Although Men’s Mental Health Week has now passed, June remains a valuable time to reflect on the importance of men’s mental wellbeing — and to explore how natural approaches like aromatherapy and holistic health can offer meaningful support.
Men are often affected by unhelpful gender norms, making it harder for them to share and be open about their struggles.
“Gender norms make assumptions about what it means to be ‘masculine’, whilst terms such as ‘toxic masculinity’ can reinforce the stereotypes it aims to critique. These expectations stem from restrictive norms around masculinity, such as needing to appear strong, emotionless, or in control, which have contributed to poorer mental health outcomes for men.”
— Mental Health UK
Aromatherapy and holistic wellness practices are still too often viewed as “feminine” or targeted mainly toward women — but the benefits they offer are universal. These tools can be just as powerful for men, providing support, stress relief, emotional balance, better sleep practices, improved focus, and overall wellbeing.
Through the use of essential oils, aromatherapy creates a sensory experience that when using certain oils, can calm the body, soothe the mind, and support both mental and emotional health. Whether you’re facing emotional challenges or simply looking to improve your everyday wellbeing, here are some accessible, natural ways men can benefit from incorporating these practices into their routine.
-
Use Essential Oils to Support Mood & Reduce Stress
Certain essential oils are known for their ability to promote calm, focus, and emotional clarity. A few particularly effective ones include:
- Lavender – promotes calm and can ease anxiety or encourage deep rest and relaxation
- Frankincense – grounding and centring, perfect for quiet moments or meditation
- Bergamot – uplifting and energising, great for improving low mood or emotional fatigue
You can experience the benefits by diffusing oils in your home, adding them to a warm bath alongside a bath dispersant, or blending a few drops with a carrier oil for use on the skin (like temples, wrists, or chest).
-
Build a Simple Wind-Down Routine
Taking 15–30 minutes in the evening to relax isn’t just a luxury — it’s a way to help your nervous system reset after a long day. Try:
- A warm bath with a few drops of calming essential oil and bath dispersant
- Gentle stretching or breathwork in a dimly lit room
- A self-massage using a relaxing body oil like our Relax blend
This kind of consistent evening ritual can help promote deep rest, reduce overthinking, and improve mood.
-
Pair Aromatherapy with Breathwork or Meditation
Practices like meditation or focused breathing are powerful tools for mental clarity and emotional balance. When paired with grounding oils like cedarwood or sandalwood, the effect can be even more calming.
A simple starting point: Try box breathing (in for 4, hold for 4, out for 4, hold for 4) while inhaling a calming scent, such as our Relaxation Essential Blend, using a diffuser or oil burner.
-
Keep a Calming Tool at Work
Work-related stress is one of the most common pressures men face. Having a small aromatherapy roller or inhaler can help you stay focused and reset your energy during busy days.
Our Bliss or Energise aroma roll 3 packs are a great selection, whether you want to relax and de-stress, or refresh and focus.
Our Refresh and Relaxation aroma inhalers are also handy for those quick boosts of focus or calm, depending on your needs.
You can apply these discreetly to your wrists or neck or simply inhale the aroma during a break.
-
Support Post-Workout Recovery
Aromatherapy isn’t just about relaxation — it can also support physical wellbeing. After a workout or long day on your feet, try:
- Our mobility range – including Mobility Epsom Bath Salts, Himalayan Bath Salts, and Mobility Massage Oil.
- A short self-massage to areas that feel sore or stiff using our Ginger Treatment Oil.
- Stretching with essential oils diffusing in the background to aid recovery, such as our Mobility Essential Blend, containing notes of Peppermint, Ginger, eucalyptus, Rosemary and more. .
For a more luxury option, our Circulation and Contour body oils are perfect for this type of restorative practice.
Looking after your mental and emotional health isn’t about being “soft” — it’s about showing up for yourself fully. Wellness isn’t gendered, it’s about taking care of your mind, emotions, and body — and using the tools available to build long-term strength and resilience.
Aromatherapy and holistic practices are simply tools — powerful, effective ones — that can help you stay grounded, focused, and well. Redefine wellness on your own terms, with holistic support from Absolute Aromas.
