Easing Burnout with Aromatherapy: A Natural Approach to Revitalization
Burnout has become an increasingly prevalent issue in our fast-paced, high-stress world. As we navigate the challenges of modern life, many of us turn to natural practices, such as aromatherapy, to help ease burnout symptoms and restore balance. Essential oils offer a holistic approach to managing burnout symptoms and promoting overall well-being. (Look for the ⭐️s in each section below for recipe ideas.)
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In this Post:
- Understanding Burnout Symptoms
- The Power of Aromatherapy
- Essential Oils to Reduce Stress
- Essential Oils to Uplift Your Spirits and Boost Your Mood
- Essential Oils to Enhance Self-Esteem
- Essential Oils to Boost Motivation
- Essential Oils to Enhance Focus and Mental Clarity
- Essential Oils to Improve Sleep Quality
- Incorporating Aromatherapy into Your Daily Routine
- Mom's Burnout Symptom Support Shopping List
Understanding Burnout Symptoms
Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of stress. It can manifest in various ways, including:
- Chronic fatigue
- Decreased motivation
- Reduced productivity
- Emotional detachment
- Sleep disturbances
- Weakened immune system.
Recognizing these symptoms is the first step in addressing burnout. While professional help may be necessary in severe cases, incorporating aromatherapy into your daily routine can provide significant support in managing burnout symptoms and promoting recovery.
The Power of Aromatherapy
When it comes to burnout, essential oils can offer multiple benefits:
- Stress reduction
- Mood enhancement
- Improved sleep quality
- Increased ability to focus
- Mental clarity
- Boosted energy levels.
Essential oils can be powerful allies in combating burnout symptoms, especially when used as part of a comprehensive approach that includes proper rest, nutrition, and stress management techniques.
🌺See my Recommended Suppliers below
Essential Oils to Reduce Stress
Chronic stress is a primary contributor to burnout. The following essential oils have been shown to have calming and stress-reducing properties:
- Geranium (Pelargonium asperum): Known for its balancing effect on emotions, Geranium essential oil can help alleviate anxiety and promote relaxation.
- Sweet Basil (Ociumum basilicum): This herb-derived oil has adaptogenic properties, helping the body cope with stress more effectively. I often refer to Sweet Basil as a Warm Hug essential oil.
- Lime (Citrus x aurantifolia): The fresh, citrusy scent of Lime essential oil oil can uplift mood and reduce stress-induced tension.
⭐️Try Yawn Away morning diffuser blend with Sweet Basil and Lime to get the whole family started on the right foot.
Essential Oils to Uplift Your Spirits and Boost Your Mood
Burnout often leads to feelings of depression and emotional exhaustion. These essential oils can help elevate mood and restore emotional balance:
- Grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi): The bright, energizing aroma of Grapefruit essential oil can combat fatigue and promote a positive outlook. Grapefruit and Lavandin is one of my favorite pairings.
- Spearmint (Mentha spicata): With its refreshing scent, Spearmint essential oil can help clear the mind and boost spirits.
- Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus/E. radiata): Known for its invigorating properties, Eucalyptus essential oil can help combat mental fatigue and promote clarity.
⭐️Grapefruit and Spearmint come together in Awake essential oil blend—diffuse, make a room spray, use in a roll-on or body lotion!
Essential Oils to Enhance Self-Esteem
Burnout can significantly impact self-esteem and confidence. These essential oils may help restore a sense of self-worth:
- Virginian Cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana): The grounding aroma of Cedarwood essential oil can promote feelings of stability and self-assurance.
- Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia): Known for its purifying properties, Tea Tree essential oil can help clear negative thoughts and promote mental strength.
- Blue Tansy (Tanacetum annuum): This incredible blue essential oil is prized for its ability to calm the mind and promote emotional balance. [NOTE: May interact with SSRI and CYP2D medications.]
⭐️Self-Esteem Roll-On
- 1 drop Blue Tansy (Tanacetum annuum)
- 2 drops Virginian Cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana)
- 2 drops Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
- Jojoba Oil/Wax (Simmondsia chinensis)
Combine essential oils in 10ml roller bottle. Top with Jojoba. Cap & rock to combine.
Apply to pulse points as needed throughout the day.
🌺See my Recommended Suppliers below
Essential Oils to Boost Motivation
When experiencing burnout symptoms, motivation often plummets. These essential oils can help reignite your inner drive:
- Ginger (Zingiber officinale): The spicy, warming scent of Ginger essential oil can stimulate the senses and promote motivation.
