The Benefits Of Essential Oils for Stress While Working from Home

Working from home can feel like a blessing and a whirlwind all at once. As a mum trying to run a business or manage a job from the kitchen table, it’s easy to feel like you’re juggling ten things at once—because you are. Between the school runs, snack demands, Zoom calls, and laundry piles, it’s no wonder many of us feel like we’re constantly on edge.

Unlike the structure of a traditional office, working from home blends the boundaries of work and life in a way that can sometimes be more draining than freeing. And as mums, we often put our own needs last.

That’s exactly why I turned to essential oils for stress.

Essential oils have become my go-to for staying grounded, focused, and energized, even on the messiest of days.

If you’re not sure where to start, this post on the best smelling essential oils is a lovely intro to scents that can lift your mood in an instant.

But for now, I’ll walk you through how I use essential oils for stress, anxiety, focus, and energy as part of my everyday routine. These little bottles of plant power have honestly helped me calm the chaos in more ways than I expected.

Whether you’re trying to meet a deadline or simply survive until bedtime, there’s an oil for that! 🙂

Why Essential Oils Work

Many mums find that integrating essential oils into their daily routine provides more than just a lovely scent — especially when using essential oils for stress management and emotional balance.

Essential oils are basically nature’s way of giving us a helping hand. They’re powerful plant extracts that interact with our brain through scent. When we inhale them, they send signals to our limbic system — that’s the part of our brain that deals with emotions, mood, and memory.

So, when you’re diffusing oils like lavender or peppermint, you’re not just enjoying a lovely scent — you’re actually influencing how your brain and body respond to stress, focus, and fatigue.

Even a few minutes of deep breathing with your favourite blend can help reset your mood and calm that frantic energy we all get on busy days.

Curious about how it all works? This beginner-friendly guide to essential oil aromatherapy breaks it down beautifully.

Best Essential Oils for Stress Relief and Anxiety

Some days feel like everything is just a bit too much. These are the essential oils for stress and anxiety that I reach for when I need to feel calm, centered, and emotionally balanced:

1. Lavender

• Soothing and relaxing — like a cozy hug in a bottle.
• Known for lowering stress levels and promoting rest.
• I love diffusing this in the evenings while making dinner.

2. Bergamot

• Bright and citrusy, but still calming.
• Helps ease anxious thoughts and lift your mood.

3. Frankincense

• Earthy and grounding.
• I like to pair this with journaling or meditation.

4. Ylang Ylang

• Beautiful floral scent.
• Great for balancing mood swings and easing tension.

My Favorite Essential Oil Blend for Stress:

2 drops Lavender + 2 drops Bergamot in the diffuser during afternoon meltdowns (mine or the kids’!). It’s one of my go-to essential oils for stress relief and emotional balance.

Best Essential Oils for Focus and Productivity

Let’s be honest—trying to focus with little ones around is no easy feat. These oils help me stay clear-headed when I’ve got work to do:

1. Peppermint

• Crisp and invigorating.
• I keep a roller bottle of peppermint and coconut oil at my desk.

2. Rosemary

• Great for memory and mental clarity.
• Ideal for deep work time or writing sessions.

3. Basil

• Slightly spicy and stimulating.
• Helps when I’m mentally fatigued or hitting that 3 PM wall.

4. Lemon

• Sunny and fresh.
• Boosts mood and helps me stay on task.

My Favorite Essential Oil Blend for Focus:

I often mix 2 drops of rosemary and lemon in the diffuser while working—it gives me that “let’s get things done” vibe. Sometimes, I’ll add a drop of lavender too when I need both focus and a little help to ease some stress.

Best Essential Oils for Energy and Motivation

We’ve all had those days where even coffee doesn’t cut it. These oils help lift my energy naturally, and they pair well with essential oils for stress when you’re feeling both tired and tense:

1. Grapefruit

• Smells like sunshine.
• Perfect for starting the day on a high note.

2. Eucalyptus

• Sharp and refreshing.
• Clears out brain fog—especially helpful on Monday mornings.

3. Orange

• Sweet and happy.
• My go-to when I need to reset my mood.

4. Cinnamon

• Warm and spicy.
• Gives a little mental jolt when I feel sluggish.

My Favorite Essential Oil Blend for Motivation:

Try This Blend: 2 drops Grapefruit + 2 drops Orange + 1 drop Cinnamon in your morning diffuser to kickstart your motivation. It’s one of my favourite essential oils for energy!

Easy Ways to Use Essential Oils in Your Work-From-Home Routine

Here’s how I sneak essential oils into my day (even with kiddos running around), along with simple instructions you can follow:

Diffuse Your Essential Oils

Fill your diffuser with water and add 4–6 drops of your chosen essential oil (like lavender for stress relief or peppermint for energy). Turn it on while you work to create a calming atmosphere.

Roll It On

Mix 10 drops of essential oil with a tablespoon of carrier oil (like coconut or jojoba) in a roller bottle. Apply to your wrists, neck, or temples for a quick pick-me-up or moment of calm.

Inhale Oils

Place 1 drop of oil in the palm of your hands, rub them together, cup your hands over your nose, and take three deep, slow breaths. This is great for grounding yourself before a meeting or when things get chaotic.

Spritz It

Combine 1 cup of water with 10–15 drops of essential oil in a spray bottle. Shake well and mist your workspace or air around you. Lemon and eucalyptus make a great freshening combo.

Adding Essential Oils to the Bath

Add 4–6 drops of essential oil to a tablespoon of a carrier like bath oil or milk before adding to warm bathwater. Lavender and chamomile are perfect for relaxing at the end of the day.

Create a Mini Ritual to Relieve Stress

Light a candle, play soft music, and diffuse a grounding oil like frankincense. Take five minutes to journal, meditate, or just breathe. These small rituals help create a moment of calm before your day gets going.

Creating a Focus-Friendly Environment

Your workspace matters. A calm, inspiring setup makes such a difference.

Aside from diffusing my favourite oils, I love adding little touches like plants, natural light, and soft music to help me focus.

Here’s some more tips for getting your home office set up just right.

Build a Self-Care Ritual with Journaling + Oils

One of my favourite ways to unwind is combining journaling with essential oils. It’s such a simple way to check in with myself.

In the mornings, I diffuse peppermint and lemon while setting intentions for the day. At night, I wind down with lavender and frankincense as I reflect on what went well (and what didn’t).

If you’re interested in learning more, here’s some journaling inspiration for busy mums.

Safety Tips when Using Essential Oils

A quick reminder — oils are powerful! Whether you’re using essential oils for stress, energy, or immune support, always keep these safety tips in mind:

• Always dilute oils before applying to your skin.
• Keep out of reach of little hands.
• Some oils aren’t pet-friendly, so do your research if you have furry family members.
• Patch test new oils to avoid skin sensitivity.
• Store them in a cool, dark place so they last longer.

Ready to Take Back Your Day with Essential Oils?

As mums, we give so much of ourselves every day. Essential oils have been one of the simplest, most nurturing ways I’ve found to support my well-being while juggling all the things.

Whether you’re looking for essential oils for anxiety, essential oils for stress, essential oils for focus, or essential oils for energy, remember—you deserve to feel good, too.

So, take a breath, grab your oils, and give yourself the gift of calm. You’ve got this, mama.