physical symptoms associated with spring, why they occur and how essential oils can be used to help calm, soothe and rebalance the mind and body.
The impact of the seasonal shift on our mind and body
While seasonal mood changes are more common in winter, the shift into spring can also cause imbalance for some individuals.
The increased daylight and changing circadian rhythms can leave people feeling out of sorts, restless, unable to relax, irritable, anxious and unable to sleep.Â
Although increased sunlight generally raises energy levels, some people can experience ‘spring asthenia’ or ‘spring fatigue’, which is state of low energy or lethargy.
While others are getting busy and more active as the weather improves, some people lack the same motivation or may even find increased activity levels overwhelming or overstimulating. This can amplify any underlying stress.Â
People may also feel a pressure to perform or keep up, or ‘be happy’ like everyone else. This can then leave them feeling isolated, insecure, like they are out-of-step with others and that they are somehow failing at life.Â
As temperatures rise and people wear less clothes, insecurities over 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 distress and social exhaustion. The allergic immune response that produces high levels of inflammatory cytokines is also believed to directly impact mental health and increase the risk of anxiety and depression.
Finally, feelings of grief may feel sharper. When everything around us is growing and blooming, the contrast between spring’s brightness and any internal sorrow can feel more intense.
Aromatherapy blends for a more balanced spring!
If Spring feels heavy rather than hopeful for you right now try some of our recommended aromatherapy blends to lighten the load.
Essential oils for boosting the mood
Bergamot essential oil is excellent for lifting the mood and is often called ‘happiness in a bottle’ or ‘nature’s prozac’, due to its mood-boosting, antidepressant properties. It is great for improving and maintaining emotional equilibrium and its uplifting, cheery effect is particularly useful for those suffering with seasonal affective disorder.Â
Sweet Orange is wonderfully soothing and both a mood enhancer and relaxant. It is a perfect choice when feeling down in the dumps, stressed or anxious. It is also said to help you find optimism, joy and laughter and revitalise stagnant energies.
Geranium essential oil is an excellent ‘emotional balancer’ that can help lift the spirits, alleviate anxiety, and combat low mood.
Recommended blend
Diffuse 3 drops Sweet Orange, 2 drops Bergamot and 2 drops Geranium in an aromatherapy diffuser or candle burner.
Pre-blended recommendation
Try our gorgeously scented Balance Spritz with Neroli, Bergamot, Sweet Orange and Petitgrain to help soothe emotions and lift the spirits.
Essential oils for supporting sleep
Roman Chamomile essential oil is a calming, soothing relaxing oil that is perfect for helping insomnia caused by anxiety and stress.Â
Lavender essential oil is a favourite for treating insomnia and helping banish night-time awakenings. It helps remind the body of what it should be doing at bedtime, re-balancing the body’s natural rhythms.
Ylang Ylang is perfect for balancing the emotions in times of stress and can help in treating depression, anxiety, nervous tension and stress-related insomnia.
Recommended blend
Diffuse 3 drops Roman Chamomile, 2 drops Lavender and 1 drop Ylang Ylang into your bedroom prior to sleep.
The anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties of the Lavender and Chamomile will also help soothe any allergy symptoms that are keeping you awake.
Pre-blended recommendation
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 fabulously energising for both the body and mind. It’s a great choice for fatigue, debility, lack of direction and motivation, overthinking, poor concentration and memory.
Grapefruit is a cheery, stimulating oil that is often used for Seasonal Affective Disorder. It can help to relieve stress, depression, nervous exhaustion, lethargy, negative feelings and black thoughts. It can also aid concentration and focus.
Peppermint has a sharp, penetrating aroma that helps to stimulate the mind and improve concentration. It’s great when feeling mentally fatigued, stressed, or insecure.
Recommended blend
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 required.Â
Do not use prior to bed due to the stimulating nature of the oils.
Pre-blended recommendation
Try our Uplifting pure essential oil with revitalising Elemi, Rosemary and Grapefruit essential.
