Essential Oil Spritzer DIY Relax Breathing P.R.N.

By Caryn Gehlmann, Clinical Aromatherapist

Have you noticed on a prescription bottle the abbreviations P.R.N.? (If you’re in the medical profession, you already know this so please bear with me for a moment…) That’s latin for pro re nata which means to take the medication “as needed.” If there’s ever a time when we need a prescription for relaxed breathing, it is NOW. That’s why I’d love to share with you some essential oil spritzer DIY recipes to help you tap into the calming practice of deep breathing whenever and wherever you need it.

Anxiety can sneak up on us throughout the day. According to an article on Well and Good, Psychiatrist, Dr. Gail. Saltz says taking slow, deep breaths can truly help calm the mind and body. I couldn’t agree more about the benefits of deep, diaphragmatic breathing! So let’s explore some ways to combat anxiety with customized essential oils spritzers, designed to help you enjoy some deep, relaxed breathing.

Why does e3 recommend that you customize your essential oil spritzer DIY recipes?

Because we’re all different, we react to different smells in different ways. So the key is to customize by finding the scent that helps you recenter. And although there are various ways to apply essential oils, we’re focusing on spritzers, because they offer easy, no-touch application and travel well.

Let’s consider a few options to help you find the right essential oil spritzer for you. But first here’s a short video to show you just how easy it is to make your own essential oil spritzer:

Did you see how easy that is?

Add 20 drops of essential oil per 1 ounce of water to your bottle. Make sure to give it a shake before each spritz to break up the essential oil molecules, as essential oils are hydrophobic and will float on water. But which essential oils should you use? Read on for a few suggestions…

The Right Spritzer to Start and End Your Day

Some people struggle in the morning… They either feel sluggish and have a hard time getting going, or they have the opposite problem and struggle with a surge of morning anxiety. According to Dr. Saltz, “There’s actually a physiological reason why some people experience anxiety in the mornings. For one, it’s when cortisol levels are naturally at their highest.” So it’s important to find the essential oil blend that will offer you the best support to start your morning off right! See a few favorite recipes below, along with some pre-mixed options, but don’t be afraid to customize them to meet your needs.

Here are a few ways to use spritzers in the morning — spritz the blend in the shower, to your skin after you shower (while you’re still wet), to your workout clothes or equipment (test the fabric first), or as a room freshener when you sit down to work.

Morning Wake Up Blend

10 drops of a citrus essential oil (Orange, Bergamot, Lemon)
10 drops of either Peppermint or Spearmint

Here are some other blends we carry that many find help them recenter with deep, calm breathing in the morning — e3’s Forest Blend, Respiratory, Breathe Easy, Revitalize. (If you’re someone who does feel a little more anxious in the morning, see below for the Calm Breathing Blend.)

There’s a saying from Slavic folklore, “Mornings are wiser than evenings.” For many, when we’re tired and have had a particularly stressful day, nighttime anxiety can be an issue. Feeling frustrated that you can’t get to sleep as fast as you’d like can compound the problem. (If this is something you regularly struggle with, please take a look at my article, Essential Oils for Insomnia Soothe Sleepless Nights.)

Here are a few ways to use spritzers at night — spritz the blend in the shower, to your skin after you shower (while you’re still wet), to your bedding or pillowcase, or mist as high up in the room to allow the mist to fall through a greater volume of air space.

Sleepy Time Blend
12 drops Lavender
8 drops Chamomile Roman

Here are some other blends we carry that many find help them recenter with deep, calm breathing in the morning — e3’s Sleeptime, Relax, or Peace.

Of course, we can feel anxious or off-centered throughout the day, not just first thing in the morning or at bedtime. The great thing about spritzers is their versatile application — they can be kept next to your bed, in the bathroom, kitchen, or car, tucked into your office desk drawer, purse, or backpack.

Here are a couple of essential oil spritzer DIY blends you might enjoy in the morning, at night, or any time of day when you need an “aromatherapy moment.”

Calm Breathing Blend

5 drops of Pine
5 drops of Eucalyptus
5 drops of Ravensara
5 drops of Lavender Spike

Deep Breathing Blend

10 drops of Eucalyptus
5 drops of Thyme
5 drops of Tangerine

Anxiety levels have been high this year so I’ve made it my goal to encourage my community to find comfort to support your health and well-being. Aromatherapy is such a great option for that very reason! If you want to start incorporating essential oil spritzers into your routine, checkout e3’s line of ready-to-use spritzers that are made with 100 percent pure essential oils in filtered water. Or I encourage you to create your own essential oil spritzer DIY blend and use the simple recipe in the video. If you’re new to blending, download our free guide and we’ll walk you through it.