It’s that time of year again, the crisp air is here, fireplaces are dusted off, and we’re bundling up like burritos in blankets trying to survive another Minnesota winter. Honestly, I look forward to this season. The slower pace, the cozy nights, the permission to rest. But let’s be real… it also comes with the sniffles, the coughs, and the “ugh, here we go again” moments. We are ALWAYS diffusing, and if you need a diffuser that works well, lasts forever, and is still aesthetic, here are our faves.
If you’ve got kids (or just live with humans), you know exactly what I mean. One person gets the sniffles, and within days, it’s a full family affair. After walking through this season year after year, three kids deep, a house full of chaos and love, I’ve learned that a little prep goes a long way in keeping our home feeling calm and healthy.
No, I can’t stop every bug from entering the house (if only!), but I’ve built my own little winter wellness ritual – a toolkit that smells good, feels good, and keeps our space grounded. And it all starts with one of my favorite health brands: doTERRA.
These tiny amber bottles have become my winter sidekicks bringing warmth, calm, and just enough “we’ve got this” energy to carry us through.
Why I Use Essential Oils in Sick Season
When the air outside is sharp and cold, and the heat inside starts to dry everything out, our bodies feel it. Immune systems start running on fumes, sleep gets funky, and germs spread faster than hot gossip at hockey practice.
That’s where essential oils come in, not as miracle cures (I’m not that girl), but as support. Tools that can help us breathe easier, rest better, and feel more like ourselves.
For me, it’s not just about the science. It’s about ritual. The smell of citrus in the morning to wake everyone up. That cozy OnGuard scent floating through the air while we wipe down the counters. A few drops of lavender in the diffuser when everyone’s finally asleep. It’s like creating an invisible blanket of calm over our home, and when the outside world feels chaotic, that’s everything.
My Go-To doTERRA Essentials (and How We Actually Use Them)
After years of trial and error (and some serious essential oil education), these are the winter MVPs I keep stocked. They’ve been tested through toddler meltdowns, late-night fevers, and busy weeks when no one slows down.
1. OnGuard Protective Blend
This is my ride-or-die winter oil. It smells like Christmas. Warm, spicy, and cozy. But it’s also known for supporting immune health. Basically, it’s a hug in a bottle.
There’s something about that cinnamon-clove blend that just feels like a clean slate every time I walk into the room. I’ll be honest, even if it didn’t do a single thing for immunity, I’d still diffuse it just for the scent. But the fact that it does support our systems during sick season? Total win.
How we use it:
We diffuse it every day in the main living areas, rub it on the kids’ feet before school (they think it’s magic), and use the OnGuard cleaner concentrate to wipe down everything from doorknobs to backpacks. The hand sanitizer and soap are on every counter, because – kids. Enough said.
2. Peppermint
If OnGuard is the cozy hug, Peppermint is the instant wake-up call. It’s crisp, cooling, and clears the brain fog on even the grayest mornings.
This oil is the one I reach for when I need to feel alive and AWAKE. like after a late night of hockey tournaments or when the kids are dragging their feet to get ready for school. It’s energizing and grounding all at once.
How we use it:
A drop in the diffuser, a dab on the temples with carrier oil, or mixed with Wild Orange for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. I’ll also add a drop or two to a bowl of hot water for a quick steam facial — hello, sinuses!
3. Eucalyptus
This one is pure spa vibes. Every time I use it, I feel like I’ve stepped into a sauna at a fancy wellness retreat (instead of my very lived-in Minnesota bathroom). It’s soothing, refreshing, and helps open everything up when the air gets dry and heavy.
Eucalyptus is my go-to for that “stuffy house” feeling we all get in the dead of winter. It helps clear the air, literally and figuratively.
How we use it:
I add a few drops to the shower floor before hopping in instant steam room effect. I’ll also mix it with water in a spray bottle and lightly mist the pillows or sheets before bed. When someone’s stuffy, I’ll pair it with Breathe blend in the diffuser to help everyone rest easier.
4. Breathe Blend
The name says it all. This blend is like a deep inhale when your nose has officially decided to quit. It’s fresh, minty, and instantly calming. The kind of smell that makes you feel like things are improving, even if it’s 2 a.m. and you’re rocking a sick kid back to sleep.
