Self-care and prioritizing mental health is always an important topic, especially for college students. Let’s be real: stress can be a daily occurrence for many of us. However, studies have shown that the pandemic has actually made college students’ mental health worse. The new stressors of daily symptom checks and trying to get used to a “new normal” just pile on top of the ever-present stressors of college life like balancing classes, work, and other obligations. If you need to decompress, then you might want to try aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy with essential oils isn’t a new method of relaxation – it’s actually been used for 6,000 years! There are many various ways to use essential oils for aromatherapy, but some methods require a little more TLC than others to make sure you’re using them safely. Before you read on, please note that essential oils are still natural chemicals and can be harmful if used improperly or if ingested.
A few of the most common ways to use essential oils to relax are dry evaporation, diffusing, or rubbing it into your skin. Dry evaporation is fairly easy and inexpensive as it only requires a cotton ball or a piece of fabric and the essential oil of your choice. Simply put a few drops of the oil on the cotton ball or fabric (you can even put a few drops on your pillowcase!) and hold it up to your nose to inhale the scent. If you prefer not to inhale it directly, feel free to just let the scent disperse naturally, and feel the relaxing aroma work its magic.
Diffusing with essential oils may cost a little extra, unless you already have a diffuser hanging out in your closet somewhere. There are many types of diffusers from ceramic, to electric, and even reed diffusers. Whichever type you choose, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions on diffusing with oils, as each diffuser will be different.
Rubbing essential oils into your skin will definitely make it easy for you to inhale their aroma. Once you choose your essential oil, you MUST mix it with a carrier oil to dilute it. Essential oils are very strong and concentrated, so they can cause allergic reactions if put on the skin directly. However, once they’re mixed with a cold-pressed vegetable oil like sunflower, jojoba, or sweet almond oil, they are safe to rub into your skin.
Now you may be wondering what essential oils you should choose – which it’s true, there is a MAJOR selection out there to pick from. Some of the more popular essential oils for anxiety and stress relief are bergamot, orange, chamomile, lavender, and even orange blossom. You may like the scent of one of these better, or you may find a favorite essential oil that calms your mind – just be sure to find what works for you.