If you're reading this in mid-January, you know the feeling. The holiday sparkle has faded, the days are still short, and that cozy winter vibe has shifted into something that feels more like... winter fatigue. You're not alone. The winter blues are real, and while we can't add more hours of sunlight to our days, we can create small, meaningful rituals that genuinely lift our spirits.
Aromatherapy has been my companion through countless grey winter days, and I've learned that the key isn't just what oils you use, but when and how you use them. Think of it as bookending your day with intention—energizing your mornings and soothing your evenings.
Morning: Wake Up Your Senses
Winter mornings can feel especially challenging. Your alarm goes off while it's still dark, and everything in you wants to stay under those warm blankets. This is where bright, citrusy essential oils become your best friend.
Sweet orange is my go-to winter morning oil. It's cheerful without being overwhelming, and there's something about that familiar citrus scent that feels like bottled sunshine. Diffuse it while you're getting ready, or add a few drops to your morning shower by placing them on a washcloth in the corner of the shower stall. As the steam rises, so will your mood.
Lemon essential oil is another morning champion. It's crisp, clean, and has this wonderful way of making you feel more alert and focused. Try adding it to a personal inhaler or our Refresh room spray that you can keep on your desk. A quick spritz or sniff mid-morning can help cut through that winter fog when your energy starts to dip.
Bergamot deserves special mention here. It's citrusy, but with a more sophisticated, slightly floral quality. Many people find bergamot uniquely balancing—uplifting but not overstimulating. It's perfect for those mornings when you need energy but also need to feel calm and centered. Diffuse it during breakfast or your morning routine.
The beauty of a morning aromatherapy practice is its simplicity. You don't need to add an hour to your routine. Five minutes with your diffuser, or 30 seconds with a personal inhaler, can genuinely shift how you move through your day.
Evening: Wind Down with Intention
If morning is about waking up, evening is about coming home and getting cozy. After a long winter day, your evening routine should feel like a gentle exhale.
This is where you switch from bright citruses to warmer, more grounding scents. Cedarwood is wonderful for evening—woody, warm, and deeply calming. It has this way of making a space feel safe and cozy, which is exactly what you need when the world outside is cold and dark.
Lavender is the classic evening oil for good reason. If you're someone whose mind races at night, lavender in a diffuser or on your pillow can help quiet that mental chatter.
For something a bit different, try clary sage. It's herbaceous and slightly sweet, with a deeply relaxing quality. Some people find it even more effective than lavender for evening wind-down.
Consider creating an evening ritual: Diffuse your calming oils while you do something nurturing—read a book, take a bath, journal, or simply sit with a cup of tea. The key is consistency. When you pair the same scent with the same relaxing activity night after night, your body and mind start to recognize that scent as a signal: it's time to let go of the day.
Making It Work for You
Here's what I've learned after years of working with essential oils: there's no one "right" way to do this. Some people love diffusers, others prefer room sprays. Some like to layer scents, others prefer to keep it simple with single oils.
The winter blues aren't something you can "fix" overnight, but these small, consistent rituals add up. They give you something to look forward to—that first bright burst of citrus in the morning, that calming woody scent in the evening. They're tiny acts of self-care that remind you to be gentle with yourself during a challenging season.
Start small. Choose one morning oil and one evening oil. Try them for a week and notice how you feel. You might be surprised by how much these simple scents can shift your winter experience.
Stay well,
Leanna