It’s that time of year. When the weather starts getting colder and the days shorter and darker, it makes it harder for me to get off the couch!
Overall I consider myself to have ‘high-functioning anxiety.’ I know some people struggle with much more severe anxiety, so I feel really lucky that mine’s manageable without medication.
It still effects my relationships and my daily life. Meditation, positive affirmations and, more recently, essential oils are all things I use to cope with my anxiety.
I learned a lot about oils from friends and did a ton of google research, but I still had so many questions about how they can help with anxiety. That’s why I reached out to a certified aromatherapist, and I’m sharing all her tips here with you. I hope they’re helpful!
Meet Sammi Boerner!
Sammi owns her own aromarapy, health and lifestyle coaching business in Minnesota. (Do you even need to know more? A midwest girl? I love her already!)
She’s a busy woman. Besides being a certified aromatherapist and health coach, she’s an author. She wrote Essential Oils for Promoting Weight Loss a book all about using essential oils for weight loss and a mood boost!
I came across her book while researching essential oils for myself, and when I reached out she quickly agreed to do an interview.
Today I’m sharing all her knowledge about essential oils and anxiety. So turn on your diffuser, and if you don’t have one yet keep reading anyways, because she’s about to help you relax like you’re somewhere on a beach, even though you’re probably not.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS AN AROMATHERAPIST AND HEALTH COACH, HOW DID YOU GET HERE?
SAMMI: About 3 years ago, I had reached a breaking point and knew something needed to change. I was overweight, unhappy, struggling to deal with anxiety, OCD, insomnia, and panic disorder, as well as in a toxic job. I quit my job and started working at my dad’s appliance business while I worked on improving myself.
I started working with a chiropractor and initially had a goal of just losing 5 pounds (which I thought was unrealistic). About 6 months later, I had lost almost 50 pounds, decreased my anxiety medication, discontinued my insomnia medication, improved my cholesterol, and realized how good I can feel! After that, I knew I wanted to help others. I started health coaching and aromatherapy training so I could help others. And I wrote a book called Essential Oils for Promoting Weight Loss! I love sharing my story and being able to help others realize they can reach their goals.
DO YOU TREAT PEOPLE FOR ANXIETY?
SAMMI: Essential oils, flower essences, and coaching do not treat or cure conditions; however, they can reduce symptoms that come with anxiety and create balance in the body.
HOW DO YOU HELP PEOPLE WHO HAVE ANXIETY PROBLEMS?
SAMMI: Essential oils and flower essences are great at helping people cope with anxiety. They can quiet the mind, calm the nervous system, reduce excessive worrying, release muscle tension, improve sleep, and more! All of this helps the nervous system out of ‘fight or flight’ mode and into ‘rest and digest’ mode.
WHAT ARE THE BEST PRACTICES FOR USING ESSENTIAL OILS?
SAMMI: They’re highly concentrated liquids created with aromatic plant material. Plant materials—such as flowers, woods, grasses, leaves, roots, resins, twigs, fruits, and needles—are harvested and put through either the process of distillation or expression to produce essential oils. The number of essential oils is constantly growing, and researchers continue to learn more about which oils are useful as remedies. When using essential oils, always remember, less is more!
HOW SHOULD I GO ABOUT USING ESSENTIAL OILS?
SAMMI: I recommend using essential oils topically and aromatically. Internal use of essential oils is a controversial topic. I do not recommend internal use unless you consult with an aromatherapist who specializes in internal use. Due to the high concentration of plant material, use extreme caution when using internally. Essential oils can be used topically when diluted with a carrier oil or added to products such as lotions, gels, and salves. Essential oils can be used aromatically by adding to a diffuser, taking deep breaths holding the bottle near your nose, putting a couple drops in your palms and taking deep breaths, or adding them in an aromatherapy inhaler.
WHAT OILS DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR ANXIETY?
SAMMI: Anxiety affects each person differently so it totally depends on the goal and symptom. Here are some that I like to use:
- Clary Sage – Calms the nervous system, reduces anxiety, calms anger/agitation, improves depression, and provides mental clarity.
- Frankincense – Reduces anxiety, relieves tension, helps you feel protected, heals emotional trauma, and improves focus.
- Lavender – Soothes anxiety, helps you feel balanced, improves depressive thoughts, calms the mind, and releases tension in the mind and body.
- Vetiver – Grounding, clears the mind, slows racing thoughts, provides a sense of security, calms the mind, prevents mental burnout, and boosts confidence.
- Ylang Ylang – Soothes anxiety, reduces anger/agitation, boosts self-confidence, relieves nervous tension, improves depression, increases self-love, and improves the mood.
CAN I JUST USE THEM WHEN I’M STRESSED OR SHOULD I USE THEM EVERY DAY?
SAMMI: Either/or depending on your goals! I love to use essential oils daily to create balance in the mind and body, which in turn reduces stress and anxiety. I also love to use essential oils as needed for anxiety, digestive upsets, excessive worrying, headaches, etc.
WHY DO THEY WORK?
SAMMI: Plants have numerous healing properties! Essential oils are created with plant material to offer those healing properties with ease.
ANY OTHER ADVICE FOR REALLY STRESSFUL DAYS?
SAMMI: Take deep breaths, practice grounding, focus on the now (NOT the past or future), and always have essential oils on hand!
If you’re interested in working with Sammi or for more on her products head over to her website. You can also follow her at @sagemindandbodymn on Instagram and Facebook.
Go to my instagram to see what oils I’m using for my anxiety.
