DIY Aromatherapy Personal Inhaler to Help us Face our Fears

Fear, that uneasy feeling we all experience, isn’t just a mental state; it significantly impacts our physical health and well-being. When fear strikes, our bodies react. Hearts race, muscles tense, and our minds can feel overwhelmed. Understanding this is the first step in dealing with it.

Physiologically, fear triggers a "fight or flight" response, releasing stress hormones that can harm our bodies if not managed. Emotionally, it can lead to anxiety and affect our everyday lives. Facing our fears is crucial because unaddressed fear can harm our health in the long run.

But fear isn’t invincible. Enter the power of essential oils and aromatherapy. Our sense of smell is incredible - it’s connected directly to the brain, including the parts where fear resides. Certain scents, like lavender and frankincense, can calm our nerves, helping us confront fear. By inhaling these natural aromas, we trigger a response in our brain that says, “You can do this!” It’s like an aromatic courage boost.

Let’s explore fear: what it is, how it affects us, and most importantly, how we can conquer it. Armed with the knowledge of how fear works and the natural magic of essential oils, we can take a step toward a healthier, braver version of ourselves. Let’s embark on this empowering journey together, sniffing our way to courage and well-being.

What is Fear?

Fear, a natural emotion, can make our hearts race and minds feel uneasy. It often stops us from doing things we want to do, affecting our daily lives. But fear doesn’t have to control us. Aromatherapy, using pleasant scents like lavender or frankincense, can help conquer fear. When we smell these scents, our brain's fear center gets a soothing message, making us feel calmer and more courageous. It's like a fragrant shield against fear. By using aromatherapy, we tap into the power of our senses to face fear head-on, helping us feel stronger and more confident. So, take a deep breath, inhale the calming aroma, and step forward with newfound bravery.

Here is a list of 5 essential oils to help us face our fears.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Essential Oil is steam distilled from the leaves of the common culinary herb, Basil The essential oil is slightly minty, herby and fresh and awakening, and offers a quick jolt of calm alertness whenever you smell it.  It’s made up of molecules that are known to be focusing for the mind, and very uplifting. It can help us quickly shift our perspective and see things more clearly so we can face what we need to with courage.

Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) Essential Oil is expressed (squeezed) from the peel of the grapefruit. Its aroma is fruity, citrusy and uplifting. Grapefruit is known to offer an instant mood shift - taking us from feeling foggy-headed and confused - to suddenly feeling clarity and energy. Grapefruit offers us a positive and clear outlook and keeps us alert and present in the moment.  It contains a molecule that is known to be clearing and cleansing, and helps cut through the fog of an unclear overstimulated mind.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Essential Oil  is steam distilled from the leaves of the common Rosemary plant that many of us use in our cooking as a herb. The medicinal properties of the plant have been celebrated for centuries across cultures, and one of the most favorite ways of using the essential oil is to sharpen our thinking, help us remember things and improve our clarity.

Bergamot Essential Oil (Citrus bergamia) is expressed (squeezed) from the peel of the bergamot fruit.  It’s delicately spicy, herbaceous and fruity aroma is instantly uplifting and can encourage us to feel more grounded and productive. Plus, it is the primary molecule that has been shown to clear away stagnation and confused thoughts - while giving us a sense of deep inner resolve.
Frankincense Essential Oil (Boswellia serrata) This species of frankincense essential oil is steam distilled from the resin of the frankincense tree that grows in India.  It has a distinctly different aromatic profile from the frankincense we are more familiar with from East Africa and Oman, but offers very similar benefits.  It is a great oil to choose for soothing away the stress that comes with fearful thoughts, and invites our minds to be still, and open so we can face what we need to face.

Let’s make a DIY aromatherapy inhaler recipe to help us face our fears.

Here are the blending tools you’ll need to make it:

• 1 personal aromatherapy inhaler, you can see what one looks like here.
• 1 tweezer
• 1 small mixing bowl, glass or stainless steel
• 1 mixing spoon, or tiny spatula - don’t use plastic!
• 1 Blank Label 

Ingredients:

• 7 drops of Bergamot Essential Oil
• 2 drops of Basil Essential Oil
• 8 drops of Frankincense Essential Oil
• 8 drops of Grapefruit Essential Oil
• 3 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil

Steps to make DIY Aromatherapy Inhaler Recipe

1. Add all your essential oils to your small mixing bowl and mix well with your metal spoon - don’t use plastic!!
2. Once the essential oils are well blended, place your cotton insert from the inhaler into the bowl and use your spoon to make sure the cotton insert soaks up every drop of your essential oil blend.
3. Using your tweezer, carefully pick up the cotton insert and place it inside the inner chamber of your personal inhaler.
4. Cap the inhaler, give your inhaler a name and write your label and affix to the inhaler tube.

How to Use your DIY Aromatherapy Personal Inhaler to Overcome Fear

Aromatherapy empowers us to confront fears by harnessing the calming influence of scents. When we inhale essential oils like lavender or chamomile, our brain's fear center is gently reassured, promoting relaxation and courage. The soothing aromas act as emotional anchors, grounding us in moments of fear and anxiety. This sensory experience helps break the cycle of worry, enabling us to face challenges with a clearer, calmer mind. Aromatherapy becomes our fragrant ally, providing the strength needed to navigate through fear and emerge resilient on the other side. 

Here’s how best to use your personal inhaler so you can build up your courage and determination. Whenever you find yourself feeling fearful, take out your personal aromatherapy inhaler, uncap it, and in slow breaths, hold the inhaler under your nose and breathe.  Allow the blend of aromas to calm the worry in your mind, and offer you a sense of groundedness and inner strength.  You can sniff your personal aromatherapy inhaler as often as needed throughout the day and night.

In Conclusion

Incorporating an aromatherapy inhaler into your daily routine can significantly enhance your emotional well-being. By inhaling soothing scents of basil, grapefruit, frankincense, and rosemary, you’ll activate a direct pathway to your brain that triggers feelings of inner strength and resilience - and courage.

This natural method offers a portable and convenient way to instantly lift your mood, reduce stress, and boost your overall outlook on life. As science supports the power of aromatherapy to influence emotions, embracing this simple yet effective practice empowers you to take control of your mental state, fostering a brighter and more optimistic perspective on each day.