What are essential oils and aromatherapy?
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts, distilled from flowers, roots, or leaves. Many people use essential oils in order to feel relaxed or to aid with sleep, but they can also help to boost our energy levels, or even help you maintain focus and boost motivation.
Whether you’re working or studying from home or elsewhere, finding the right energy and concentration levels to tackle the demands of the day ahead can be challenging, and aromatherapy can be one way to help support your wellbeing.
Essential oils are the basis for aromatherapy: a complementary therapy thought to enhance mental and physical health thanks to the properties that different essential oils have when inhaled or absorbed by the skin. For example, essential oils can be applied topically as part of a massage (oils shouldn’t be applied directly to skin, but diluted with a carrier oil) or added to bath water.
There are qualified professionals who practise aromatherapy as a healing alternative therapy. But when it comes to enjoying the positive effects of essential oils on our wellbeing, some basic aromatherapy is something that anyone can try.
How to use essential oils for aromatherapy
How much kit you want to invest in is up to you, but the good news is you don’t necessarily need any. To benefit from essential oils in a quick and easy way, simply twist the cap off the bottle and breathe deeply through your nose. Avoid getting pure essential oil on your skin, as this can irritate if not diluted properly.
To create a fine mist of essential oils, an electronic diffuser is the ideal way to disperse them into the air in your home, adding your desired fragrance to any room.
Spritzing yourself with an energising essential oil spray can be another easy way to make aromatherapy part of your self-care habits, and can be a handy way to refresh and awaken your senses when you’re on-the-go.
Which essential oils help to improve focus and boost motivation?
Aromatherapy can be one way to boost your motivation and improve focus — giving you space to contemplate your goals and realign your priorities. Keep reading to find out which essential oils are best for concentration and how to use them.
Eucalyptus as an essential oil
Eucalyptus Essential Oil is made from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree, which is native to Australia (eucalyptus forests are perhaps best known as the natural habitat of koalas).
Strong and refreshing, eucalyptus features in many cough and cold remedies, including nasal sprays, because its bracing aroma can help relieve congestion. This invigorating, fresh scent is also used by some people to improve concentration.
Rather than simply reaching for a caffeinated drink or sugary snack, inhaling refreshing eucalyptus essential oil could be another way to help perk yourself up.
