Some benefits of using Essential Oils at Work
Many companies are starting to believe in a holistic approach to wellness. There are many approaches to creating a positive environment, and a culture of wellness in the workplace. Approaches such as a strength-based focus, attention to employee’s mental health, connection and communication all make an impact. Collectively creating a powerfully positive/synergistic environment.
Many workplaces are using oils to create positivity. It’s hard to not smile when you smell lovely smells such as orange in the air.
You maybe asking, what is an essential oil?
When you step outside in the spring and breathe in the strong aroma of a rose, or smell the peel a fresh juicy orange–you are smelling the essential oil of the plants.
Essential oils are naturally occurring, volatile aromatic compounds. They are found in the peels, seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants.
The oils are powerful. Both in their fragrance and in the affect they have on our health. They are highly concentrated and powerful–one drop of peppermint oil is equivalent to 28 cups of peppermint tea.
There is a long history of the use of essential oil going far back thousands of years. Today they are used in skin care preparations, health care practices, food and beauty preparations.
Essential oils can be used:
- Aromatically – a few drops in a diffuser, or in diffuser jewellery.
- Topically – in creams or diluted in a carrier oil (such as fractionated coconut oil or olive oil) applied to different parts of the body–such as the bottoms of the feet or pulse points on the back of the neck or wrists.
- Internally (only high quality, therapeutic grade essential oils) – a drop of lemon, Grapefruit or Lime in your water is delicious!
Five reasons to diffuse essential oils in the workplace:
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Calm frazzled emotions.
A day where staff are uptight, deadlines are looming, and staff are struggling and are under pressure, and your in-tray is getting overloaded maybe try to diffuse some calming oils such as: Cedarwood, Serenity, Peace, Lavender, Vetiver, Bergamot or Peppermint. -
Stimulate feelings of positivity and work productivity.
When you can feel some negative energy, or people are feeling the weight of some challenges happening at work, this is a great time to diffuse citrus oils. It’s hard to not feel a lift when we smell Wild Orange, Lime, Lemon, Grapefruit, Citrus Bliss, Elevation or Cheer. For focus and concentration, I like Peppermint or Bergamot. Cedarwood and Lavender promote a calmness, and can therefore encourage focus. InTune, also promotes focus and clarity. -
Fight airborne germs.
Those days when you look over and your workmate is coughing and sneezing into tissues and all over the office, or you have a little tickle in your throat and you feel like you are fighting something. On Guard is a blend with Clove, Wild Orange Cinnamon, Eucalyptus and Rosemary. There have been many research studies done around the effectiveness of essential oils available on sites such as Pub Med.
Also Oregano, Thyme and Melaleuca oils are powerful oils to help support the whole body and keep it functioning in a perfect manner. Diffusing a blend of On Guard will support immune function you could also add a drop of lemon for a fresh uplifting smell too. Also having a spray bottle with these oils with a bit of Melaleuca, Oregano and water, is great for cleaning door handles, and light switches. -
Mid-afternoon wake-up.
Rather than drinking too much coffee or energy drinks, try to diffuse some Peppermint and Wild Orange add a couple drops for an extra kick. Elevation blend is also a great wake-up.
I often share a blend of Peppermint and Wild Orange into each person’s hand and rub onto the back of the neck. Rub hands together and breathe in the invigorating smell, then rub on the back of the neck. Such an instant refresh and wake up.
Also great if your in the middle of a long meeting – try it – it’s just like magic!! -
Get rid of unwanted scents
You know what I’m talking about…those gross smells that come with office life. If not leftover lunches, than it’s paint fumes, new carpet smells or something like that.
AND every office bathroom is usually equipped with air fresheners. There’s more and more information available to us about the toxicity of air fresheners and fragrances. Put a few drops of On Guard, lavender and water in a glass bottle and there you have a fantastic, really effective, non-toxic air freshener.
Purify blend is created with a handful of great oils that both smell delicious (citrus and woody oils) and also have air purification properties (tea tree, citronella and cilantro). This would also be a great oil to add to an air freshener!
For a positive scent diffusing any oil or combination of oils is fantastic. It’s hard to go wrong. I personally love citrus oils. At Christmas I love a combination of On Guard smells of cinnamon, cypress and clove. It really supports a fun, festive and healthy environment.