Boosting your Wellbeing with Essential Oils during Perimenopause and Menopause

Within the framework of World Wellbeing Week there’s something important I want to talk about: perimenopause and menopause and how we can boost our wellbeing during these times of transition.

When we are in our 20s we think of menopause as something that will hit when we’re are in 50s and probably just as the time when our periods will stop. Sometimes even hoping it comes sooner rather than later, especially if we suffer from particularly painful periods, some of us don’t even know about perimenopause. I certainly didn’t realise it could be so debilitating.

Unfortunately, perimenopause exists and menopause is not as simple as disappearing periods. Perimenopause refers to the early stages of menopause and it can start just a few months before menopause or several years earlier. Perimenopause brings about period changes, hot flushes and night sweats, vaginal dryness, sleep issues and weight changes. From a cognitive and emotional point of view, perimenopause also affects memory and mood.

Both perimenopause and menopause symptoms can be alleviated with changes to lifestyle, mindfulness and specific medical treatment that you can discuss with your GP. However, I have found aromatherapy very helpful in improving my wellbeing during this time of transition especially where Mood, Focus, Energy and Sleep are concerned.

Why essential oils and how do they work?

Essential oils can be inhaled or mixed with carrier oils and applied to the skin. When inhaled, the scent molecules in the essential oils travel from the olfactory receptors directly to the brain where they impact the amygdala, the emotional centre of the brain. Inhaling essential oils is much more than a sensory experience, as the molecules enter our bodies, chemicals in our brain and bloodstream respond to them, our mood heightens, we feel more alert and invigorated or drift into a relaxed state. It all depends on which essential oils we choose and how we blend them.

The emotional brain, the limbic system, is the part of the brain influenced by essential oils. It connects with other parts of the brain that control heart rate, breathing, memory, stress levels and hormone balance. When we understand how essential oils are able to influence our physiology and behaviour, it becomes clear that they are a precious complement to medical treatment.

Which are some of the best essential oils for perimenopause and menopause?

These are the ones that help us fight Anxiety, Stress and Fatigue while promoting Concentration, Calmness, and Relaxation. So, citrus oils such as Lemon, Bergamot and Orange are great for elevating our Mood and our Energy levels. Basil is great for concentration and dealing with a fuzzy brain, while Lavender, Clary Sage and Geranium, have grounding and balancing properties, very helpful when we feel down, need to de-stress, relax and get some sleep.

SCHŌNE Candles, Reed Diffusers and Mists contain those essential oils in the Breathe, Boost, Energise and Relax fragrances. This is how I use them. To fight mental and physical fatigue I use the BOOST mist, this is especially useful to get over the afternoon slump, the lemon scent really perks me up and makes me feel refreshed even when it’s unusually warm like now, or I’ve had a bad night’s sleep. As an added bonus the lemon scent fills me with positive energy, so my mood improves.

If I need to stimulate the mind or I'm doing some work that requires high levels of concentration, I pick up the Breathe mist. The Breathe blend contains Basil, which is believed to promote memory retention, and French Lavender (Lavandin), that has a stimulating effect, helps me to get rid of brain fog, so I can focus on the task at hand and… I Breathe better.

The Relax fragrance is brilliant for my evening routine, these days I keep the candle and the diffuser in my bedroom, I light the candle a couple of hours before bed while I wind down with a book usually and spray the mist on my bed linen 20-30 minutes before going to bed. I find it very calming, I close my eyes as I breathe in and out in a controlled manner and I can actually feel the tensions dissolve. Summer nights can definitely be tamed with the Relax ritual, something to try if you’re having trouble relaxing and falling asleep.

When I work long hours and the energise diffusers are in my office helping me to push through those feelings of lethargy and fatigue.

A few years ago, when I started using essential oils and blending them, I must admit that I was a little sceptical about the effects, however I have found that these blends help me perform and feel better even in the throes of perimenopause, so I’m completely confident when it comes to recommending aromatherapy to women who are going through perimenopause and menopause.