We all feel a little lonely sometimes, regardless of the different situations. When we are left with the feeling of loneliness, it can get out of control and lead to many emotional disturbances such as depression, fear, stress and even social anxiety.

You can combat loneliness using many methods, including essential oils for their aromatherapy value. Essential oils are known to provide relief from these feelings. They promote a sense of relaxation, balance the mood and can calm the mind in uncertain times.

It is even more important to give yourself love rituals, closeness and security. Natural aromas that envelop and protect, as well as massage oils that smell nice will help us in such situations, strengthen us and give us hope.

As a study by the EU Commission shows, feelings of loneliness have increased during the COVID 19 pandemic, especially among young people. Whereas before it loneliness was mostly experienced by older people, the proportion of people aged 18 to 25 who reported feeling lonely for a long time has quadrupled.

Loneliness doesn't just make you sad. It can also make you sick. According to research, connection with other people – or the lack of it – affects health in the same way as diet or exercise. Therefore, loneliness is as dangerous as 15 cigarettes a day, and twice as dangerous as obesity. Lack of closeness with other people and fear of loneliness also increase the stress level.

Essential oils release beneficial substances into the brain

Physical closeness and hugs are especially missed by people who have suddenly lost a loved one for various reasons. Even short, atypical absences can cause tension, stress, and fear of loneliness.

"Just hug, squeeze, massage, caress and enjoy your shoulders and upper arms for one to two minutes a few times a day - it's not as nice as with your loved one, but it's a lot better than nothing." says longtime workshop leader and expert Aromatherapist Anusati Thum.

The optimal support in the ritual of self-care can be 100% pure essential oils . Because in addition to their physical effects – many essential oils have an antiseptic or expectorant effect – volatile molecules also affect the psyche. When inhaled and passed to the limbic system, calming, euphoric, anxiolytic or stimulating substances are released. (Anusati Thumm, Maria M. Kettenring: Citrus aromas. The healing power of essential oils from orange, lemon, lime, etc. JOY Verlag 2021, p. 120.)

For example, the mood-enhancing effect of citrus oils such as bergamot, neroli, orange or grapefruit has been proven repeatedly in studies. The monoterpenes, esters, sesquiterpenes and coumarins they contain have an overall calming effect on the central nervous system and all subordinate organs, as they support the release of a whole range of neurotransmitters. (Dietrich Wabner, Christiane Bayer: Aromatherapy. Basics, principles of action, practice. Munich, 2009, p. 477 ff.)

Recipes against loneliness

Soothing body oil

Add the essential oils to the almond oil and use them for massage.

Candlelight Diffuser Blend

Add essential oils directly to an aroma lamp, diffuser or aroma stone.

For citrus oils like grapefruit, also keep in mind phototoxicity and essential oil safety.

"Sunny Day" - room fragrance

Essential oils are placed directly in the aroma lamp, diffuser or aroma stone.

Bergamot and tangerine can also be phototoxic when applied to the skin — see phototoxicity and safety of essential oils.

A conscious sense of beauty and harmony

People yearn for beauty, friendship and love.
"This is a completely natural reaction because friendship and love strengthen our mental immune system," says Anusati Thum.
Therefore, she advises that we consciously create beauty and positive feelings in our own environment - be it with flowers on the table, cleaned windows, candlelight or a scent in the room that creates an inviting atmosphere.

Recipe:

Sparsium (Broom, Genet) Absolute - the scent of hope

Despite all the stressors, it is important not to lose hope and, for example, to act in a natural way, because this increases your own resilience and the resilience of our planet.

If you are in danger of losing your mind, you can treat yourself to the honeyed, sweet aroma of Sparstium (Broom, Genet) Absolut. It soothes, transports you to colorful realms and cheers you up when you're in a bad mood.

Recipe:

Conclusion

Aromatherapy does not eliminate the causes of loneliness, but it can support calmness, grounding, and a sense of closeness through carefully selected blends. Use quality oils, dilute them for skin, and monitor phototoxicity with citrus. Read more about safe use in How to Use Essential Oils Safely.