From Forest to Office: Conifer Oils for Work-Related Stress

Did you know that 6 out of 10 employees worldwide suffer from work-related stress? 

Aside from causing anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns, this type of stress also leads to heart disease, diabetes, gastrointestinal problems, and many other scary conditions.

Thank God I was able to quit the workforce a few years ago, knowing how much stress lawyers go through day in, day out.

But even the work I do in my Young Living business can be stressful sometimes. Add to that the stresses that come with being a mother, a wife, a daughter. As humans, we deal with stress every single day.

It’s a good thing we have oils for everything! And just recently, I discovered how great conifer oils are for stress – work-related or not. 

A Study on Conifer Oils and Stress

Researchers from the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute in Japan decided to conduct a study on the impact different essential oils have on people going through stress.

The subjects were divided into three groups and placed in three different rooms. The first group was placed in a room with no aroma, while the second and third groups were placed in rooms where different essential oil blends were diffused. 

The second group enjoyed a mix of oils from Pinaceae trees, like spruce, fir, and pine, as well as oils from Cupressaceae trees, like juniper, cypress, and cedarwood.

The third group was given the same blend of Cupressaceae and Pinaceae oils, with the addition of other oils from Lauraceae trees, like cinnamon, laurel, and sassafras.

All the participants were given the same clerical tasks. Their stress levels were measured by monitoring their salivary hormones, heart rate, and other factors.

The results? 

Those who were in rooms with essential oils were more relaxed as they completed their tasks, while those who worked in the room with no aroma showed more signs of stress. But if you compare the two groups who enjoyed inhaling essential oils while working, the first group (who enjoyed a blend of conifer oils without the added extras showed a more relaxed nervous system and less feelings of helplessness or stress.

How to Use Conifer Oils to Reduce Stress

If work’s been driving you crazy lately, stock up on conifer oils and help your body relax. These are great regardless if you’re stuck in a cubicle in the office or are working from the comforts of your home. 

Here are some diffuser recipe ideas you can use:

☀️ SUNNY SIDE UP ☀️
4 drops Lemon
3 drops Lavender
3 drops Cypress

⛰️TAKE A HIKE ⛰️
2 drops Cedarwood
2 drops Tea Tree
4 drops Cypress
1 drop Bergamot

🧘🏻 STRESS LESS 🧘🏻
2 drops Cedarwood
2 drops Lavender
2 drops Frankincense

🎄 ALL IS CALM 🎄
2 drops Cypress
2 drops Orange
2 drops Cedarwood

You could also create your own massage blends using the same conifer oils. Just put the recommended number of drops of essential oils in a 100-ml pump bottle, then fill it up with V-6 carrier oil.

🌙 SNOOZE 🌙
15 drops Northern Lights Black Spruce
15 drops Cedarwood
10 drops Lavender

❄️ ICY CALM ❄️
15 drops Northern Lights Black Spruce
10 drops Wintergreen
5 drops Bergamot
5 drops Peppermint

💙 ESCAPE 💙
15 drops Idaho Grand Fir
15 drops Frankincense
10 drops Vetiver

Feel free to tweak these recipes depending on your own scent preference. You can add or take away a few drops or add other oils into the mix. You can even stick to just one conifer oil to fully appreciate its scent and effects. 

No matter which of these blends you want to try, using these oils are still the best way to bring the essence of the forest right into your workplace or home.