Social media feeds. Random internet searches. Kids and partners. We can find distractions from our productivity wherever we look. In fact, our busy lives and constant distractions can lead us to feel like we can’t focus. And while a cup of joe or caffeinated soft drink can help us feel alert, many of us would prefer a more natural way of boosting our attention. That’s where essential oils can play a role.
Essential oils are gaining popularity for good reason. They offer an easy, natural way to ease symptoms of a variety of conditions and ailments. When we use essential oils for focus, we can improve our well-being and self-care in a clean way. So, if you’re ready to try essential oils for focus, here’s what you need to know.
7 Best Essential Oils for Focus
Essential oils work in different ways, so it’s important you choose the specific type for the issue you’re having. It’s also important to note that you should always proceed slowly with new oils. Make sure you test the oil on a small area of your skin first, so you know you don’t have a negative reaction to that particular oil. The patch test should not be pure essential oil, but should have a carrier oil to dilute it. Using essential oil without a carrier oil is potentially irritating to your skin.
There are several different types of essential oils for focus, so no matter your personal scent preference, you’ll be able to find one that appeals to you. Here are some of the most popular varieties:
Lavender
Lavender essential oil is known for its relaxing properties, but it may also enhance short-term memory in some instances.
Spearmint or Peppermint
Spearmint or peppermint essential oils can be good choices as essential oils for focus. According to this study, the sharp, minty smell of peppermint oil energizes and can improve memory and alertness.
Rosemary
Rosemary essential oil can also support short-term memory retention, this study says, so it’s a great choice if you’re working on a project or an assignment for class.
Citrus
Citrus oil, like grapefruit, lemon, lemongrass, or sweet orange, has a refreshing and invigorating aroma. They’re the go-to options as essential oils for focus.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus essential oil can stimulate the brain and help improve alertness. It is a powerful scent, so make sure you use a little bit at first.
Bergamot
Bergamot essential oil is known for its energizing properties. It is known as the “prince of citrus.” This oil tends to be stronger than others, so make sure the people you’re sharing a space with don’t mind the scent.
Blends
If you’re not sure which oil is right for you, you may want to consider a blend of oils. Way of Will’s Elevate Essential Oil Gift Set and Activate Essential Oil Gift Set combine complementary scents that will help you enhance your focus and well-being.
Oils That Won’t Help You Focus
Not all oils are good choices if you’re looking for essential oils for focus. In fact, several oils are contraindicated for focus because they promote relaxation and calmness. They include frankincense, vetiver, basil, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, patchouli, and clary sage.
How Essential Oils for Focus Work
Essential oils are made when the plant parts are steamed or pressed to draw out the oils. These oils are what creates the scent that the essential oils are known for. Each plant has its own scent and properties that are associated with that scent. For example, grapefruit oil is energizing, while cedarwood oil can support better sleep.
The scents are typically used in the practice of aromatherapy. When we breathe in the fragrance, the smell travels to the emotional center of our brain, where it can enhance particular emotions. The different plants create different types of oils and scents, so they can affect folks in different ways, like enhancing mental clarity.
How to Use Essential Oils for Focus
There are a few different ways to use essential oils for focus. They are all easy to use but also have important considerations.
Diffuser
An oil diffuser spreads the essential oil through the air by mixing it with water from the base of the diffuser and pumping it into the air. It’s an effective way to inhale the essential oils.
Diffuser blends make it easy to create essential oil mixes to customize your aromatherapy experience. It’s important to keep in mind, though, that using a diffuser means everyone in your area will be affected by the oil you use. Make sure you check with others in the house about their reactions to the essential oils you are planning to use. A diffuser can run for around 25 minutes and can fill a 600 square foot room with scent.
Also, essential oils can have widely different effects on children. What could calm an adult can act as a stimulant for children, so you may have to try a few formulas to find one that works for everyone in the space.
Topical
Topical application of essential oils can include oil roll-ons, body oils, and lotion. Make sure your essential oil is diluted with a carrier oil, like coconut oil. On their own, essential oils are highly concentrated and can irritate skin if applied directly on skin undiluted.
You can make them safe for application by putting some carrier oil into a container then adding a few drops of essential oil. Make sure you always patch test with the carrier oil included to ensure your skin won’t react to the essential oil.
This type of application allows you to put the essential oils on your pulse points or areas of concern so you can maximize the benefits of the oil.
For example, you can put a blend of essential oils for focus on your wrists. As you work, the aroma will waft into your nose and you could feel more energized.
Essential Oil Considerations
There are a few things you should keep in mind before you use essential oils.
The first is to make sure you never directly apply the oil to your skin. Essential oils are stronger than other types of oils and can cause irritation, so they need to be combined with a gentle carrier oil, like coconut oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, or rosehip oil. For a 10% dilution, use 50 drops of essential oil for each 5 teaspoons of carrier oil. This is especially important to remember if you are DIY-ing your own essential oil blends at home.
It’s also critical to never ingest the oils. They are not to be used on the inside of your body.
If you’re allergy prone, it would be best to consult an aromatherapist for medical advice about the oils you’re considering. And, to be perfectly clear, the drug administration does not regulate essential oils.
The lack of administration is why it is important to find high-quality essential oils. The best essential oils are natural, pure-grade, and made from sustainable sources. Way of Will’s pure essential oils are made with a superior level of efficacy and integrity. You can rest assured that the oil you are using is made with the highest quality of ingredients in a way that is not harmful to the environment. The clean ingredients mean you will get a powerful product without harmful fillers.
A Natural Way to Wake Up
If you’re wanting to improve your well-being without conventional stimulants that leave you crashing a few hours later—or worse—unable to sleep, try using essential oils for focus. Essential oils can give you a natural way to push through your tiredness, no matter if it’s because you were up with a sick child during the night, or you’re just fighting the regular afternoon brain fog.
Diffusing peppermint oil or lemon essential oil may be what you need. Or you can take the guesswork out of it and increase your brain power with Way of Will’s Think Straight—the essential oil focus blend. You’ll be happy you found a clean, holistic way of invigorating your mind and body.
