Whether you want to keep up with your New Year’s fitness resolution, or you are just trying to optimize and reach your full potential this year, you may be wondering what may be able to give you that little boost in the right direction. From the office (or classroom) to the gym, maintaining energy, concentration, a positive outlook and mood are all important, and changing up what essential oils you are diffusing may give you a little help.
Citrus Essential Oils
Multiple citrus scents are believed to possess mood boosting and energizing characteristics.This can make them great considerations to diffuse to keep your motivation on track this year.
- Bergamot has been shown, in some studies, to enhance well-being, uplift mood, and boost energy.
- Grapefruit essential oil may be able to boost your energy, mood, mental focus and clarity.
- Orange essential oil has been thought to improve mood, reduce stress, and may even be linked to an increase in exercise performance.
- Lemon essential oil may be able to enhance mood, promote a positive outlook, and may even boost cognitive function.
- Lime offers a refreshing and uplifting scent which has been suggested to increase mental clarity, energy, and creativity.
Herbaceous Essential Oils
Essential Oils that have herbaceous scents can be further described as smelling green or grassy. These essential oils often have mild floral yet invigorating spring-like scents that are associated with lush, wet foliage.
They are known to provide calming and encouraging feelings.
Rosemary essential oil may be able to impact mood states and brain activity, help promote focus, memory and memorization.
Another herbaceous oil is eucalyptus oil. In addition to clearing airways and improving respiratory function, eucalyptus essential oil is thought to improve energy and promote mental clarity.
Mint Essential Oils
While peppermint essential oil may be able to reduce fatigue and improve exercise performance, spearmint is thought to help improve learning and memory.
Wintergreen essential oil is also a great minty oil that may help you focus on your goals. You often see wintergreen in a lot gums and mints since it invokes a natural alertness.
Spicy Essential Oils
Black pepper essential oil is believed to benefit blood circulation, helping to relieve aches and pains, as well as increase alertness and stamina.
Cardamom essential oil may be able to promote mental clarity and focus, while uplifting your mood, and may even provide an additional boost of confidence.
Cinnamon essential oil may be able to boost energy, enhance cognitive function, and mental clarity.
Safe Usage
All of these essential oils can be diffused alone or blended together. It is suggested to place a combined 3 to 5 drops per 100 mL of water in your diffuser. Mixing and matching to find the perfect blend that works for you, can be a fun and exciting way to keep things new and energizing.
For topical use, always dilute pure essential oils in a carrier oil (such as coconut, jojoba, avocado, or almond oil) before applying to the skin.
If you are unaware of how your skin will react to a specific essential oil, start with a small amount of diluted oil to an isolated patch of skin (either on the back of the hand or on the forearm is recommended). If any irritation occurs, you may want to discontinue use, and consult a healthcare professional.
For an on-the-go method, you may want to check out our diffusers and nasal inhalers.