- Frankincense (Boswellia carteri): Known for its meditative properties, Frankincense essential oil can help clear the mind and focus intentions.
- Thyme (Thymus vulgaris ct linalool): This herb-derived essential oil is believed to promote courage and strength, helping to overcome mental barriers. Use the gentle linalool chemotype to support energy.
⭐️Put this fan favorite Energize Me! roll-on together and experience the motivating energy of Ginger.
⭐️Frankinshine combines several types of Frankincense for an aromatically uplifting essential oil blend.
Essential Oils to Enhance Focus and Mental Clarity
Burnout symptoms often manifest as mental fog and difficulty concentrating. These essential oils can help sharpen focus and improve mental clarity:
- Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis/Salvia rosmarinus): Known for its cognitive-enhancing properties, Rosemary essential oil can improve memory and mental performance.
- Peppermint (Mentha x piperita): The invigorating scent of Peppermint essential oil can boost alertness and enhance concentration.
- Lemon (Citrus x limon): With its bright, citrusy aroma, Lemon essential oil can help clear mental cobwebs and improve focus.
⭐️You’ll find Rosemary, Peppermint, and Lemon essential oils blended in Morning Lemon Aid diffuser blend.
Essential Oils to Improve Sleep Quality
Quality sleep is crucial for recovering from burnout. These essential oils can help promote restful sleep:
- Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): Widely recognized for its calming properties, Lavender essential oil can help reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality.
Learn more about Lavender essential oil and the many ways you can use it to support sleep and general wellness in my book Lavender: Lavender Recipes & the Plant Behind the Oil. You’ll find Lavender at:
- My Etsy Store (signed paperback, US)
- Amazon (paperback & Kindle Unlimited, international).
- German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita/ M. chamomilla): This gentle essential oil oil is known for its soothing effects, helping to quiet the mind and prepare for sleep. As an herb, you’ll find German Chamomile in my Better Than Basic Chamomile Tea.
- Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile): This has a floral appely aroma, and is a lovely combined with Lavender for little ones struggling with sleep
- ⭐Combine 1 drop Roman Chamomile and 2 drops Lavender in 1 ounce unscented lotion. Massage gently into shoulders, back, and feet at bedtime.
- Valerian: Often called Nature’s Valium, Valerian essential oil can help promote deep, restorative sleep. This essential oil is powerful in strength and aroma—just a drop will do. More on Valerian for sleep support.
⭐Try this Sleep Assist Roll-On with Lavender and German Chamomile.
⭐Roman Chamomile is also excellent for skin care. Try it in this easy-to-make Pink Lady Lip Scrub. Incorporating a bit of self-care goes a long way to improving a sense of well-being.
Incorporating Aromatherapy into Your Daily Routine
To maximize the benefits of essential oils in combating burnout symptoms, consider the following strategies:
- Create custom blends for different needs—a “focus blend” for work, a “relaxation blend” for evenings.
- Use a diffuser with an intermittent setting to disperse supportive essential oil blends throughout the day.
- Create easy-access inhalers with your favorite supportive essential oil blends.
- Apply roll-on blends to pulse points for on-the-go aromatherapy.
- Add essential oils to liquid hand soaps and body oils, or combine with your favorite carrier and Himalayan salt for a bath soak.
- Use essential oil-infused room sprays for immediate targeted support.
Remember, consistency is key. Regular use of essential oils, combined with other self-care practices, can significantly contribute to managing burnout symptoms and promoting overall well-being.
By incorporating essential oils into a comprehensive self-care routine, you can create a powerful toolkit for combating burnout and revitalizing your energy. Experiment with different essential oils and methods to find what works best for you, and enjoy the journey towards balance and vitality.
Mom’s Burnout Symptom Support Shopping List
It’s so tempting to get ALL the essential oils—believe me, I know! I suggest thinking about where you need the most support right now. Is is stress reduction, sleep support, focus, motivation, emotional uplift, or self-esteem? Incorporate those particular essential oils into your daily routine as discussed above. And remember, all essential oils can provide you with support in multiple ways!
These are my preferred suppliers for the essential oils mentioned above:
- Blue Tansy essential oil (Tanacetum annuum):
- Aromatics International, organic
- Plant Therapy, sustainable (Direct and Amazon)
- Cypress essential oil (Cupressus sempervirens):
- Aromatics International, organic
- Plant Therapy, organic (Direct and Amazon).
- Eucalyptus globulus essential oil:
- Aromatics International, organic
- Plant Therapy, organic (Direct and Amazon).
