Beating the January Blues: Aromatherapy for Colds and Mood

The festive season has come to a close, the decorations are back in the loft, and we’re facing the long chill of a British winter. January can often feel like the Monday of months—the skies are grey, temperatures plunge, and immune systems take a real battering. There’s no wonder so many of us feel a bit run down or low at this time of year, commonly known as the January Blues.

But you needn’t simply wait for spring to feel brighter. Nature offers fantastic support to help us face winter with more resilience and cheer. Aromatherapy is so much more than simply making the house smell nice; it’s a practical way to support your recovery from seasonal snuffles and boost your mood when the days are short, especially during the January Blues.

Essential Oils for Cold and Flu Relief

Let’s look at how you can assemble an ‘aroma first aid kit’ to help ward off colds, ease the effects of winter, and bring a bit of brightness back into the bleakest weeks, helping you overcome the January Blues. When stuffy noses and sore throats arrive, the medicine cupboard isn’t your only ally. Essential oils can offer excellent complementary support for your respiratory system, clearing airways, reducing inflammation, and promoting restful sleep so you can recover.

Eucalyptus: The Respiratory Rescuer

If you’re after only one oil for winter, make it Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus or radiata). This essential oil contains 1,8-cineole, known for its ability to break down mucus and relieve congestion.

The cooling sensation as you breathe in eucalyptus helps open tight chests and blocked noses. It works as an expectorant, helping your body clear out what makes a cold so unpleasant.

How to use it:
Create a steam tent by boiling a pan of water, removing it from the heat, and adding 1-2 drops of eucalyptus oil. Place a towel over your head and the bowl—take care not to get too close to the hot water and breathe deeply for 5–10 minutes.

Peppermint: Cooling Comfort

Peppermint oil is a real hero for headaches and sinus discomfort that so often accompany the flu. Its high menthol content brings a cooling effect that can distract from pain and even help reduce that ‘hot and bothered’ feeling.

It’s also brilliant for waking you up when you’re left groggy and foggy-headed by a cold.

How to use it:
Blend 2 drops of peppermint oil with a tablespoon of carrier oil, like jojoba or almond. Massage this mix into your temples, back of the neck, and chest. Do keep it away from your eyes!

Lavender: For Restorative Sleep

You can’t heal well if you’re not sleeping soundly. Cold symptoms often worsen at night, making rest tricky. Lavender is renowned for its ability to calm the nervous system and encourage deep, restorative sleep—just what your immune system needs for repair.

It also has gentle anti-inflammatory benefits, helping ease irritated airways.

How to use it:
Add 3–4 drops to a diffuser, or pop a drop on a tissue and tuck it into your pillowcase.

Lifting the Fog: Oils for Mood Enhancement

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and that general feeling of the ‘winter blues’ are all too common. The lack of sunlight knocks down our serotonin, leaving us flat. While essential oils aren’t a cure-all, they can spark a rapid emotional response and lift your spirits.

Sweet Orange: Bottled Sunshine

Citrus oils are natural mood boosters, and Sweet Orange is the cheeriest of all. Its zesty, comforting scent is high in limonene, a compound shown to support better moods.

Using it feels like peeling a fresh fruit—just what you need to cut through a dreary afternoon.

Lemon: Sharp and Focused

If winter leaves you feeling listless, Lemon oil is your antidote. Its crisp aroma is naturally uplifting and supports better concentration. Plus, it’s strongly antimicrobial, cleansing the air as it lifts your mood.

Bergamot: The Balancer

Bergamot is a unique citrus oil; it’s both uplifting and deeply soothing. As the classic flavour in Earl Grey tea, it brings balance to mood swings and gently helps relieve winter tension or anxiousness.

Practical Ways to Use Aromatherapy This January

Knowing which oils to pick is only the first step—next comes weaving them into your daily routine. Here are three easy ways to start.

1. The “Winter Wellness” Diffuser Blend

This blend targets both winter germs and low energy, leaving your space feeling crisp and inviting.

3 drops Lemon (for mood and air purification)
2 drops Eucalyptus (for clear breathing)
1 drop Lavender (for calm and balance)

Add these oils to your diffuser with the recommended water volume and run in your main living area each morning to set a healthy mood for the day.

2. The Congestion-Busting Bath Soak

There’s nothing quite like a bath when you’re aching with a cold. Essential oils make it even more therapeutic.

1 cup Epsom salts (for relaxing sore muscles)
3 drops Eucalyptus
2 drops Peppermint
1 tablespoon carrier oil (like coconut or olive)

Important: Never add oils directly to bathwater—they can irritate the skin. Mix the essential oils into the carrier oil and salts first, then stir this blend into your bath.

3. DIY “Sunshine” Roll-On

Make a little portable pick-me-up for your pocket or handbag. When the afternoon slump hits, roll this on your wrists and inhale.

10ml roller bottle
Fill nearly full with Jojoba or similar carrier oil
5 drops Sweet Orange
3 drops Bergamot
2 drops Grapefruit (optional—for extra zest)

Conclusion

January needn’t be a month to merely “get through”. By bringing these powerful plant oils into your routine, you can support your body’s natural recovery and stay upbeat, whatever the weather. Whether you’re fighting off a cold or just missing the sun, there’s an essential oil solution to help.

Start simple: pick a respiratory oil like Eucalyptus and a mood-brightener like Sweet Orange and try them out this week. Notice the difference—and here’s to a warmer, brighter January!

Ready to beat the January blues? Browse our full range of 100% pure essential oils and carrier oils at Freshskin.co.uk.