It can be hard to get back to work or return to school or college after the summer holidays. Using essential oils to help refocus our mind for studying and re-energize our body to resume a daily routine can be very beneficial. This is because many oils have a range of stimulating, uplifting and memory-enhancing properties that are both pleasurable and can help make the transition from holidays to a daily work routine easier.
The Best Essential Oils to Use to Promote Concentration and Focus:
Essential oils which are helpful whilst studying can have a wide range of actions:
- Basil can improve mental health by increasing the ability to think clearly whilst lowering the risk for age-related memory loss, including speed of memory and short-term memory.
- Rosemary is stimulating and has been shown to sharpen the memory and improve brain function and cognition.
- Peppermint helps clear the head and has a reviving effect on the mind, promoting alertness and focus whilst boosting attention span.
- Ginger & Black Pepper are both energizing, aid cognitive functions and provide a boost to both mind and body.
- Lime & Lemon (plus other citrus oils) are profoundly uplifting & refreshing, which can help counter any feelings of lethargy or tiredness.
- Jasmine & Rose are both comforting and warming, creating a sense of optimism and a ‘can do’ mentality.
- Frankincense is renowned for its ability to deepen the breath & induce a calm state of mind, conducive for concentration or study.
All the essential oils mentioned above are relevant to anyone engaged in mental activity of any kind, but if you want to explore this area in more depth, then I recommend reading my book ‘Aromatherapy and the Mind: An Exploration into the Psychological and Emotional Effects of Essential Oils’. In this book, I go into much greater depth in the ways in which various essential oils effect our nervous system and brain, and which aromas can be used to create different moods or to make changes to our mental state. This book also explores the influence that different perfumery materials have on our mind, for example, how they can be utilized to increase mental alertness and how they affect our overall sense of well- being.
Methods of Use Whilst Studying or Working:
There are many ways in which essential oils can be used to aid study and concentration both at home, in school or in the workplace.
Inhalation: The easiest way to benefit from the properties of any of the oils mentioned above, is by inhaling their scent – either by using a room diffuser or an oil burner or simply by adding a few drops of the chosen oils to a tissue, where it can be used as ‘scent boost’ whilst busy studying.
Shower Boost: Before going to work or school, it is also possible to add a few drops of a reviving essential oil to the shower tray or to a loofah sponge to create an extra lift whilst showering in the morning.
Perfumes: Certain essential oils make lovely perfumes or can applied to items of clothing, such as a scarf, to benefit from their fragrance throughout the day. All our 5% blends: for example, rose maroc 5%, jasmine 5% or neroli 5% oils, are ideal to wear as daily perfumes on the skin (but not applied to clothing), while some perfumery oils, such as patchouli have been used to scent cloth for centuries.
Aromatic Spritz: When the weather is hot or if you are confined in a centrally heated environment, it is always good to keep a refreshing spritz to hand to keep your body and mind feeling fresh and alert whilst working or studying. Melissa water, Neroli water, Fragonia Water, Rosemary Water or Spearmint Water all have excellent uplifting qualities and can help revive a tired mind.
Blended oils that can add an extra lift to your daily routine:
Blended oils can add an extra dimension to our working environment and can be tailored to suit our individual taste and needs.
- If you are lacking motivation and need a boost to get started, try adding 2 drops each of Rosemary, Ginger and Lime to a diffuser first thing in the morning.
- If you feel congested and sluggish with a fuzzy head, perhaps after a late night out, try adding two drops each of Peppermint, Lemon and Basil to a diffuser.
- A zingy citrus blend of oils, using 2 drops each of Bergamot, Grapefruit and Petitgrain will help to overcome any ‘blue moods’ at the end of the holiday period.
All our Diffusion Blends are individual formulations that I have created at our aromatic workshop in the Cotswolds and are unique to Aqua Oleum. Some are specifically to help to enhance our clarity or brighten our mind in different ways.
- Clear Head is great when we are feeling congested and sluggish – also to ward off any unwanted airborne bugs.
- Brighten is a citrus-based blend which helps lift our spirits and revive our mind, helping us to focus and stay alert.
- Mountain Air is one of my personal favorites as it is inspired by the scent of coniferous forests, using oils such as juniper and black spruce, which are found growing on high mountains where the air is clean and fresh.
Later this month we will also be sharing the recipe for a blended roller-ball study aid – good for being on the move – and a desk-creativity scented mist, which is easy to make at home. Both recipes are from my recent book: ‘Mud, Salt + Medicine’.
Winding down after work or a period of study
Finally, there are many essential oils that can help us to relax and switch off after a busy day or a period of intense concentration. Allowing the brain to rest following a prolonged period of study is crucial to maintain it in optimum condition just as it is important to relax the body after a period of intense exercise. So when studying gets too much and we need a break or want to wind down, try using oils which you like personally and are drawn to, since it is often these ones can help soothe both body and mind.
Relaxing aromatics such as Sandalwood, Lavender or Vetivert are valuable when it is time to wind down, whereas oils such as Bergamot and Neroli or Ylang ylang can help alleviate any build-up of stress or nervous tension. Such oils are invaluable when used regularly in baths or foot soaks, or incorporated into massage oils or used as pulse-point perfumes.
Adding a handful of relaxing Bath Salts, either using Epsom Crystals or Dead Sea Salts to the bath water or the foot soak can increase the soothing effects of aromatic bathing and aid relaxation. In addition, our new range of Body Oils, such as Tranquility, Unwind, Wild Rose or After Dark or are perfectly suited for applying after a warm, soothing bath to help unwind.
Remember to also take the time to take time out after working hard. Simply rest whilst drinking a herbal tea such as lemon verbena or chamomile, go for a walk or spend time outdoors. Simply being in nature, either in a garden, the countryside or in a park is one of the best ways to relax, unwind and also to recharge our batteries.
NOTE: Always check the specific safety data before using any essential oil and do a patch test before applying a new oil to your skin. All Aqua Oleum products have safety information clearly stated on the label.