Workplace productivity is important. Enhancing overall wellbeing at work place is an important factor for improving creativity & productivity. And this does include those working from home.

Traditional methods, including time management and stress reduction, as well as modern management techniques, are effective. Yet, there's a lesser-known, yet highly potent, tool at our disposal such as essential oils, that are nature's essence from the plant kingdom.

Essential Oils are the extracts from different part of plants, flower and trees extracted through steam distillation and other techniques. They carry the essence of plant life, have beautiful aromas & multiple benefits for humankind.

One is surprised at the fact that how few know about essential oils and still fewer who know about its benefits. Therefore, in this blog today, we will explore how the judicious use of essential oils can positively impact your workplace, promoting both productivity and wellbeing.

Aromatherapy: More Than Just a Pleasant Scent

Aromatherapy, the use of essential oils for therapeutic purposes, has been practiced for centuries in almost every part of the world. Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts from plants and flowers, each possessing unique properties that can influence our physical and emotional states. When diffused or applied correctly, these pure extracts from the plant kingdom can offer a wide range of benefits.

Stress Reduction One of the most common challenges faced in the workplace is stress. The aroma of lavender, chamomile, or frankincense essential oils, for example, has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety level Team Members & Colleagues, when they are relaxed and less stressful, are better equipped to handle challenging situations and maintain focus on their tasks.

Improved Concentration and Mental Clarity Essential oils like peppermint, rosemary & petitgrain essential oil can stimulate the mind and promote mental alertness. Diffusing these oils in your workspace can help team members stay focused and make better decisions.

Enhanced Mood, Creativity and Positivity A pleasant and uplifting scent, such as citrus essential oils (e.g., orange, petitgrain, bergamot, grapefruit, or lemon), can elevate moods and create a more positive atmosphere in the workplace. A happy and optimistic workforce is more likely to collaborate effectively and remain motivated.

Respiratory Health: Certain essential oils, such as eucalyptus, peppermint essential oil, and tea tree, have natural antimicrobial and decongestant properties. Diffusing these oils can help improve indoor air quality and reduce the risk of respiratory infections, keeping the team healthy and productive

How to Incorporate Essential Oils into Your Workplace?

Introducing essential oils into your workplace is relatively simple and can yield significant benefits. Here are some practical ways to do so:

Aromatherapy Diffusers: Investing in high-quality diffusers for your office space could be a very good decision. These devices disperse essential oil molecules into the air, allowing everyone in the room to benefit from their therapeutic properties. Consider having different oils for different purposes – relaxation, focus, or mood enhancement.

Wellness Retreat Spaces: Designating a small area in your workplace as a wellness retreat space and encouraging team members to take short breaks to meditate, practice deep breathing, or simply relax in a soothing environment filled with the aroma of essential oils.

Scented Workspace Sprays: Creating scented sprays using essential oils and distilled water and encouraging team members to spray their workspace or personal items to create a pleasant and calming atmosphere.

Choosing the best essential oils for diffusing in the workplace largely depends on your specific goals and the preferences of your team. However, here are some essential oils that are generally well-suited for different workplace scenarios:

Peppermint: This invigorating oil is excellent for boosting alertness and mental clarity. It can help improve concentration, making it ideal for tasks that require focus and precision.

Lavender: Known for its calming and stress-reducing properties, lavender essential oil can create a soothing atmosphere in the workplace. It's great for promoting relaxation during breaks or in high-stress environments.

Lemon: The fresh and uplifting scent of lemon essential oil can enhance mood and create a positive atmosphere. It's also known for its ability to improve concentration and reduce feelings of fatigue.

Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus essential oil has a refreshing and invigorating aroma that can help clear the air and support respiratory health. It's beneficial for maintaining good indoor air quality.

Frankincense: This earthy and grounding oil is often used to promote a sense of tranquility and balance. It can be beneficial for creating a serene atmosphere in the workplace.

Rosemary: Rosemary essential oil is known for its ability to stimulate the mind and enhance cognitive function. It's a good choice for tasks that require creativity or problem-solving.

Bergamot: Bergamot essential oil has a citrusy and uplifting scent that can help reduce stress and anxiety. It's great for promoting a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere.

Cedarwood: Cedarwood essential oil  has a warm and woody aroma that can help create a sense of stability and focus. It's often used in workspaces where a grounded atmosphere is needed.

Ylang Ylang: This sweet and floral oil is known for its ability to reduce stress and promote feelings of joy and relaxation. It can be helpful in high-pressure work environments.

Orange: Like other citrus essential oils, orange essential oil is known for its mood-boosting properties. It can create a cheerful and energizing atmosphere in the workplace.

Bergamot Mint: An amazing citrusy minty aroma from this oil helps in stress reduction and improve the feel good factor for a lovely workplace atmosphere. Experiment with essential oils, find the scents that resonate with you and your team.

• Ensure what you are using is pure natural essential oils for synthetic aromas may not be beneficial and sometimes may be harmful.
• It is a good idea to rotate different oils to prevent olfactory fatigue, where people become less responsive to a scent over time.
• When diffusing essential oils in the workplace, consider the preferences of team members and any potential sensitivities or allergies.
• Using a high-quality diffuser and ensuring proper ventilation in the workspace is important for the safe and effective use of essential oils

Our take: It is a Worthwhile Investment 

• While essential oils may require a modest investment upfront, the potential returns in terms of increased productivity and improved employee wellbeing make them a worthwhile addition to our workplace.
• Use of essential oils can also demonstrate our commitment to creating a supportive and healthy work environment.
• By incorporating these aromatic wonders into our office culture, we can create a more harmonious, creative and productive environment, ultimately benefiting both our team, our deliverables, and our overall business.
• Yes, you can use more than one essential oil in the diffuser. Some of best essential oil blends are mentioned in our next blog. And you can experiment on your own to make blends that work best for you.

This is also significantly relevant for the ‘work from home’ generation where keeping morale high is of utmost importance.

What to do next ?

Start exploring the world of essential oils and transform your workplace into a space of productivity, creativity and serenity. Experiment with different essential oils and blend them if you feel like to find the one essential oil blend that works best for you and your team. Once you do find that, there would be no looking back.

For checking on the best essential oil blends, such as the concentration blend,  Uplifting Refreshing Blend, Clean Air Blend, stress-relieving combo, do check our on our blogs page our latest blog:

Boosting Productivity and Wellbeing at Workplace the best essential oil blends