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Do you ever struggle to slow down at the end of the day? Or should I ask if you have kids and a job? Ha! I think those two go hand in hand, and a few calming essential oils are how I take the edge off.

Life gets full. There is always something coming up, a problem to solve, or a to-do list a mile long, and slowing down is so much easier said than done.

Essential oil bottles on wood table.

That is usually when I reach for my essential oils. There is just something about a warm, grounding scent that helps me take a breath and unwind.

Below I’m sharing my favorite calming oils, plus the roller and diffuser blends I come back to again and again.

My Favorite Calming Essential Oils

Essential oil roller bottles with dried flowers and fruits on wooden table.

Lime: So fresh and uplifting. It has a bright, clean citrus scent that instantly lifts my mood.

Bergamot: One of my personal favorites. It’s calming and a little bit bright all at once, with a soft, lovely citrus scent.

Lemon: Like lime, lemon is bright and invigorating. It’s the scent I reach for when I want to feel a little more awake and clear-headed.

Lavender: The classic calming oil. That soft, floral scent is like a deep breath, and it’s my go-to when I want to relax.

Copaiba: This one was newer to me, but it quickly earned a spot in my routine. It comes from the resin of the copaiba tree and has a mild, woodsy, grounding aroma.

Shop these calming essential oils.

A Few Calming Blends I Love

10mL roller bottle and amber colored essential oil bottles on table.

I usually keep the blog away from brand-specific blends so anyone can follow along, but these three are the ones I personally reach for most, so I have to share them.

Serenity (the restful blend): A soft, sweet blend of lavender, marjoram, roman chamomile, ylang-ylang, Hawaiian sandalwood, and vanilla bean. It smells exactly as calm as it sounds.

Balance (the grounding blend): Spruce, ho wood, frankincense, blue tansy, and blue chamomile. I like to call this one my “I have four kids five and under” blend. It has such a beautiful, woodsy scent, and I use it almost daily.

Citrus Bliss (the invigorating blend): A happy blend of wild orange, lemon, grapefruit, mandarin, bergamot, tangerine, clementine, and vanilla. It’s like sunshine, and it’s the one I diffuse when I want to brighten up the whole house.

How to Use Calming Essential Oils

Roller bottle on table with dried flowers in background.

When you want to slow down, there are a couple of easy ways to enjoy these oils.

Aromatically: Add your favorite blend (or a drop of each) to a diffuser and let it fill the room. No diffuser? Add a few drops to a cotton ball or tissue and breathe in the scent, or just inhale straight from the bottle.

Topically: My favorite way is a roller bottle. It makes it so easy to dab a little on your wrists or the back of your neck, and you can tuck a spare in your purse for on the go.

My Calming Roller Bottle

To make this roller, add the following to a 10 mL roller bottle: 4 drops lavender, 3 drops bergamot, 3 drops copaiba, 2 drops lime, 2 drops lemon, 2 drops Serenity, 2 drops Balance, and 2 drops Citrus Bliss. Top it off with fractionated coconut oil and shake well before use.

Roll it onto your pulse points whenever you need a moment.

Calming Diffuser Blends to Try

If diffusing is more your thing, here are a couple I love to run in the evening:

  • Cozy Evening: 3 drops lavender, 2 drops wild orange, 1 drop frankincense.
  • Unwind: 2 drops bergamot, 2 drops cedarwood, 1 drop lavender.

Variations

This roller is easy to make your own. I haven’t tried every combination myself, but a lot of people love to swap in or add:

  • Ylang ylang or clary sage for a softer, sweeter scent.
  • Cedarwood or vetiver for something more grounding and woodsy.
  • A little extra frankincense, which pairs beautifully with just about everything.

An Honest Word

I’ll be real with you: a roller bottle isn’t going to erase a hard day. But taking a second to stop, breathe in something calming, and reset? That little ritual genuinely helps me, and sometimes that pause is the whole point.

Expert Tips

  • Always dilute your oils in a carrier oil before they touch your skin.
  • Citrus oils (like lemon, lime, and bergamot) can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so skip the sunshine right after you apply.
  • Keep a spare roller in your bag, your car, or your nightstand so it’s there when you need it.
  • Store your oils out of reach of children.

A Few Safety Tips

  • Dilute essential oils in a carrier oil before applying to the skin.
  • Do a quick patch test first if you have sensitive skin.
  • Citrus oils are photosensitive; avoid direct sun on freshly applied skin.
  • For external use only, and keep oils out of reach of children.

Calming Essential Oil FAQs

What are the best calming essential oils?

Lavender, bergamot, and copaiba are my favorites, and frankincense and the citrus oils are lovely too. It really comes down to the scents you find most soothing.

How do you use essential oils to relax?

The two easiest ways are to diffuse them or to dab a diluted roller blend on your pulse points and breathe in the scent.

Can I use a calming roller before bed?

Absolutely. A calming roller on your wrists or the bottoms of your feet is a lovely part of a wind-down routine.

Related Posts

If you tried this Calming Roller Bottle or any other tutorial on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

Calming essential oil roller bottle on a table with dried flowers.
5 from 28 votes

Calming Roller Bottle

Prep: 2 minutes
Additional Time: 3 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 10 mL roller bottle
Learn how to make a calming roller bottle blend to help you slow down and unwind.
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Ingredients 

  • 2 drops lime essential oil
  • 3 drops bergamot essential oil
  • 2 drops lemon essential oil
  • 4 drops lavender essential oil
  • 3 drops copaiba essential oil
  • 2 drops serenity essential oil
  • 2 drops balance essential oil
  • 2 drops citrus bliss essential oil
  • Fractionated Coconut Oil

Instructions 

  • Add the essential oils to a 10 mL roller bottle.
  • Top off with fractionated coconut oil and shake well before use.

Video

Notes

Apply to pulse points as needed.
Tried this recipe?Mention @our_oily_house or tag #ouroilyhouse!

About Laura

Welcome to Our Oily House, I’m so glad you’re here! Explore DIY cleaners, homemade soaps, skincare and hair care recipes, fragrance-free solutions, and sustainable laundry tips for a naturally inspired home.

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5 from 28 votes (27 ratings without comment)

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18 Comments

  1. Nomzamo says:

    Many thanks for all the information about essential oils,can I use these stress essential oils you mentioned in a bath salt recipe?

  2. Mary Jones says:

    Laura, Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge of essential oils.

    Mary Jones

    1. Laura says:

      You’re welcome!

  3. Jean says:

    I’m allergic to eucalyptus, I truly dislike patchouli, and my 11 year old daughter has gynecomastia so I can’t use lavender or tea tree oils.
    I’m looking for stress relieving diffuser recipes!
    Have a great day and stay safe, Jean

  4. Julie Blanner says:

    This was so helpful! I always love learning more about essential oils. Can’t wait to add these to my stock!