5 Essential Oils to Bring Your Practice to the Office
A starter pack:
Five oils to keep in your work bag.
Yoga teachers have been using essential oils to encourage relaxation and presence in their classes forever. Why not take some of that magic off your mat and into your work day!? Here are a few you might consider throwing into your work bag.
Lavender
This might be the MVP of essential oils. It’s been used since ancient times and it’s easy to see why – it naturally promotes stress relief and the floral aroma brings about feelings of peace and calm. Lavender is the perfect option for stressful days full of meetings and presentations. It will help you to stay present and at ease while you dominate your day. This, by far, is a client favorite!
My favorite lavender is actually a spray rather than an oil and is made by Dr. Bronner’s. The organic, fair trade antibacterial spray has a gentle lavender aroma without a chemically undertone.
Bergamot
Bergamot might not be a smell that you’re familiar with but you really should be! It’s earthy and citrusy – a perfect aroma to help you find some clarity in your day. Just a whiff of this essential oil gives me this feeling of wellbeing and calm. I like to use this if I’ve been stuck in traffic or running around crazily right before I teach a class. This piney, lemony, musky smell brings me back to the present and allows me to come to my students from a place of balance rather than from a place of frazzle.
Bergamot can be blended with lavender to promote peaceful sleep but when used on its own really enhances clear thoughts and soothes anxious nerves. I love Eden’s Garten Bergamot Essential Oil.
Eucalyptus
I love eucalyptus oil for the days when my attention is all over the place. The bright, slightly minty aroma of eucalyptus not only opens my sinuses but it seems to sharpen my focus as well. I apply my favorite blend to the nape of my neck and to my temples and the oil helps me to stay present with a project or task.
Eucalyptus can be a whole lot when used on its own – even coming across as a bit medicinal – but when blended with other focus-centered herbs, can be made subtler and more for daily use. My favorite is Simply Earth’s Focus blend. In addition to the eucalyptus, it also includes cardamom, frankincense, sandalwood, and sweet orange. The rollerball on this blend makes application super easy!
Peppermint
This oil is not just for fresh breath anymore! Peppermint can boost energy levels and give you the afternoon pick-me-up that you need. In addition to the energy increase, it also has the ability to dampen an annoying headache.
Peppermint oil can have some of the same intensity that I spoke about with regard to eucalyptus, so choosing a blended oil might be the best choice for you with this one as well (unless you are looking for headache relief – pure peppermint oil is better for that). Simply Earth makes my favorite peppermint blend as well, called Energy Boost. In this blend, Simply Earth mixes lemon, eucalyptus, and peppermint essential oils. This combination promotes such a wonderful boost of energy from its fresh, bright aroma.
Clary Sage
I have a confession – I use a TON of clary sage. I love it by itself and mixed with all of the essential oils I previously mentioned. The smell is slightly nutty, musky and herbaceous. I love that it actually brings a smile to my face when I smell it in my diffuser. For years, the smell of sage has been associated with removing negative feelings (probably why it makes me smile), fighting depression, combating mental fatigue and diminishing nervousness. These traits are exactly why using this oil at work makes sense – who doesn't want a happier, less nervous and more focused work day?
Since I use an extraordinary amount of this yummy essential oil, I love the eyedropper included with Majestic Pure Cosmeceuticals Clary Sage Essential Oil. I highly recommend adding this oil to your repertoire – you won’t regret it!
These oils are just a jumping off point – there are so many great ones out there. I would love to hear which oils you would add to this “must have” list! Add your thoughts to the comments below.