How we use it:
I diffuse it in bedrooms at night, roll it on chests before bed, and keep the Breathe vapor stick in my purse. It’s also perfect for car rides when everyone’s feeling stuffy or we’re just trying to stay alert on long drives to hockey tournaments.
5. Lavender + Serenity
These two are the peacekeepers in our house. Lavender is the OG – calming, gentle, and familiar. Serenity steps it up a notch, with a dreamy blend that feels like a deep exhale after a long day.
When the pace of life feels full tilt (and let’s be honest, that’s most of the time), these are the oils that help us wind down. They remind me to slow down, rest, and make space for stillness.
How we use them:
A few drops of Lavender or Serenity in the diffuser before bed sets the tone. I roll Serenity on our feet (even Jamie’s, when he lets me) and add a drop to everyone’s wrists. I also keep Serenity softgels on my nightstand- game changer. It’s our family’s secret weapon for better sleep and calmer nights.
6. Frankincense
If oils had a wise old sage, this would be it. Frankincense is grounding, healing, and full of depth. It’s one of those oils that does a little bit of everything. Skin, mood, immune system, emotions, all of it. I think of it as the “reset button” oil. When life feels a little out of balance, this one brings me back.
How we use it:
I add a drop to my nighttime moisturizer (my skin loves it), rub it on my neck and chest for a sense of calm, and sometimes pair it with Lavender during meditation or journaling. When anyone’s feeling run-down, a drop of Frankincense on the spine or under the tongue (if you’re familiar with internal use) gives a good boost.
7. Wild Orange
This one’s my secret weapon against the winter blues. When the days are short and gray, this oil brings sunshine back into our home. Wild Orange is happy in a bottle. It smells like optimism and instantly shifts the energy in our house from tired to uplifted. It’s my “we’re not letting the cold win today” go-to.
How we use it:
I diffuse it in the mornings while making breakfast or mix a few drops with coconut oil and rub it on my wrists. Instant energy. I’ll also pair it with Peppermint in the diffuser when I need to get through an afternoon slump. It’s bright, refreshing, and smells like hope in January.
Winter Vibes, Without the Chaos
I used to dread this season. The colds, the long nights, the endless hand-washing. But now, I see it as a chance to slow down. Winter doesn’t have to feel heavy. It can be calm, cozy, and intentional if you choose to make it that way.
A few drops of oil. A warm blanket. Good soup. Rest. That’s the rhythm we try to hold onto every winter. One that feels steady, peaceful, and full of care.
So as the temps drop and the world quiets, fill your home with the scents that make you feel grounded, the spice of OnGuard, the calm of Lavender, the brightness of Wild Orange. Breathe them in, sip your tea, and remind yourself that you’re doing great. Here’s to a winter that’s warm, healthy, and full of good energy.
A Few Safety + Sanity Reminders
Because I’ll always keep it real essential oils are powerful little things. A few drops go a long way.
- Always read the label and follow the directions.
- Use a carrier oil to dilute.
- Keep them out of little hands.
- And remember: oils are support tools, not replacements for medical care.
If you want to start your own winter wellness stash, grab your diffuser, pour a cup of tea, and check out my favorite blends linked below. Your home will smell like a spa and your body will thank you for the reset.
It’s that time of year when the hot cocoa comes out, the fireplaces are dusted off, and we’re bundling up like burritos in blankets in the Minnesota cold. Honestly, I look forward to the cozy. But let’s be real… with the arrival of frosty mornings and shorter days, those seasonal sniffles and coughs are coming too. Having walked through this season countless times with three littles (and a house full of chaos and love), I’ve learned that a little prep goes a long way in keeping our home as healthy as possible. While we can’t always completely prevent it (because, hello, it’s going to happen!), I feel like I’ve finally mastered my go-to remedies and steps to reduce severity.
Today, I’m sharing my go-to wellness toolkit using one of my favorite health brands…DoTERRA. These little bottles and packets of healthy goodness bring aroma, ritual, and a strong sense of “we’ve got this” into our winter days.