- Eucalyptus radiata essential oil:
- Aromatics International, organic
- Plant Therapy organic (Direct and Amazon).
- Frankincense Carteri essential oil (Boswellia carteri):
- This is a precious species, threatened by over-harvesting, choose your supplier wisely
- Aromatics International, organic💛
- Plant Therapy, organic (Direct or Amazon).
- Geranium essential oil (Pelargonium asperum):
- Aromatics International, organic Rose Geranium
- Plant Therapy, organic Egyptian Geranium (Direct and Amazon)💛
- Plant Therapy, sustainable Bourbon Geranium (Direct and Amazon).
- German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita/M. chamomilla):
- Plant Therapy, organic (Direct and Amazon)
- Aromatics International, organic
- TIP: Aromatics’ organic German Chamomile Hydrosol is great for soothing skin irritation.
- Ginger essential oil (Zingiber officinalis):
- Aromatics International, organic distilled
- Plant Therapy, distilled, sustainable (Direct and Amazon)
- Plant Therapy, organic CO2 (Direct and Amazon).
- Pink/Rose Grapefruit essential oil (Citrus x paradisi):
- Aromatics International, organic, Rose
- Plant Therapy, organic, Pink (Direct and Amazon).
- Lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia):
- Aromatics International, organic artisan (grown and distilled in Montana)
- Plant Therapy, organic (Direct and Amazon)
- TIP: Plant Therapy’s Lavender Hydrosol (Direct and Amazon) is lovely for skin care and general aromatherapy.
- Lemon essential oil (Citrus x limon):
- Aromatics International, organic
- Edens Garden, sustainable (on Amazon)
- Plant Therapy, organic (Direct and Amazon).
- Lime essential oil (Citrus x aurantifolia):
- Aromatics International, organic, distilled
- Plant Therapy, sustainable, distilled (Direct and Amazon)
- Edens Garden, sustainable, distilled (on Amazon).
- Peppermint essential oil (Mentha x piperita):
- Aromatics International, organic
- Plant Therapy, organic (Direct and Amazon).
- Roman Chamomile essential oil (Chamaemelum nobile):
- Plant Therapy, organic (Direct and Amazon)
- Aromatics International, organic.
- Rosemary essential oil (Rosmarinus officinalis / Salvia rosmarinus):
- Aromatics International, organic, Rosemary camphor and Rosemary verbenone
- Edens Garden, sustainable, “Spanish” Rosemary camphor (on Amazon)
- Plant Therapy, organic, Rosemary 1,8-cineole (Direct and Amazon).
- Spearmint essential oil (Mentha spicata):
- Plant Therapy, organic (Direct and Amazon)
- Aromatics International, organic.
- Sweet Basil essential oil (Ocimum basilicum):
- Plant Therapy, organic (Direct and Amazon)
- Aromatics International, organic.
- Tea Tree essential oil (Melaleuca alternifolia):
- Aromatics International, organic
- Plant Therapy, organic (Direct and Amazon)
- TIP: Plant Therapy’s Tea Tree Hydrosol is excellent for skin care (Direct and Amazon).
- Thyme essential oil (Thymus vulgaris) – both chemotypes:
- Aromatics International, ct linalool (gentle), organic
- Plant Therapy, ct linalool (gentle), sustainable (Direct and Amazon)
- Aromatics International, ct thymol (powerful), organic
- Plant Therapy, ct thymol (powerful), organic (Direct and Amazon).
- Valerian essential oil (Valeriana officinalis):
- not a common essential
- Edens Garden, sustainable (on Amazon).
- Virginian Cedarwood essential oil (Juniperus virginiana):
- Aromatics International, wildcrafted
- Plant Therapy, sustainable (Direct and Amazon).
- Jojoba oil/wax (Simmondsia chinensis):
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is for educational purposes only.
All recipes provided are for personal use and are not designed for re-sale or large-scale manufacturing.
Please consult your doctor, naturopath, herbal practitioner, or other qualified health professional for medical advice and before starting any herbal regimen, particularly if you are pregnant or nursing, have any existing medical conditions, or are taking any medications.
Chris P | Author, Certified Aromatherapist, Natural Skin Care Formulator
Chris (“Mom”) enjoys formulating bespoke aromatherapy, skin care, and herbal products to support her family, pets, friends, and clients. She also loves experimenting with recipes in the kitchen. An avid reader, writer, and lifetime learner, Chris enthusiastically explores research rabbit holes and then writes about her discoveries.💚 (Learn more >>)
