Managing anxiety is tough stuff. It can be so difficult to figure out how to live a normal life, and modern medicine, while it works fine, isn’t always the answer we are seeking. It’s handy to know how to use essential oils for anxiety, and this essential oil linen spray will put these oils right at your fingertips when you need them!
Almost everyone who knows me well knows that I have been a long time anxiety sufferer, and that I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder in 2016. I was prescribed Zoloft and when I reached the highest maintenance level of that antidepressant, I decided that I would switch gears and try to figure out how to manage my issues through natural means.
This linen spray is one among many of the natural means that I am using to manage my symptoms of anxiety and depression. If you are interested in reading about my journey off Zoloft, click over and start at the beginning. There are links at the bottom of the post if you would like to catch up on my story. (If you are wondering about which supplements I am taking to help me with tapering off Zoloft, you can check those out here.)
About the Vodka
Vodka has so many great uses such as making your own vanilla, making your own cleaning products, as an occasional face astringent for in a pinch, and to freshen up fabric. Since it is odorless, it won’t leave your house or clothing smelling like last night’s party, but rather, it’s antiseptic and bacteria-neutralizing action will leave you and your home smelling fresh and clean. And because it doesn’t stain, it’s safe to use on fabrics, like clothing or bed linens.
As for its effects on anxiety, I wouldn’t bet that it would be any good for that because alcohol is known to lower serotonin levels when consumed, and actually cause anxiety in the long run. It might feel good to have a drink at the moment, but in the end those lower serotonin (the “feel good chemical”) levels can cause an anxiety flare up that doesn’t end up being worth it.
About the Essential Oils
Lavender essential oil is one of the best essential oils for stress and anxiety and is frequently recommended due to its “mood lifting” (antidepressant) ability. It also possesses sedative properties, which help with bringing crazy feelings back to a calm state. Because of lavender’s antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, using it in a linen spray is great to freshen up your sheets and pillows while you brighten up your mood!
Orange essential oil, like lavender, also has antidepressant and sedative properties, along with antiseptic abilities. Lavender and orange are a great pair and make a lovely, calming scent to use for an essential oil linen spray.
How to Make Homemade Linen Spray
2 oz. vodka (cheap kind is fine)
20 drops lavender essential oil
20 drops orange essential oil
2 oz. spray bottle
Add essential oils to the spray bottle, then top off with vodka. Shake well before each use to incorporate the oils into the vodka, then spray.
Using Your Essential Oil Linen Spray
In addition to using this spray to freshen your bed linens before your good night’s sleep, you can use it to freshen them at any time. Here are a few more uses:
- Spray it on your clothing or a scarf you plant to wear to ward off that anxious feeling
- Spray it on your face to give yourself a quick blast of good feelings (this is safe because the oils are well-diluted
- Use it as an astringent to neutralize bacteria and close your pores. BONUS: you are treating yourself to some aromatherapy!
- Spray it on clothing, jackets, or shoes to remove odors
Now that you know how to make linen spray from essential oils and have a few ideas on how to use it, what do you intend to use it on to relieve your anxiety?
What a lovely idea, and seems so simple to make, must definitely try it. But vodka though, wow, that threw me, would have never thought of that! #goinggreen
Hey Isabel! Yeah, it IS a weird ingredient, but it works really well!
sounds so simple to do and a great idea. I can’t use Lavender as it gives me migraines though #goinggreen
You could totally use something else, if you wanted to, Chickenruby! Try rosemary, sweet orange, bergamot, or chamomile in a combination that smells good to you!
I love the calming effects of Lavender so this all makes perfect sense #GoingGreen
Thank you Rosie, I’m glad you enjoyed the post! 🙂