Meditation is a powerful practice used all over the world by people of all ages and faiths to help achieve calm, clarity and relaxation in the mind, body and spirit. Meditation is a practice in mindfulness, stillness and breathing, training your attention and awareness to allow you to better regulate stress, grow your spirituality, increase self-awareness, reduce anxiety, overcome grief and even access deeper thoughts and consciousness.
Meditation takes Practice
Regardless of your intention or spirituality, incorporating meditation into your daily routine can be an extremely rewarding practice. But it’s called a practice for a reason! It’s not always easy to quieten the noises and distractions of daily life, even for 5 minutes a day. Creating a meditation nook or corner in your home can help to support your meditation experience and your ability to relax into it. Fragrances, candles, cushions, blankets, and music are all popular elements to incorporate to improve a meditation practice or routine.
Enhancing Your Meditation Experience with Essential Oils
The use of essential oils in particular can enhance your meditation experience by providing calming, grounding or invigorating fragrances to accompany you on your inner journey. Different scents offer a wide range of properties, so it’s really a personal choice and a balance between what scents attract you and what benefits you’re seeking. In addition, many essential oils can be blended, working wonderfully together to promote a concoction of different benefits.
4 Ways to Use Essential Oils for Meditation
1. Massage*
Blend a few drops of essential oil with a carrier or massage oil and massage the blend into your skin.
2. Pulse Points
Dab a few drops of essential oil to your pulse points or your third eye (the space between your eyes).
3. Diffuser
Add a few drops of essential oil to a diffuser, such as a candle or misting diffuser.
4. Topical Use*
Rub a couple of drops between your hands and onto your feet, or place your palms across your face so that you can inhale the scent directly.
Depending on the methods you use, you can do these before, during or after your meditation session to immerse yourself in the beautiful fragrances of your chosen essential oils. It’s best to test an essential oil on a small part of your skin prior to topical use*, and make sure to avoid sensitive areas, including the eyes.
The Best Essential Oils for Meditation
To promote a calming and grounding effect, ylang ylang, vetiver, sandalwood, cedarwood or rose are all wonderful options. For a more invigorating experience, choose a citrus such as orange or lime. If you wish to create a relaxing environment, perhaps if you’re meditating before bed, then lavender or chamomile essential oils are perfect.
You can also experiment with blends, or choose blended essential oils that are specifically designed to promote such things as healing, peace, or deeper love.
Each oil has a complex profile with a range of effects, so it’s ideal to try a few and see which ones you truly enjoy.
*Prior to using essential oils on your skin consult your doctor and/or dermatologist.