Essential oils for allergies
Eucalyptus boosts immunity, helps to reduce inflammation and aids easier breathing.
Chamomile essential oil is soothing and anti-inflammatory and renowned for reducing histamine-related reactions.
Lemon essential oil supports immunity and has an anti-inflammatory effect on the respiratory system.
Recommended blend
Add 1 drop of each of Eucalyptus, Chamomile and Lemon to the cotton stick and place inside an Aromatherapy Inhaler. Inhale as required to help reduce symptoms.
Pre-blended recommendation
Our Allergy Ease pure essential oil contains the oils mentioned above, so if you don’t have the individual oils at home this is a cheaper way to buy.
Essential oils for overstimulation and overwhelm
Cypress essential oil is renowned for its ability to restore peace and calm. It has a stabilising effect and can encourage emotional flow when you’ve frozen. It helps you reconnect with sensation and move from shutdown back into gentle feeling. It can also help restore focus.
Beautiful Rose essential oil is soft, soothing, balancing and nurturing. It is excellent for emotional crisis and when feeling anxious, nervous or distressed.
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 soothe rapid breathing and heartbeat.
Recommended blend
Pop 1 drop of Cypress, 1 drop of Rose and 1 drop of Ylang Ylang onto the cotton stick and secure inside the Aromatherapy Inhaler. Carry this inhaler with you to use when feeling overwhelmed. Take 5 minutes to yourself to inhale the calming aromas, whilst breathing in for a count of 4 and out for a count of 8.
Pre-blended recommendation
Use our Mindful Pulse Point Roller which contains a deeply calming, grounding and soothing blend of Frankincense, Lavender Sage, Spike Lavender, Clary Sage, Sage Dalmation, Patchouli and Petitgrain. Roll onto your wrist pulse points and inhale the scent as directed above.Â
Essential oils for self-esteem and confidence
Sandalwood essential oil is great when you need some nurturing to remind yourself that you are OK! It can help ease frustration and quieten negative thoughts to help you see the truth, rather than believe your thinking.
Sweet Orange essential oil can help lift your spirits when feeling low with your beliefs.
Jasmine is a powerful anti-depressant and is one of the best oils for people lacking in confidence. It supports decision-making and optimism and restores harmony – and is perfect if your self-esteem and confidence worries are exhausting you.
Recommended blend
Take some time for a bit of self-love and self-care, where you’re more likely to notice how wonderful you really are!
Mix 3 drops of Sandalwood, 3 drops of Sweet Orange and 1 drop of Jasmine into 15ml of Bath Oil and pour into the running water of your bath. Lie back and allow yourself to relax and dream. Sink a little more into being kinder to yourself and note that any negative thoughts don’t really mean anything. They aren’t really who you are!Â
Pre-blended recommendation
Try our Sensuality Massage Oil with nurturing Rose, Sandalwood and Ylang Ylang. Show yourself some love and kindness and massage into your body in a direction towards the heart. Concentrate on any 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 nurtures and gently supports deep emotional release.
Bergamot is excellent when grief shows up as low mood, anxiety or exhaustion. It helps to gradually lift emotional heaviness and supports emotional expression.
Cedarwood essential oil is grounding and stabilising and helpful when emotions are exhausting you or causing you to shut down. It can help ground you back into your body and steady the nervous system.
Recommended blend
Grief heals when we meet it with love, rather than force or numbing, so again we recommend taking some time for a gentle, self-caring massage. Mix 3 drops Rose, 2 drops Cedarwood and 1 drop Bergamot into 15ml Grapeseed oil. Massage gently and slowly into your chest and heart area or your whole body for maximum impact.
Pre-blended recommendation
Again, we would recommend using our Sensuality Massage Oil for a spot 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 more active, the important things is to be kind to yourself and allow yourself to be exactly where you are!
Sharon Lovett
Marketing Manager