In this day and age, distractions are at an all-time high. So much so in fact, that even children are prescribed medications to help them stay focused throughout the day. If it’s not an Instagram notification, a newly uploaded YouTube video, or tons of emails, it’s some other form of technological communication that distracts us from everyday life.
We find ourselves incessantly checking our phones for updates and lose our train of thought multiple times a day to the point where this fragmented way of thinking is now the norm.
However, the issue lies where we need to buckle down and actually focus on something that needs to get done like when finishing project, a report, or writing a book. When we need to give our undivided attention to following through on something, that’s where these concentration problems really start to arise.
How to Use Essential Oils for Concentration
It isn’t just school and work that requires concentration and a sense of “present-ness.” Practically any activity or responsibility can be carried out in a much better way when the mind is focused and clear.
If you think about things like driving, crossing the street, doctors performing surgeries, and other things that require your utmost attention, you can begin to see how having a distracted mind can cause needless harm or worse.
On a similar note, daydreaming while you’re writing an important paper is going to have consequences if you can’t hone your focus. Instead of writing a good paper and getting an A, you might end up just getting a C because your thoughts were too distracted.
The Best Essential Oils for Concentration
Essential oils are one of those amazing remedies you can use to help sharpen focus and clear a mind that has trouble doing one thing at a time.
They can also be helpful to those who wish to improve their multi-tasking skills since you can concentrate on several things at once without shifting from one task to another aimlessly.
Using essential oils for these purposes is super easy because all you need is the aroma of the oil in order for it to work its magic.
You can do this by simply sniffing its scent directly from the bottle, inhaling from a drop of oil on a tissue, or by diffusing the essential oil in your room or office while you conduct the task at hand.
Another great way to use essential oils for concentration is to wear them in diffuser jewelry so that you can smell their aroma all day long.
Some of the best essential oils for improving concentration include:
- Basil linalool – reduces anxiety, fear, and nervousness while combating feelings of fatigue and stress. Clarifying to the mind.
- Cedarwood (atlas) – encourages the mind to slow down and focus
- Cypress – induces relaxation and stimulates calm, grounded, and happy feelings
- Eucalyptus globulus – helps with “zoning out”
- Frankincense – increases efficiency
- Helichrysum – great for stimulating neurotransmitter activity, in fact, combining it with peppermint and basil essential oil is known to increase focus by 21%
- Lavander – helps you focus on the task at hand, reduces anxiety, and soothes mental irritation. Good for those with ADHD
- Lemon – uplifts the mood, increases mental energy, and clarifies the mind. Good for those with ADHD
- Lemongrass – brightens the mood and helps declutter the mind
- Lime – positively effects the mood and hones focus
- May chang – help stimulate productivity
- Patchouli – known to reduce the “fight or flight” response by up to 40% which helps improve concentration and focus
- Peppermint – clarifies the mind and restores mental energy
- Rosemary – especially good to reducing stress while honing memory and encouraging alertness
- Sweet orange – stabilizes the mood and uplifts emotions that may be effecting focus
- Vetiver – has a calming and grounding effect that is good for those who are distracted due to stress or lack of sleep. Good for those with ADHD – in fact, this oil has been proven to improve concentration by up to 32%!
Essential Oils Recipes for Concentration
I have found that the easiest way for me to use essential oils for memory and concentration is to either diffuse them nearby or use them in a personal nasal inhaler.
The nasal inhaler is great because you don’t need to diffuse the oils throughout a space that may not be your own, so you’re not potentially bothering others (though I think anyone who doesn’t like the smell of essential oils is nutty barring the overtly herbaceous ones, IMHO).
In any case, you can use the recipes below in a diffuser, a personal nasal inhaler, and even in diffuser jewelry as you like.
Blend #1
- 1 drop eucalyptus globulus essential oil
- 1 drop vetiver essential oil
- 1 drop rosemary essential oil
Blend #2
- 2 drops peppermint essential oil
- 1 drop lemongrass essential oil
- 1 drop lemon essential oil
Blend #3
- 1 drop basil linalool essential oil
- 3 drops sweet orange essential oil
Blend #4
- 2 drops lime essential oil
- 2 drops peppermint essential oil
Blend #5
- 1 drop may chang essential oil
- 1 drop lemon essential oil
- 1 drop sweet orange essential oil
Blend #6
- 1 drop helichrysum essential oil
- 1 drop basil linalool essential oil
- 1 drop peppermint essential oil
Blend #7
- 1 drop vetiver essential oil
- 1 drop lemon essential oil
- 2 drops lavender essential oil
What have been your favorite essential oils for concentration? Share your favorite blends in the comments below!
You may also enjoy reading:
The Best Essential Oils for Back to School
The Best Essential Oils for Confidence
Memory and Concentration Blend Recipe
Going Back to School? Herbs That Improve Memory
Great information! What blends would you recommend the most? I have struggled with concentration my entire life. Have been perscribed Adderall and Strattera. I am searching for a healthier way to naturally focus, because I just got a new office job. Awesome! But also terrifying for someone with ADD/ADHD like myself lol
Hi Emily!
That’s a tough one! I personally really like rosemary not only for the memory enhancing benefits but also for its stress relieving properties. It’s also nice mixed with lavender. The key is to go with essential oils that really resonate with you 🙂