Best Essential Oils to Promote Gratitude
Aromatherapy and essential oils have become increasingly popular for their ability to bring about a sense of calm and relaxation. But did you know that they can also promote feelings of gratitude? In this article, we’ll explore the power of aromatherapy to create an atmosphere conducive to thankfulness, from diffusing oils to topical applications and even household cleaning. We’ll also provide a list of popular essential oils and blends that are known to further enhance the effects of aromatherapy when it comes to cultivating feelings of appreciation.
The Power of Aromatherapy for Gratitude
For centuries, aromatherapy has been used to reduce stress and anxiety. This practice uses essential oils to create a calming or uplifting atmosphere that can have a positive effect on both the mind and the body. The inhalation of essential oils triggers changes in mood, stress levels, and energy — all of which can be beneficial for strengthening feelings of gratitude.
Popular Essential Oils for Gratitude
From the calming effects of lavender to the uplifting properties of frankincense, essential oils can be used in a variety of ways to promote thankfulness and peace. Below are some of the top essential oils for gratitude.
Lavender Essential Oil: Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils for gratitude due to its calming floral scent and ability to reduce stress. It’s made by steam distilling the flowers of the lavender plant and can be diffused into an area or applied topically with a carrier oil for effective results.
Frankincense Essential Oil: Frankincense is derived from the resin (or sap) of the Boswellia tree, which grows in Northeast Africa and India. It is known for its uplifting qualities which help promote mental clarity and focus while also encouraging feelings of thankfulness.
Rosemary Essential Oil: Rosemary comes from the rosemary plant and has invigorating properties that are said to increase alertness and improve concentration while providing emotional support during times of stress or sadness.
Clary Sage Essential Oil: Clary sage is made by steam-distilling the leaves of the sage plant and has been traditionally used for hundreds of years in clearing rituals and to boost happiness and relieve stress while providing emotional balance.
Cedarwood Essential Oil: Cedarwood has a deep woodsy scent and is known for its calming effects which can help provide relief from physical tension and mental fatigue while offering spiritual protection.
Bergamot Essential Oil: Bright and uplifting, bergamot is derived by cold-pressing the peels of the bergamot citrus fruit. It is ideal for promoting feelings of joy, inspiration, and contentment, while also energizing the body and mind.
Essential Oil Applications for Gratitude
There are a variety of ways you can use essential oils to encourage feelings of gratitude, including the following:
- Diffusion: Add 2 to 3 drops of essential oils, like frankincense, cedarwood, or rosemary to an essential oil diffuser with water, and diffuse in your home or office. (Ensure the area is well-ventilated and that you are not around children, pets, or anyone with respiratory conditions).
- Topical Application: You can also use essential oils topically by combining them with a carrier oil — such as 2 drops of lavender and 1 drop of clary sage with 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil — and gently massaging the mixture onto the neck and chest area before bedtime or when needing an extra boost.
- Soak: Essential oils can be added to a warm bath to relax the body and free the mind to focus on inner peace. Simply combine 3 drops of rosemary essential oil and 2 drops of lavender essential oil with ½ teaspoon of honey and stir it into a warm bath.
- Cleaning DIYs: When used as part of a household cleaning routine, essential oils can help create an atmosphere that encourages positive thoughts by providing pleasant fragrances throughout your home or workplace. Check out this article for some DIY cleaning recipes.
Choosing the Right Essential Oils
When buying essential oils, it’s important to choose high-quality, therapeutic grade oils. Many oils or blends may contain synthetic ingredients that could compromise their effects, so make sure you select only 100% pure essential oils that are USDA Organic and either steam distilled or cold-pressed. Cliganic offers a wide variety of organic essential oils that can be used to promote gratitude, including a Reinforce Blend that has a stimulating scent to encourage deeper breathing and feelings of peace and calm.
Final Thoughts
Different essential oils have different effects when it comes to promoting inner peace and thankfulness. To find the right combination for you, try experimenting by blending several of the essential oils listed in this article to further enhance their effects. Whether you use them in diffusers, apply them topically, or add them to DIYs, these powerful tools are sure to help inspire feelings of gratitude in your day-to-day life. To learn more about how you can use essential oils to improve your well-being this fall, take a look at this article: Essential Oils Blends for Thanksgiving.