Back to work and time to get productive for lots of us despite the great summer weather!
Did you know that SCENT can be a major factor when it comes to your day to day functioning? It’s true, and aromatherapy probably isn’t the first tool you think of to help boost your productivity, but maybe it should be because smell is the strongest of the senses and is best able to influence brain activity.
Why is Smell Such a Strong Sense?
Olfactory bulbs are part of the limbic system and directly connect to the areas of the brain that process emotion and learning. Just to give this context, do you remember the last time you smelt something and it reminded you of a person or an event?
Besides being powerful mentally, scents also have anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and using them in an environment where there are a lot of people can help to keep germs at bay (that means less sick days).
Inhaling essential oils activates the hypothalamus – the area of the brain which sends messages to other parts of the body. This can in turn affect blood pressure and stimulate digestion.
Here are Six key Scents to consider using at home or work to boost your productivity and elevate your mood:
1. Lemon. This scent promotes concentration and has calming and clarifying properties that are helpful when you’re feeling angry, anxious or run down. Lemon also has antiviral and antibacterial properties and can help fight sore throats and colds by boosting the body’s immune system and improving circulation.
2. Lavender. This essential oil has calming properties that help control emotional stress. Lavender has a soothing effect on nerves and can relieve nervous tension and depression as well as treat headaches and migraines.
3. Jasmine. Like lavender, jasmine it is also used to calm nerves, but this oil is also commonly used as an anti-depressant because of its uplifting capabilities that produce a feeling of confidence, optimism and revitalized energy.
4. Rosemary. This is the perfect Monday morning pick-me-up. In addition to improving memory retention, rosemary has stimulating properties that fight physical exhaustion, headaches and mental fatigue. Rosemary can also be used topically to relieve muscular aches and pains.
5. Cinnamon. The stimulating properties in cinnamon can help fight mental fatigue and improve concentration and focus.
6. Peppermint. Try peppermint when brainstorming. An energy booster, this scent invigorates the mind, promotes concentration and stimulates clear thinking.
HOW TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS?
There are a couple of ways:
1.By placing just a drop or two of an essential oil on a cotton ball and inhaling, or by adding 1-6 drops to an electric diffuser you can get an aromatherapy effect
2.For a group benefit, put a bowl of hot water with a few drops of essential oils in the middle of the room on a table.
Bottom Line: Although it may not be something that comes to mind when thinking productivity, smell power is very effective! Use it thoughtfully and see its benefits immediately!
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SOURCE: entrepreneur.com
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