Anxiety affects all of us at one time or another. For some, it creeps up in middle school when we are given a major assessment. For others, it appears suddenly when we bring home our sleepy newborns from the hospital. Anxiety takes away our peace and leaves us feeling broken. Thankfully, there are some things that we can do to help alleviate the weight of anxiety. To be clear, I'm talking anxiety from everyday stressors. As someone who holds a Bachelors Degree in Psychology, I absolutely recognize that an anxiety disorder is a major mental health issue that should be addressed by a psychologist/psychiatrist. I first discovered essential oils in my early 20's (so 20 something cough cough years ago.) A good friend of mine had cancer and in order to relieve headaches after chemo and to destress, she would rub eucalyptus oil on her temples then down along her cheek bones to her sinuses and back to the temples. Curious, I asked her if she could try it on me. I was surprised at how well it worked. She gave me the bottle, which I still hold onto since her passing, as a reminder of that day. When formulating A Girl's Gotta Spa! bath and body products, adding essential oils were an obvious choice. I truly believe in their benefits. Essential oils can be used for everything from medical ailments to keeping bugs out of your home. I personally love them to help me sleep, focus or destress from daily anxiety. I've rounded up 5 essential oils that can help aid in reducing those every day levels of anxiety: When placed in a diffuser, Lavender Oil has a calming effect on those who inhale it. This is a great essential oil for relaxation. Frankincense Oil is known for its natural anti-depressant properties. This is a good essential oil to keep on hand if you suffer from anxiety attacks. Chamomile is known for its ability to reduce stress hormones (we use chamomile in our plant-based body wash.) It’s also a wonderful sleep aid. Oranges are good for more than just your daily vitamin C intake. Orange Oil has a positive effect on people in stress-inducing situations. It's an uplifting oil and a great way to wake up your senses and/or boost your mood. You'll find this essential oil in our rollerball perfume and bath and body products for this very reason. Ylang Ylang Oil is a great oil to use topically. When applied with a carrier oil to the skin, it will leave you feeling calm and relaxed. There are several ways that you can use these essential oils to aid in reducing anxiety, such as placing them in a diffuser or by using a portable diffuser, such as the kind from Corked. There's aromatherapy jewelry that can be worn all day and roll on applicators you can apply directly to your palms and breathe in. It's become easier than ever to find a way to incorporate essential oils into your lifestyle. If you’ve ever used essential oils to reduce anxiety or another ailment, I’d love to hear about it! Please leave a comment below! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Or check out our natural bath and body line!