In this age of digital overload, the vast majority of Americans have trouble focusing and staying on task, studies show. One survey found that 75 percent of Americans admitted that digital notifications caused them to procrastinate and that individuals literally waste an entire workday checking email, texts, and other notifications.
Digital notifications, however, are not the only thing that can cause distractions. Busy, overloaded schedules and overloaded minds that tend to wander also impact our ability to focus. Unfortunately, this inability to stay focused is more than just a nuisance; it can negatively impact your work and personal life.
Aromatherapy can help calm our brain to reduce stress and anxiety that can interfere with focus and also energize it to improve concentration and sharpen mental clarity. Aromatherapy is a centuries-old practice of using essential oils, made of plant extracts, for therapeutic purposes.
While many
essential oils have been thought of as aids to boosting memory and improving alertness and focus for centuries, modern-day science has shown these traditional medicine remedies to be effective facilitators in increasing productivity and attention. Here are some of the most effective ones.
Essential Oils for Focus
1. Orange oil
Anxiety can sap your energy and make it difficult to focus on a challenging task. Conversely, distractibility and trouble focusing are signs of anxiety. There are several essential oils that have anxiety reduction benefits.
Orange oil, derived from the skin of sweet orange, is one of them. Several studies show that inhaling orange essential can reduce anxiety and also potentially depression.
One study, for example, found that orange oil was able to reduce levels of anxiety in women in labor, and another showed reduced stress hormone levels in children visiting the dentist.
2. Vetiver oil
Vetiver oil, derived from a plant native to India, can also help reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety that pull your attention away from important tasks. Additionally, studies show that it improves alertness and brain function and decreases mental fatigue. In addition to attention boosting, this essential oil is also a versatile first aid salve that can help with burns, acne, wounds and cuts.
3. Rosemary
Rosemary, an evergreen needle-y plant, has been used in folk medicine to improve memory for centuries. Recent
studies have proven this folk remedy to be not only a memory enhancer but also a cognitive booster. For example, one study found inhaling rosemary improved focus and memory in school children, and another study showed volunteers who inhaled diffused
rosemary oil performed better on cognitive tests.
4. Peppermint
While most people know that peppermint is a great breath freshener and also a
tasty herbal tea, you may not know that its crisp scent can also improve memory, attention and problem-solving. Researchers tested participants’ cognitive performance after inhaling peppermint, ylang-ylang and no aroma and found
significant memory enhancement and increased alertness in those exposed to peppermint.
5. Frankincense
This earthy scent made from the resin of the Boswellia tree, which is native to India, can help people feel calm, focus better, and retain information. A study of older men showed a
boost in memory acquisition and retention after just four weeks of consuming
frankincense.
How to use essential oils for focus
The first thing to focus on when it comes to essential oils and focus is to make sure you’re buying quality products. Forbes.com says to look for the words “pure” and “organic” on the label and to ignore the term “natural,” which is more marketing than material. You also want to look for therapeutic-grade essential oils and note where the product is sourced on the bottle.
Once you’ve purchased your product, here’s the most effective way to use it to help you stay focused.
Just smell
The easiest way to benefit from essential oils is to simply inhale the aroma. Let the scent do its work. You can sprinkle some on a cotton ball to smell throughout your day or light an essential-oil infused candle to let the scent waft in the air. Or, just open the bottle and take a whiff.
Diffuser
A
diffuser is made explicitly for diffusing the scent of essential oils in your room or office. Sprinkle a few drops mixed with water into a diffuser, and it disperses tiny scent-infused particles around your room so you can inhale the scent effortlessly.
Mix with a carrier and apply to your skin
Don’t apply undiluted oil to your skin. Instead, combine it with a carrier oil such as coconut oil or almond oil, and dab some on your temples, wrists, or between your eyebrows (your third eye) to help keep you focused.
Steam inhalation
Sprinkle a few drops of the essential oil of your choice into a bowl of steaming water. Put your head over the bowl, cover yourself with a towel, and breathe in before a big study session or getting started on a substantial project.
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