Whether you are a professional athlete, a gym rat, or just casually enjoy working out, there are dozens of applications for essential oils that will improve your workout. Essential oils are a natural option for taking care of your body as an athlete. They can give you the edge you are looking for, and help you with rest, recovery time, and immune support. dōTERRA has partnered with athletic facilities to provide athletes and their trainers with training on the benefits of oils. Here are a few of the recommendations from trainers about using essential oils for exercise, along with a few extra tips to help you along the way.

Essential Oils for Immune Support

When you’re in the middle of intense training, you don’t want to have to skip out on any sessions because you didn’t feel up to it that morning. Taking doTERRA On Guard^® internally can help boost your immune system and keep you on the go.* If and when you’re taking your workout indoors, it’s also a good idea to diffuse dōTERRA On Guard in the room to keep environmental threats at bay. The additional bonus is the energizing scent of the blend, which can help you mentally to get focused and energized.

Boost Performance with Essential Oils

Peppermint oil is shown to provide a boost when you feel low on energy and fatigued. Try applying it to the back of the neck or to the chest when you need an extra dose of motivation to get through your training regimen. doTERRA Breathe^®, when applied to your skin or diffused, is also an excellent option for feelings of open airways and minimizing the effects of seasonal threats. You can use the oil blend itself, or it also available in the doTERRA Breathe^® Vapor Stick.

Using Essential Oils for Better Sleep and Rest

As an athlete, you probably realize the important of rest and relaxation. When you don’t get the rest that you need at night, it can be hard for your body to keep up. While there are various sleep-aids on the market, natural products are always the best for your body. For this reason, relaxing oils such as Lavender or doTERRA Serenity^® are the perfect solution. Diffusing Lavender at night at least 30 minutes before bed creates the soothing environment your mind and body need to slip into sleep. Taking Lavender internally has also been shown to help with peaceful sleep.*

Essential Oils to Soothe Muscles and Joints

The Deep Blue^® blend is your best option to apply both before and after a training session. The blend comes in a few different options, including Deep Blue^® Rub (see which option could be best for you here). The Rub is typically the most popular choice among athletes because of the ease of application, and the long-lasting warm and cooling sensation it brings.

Use Essential Oils to Stay Fresh and Clean

We all know that the stench from athletic equipment and clothing can be almost unbearable at times. dōTERRA On Guard is an excellent option for cleaning. Just add to a spray bottle with water. Or, use the dōTERRA On Guard Laundry Detergent in the wash. If you have occasional skin irritations, apply Tea Tree (Melaleuca) to help keep the skin clean and clear. Tea Tree can also be added to your dōTERRA On Guard spray to help fight environmental threats.

Additional Products

dōTERRA offers supplements that can also be useful for any athlete. If you’re looking to boost your energy naturally, Mito2Max^® might be the right option for you. It works with the mitochondria in your cells to help with the effecient production of ATP. Or, if you want support your joints and bones on a deeper level, Deep Blue Polyphenol Complex^® is an excellent supplement to add to your routine.*

If you want to try any of the essential oils from this article, the doTERRA Athlete’s Kit puts most of these recommendations into a kit that is easy to slip into your gym bag.