There are three ways to use essential oils in general: internal (i.e. ingestion), aromatic and topical application. For emotional support or seeking relaxation, you wouldn’t ingest an essential oil, so I’m not going to there. I’ll just focus on diffusion and topical application.
Topical.
For the kids, I will take 1–3 drops of essential oil and blend it with 1 tsp of olive oil or coconut oil. This is the dilution I use for kids ages 1 and above. For myself and my husband, I will take 1–3 drops of essential oil and blend it with 1–3 drops of olive oil or coconut oil.
Then I apply the Calming Essential Oil Blend to the back of my neck, bottoms of feet or inside of the wrists. Allow a few minutes for the essential oils to absorb a bit. I will usually take any leftover oil, rub it between my hands, cup over my nose and inhale. This is immediately relaxing.
How to use calming essential oils to help support your emotional well-being. This includes using essential oils for sleep and calming essential oils to help us relax not just in the evening, but throughout the day!
You can also make your own roller blends, which is very convenient. I will put about 20–30 drops of essential oil into roller balls like this and then fill the remaining space with fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil or grapeseed oil.
Here are some supplies I’ve grabbed off Amazon in the past: Roller bottles, jojoba oil, and spray bottles. Please know that essential oils should only go in dark blue or amber glass bottles because they protect the oil from light. Plus, essential oils break down petrochemicals in plastics, degrading the bottle.
Aromatic.
You can put essential oils into the palms of your hands, rub USDA Certified Essential Oils them together, cup over your nose and take several deep breaths. That is one way to use essential oils aromatically. Another way–and also my preferred method–is to use a diffuser. I typically put 5–7 drops of essential oil into a diffuser and let it run for a few hours. If you’re putting the essential oil into a diffuser with water, then you can run continuously.