For many of us, a large part of our lives is spent at work. In fact, the average American spends around 1,800 hours per year at work.
Many of us are lucky enough to work for an employer that believes in a holistic approach to wellness. There are many ways to creating a positive workplace, including fostering a culture of personal health and well-being by enjoying essential oils at work.
In this article, I’d like to make essential oils at the office a bit easier for you. I’ll show you which diffuser models are likely to do a good job for you, show you my top recommended oils for the workplace, and help you understand why diffusing at your desk is so beneficial.
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Choosing a Diffuser for the Office
With so many different oil diffusers available today, the choice can be overwhelming.
Many like to enjoy essential oils at their desk.
My best tip is to look for a unit with an appropriate water tank size.
If you’re working in your own small office space or cubicle, you’ll want a diffuser with a small tank of around 100 – 150ml. If you’re looking to scent a whole boardroom, open area entryway, reception or lobby, you can go up to as much as 500ml in a large capacity diffuser.
The larger tank of water won’t necessarily mean that the aroma is stronger. But, the larger diffuser will help you make sure that the scent reaches everywhere in the room. Because your diffuser will hold more water, it can run longer, therefore filling the air in the room more thoroughly.
Similarly, choosing a smaller unit will make sure that the aroma doesn’t reach your neighbor too strongly in case he or she prefers no aromatherapy in their lives.
Best Essential Oils for Work
Using essential oils at work is about crafting an aroma that suits you and your colleagues. It’s not always a guarantee that all co-workers will agree on a pleasant scent. It is best to have an open, lighthearted conversation about oils in the office and come to a general understanding about what everyone likes.
Here are oils to try and why they work:
1. Rosemary
One of the best oils for the office is Rosemary essential oil (Rosmarinus officinalis). It promotes productivity. stimulates the mind and memory, and supports a focused and concentrated atmosphere. It has a strong herbaceous aroma that many might be familiar with from spices used in cooking.
Rosemary blends amazingly with Lavender, another scent familiar to many. Use just a few drops of Rosemary in your diffuser blends to ensure it doesn’t end up overpowering your space.
2. Bergamot
As a sweet citrus note, Bergamot essential oil (Citrus bergamia) is a lighthearted, uplifting office companion. Its aroma is bright, clean, and refreshing. Its smooth scent can have mood boosting effects and stimulate positive thoughts.
It’s the signature flavor of Earl Grey Tea, and while many may not recognize it as such, it is a true champion for balancing and smoothing things over. Use it as an extra spritz of pizzazz in any office blend.
3. Lemongrass
Lemongrass essential oil (Cymbopogon) is an energetic, earthy oil. It is quite strong in its aroma, but equally powerful at eliminating odors and smells. You’ll only need to use a few drops to achieve a strong result.
Because it is so pointy in its smell, it benefits from herbaceous, balancing aromas such as Clary Sage or Rosemary to help tone it down a bit. That said, Lemongrass is one of my all-time favorite essential oils, so I definitely recommend you give it a try!
4. Clary Sage
Clary Sage essential oil (Salvia sclarea) is secretly touted as the “woman’s essential oil” as it helps to balance hormones, even out mood swings, and stop PMS symptoms. But it fits well in the office, too! Clary Sage can help to reduce stressful situations and act as a natural antidepressant.
While not many enjoy it as a single note, it does well to a blend. Add Lavender, Clary Sage, and Bergamot for a happy office diffuser blend.
5. Peppermint
When trying to get everyone at the office to agree on an essential oil, try Peppermint (Mentha piperita). Its aroma is commonly recognized from dried teas, and used in the culinary arts. The essential oil is much stronger than the dried herb, so you’ll find the oil quite dominant on your nose’s sense of smell.
Peppermint can help with headaches, and improved energy and mental clarity. It’s also a perfect pick-me-up for when you’re facing the dreaded afternoon lull.
6. Lavender
Lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia) is the mother of all essential oils. It provides comfort and relaxation in many forms and variations. It may assist people with anxiety, restlessness and depression to feel better.
You can use it on its own and nobody will complain. It always balances out a blend, so if your mix of oils is too strong, add Lavender.
7. Cinnamon
Cinnamon essential oil (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) is perhaps most commonly associated with the fall and winter seasons with its warm and spicy aroma. However, it works well year-round in an office setting as it brings people together with its familiarity and positive emotional associations.
Therapeutically, it supports respiratory health and a healthy immune system. Whenever many people collaborate together in an enclosed space, you can’t have enough antibacterial and germ-cleansing powers on your side!
5 Reasons to Diffuse in the Workplace
Nebulizing Diffuser Used in Office Setting
- Create a sense of calm: A blend of calming essential oils is perfect for days when you and your team are struggling under pressure, facing some tough deadlines, or when your inbox is getting overwhelmed with messages. Try oils such as Lavender, Bergamot, or Peppermint. Ready-made blends are available, too: Peaceful, Unity, or Calm.
- Improve focus and concentration: In preparation for an important meeting, or when you’re down to the wire on a project and really need to to put your best foot forward, diffuse essential oils that aid your ability to focus. Gain more mental clarity by diffusing Lemon, Cypress, Clary Sage; or this Concentration blend.
- Fight airborne germs: When you have a tickle in your throat and are desperately trying to not get sick, it’s a good idea to diffuse immunity-strengthening oils. Tea tree, thyme, and oregano are powerful oils to support your whole body. You can also try Young Living’s infamous Thieves® blend, one of these fabulous Thieves alternatives that include almost all of the same oils as the original.
- Freshen up the space: Should your cubicle neighbor choose to work out without showering over lunch break, or if someone’s left their lunch sandwich in the drawers for too long, you may be involuntarily exposed to unwanted smells. Quickly negate any nasty odors with air freshening oils such as Citronella, Lemongrass, Cilantro or Tea Tree.
- Afternoon pick-me-up: Rather than resorting to sweet treats, too much coffee or soft drinks, diffuse energizing essential oils such as Peppermint, Bergamot, or Wild Orange around your office space. Elevation blend or Happy from REVIVE is also a great wake-up blend.
Workplace Diffuser Blends
Being at your desk doesn’t mean we are separated from the healthy selves that we are at home. In fact, research has proven that essential oils can add focus, concentration and calm to our office spaces.
To start with essential oils at the office, you can safely start by using these diffuser blends:
Happy Office
- 3 drops Clary Sage
- 2 drops Lavender
- 2 drops Bergamot
Confidence
- 4 drops Lemongrass
- 2 drops Lavender
Fresh Mind
- 3 drops Rosemary
- 2 drops Bergamot
- 2 drops Lemon
Best Boss Ever
- 2 drops Cinnamon
- 2 drop Clary Sage
- 3 drops Peppermint
Use these blends in a 100 – 150ml diffuser. If your water tank size is significantly larger, please check this chart here to ensure you’re using the correct amount of drops for the appropriate amount of strength.
Final Thoughts
Wanting to use essential oils at work? You’re not alone. Many health-conscious men and women choose to take aromatherapy to the office with them.
It can be fun, uplifting and energizing. Your overall health and well-being is so important. Keep taking care of yourself, even (and maybe especially) when you’re at work and on the clock!
Looking forward to using some of these blends. It would be helpful if I could print out all the office blends on one sheet!
Hi Mira, thank you so much for making this suggestion. I have added a download box now where you can get this as a free .PDF. 💜
Great article. Thank you so much. I love to use essential oil for office.
Great article. Thank you so much, Was just wondering what essential oils would be good for the office.