Winter blues and essential oils
Throughout the winter months, there are times when we can all feel a little low, the reduced daylight hours and drop in temperature can make us feel flat and lacking in energy. We naturally feel the need to stay indoors more, keep warm and reserve our energy. We call this the winter blues.
Some people feel this more than others and may experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This is a recognised condition, thought to be the result of a lack of exposure to natural light throughout the dark winter months. This affects and changes our hormone levels, resulting in low moods, interruptions in sleep patterns, craving for comfort food and depleted energy.
Using essential oils can be a simple but effective way to beat the winter blues. The essential oils that work particularly well at this time of the year are the citrus, floral and wood-scented essential oils.
The citrus essential oils have strong associations with sunshine and summer, floral scents are strongly linked with pleasure and euphoria while the wood essential oils have the ability to give us strength and purpose.
By blending essential oils from these three categories, you can create an aroma that will fill you with light, joy and energy.
You can apply the oils in a variety of ways to alter your mood and lift your spirits, but I feel the best way is to use our Aroma Spa Diffuser. This creates a fragrant atmosphere that envelops the room, making it easy for you to carry on with your day whilst gently improving your mood.
Add the following essential oils to the water in your Aroma Spa Diffuser:
5 drops of Bergamot Essential Oil
1 drop of Neroli Essential Oil
2 drops of Cedarwood Essential Oil
The combination of these oils smells bright and refreshing with a sweet creamy note and a woody undertone.
Add the following essential oils to the water in your Aroma Spa Diffuser:
5 drops of Mandarin Essential Oil
1 drop of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
2 drops of Frankincense Essential Oil
The combination of these oils smells sweet with a wonderful heady floral note and a clearing woody aroma.
By diffusing either blend you will feel brighter and lighter, and before you know it Spring will be just around the corner!
(Disclaimer – At Tisserand Aromatherapy, we recommend making an appointment to see your GP if you think you might have Seasonal Affective Disorder and you're struggling to cope.)
About Jo Kellett
Our essential oil expert, Jo Kellett TIDHA MIFPA CIMI, graduated from the Tisserand Institute of Holistic Aromatherapy in 1996. She returned to the college in 1999 as an Essential Oil Therapeutics Tutor, where she taught until the college closed. Jo runs a successful private Aromatherapy practice in Brighton, specialising in Women’s health. Jo is also an internationally published author and has lectured on the subject of Aromatherapy both in the UK and abroad.
Some people feel this more than others and may experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This is a recognised condition, thought to be the result of a lack of exposure to natural light throughout the dark winter months. This affects and changes our hormone levels, resulting in low moods, interruptions in sleep patterns, craving for comfort food and depleted energy.
Why Some Essential Oils Will Help More than Others
Using essential oils can be a simple but effective way to beat the winter blues. The essential oils that work particularly well at this time of the year are the citrus, floral and wood-scented essential oils.
The citrus essential oils have strong associations with sunshine and summer, floral scents are strongly linked with pleasure and euphoria while the wood essential oils have the ability to give us strength and purpose.
By blending essential oils from these three categories, you can create an aroma that will fill you with light, joy and energy.
How To Apply
You can apply the oils in a variety of ways to alter your mood and lift your spirits, but I feel the best way is to use our Aroma Spa Diffuser. This creates a fragrant atmosphere that envelops the room, making it easy for you to carry on with your day whilst gently improving your mood.
A favourite blend of mine for this time of year is:
- Bergamot Essential Oil - Citrus aurantium bergamia
- Neroli Essential Oil - Citrus aurantium amara
- Cedarwood (Virginian) Essential Oil - Juniperus virginiana
Add the following essential oils to the water in your Aroma Spa Diffuser:
5 drops of Bergamot Essential Oil
1 drop of Neroli Essential Oil
2 drops of Cedarwood Essential Oil
The combination of these oils smells bright and refreshing with a sweet creamy note and a woody undertone.
Another great blend for this time of year is:
- Mandarin Essential oil - Citrus nobilis
- Ylang Ylang Essential oil - Cananga odorata
- Frankincense Essential oil - Boswellia carterii
Add the following essential oils to the water in your Aroma Spa Diffuser:
5 drops of Mandarin Essential Oil
1 drop of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
2 drops of Frankincense Essential Oil
The combination of these oils smells sweet with a wonderful heady floral note and a clearing woody aroma.
By diffusing either blend you will feel brighter and lighter, and before you know it Spring will be just around the corner!
(Disclaimer – At Tisserand Aromatherapy, we recommend making an appointment to see your GP if you think you might have Seasonal Affective Disorder and you're struggling to cope.)
About Jo Kellett
Our essential oil expert, Jo Kellett TIDHA MIFPA CIMI, graduated from the Tisserand Institute of Holistic Aromatherapy in 1996. She returned to the college in 1999 as an Essential Oil Therapeutics Tutor, where she taught until the college closed. Jo runs a successful private Aromatherapy practice in Brighton, specialising in Women’s health. Jo is also an internationally published author and has lectured on the subject of Aromatherapy both in the UK and abroad.
