Tiny bottles, big changes.

(No guru robes required — just deep inhales and great smells).

If life feels like a blender stuck on puree mode, aromatherapy might be the gentle reset button your nervous system has been begging for. We’re talking real smell science that meets real life — not woo-woo fluff that sits in the corner and looks at you all kinds of side eye for not meditating every morning. Life is judgy enough.

I first started using essential oils about 13 years ago. A friend of mine from afar saw my social media cry for help with my life long anxiety. I was on meds for yearrrrrs. This little box arrived on my doorstep and within 2 weeks, there changes I wouldn't have thought possible. My husband noticed them first. And despite being the blokiest of blokes, told me to keep all the diffusers going, no matter how floraly the house smelled. And if my sanity meant I was going to go full hippie and stop shaving, well....it was worth it.

I never looked back. I made a career, that to this day, has Aromatherapy as the foundation of all that I do.

Aromatherapy uses plant-based essential oils to influence mood and nervous system responses. When you inhale a scent, molecules interact with your olfactory system (your smell sensors) → send signals to the limbic system (your internal emotional control centre) → and boom: your mood, stress levels, and sense of calm can shift.

Yes — real science supports this. Let’s dive in, have a breathe, and maybe drop those tight shoulders a bit along the way.

What the Research Actually Says

Here are studies that back up what many of us have felt intuitively:

Lavender

Calm. Chill. Sleepy vibes. Multiple studies show lavender essential oil can reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality.📄 Study spotlight: Inhalation of lavender oil reduced anxiety in adults undergoing stressful tasks. (Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine)🔗 https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/acm.2012.0443

Uplifting without jitters. Research suggests bergamot aromatherapy may lower cortisol (stress hormone) and improve mood. It's a studio favourite of mine! 📄 Study spotlight: Bergamot oil inhalation reduced cortisol and perceived stress. (Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine)🔗 https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2015/864875/

Chamomile

Gentle calm for frazzled nervous systems. Often used for relaxation and sleep support, chamomile shows anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) potential. 📄 Study spotlight: Chamomile extract showed reductions in anxiety symptoms compared with placebo. (Phytomedicine)🔗 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0944711316300649

Peppermint

Sharper focus, clearer thinking. A study found that peppermint aroma enhanced performance on cognitive tasks and improved alertness. Pop on a few drops before a work out, rub on your chest, take a few inhales and watch your workout have a massive caffeine hit.

International Journal of Neuroscience)🔗 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00207450600571249

Quick note: Aromatherapy isn’t a replacement for clinical treatment — but it’s a powerful, evidence-supported tool you can use alongside other wellness practices.

How This Actually Fits in Your Day

Real life is busy. The point isn’t perfection — and PLEASE don't overthink this! Be intuitive, grab an oil and use it. It really is that simple.

Here are ways your nervous system will thank you:

Morning Ritual

Diffuse a citrus or peppermint blend while getting ready. Your brain wakes up without coffee throwing you all kinds of stress signals.

Midday Stress Break

Keep a roller with bergamot + lavender in your bag. One slow inhale when your shoulders reach your earlobes — instant reset.

Bedtime

Diffuse lavender or chamomile 30 minutes before bed. Research shows this can improve sleep onset and quality. 🔗 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18179603/

Safe and Simple Ways to Use Essential Oils

You don’t need fancy gear. Just follow safe practices. 👇

Diffusers

Best for bedrooms, offices, living areas. Adds scent to the air without effort. Plus it can help every who walks in the room. Perfect for kitchen crazy hours, morning wake up calls and bedtime wind downs.

Direct Inhalation

Put 1–2 drops on a tissue or cotton pad or on your palms, rub them together and take slow breaths — especially during stressful moments.

Roller Bottles

Dilute oils with a carrier (like jojoba) and keep near your pulse points. Think wrists, heart, neck.

Baths

Add a few drops to your Epsom salt bath. I'm a huge fan of baths! Even if it's just for 10 minutes, your whole body with thank you.

Safety first: Always dilute for skin use; avoid in eyes and sensitive areas. Patch test if you’re new to topicals. Avoid certain oils around pregnancy, pets, or medical conditions unless advised by a professional.

Quick Picks for Mental Wellbeing

Goal	Essential Oils That Help
Calm anxiety	Lavender, Marjoram, Ylang Ylang
Improve mood	Bergamot, Orange
Boost focus	Peppermint, Rosemary, Lemon
Sleep support	Lavender, Cedarwood, Valerian

A Reminder That Matters

Your nervous system doesn’t need you to be perfect. That's just going to make it more cray cray. It needs you to feel safe, supported, and given little signals that say, “You’ve got this.”

Aromatherapy doesn’t fix everything (maybe like 97 out of your 100 problems) — but it’s one of the easiest, most accessible tools for emotional support that actually feels good.

Tiny bottles. Real science. Big changes.