How essential oils can help home workers

I use essential oils in other rooms in the house, but for some reason I’ve never quite got round to doing so in my home office.

So this guest post by Susan Tomlinson is really useful, and I’m now hunting for the grapefruit oil I know we have somewhere…

As a small business owner maintaining a positive attitude can be challenging at times! There are days when I feel tired and discouraged, and phases when I lack concentration and motivation.

Eating well, exercising and getting enough rest all help, but what I’ve been really excited to discover are the powerful benefits of using essential oils to help support my physical and emotional wellbeing.

Essential oils are natural aromatic compounds found in plants and they are very concentrated (they are 50 to 70 times more powerful than herbs).

They can be used aromatically. For example, diffusers are used to dispense the oil into the surrounding air. I use a mist diffuser which mixes oil and water or there are candle diffusers which heat the essential oil to promote diffusion into the air.

They can be applied topically (directly on your skin or diluted with a carrier oil) or some oils can be taken internally.

Because they can be very powerful it’s worth checking the quality of essential oils and how to use them. I personally use therapeutic grade oils (avoid the synthetic ones!) which have been tested for safety and quality and are free from fillers and harmful additives.

Since my discovery I’ve had fun experimenting with a whole range of essential oils and have easily incorporated them into my daily routine, whether I am working from home or travelling.

Here are some quick and simple solutions I’ve found to help deal with low energy, stress and lack of concentration.

Need a boost of energy?

• Rub Lemon or Lime essential oil underneath your nose.
• Apply Peppermint oil to the palm of your hands and inhale for a quick pick-me-up.
• Add a few drops of Lemon or Peppermint to mineral water and use in a spray bottle as a refreshing facial spritz.
• Diffuse Wild Orange in your office to help uplift your mood and energy levels, and to freshen the air.
• You can also dispense one or two drops of Wild Orange in the palm of your hand along with equal parts Peppermint and Frankincense. Rub your hands together and inhale deeply from your palms and then rub on the back of your neck. Smells amazing!

Feeling stressed?

• Bergamot is unique among citrus oils due to its ability to be both uplifting and calming, making it ideal to help with anxious feelings. During periods of high stress trying diffusing Bergamot.
• Lavender is widely used for its calming and relaxing qualities and is very versatile. Diffuse in your office or apply topically to pulse points to calm anxiety and soothe emotions.

Lacking focus and concentration?

• Known for its energising and invigorating effect Grapefruit essential oil helps reduce mental and physical fatigue. Diffuse to sharpen your focus when working, studying or reading.
• Rosemary can help your memory! On a recent episode of ‘Trust Me I’m a Doctor’ they demonstrated how a compound found in the essential oil has been shown to act on the biochemical systems that underpin memory. Really helpful if you have lots of things you need to keep in mind!
• Finally, Sandalwood is frequently used in meditation for its grounding and uplifting properties. Diffuse or inhale from your palms at the beginning of the day for calmness and clarity.

If you would like to receive an essential oil sample please email Susan with your contact details.

Susan is a business coach and mentor who specialises in working with female entrepreneurs and solo professionals who are ready and willing to do whatever it takes to build a successful business that supports the lifestyle of their choice.

Check out Susan’s very popular guest post on choosing Food for energy and alertness, and you will be turbocharged for anything thrown at you during the course of your home working day!