AROMATIC HOME OFFICE
It feels like almost two years as many of us started working from home. Some
people enjoy it and some do not, what truly matter is that you can always create
a positive, comfortable, and most important of all an AROMATIC HOME OFFICE,
where you can work productively and stress-free.
Did you know that in Japan, for example, there is a tradition of using various
aromas in work settings? In 1985, Dr. Shizuo Torri researched the mid-altering effects of essential oils by measuring brain waves. It was documented that some scents can have a stimulating effect, and some have a relaxing effect.
Japan’s third-largest construction company, the Shimizu Corporation, has engineers specializing in incorporating aroma systems (nowadays we have about fifty of them) into new, so-called “intelligent” buildings, which use aroma to improve the efficiency of the work and relieve stress. One of the banks, designed by Shimizu Corporation, used lemon and eucalyptus essential oils to keep workers alert during working hours.
Commercial diffuser systems are capable of pumping different aromas into the atmosphere at different times of the day. For example, Takasago Corporation demonstrated that by diffusing lavender essential oil, typing errors decreased during the working hours by 20%, by 33% with jasmine oil and 54% with lemon essential oil.
Kajima Corporation has taken a different approach to implementing aroma. They use a variety of combinations. For example, lemon in the morning and floral and wood aromas during the day to help their worker maintain a relaxed state. A flourish of lemon is used at the end of the day to help them reduce stress while driving home in traffic. They also use a special wristwatch called the Seiko’s Hattori clock, which releases the aroma of pine and eucalyptus to create the impression of walking in a lovely natural environment.
Here are a few essential oils to help you get a little extra boost: Thyme Linalol, Fennel, Basil, Cypress, Lemongrass, Cinnamon, Ylang-Ylang, May Chang, Lemon, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Juniper, Ginger, Clove, Nutmeg, and Rosemary.
Diffusion is an easy thing to do while working from home, plus you no longer need to worry about your co-workers or ask permission from your supervisor. You really can’t go wrong with whatever you choose! Plug in the diffuser, add water and 5-7 drops of your essential oils. Enjoy!
I recommend using your diffuser two or three times per day for about 20 minutes.
If you need an extra boost, you may choose a personal inhaler. Add 7-12 drops of the essential oil on a cotton wick and inhale deeply with each nostril two or three times.
If you do not like single oils or would like to mix them but do not know how, here are several blends to get you started:
“EARLY BIRDY” Blend Peppermint 15 drops Eucalyptus 8 drops Lemon 10 drops Bergamot 8 drops
“POWER THROUGH BOOSTER” Blend Thyme Linalol 6 drops Bergamot 6 drops Lemon 10 drops Rosemary 10 drops
“CLEAR YOUR MIND” Blend Cypress 10 drops Juniper 10 drops May Chang 5 drops
“OFFICE SANCTUARY” Blend Sweet Orange 10 drops Clove 5 drops Nutmeg 3 drops Cinnamon 1 drop
Here are a few other essential oils to help you get a little extra boost: Thyme, red (Thymus vulgaris) – herbal, intense, medicinal powerful, and spicy aroma. Thyme improves your memory and concentration. It clears your mind and activates brain cells. Employ this beautiful oil to stay focused and on task.
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) – herbaceous, licorices-like, powdery, and sweet aroma. Fennel aids in increasing mental strength to deal with repetitive or unwanted thoughts. The oil also has stress-reducing properties.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) – crisp and clean aroma. Basil promotes courage and confidence. It brings the reins of your emotions back into your own hands to aid in reclaiming emotional control and balance.
Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) – balsamic, licorices-like, resinous, smoky, and woody aroma. Cypress oil grounds and calms the mind. The scent of blue cypress activates and supports mental activity, stimulating creativity and generating new ideas. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) – fresh, lemony, fruity, and sweet aroma. The aroma of lemongrass improves your self-confidence through inhalation.
Cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) – sharp, spicy, warm, musky, and sweet aroma. Cinnamon wakes you up from a mental stupor. It revitalizes blood flow, and as the energy moves, it increases your mental capacity to listen, learn, and absorb. Cinnamon allows you to use your
mind in a different way to achieve new results in your life. Ylang-Ylang (Cananga odorata) – floral, intense, and sweet aroma. Ylang-ylang oil improves alertness and attentiveness. It aids in seeing the love and encouraging loving thoughts for yourself and others.
May Chang (Litsea cubeba) – lemony, bright, and green aroma. Great oil if you are experiencing mental fatigue, poor concentration, distraction, mental confusion. May Chang also promotes emotional renewal.
Lemon (Citrus x limon) – fresh, fruity, bright, and fresh aroma. Lemon brings mental clarity, helping you to focus your attention on work and tasks. It helps you look at things from various angles for a greater perspective.
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) – orange-lemony, citrusy, sweet, and fresh aroma. Bergamot oil cleans your mind. Use it when you need to clear away fogginess and to bring focus and clarity. This is a very uplifting oil. Cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana) – woody, bark, sawdust aroma. Cedarwood helps to ground yourself. Use the oil when you are experiencing mental fatigue to replenish your mental focus. The energy of the tree allows you to strengthen your inner potentials.
Juniper (Juniperus communis) – resinous, woody, and fresh aroma. Use this oil to detox your mind from repetitive negative thought patterns.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) – spicy, warm, and rhizome aroma. Ginger helps you remember that you have the power to create. It improves willpower and clarity. It can improve your memory. Ginger also helps to increase your motivation.
Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) – spicy, strong, and warm aroma. Clove has an uplifting effect on the mind. Its friendly energy is mentally stimulating, improving your ability to think, capture ideas, and establish clear steps for bringing ideas to fruition. Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) – rich, sweet, spicy-woody aroma. Nutmeg oil promotes courage and self-confidence and gives you strength and grounding if your day goes chaotic.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) – crisp, herbal, penetrating, and strong aroma. Rosemary brings mental clarity and sharpness. It is a great oil to use during your study time for the retention of information. Smell rosemary oil to help you recall important information during your performance time. You can create countless blends with these essential oils or simply use them independently.
References: 1. Mojay, G. (2005). Aromatherapy for healing the spirit: A guide to restoring emotional and mental balance through essential oils. London: Gaia. Pg. 115. 2. Worwood, V. The Fragrant Mind. Aromatherapy for Personality, Mind, Mood, and Emotion. Novato, California: New World Library. Pg. 57-58, 103-104 3. Worwood, V. The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy. Novato, California: New World Library. Pg. 68, 70, 114, 188. 4. Lembo M.A. The Essential Guide to Aromatherapy and Vibrational Healing. Woodbury, Minnesota: Llewellyn Worldwide. Pg. 79, 85, 109, 127, 133, 190, 214, 223. 5. Holmes, P. Aromatica. Volume 1: Principles and Profiles. London and Philadelphia: Singing Dragon. Pg. 265-270 6. Holmes, P. Aromatica. Volume 2: Applications and Profiles. London and Philadelphia: Singing Dragon. Pg. 149-151, 332-337