7 Uplifting Essential Oils to Boost Your Mood

Having the “blues,” feeling “down in the dumps,” having constant stress and anxiety; when these feelings occur over an extended period of time, it can change our biochemical responses, possibly leading to depression. Essential oils may assist in getting you out of the rut. In this article, we will explore seven essential oils that can help boost and uplift your mood. Need an essential oil list for anxiety? Check out this blog post here.

*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. As an Amazon Associate, this post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read full privacy policy here.“

What is Depression?

The mayo clinic defines depression as a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called a major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think, and behave, leading to various emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn’t worth living.

True depression isn’t easy to bounce back from. You should see your medical provider if you indeed suffer from clinical depression, as it may require long-term treatment. If you’re looking for a boost in your mood to get you over the hump from a loss, a stressful time, or maybe a change in seasons, here are seven essential oils that may help!

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)

Bergamot has been shown to reduce psychological stress responses and serum cortisol levels, otherwise known as the “stress hormone.” This makes it a harmonizing, balancing essential oil therapeutically. Not only is it balancing, but with that, it is very uplifting.  If you require some drive and a kick in the behind to get you out of bed in the morning, this is the ideal choice. It’s cold-pressed from the rind of the bergamot fruit, from the bergamot tree.  Even though it is a citrus, the aroma is not overly “citrussy.” There is an initial blast of it when you first inhale; then a softer floral, herbaceous scent immediately follows that can be compared to Earl Gray Tea.           

Melissa (Melissa officinalis)

You may have heard that Melissa is a good herb for viruses, which is true, but it is also very effective in balancing one’s emotional health. The essential oil is steam distilled from the flowers and leaves of the Melissa (Lamiaceae) perennial herb plant. Another name for the herb is lemon balm.  Citral is the dominant component and is what gives it its lemony scent. This oil can be highly effective when you are under a great deal of stress, contributing to your depression. It is very good at reducing tension while providing emotional support. If there is restlessness, or even some agitation accompanying your depressed mood, this oil may be good at managing this as well. It does have a sedative effect but comes on a bit slower than some other oils that are sedating.

Keeping this in mind, if it’s the need for “a get-up and go”, this may not be the best choice. To read more on Melissa, as a whole, this is a great study conducted by Pub Med. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5871149/

Jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum)

Jasmine Absolute is a beautiful oil to use when one needs grounding. This is a precious oil, as it is expensive. This has a lot to do with how it is harvested, and it takes so many blossoms to get just a tiny amount of oil. I chose this subject because of its emotional balancing effects, especially when one is emotionally repressed. Jasmine can help you find comfort within yourself, help you step out from inhibiting fears and boost confidence. There is an uplifting effect to this oil, as it enhances alertness while decreasing anxious feelings. I love it. It’s one of my favorites!

Rose Absolute (Rosa x damascene)

Another precious expensive essential oil that is very emotionally balancing is Rose Absolute. Like Jasmine, it takes an enormous number of petals to make just a minimal amount of oil. That being said, a little can go a long way. As far as helping one’s emotional state? Rose absolute is a very relaxing oil but can help decrease sympathetic nervous system activity, as it boosts the mood. This is great when anxiety and depression coexist. This makes it great for harmonizing essential oil, especially when there are labile fluctuations in mood.

Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin)

There is a reason why patchouli was the “scent” of the ’60s and ’70s. With its earthy, rich, smooth sweet aroma, it brings one a feeling of emotional peace. There is a calming action in its therapeutic effect. It helps to lower stress responses in the body and effectively offers to balance therapeutic actions. For example, if you’re scattered in your thoughts, patchouli is very grounding and centering, helping one to connect your mind and body back to your center. This is very important when combating a depressed mood. It can really help get your psychological state and physical state connected.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ct. 1,8 cineole)

I had to add Rosemary to this list because it is a great essential oil for mental fatigue. What is mental fatigue exactly? It is when your brain has been put into overdrive. You may have spent so much time on a task, project, or obsessive thinking. In depression, one may become so exhausted by the depressed state or anxious thoughts that moods become very difficult to manage. It is quite different from physical fatigue; however, they can often accompany one another. If one feels physically exhausted for a period of time, it can certainly lead to mental fatigue. Its aroma is fresh and strong, offering a “boost” in alertness and attentiveness. Research has shown a decrease in the stress hormone cortisol and improved cognitive ability with regular use of Rosemary essential oil.

Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)

Speaking of “boosting the mood,” like Rosemary, the aroma of sweet orange, or most of the citrus oils for that matter, are well deserving of being on this list. If you want a skip in your step, sweet orange is your friend. It’s fresh, it’s bright, and it is easily able to cheer you up. The great thing about sweet orange is its ability to also “chill you out.” Not so much in a sedating sort of way, but bringing you a peaceful, happy feeling, so it’s great for anxiety blends as well. Let’s say that it’s like sunshine in a bottle.