The holiday season is often celebrated as the “most wonderful time of the year,” but for many, it comes with its own set of challenges. Whether it’s the stress of year-end deadlines, an overflowing calendar of social obligations, financial strain, or the emotional weight of family dynamics and loss, it’s not unusual for our nervous systems to feel overwhelmed.
I know this firsthand. Between managing two retail businesses—Elspeth’s Airs and Miss Anne’s Maypop Herb Shop—balancing side gigs, community commitments, and squeezing in moments of joy with loved ones, I’ve felt like I’m running a marathon while juggling too many balls.
Amidst the busyness, one of the most powerful tools I’ve found to help me pause, reset, and create moments of stillness is aromatherapy. Essential oils can be a simple yet effective way to center yourself, calm your mind, and reconnect with your body during this hectic time. Let’s explore how you can use aromatherapy as a form of holistic therapy to bring ease into your holiday season.
Two pink roses in a glass chalice by a lit white candle
Embracing Stillness: A Seasonal Shift
In many earth-based traditions, winter represents a time of stillness, introspection, and slowing down. The cycles of nature encourage us to rest and restore, much like the trees that conserve energy by shedding their leaves and retreating inward.
While we often romanticize this “cozy season,” the reality of modern life—especially during the holidays—often feels like the exact opposite. The push to do more, spend more, and make everything “magical” can make it difficult to honor the season’s (and our bodies’) natural rhythms.
But here’s the good news: you don’t need to overhaul your life to find calm. Small, intentional moments of stillness can make a world of difference. And aromatherapy, a practice rooted in the use of essential oils to support well-being, can help create these moments of tranquility.
Why Aromatherapy Works
Aromatherapy works by harnessing the natural power of essential oils, which are extracted from plants, flowers, and resins. These potent oils influence your limbic system—the part of the brain that governs emotions, memories, and stress responses—through the simple act of inhalation.
For stress and anxiety, essential oils such as lavender, chamomile, bergamot, and frankincense are particularly effective. Whether used in a diffuser, inhaler, or as part of a body oil blend, they can help ground you, ease tension, and promote relaxation.
Creating Moments of Calm With Aromatherapy
Here are a few ways you can incorporate aromatherapy into your daily routine to reduce stress and reconnect with yourself this holiday season:
1. Start Your Day With Intention 
Instead of diving headfirst into the day’s to-do list, take a few minutes to center yourself. Add a few drops of an essential oil blend designed for focus or calm to a diffuser while you sip your morning coffee or tea. For example, Elspeth’s Airs’ Cozy Diffuser Blend combines grounding and uplifting notes to set the tone for a peaceful day.
2. Pause During Moments of Stress 
Stressful moments are inevitable, but how you respond to them can make all the difference. Carrying an essential oil inhaler, like Elspeth’s Airs’ Aromatherapy Inhalers, in your bag or pocket can provide an instant sense of calm. Simply take a deep breath, inhale the soothing aroma, and let it help you reset.
3. Create an Evening Wind-Down Ritual
Restful sleep is foundational for managing stress, yet it’s often the first thing to suffer during busy times. Incorporate a bedtime ritual that includes aromatherapy to help signal to your body that it’s time to relax. Try spritzing Elspeth’s Airs’ Sleep Peacefully Spray on your pillow or using a few drops of lavender essential oil in a warm bath.
4. Meditate or Journal With Essential Oils 
Taking time to meditate or journal can help you process emotions and stay grounded. Enhance your practice with a calming blend like Elspeth’s Airs’ Meditation Oil. Apply it to your pulse points or diffuse it in your space to deepen your connection to the present moment.
Saying Yes to Calm, No to Overwhelm
The holidays are a time of giving, but that doesn’t mean giving away all your energy. One way to stay aligned with your values and well-being is by intentionally choosing where to focus your time and energy.
Here’s a helpful guide for navigating the season:
| Say Yes To | Say No To |
| Gathering with loved ones | Trying to make everything “perfect” |
| Creating meaningful rituals | Overloading your schedule |
| Prioritizing rest and wellness | Burning the candle at both ends |
| Practicing gratitude | Comparison and guilt |
By saying yes to what truly matters and no to unnecessary stressors, you create space for what the season is really about: connection, reflection, and joy.
A Ritual for Stillness 
Here’s a simple aromatherapy ritual to help you find moments of stillness during the holidays:
- Set the Scene: Find a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed. Light a candle or dim the lights.
- Choose Your Scent: Select an essential oil or blend that resonates with you. For stress relief, consider lavender, bergamot, or frankincense.
- Diffuse or Apply: Use a diffuser to fill the room with the aroma, or apply a diluted blend to your wrists and neck.
- Breathe Deeply: Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and take 10 deep breaths, inhaling the calming aroma and exhaling any tension.
- Reflect: Spend a few minutes in stillness, journaling, or meditating.
This practice can be as short or as long as you need, and it’s a powerful way to reset your mind and body.
The Power of Small Moments
Finding stillness doesn’t mean stepping away from your responsibilities or creating a perfectly serene life. It’s about weaving moments of calm into the fabric of your day. Aromatherapy offers a simple, accessible way to do just that.
Whether you’re diffusing essential oils while wrapping gifts, pausing for a moment of deep breathing with an inhaler, or ending your day with a soothing sleep spray, these small practices add up to create a profound sense of peace.
This holiday season, I invite you to give yourself the gift of calm. By embracing tools like aromatherapy, you can navigate the hustle and bustle with greater ease—and even find joy in the stillness.
Discover the full range of Elspeth’s Airs aromatherapy products here to support your journey to calm this holiday season.