WORK FROM HOME X AROMATHERAPIE

INTRODUCTION

As more and more workplaces instigate social distancing policies, many of us have transitioned into a new remote working lifestyle. Checking in on virtual meetings, keeping the children occupied, dealing with continuous distractions, and the blurring of home and work life have now become a challenging new norm. Working from home has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, but telecommuting while embracing self-isolation or shelter in place orders can add on a tough new dimension. Job priorities and overall roles may also have evolved, adding to work stress and uncertainty.

Here are some key ways Essential Oils can help you work from home:

Essential Oils with emotionally grounding qualities are ideal for setting a positive tone in the morning to gear up for a productive and stress-free workday. Examples include Clary Sage, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang, Frankincense, Cedarwood, and Patchouli Essential Oils.

Essential Oils with mentally clarifying effects are ideal for coping with distractions to better concentrate on work tasks. Examples include Rosemary, Lemon, Peppermint, and Basil Essential Oils.

Essential Oils with stimulating or refreshing qualities are ideal for overcoming a lack of motivation or drive due to a disorderly or distracting home environment. Examples include Lemon and Peppermint  Essential Oils.

Essential Oils with calming or soothing qualities are ideal for unwinding after a tough day, helping to separate work life from home life. Examples include  Lavender, Chamomile Roman, and Bergamot Essential Oils.

Essential Oils with sedative or comforting qualities are ideal for incorporating into your bedtime routine, helping to slough off negative energies for a restful night of sleep. Examples include Lavender and Vetiver Essential Oils.

Essential Oils can be valuable in addressing the common issues associated with remote working while helping us stay positive and productive. By providing relief to both mental and bodily stress or discomfort, they have now become a precious strength to many, allowing individuals to successfully manage growing workloads while caring for their mental health.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST ESSENTIAL OILS FOR WORKING FROM HOME

One of the many advantages of working from home is the ability to transform your workspace however you wish. By taking advantage of this opportunity to personalize your home and workstation according to your scent preferences and preferred therapeutic properties, you can benefit from improved happiness, productivity, and overall well-being during this time.

TOP  ESSENTIAL OILS FOR WORK FROM HOME PRODUCTIVITY (AND HOW TO USE THEM)

The guidelines provided for diffusing can be modified according to the size of your diffuser and your preferences. The aromatic benefits of most Essential Oils can also be gained by inhaling directly from the bottle, although care must be taken with oils that have very strong, intense scents. For those who prefer very subtle aromas, try adding a few drops of your desired oil onto a cotton ball inside a small bowl or plate and place it on top of your home office desk.

Peppermint Essential Oil

Inhaling the aroma of Peppermint Essential Oil can rapidly stimulate and boost one's energy without increasing nervous tension. This cognitive effect is linked to its main constituent, Menthol, which is highly cooling and invigorating. Peppermint Oil is also often diffused in study environments due to its reputation as a potent learning and memory aid. In a highly distracting or noisy home environment, it can work to enhance one's energy levels, improve focus, help with recall, elevate mood, and have an ultimately positive impact on one's work productivity.

How to use:

a) To help with levels of alertness and create a focused ambiance at home, diffuse 4-5 drops of Peppermint Oil.

b) To eliminate distractions, blend 2 drops each of Peppermint Oil, Rosemary Oil, and Lemon Oil before diffusing.

c) To combat physical and mental fatigue, pour 3 tsp. of a preferred Carrier Oil into the cupped palm of your hand followed by 1-2 drops of Peppermint Oil. Massage gently onto your temples, forehead, neck, and any other area of tension (avoiding the eyes, inner ears, or other sensitive areas). Repeat as often as needed.

Rosemary Essential Oil

With a refreshingly spicy aroma, Rosemary Essential Oil has become increasingly popular due to innovative studies that appear to show a strong ability to improve cognition, memory, and performance. When diffused, Rosemary Oil powerfully stimulates the senses, sharpening one's focus and aiding memory retention; for this reason, it can be particularly beneficial for virtual work meetings or teleconferences where remembering important details is critical.

How to use:

a) To help maximize concentration and focus, diffuse 3 drops each of Rosemary Oil, Grapefruit Oil, and Lime Oil for about half an hour.

b) Alternatively, pour 1 tsp. of a preferred Carrier Oil into the cupped palm of your hand followed by 1 drop of Rosemary Oil. Rub your palms together before holding them in front of your nose and take in a few deep breaths.

Lemon Essential Oil

A vibrant and invigorating citrus oil, Lemon Essential Oil can be valuable for those who are having trouble focusing or feeling productive at home. Not only does this uplifting oil help eliminate household odors and cleanse the air, but it is also rich in the constituent Limonene, which is known to elevate mood and reduce anxiety. Lemon Oil can be used aromatically to boost one's energy, reduce mental fogginess in the morning, enhance mental clarity, reduce procrastination, and also put forth a positive, cheerful attitude. The energizing properties of Lemon are also a wonderful tool for preparing a room for physical activity. Engaging in regular exercise in the comfort of your own home can, in turn, elevate one's mood and well-being for work.

How to use:

a) To help create a bright and radiant workspace with added energy and focus-enhancing benefits, diffuse 5-8 drops of Lemon Oil.

b) To create a deodorizing room spray that also helps with productivity, add 40 drops of Lemon Oil, 40 drops of Lime Oil,  and 20 drops of Frankincense Oil to a 120 mL (4 fl. oz.) glass spray bottle and top up with Distilled Water. Tightly close the bottle and shake vigorously before spraying it into the air.

Clary Sage Essential Oil

Often nicknamed 'the Woman's Oil', Clary Sage Essential Oil is widely reputed for its ability to modulate the endocrine system and its abnormalities. It is chiefly known as a mood balancer, especially for emotional imbalances caused by hormonal dysfunction. For those undergoing feelings of distress due to working from home or are missing the stimulation from interacting with coworkers in person, Clary Sage Oil can help enhance one's emotional resilience while dispelling negative thoughts and feelings. For those having trouble partitioning work life from personal life during these times, inhaling the pleasantly soothing aroma of Clary Sage after work can help unwind the mind and prepare it for rest and reparation. In aromatherapy, Clary Sage Oil is used to soothe menstrual pain, address insomnia, and reduce stress, lethargy, and anxiety. It is also used to help inspire gratitude, hope, and positivity while enhancing one's sense of spirituality.

How to use:

a) To help balance a chaotic mood, diffuse 3 drops of Clary Sage Oil, 2 drops of Orange Oil, and 1 drop of Bergamot.

b)  To help with insomnia, diffuse 3-4 drops in your bedroom right before going to sleep.

1. Tip: Although Clary Sage is often talked about in the context of benefits for women, men can also reap the wonderful aromatic benefits of this oil. For instance, it is reputed to alleviate anxiety, uplift mood, and boost libido in men.