Essential Oils to Boost Productivity & Decrease Stress

     I understand that there is a rather large crowd of people out there in the world that roll their eyes at the mere thought of Essential Oils & their supposed benefits, and I do agree with some of the points made; I think that some of the results shown can be chalked up to the "placebo effect", for sure. However, I also am also of the opinion that some essential oils really do have benefits, especially when using 100% natural & trusted brands and on a regular basis.

    It should be said that I don't think that Essential Oils should be used in place of most modern medicines, rather, they should be used alongside to help promote the healthiest of living.

     IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS:

•      Essential Oils should be used with caution, especially with any health concerns, pregnancy, around babies or young children, etc. Make sure you do your research before using any Essential Oil! Many would-be surprised at certain E.O.s not being safe for certain people. It's always better to be safe than sorry, right?

•      Be sure to use your Essential Oils sparingly. One drop at a minimum and three drops at maximum is a good rule of thumb to remember. Also, always remember to dilute your Oils! This is important, always, but especially when you apply topically.

•     Make sure you're using a trusted brand. You don't want to use just any brand of Essential Oils that could possibly run the risk of not being 100% pure-grade essential oils, and you won't reap the benefits that Essential Oils can bring. Take my advice: do your research into some good, trusted EO brands & spend that extra dollar. It's worth it if you're looking to add Essential Oil diffusing to your every-day routine.

    You can mix any of these Essential Oils together to diffuse at one time, or let them diffuse on their own! Just a side-note, though, some E.O.s may not smell very good together, (i.e. Orange & Eucalyptus or Peppermint-- this one especially may give off that "toothpaste and orange juice scent; yuck).

    With all of that aside, let's jump into my top favorite essential oils to diffuse alone or blended together to reduce the effects of stress on the body &/or to help boost productivity levels:

First off, let's talk about the top essential oils I use to help boost my brainpower while at work:

    1. Lemon: Can help to increase memory retention and general alertness, which is essential for those productivity levels. Also well-praised for its notably "cheery" scent.

    2. Peppermint: A mental stimulant that helps to increase levels of focus and productivity. I find that it's important to note that Peppermint Oil can be a very overwhelming scent to diffuse if not used sparingly. Did you know that just one drop of Peppermint Essential Oil, (assuming that you're using 100% pure E.O.), is equal to twenty-eight cups of Peppermint tea? So, if you have a sensitive nose, you can always choose another option in using Peppermint to boost your focus & productivity levels: personally, I'll often opt to have a warm cup of 100% all-natural peppermint tea on my desk to drink if I'm not feeling up to the strong peppermint smell wafting from my diffuser that day.

    3. Eucalyptus: Another mental stimulant; great for staying alert and avoiding signs of stagnation due to moderate levels of exhaustion. Another note to make is that Eucalyptus is also used to aid in signs of congestion, so I definitely recommend adding this E.O. to your regular diffusing routine, especially now that we're entering into the colder months!

    4. Rosemary: this Essential Oil is often used without knowing that it's a blood thinner, so this one should definitely be used with caution, especially if you or anyone around may have an underlying health condition where it could worsen their physical state. However, it can absolutely be used, otherwise, to help with memory retention and to help increase levels of awareness.

        Secondly, let's talk about my top favorite essential oils that I use to aid in stress-relief:

    1. Lavender: (You already know I have to list this one!) Lavender is a stress-relieving staple! It not only helps to ease the physical effects brought on by anxiety; Lavender helps to bring you back to your natural state of calm, grounds you, & ultimately, creates a calmer physical atmosphere. Lavender, in my opinion, is the Essential Oil equivalent to taking a deep, much-needed breath!

(photo courtesy of hercampus.com)

    2. Juniper: One of my all-time faves, especially if you're a lover of the outdoors & the scent of fresh, mountain air. Great for symptoms onset by minor physical discomfort, (i.e. after a decent workout or a physically taxing day.) Also, if you want to use topically, it's great for muscle relief that way, as well! Just remember to dilute any oils you decide to place on your skin. (I don't have a photo of this oil, because I use this oil in an Essential Oil pen that works off of being able to inhale through the mouth and out through the nose. I use the Monq brand for my Juniper inhalation through a mixture of Peppermint, Pine, & Juniper. Here is a link to that pen: https://monq.com/shop/essential-oil/diffuser/mountain/)

    3. Bergamot: Increases feelings of positivity, ultimately relieving the mind of stressful, negative thoughts. Bergamot can also help with feelings of fatigue, so this E.O. can also be used when aiming to increase levels of alertness.

    All of the Essential Oils, (besides the Monq), can be found on Amazon from a trusted brand called Natrogix. I've bought their Essential Oil package twice, now, and love their brand so much! Here is the link if you're interested: Natrogix Nirvana Essential Oil Set, 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade.

    What are your favorite Essential Oils and what are the benefits that you use them for? I'd love to know in the comments, below!

kati