Scents for Senses: Aromatherapy for Your Work Day

• Aromatherapy can do wonders for your mood and mental wellbeing.
• Try our pick of essential oil blends to enhance your work day.

Our sense of smell can provoke both emotional and physical responses: your mouth waters when you smell something delicious, and the powdery scent of fresh linen is just so comforting. That explains why aromatherapy – a healing practice that uses essential oils for therapeutic benefits – can be so effective. Try our aromatic blends for a boost – or to relax – during your day.

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When you're unable to focus...

Rosemary and ginger

Feeling drowsy or distracted? This refreshing blend with crisp top notes and bright undertones is sure to wake you up and lift that brain fog. A study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience found that rosemary oil, when used as aromatherapy, can improve alertness and memory. Pair it with a spicy and stimulating note like ginger to enhance concentration and clear the mind – perfect for the morning or when the afternoon slump hits.

Build your own ritual: Start your day by scenting your workspace. Simply add four drops each of rosemary and ginger essential oil to a diffuser; the energising scent will get you into a focused state of mind.

When you feel nervous before a presentation...

Cypress and lemon

Presenting in front of an audience, whether it’s online or in person, can be nerve-wracking; but a whiff of this soothing melange will calm you down. Known to be a natural remedy for anxiety, cypress has a woody, earthy scent that induces a relaxed state when you’re feeling overwhelmed. It mixes particularly well with lemon essential oil, which has a clean, fresh aroma to keep your mind sharp – but your nerves calm – during the presentation.

Build your own ritual: Mix 30ml of water with 10 drops of each essential oil in a bottle to create a room spray. A few spritzes are enough to ease your nerves, but for an even better result, try a mindful breathing exercise as you inhale the pleasant scent.

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When you're stuck in a creative rut...

Eucalyptus and thyme

We’ve all been there: staring at a blank screen, waiting for inspiration that never comes. When you hit a creative block, try this minty blend to open up your mind. You may have heard that eucalyptus oil is great for sleep, but it’s also been found to improve mental clarity, which aids creative thinking. Thyme, on the other hand, boasts a warming and pleasant fragrance that can relieve stress, leaving your mind at a relaxed state, perfect for developing fresh ideas.

Build your own ritual: Place an aroma stone on your desk and add a few drops of the essential oils on to it every week. An aroma stone works like a diffuser without the use of electricity and serves as a natural-looking décor for your workspace, too.

When you need a pick-me-up

Bergamot and geranium

Whether you’re feeling the Monday blues or simply not having the best day, a sniff of this joyful blend will help you combat the negative emotions and uplift your mood. Like many citrus oils, bergamot has a sunny and refreshing aroma that soothes the nerves. Add geranium, which boasts similar fruity accents with a hint of rose, to alleviate tension and feel energised.

Build your own ritual: Make a roll-on with this essential oil blend – simply mix four drops of bergamot oil and two drops of geranium oil with 10ml of grape seed oil as the carrier oil. Apply to your wrist as needed to feel good and smell great!

When you're ready to wind down...

Lavender, patchouli and rose

After a long day at work, all you want is relax. This floral mix will help you switch off your mind in an instant. Lavender is popular for its sedative effect, and its delicate aroma makes it a versatile choice that goes well with a variety of essential oils. We’ve picked patchouli for its calming properties, and rose for its ability to relieve stress and anxiety. The scent of this blend is soft, slightly sweet and woody to soothe your senses.

Build your own ritual: Unwind with a long bath in the evening using this blend as a bath oil – combine four drops each of the essential oils in 15ml of carrier oil, such as coconut or olive oil. Don’t forget to put on some relaxing music as you luxuriate in some quality “me” time.