Sponsored by Oil Garden December 10, 2025
There’s something about the start of a new year that evokes a long and deep exhale. After the fullness of the festive season — late nights, long lunches, too much travel and social commitments — January offers a natural pause. A moment to reflect, reset and gently steer yourself back toward balance.
As many of us reconsider what wellbeing looks and feels like in 2026, simple rituals are often the ones that anchor us most. And, for over 40 years, Oil Garden has championed the power of pure essential oils as one of the simplest ways to support your mood, mindset and everyday wellbeing.
Oil Garden’s in-house aromatherapy specialist, Pat Princi-Jones, has over 30 years of industry experience. With a wealth of knowledge, Pat is a powerhouse when it comes to essential oils and their health benefits. Here, she’s shares some of her favourite oils and how to use them:
“Tea tree and lavender are cooling, reduce swelling and have antimicrobial benefits, making them perfect for First Aid. A few drops of lavender (diluted in a carrier oil like Jojoba) help to ease mild sunburn, tension headaches and sinus, and promote restful sleep. A few drops of tea tree on the end of a cotton tip can be used to treat cuts, wounds, bites and stings.”
“I personally love Australian Sandalwood. An Australian icon with grounding, strengthening properties for mind and body. It has a penetrating, herbaceous, woody aroma useful for stress relief, bronchial congestion especially when combined with lemon and lavender – as well as and hay fever relief. A drop dispensed on a cotton tip can be applied directly to treat blemishes and cold sores. Applied as a massage blend with Sweet Almond to the chest and shoulders it increases vitality and helps one feel empowered throughout the day.”
Beyond their beautiful aromas, essential oils are complex, potent plant extracts made up of hundreds of naturally occurring compounds. Each oil is made up of a myriad of properties which combine to provide its unique physical (physiological) and emotional (psychological) characteristic profile. Each oil carries its own unique emotional and physical profile — from calming an overstimulated nervous system to easing fatigue, supporting digestion, clearing the mind or helping the body rebalance after travel. When used mindfully and as directed, essential oils become small yet transformative tools that fit seamlessly into daily routines.
Why essential oils belong in your New Year wellness rituals
The start of a new year often stirs a desire for clarity, ease, energy and emotional steadiness. Essential oils can help cultivate exactly that. Their aromatic molecules interact with the limbic system — the part of the brain that influences memory, mood and emotion — making them powerful allies for elevating your mindset, supporting calm and helping you reconnect with yourself.
For mornings when you want to feel bright and focused, citrus single-note oils such as lemon, lime, bergamot and grapefruit offer an instant lift. These summer favourites are known for their revitalising and refreshing qualities, helping to alleviate sluggishness, support digestion and awaken the senses. Diffused throughout your home, they create an environment of positivity and momentum. Think of them as a fresh start in scent form!