In this blog post, we review the best essential oils for studying and work and explore how it can help you increase productivity and focus. You’ll learn how to use the essential oils in a variety of ways and why it’s been found to be so effective for many people.
Essential oils have been used for centuries to boost mental clarity, reduce stress, and enhance concentration. This makes aromatherapy an increasingly popular method for improving focus and productivity, especially among those who work-from-home.
We know this first hand as we spent long hours researching and writing articles for you! Whether it is to invigorate our senses or keep us feeling good, we have used these scents to keep us on task and alert.
Read on to find out how the right essential oil can help optimize your work or study environment and unlock your mind’s potential.
Table of Contents
12 Best Essential Oils for Studying and Work
Learning and working is an intensive process of concentration and requires multiple cognitive functions. In this section we discuss the best essential oils that can optimise the factors needed to optimise productivity and brain power such as memory and focus, stress and energy levels, immunity and rest.
Boost Memory: Peppermint Essential Oil
Known for its multiple uses, peppermint essential oil not only helps to alleviate sinus congestion and other respiratory problems; indulging in the cool scent of peppermint essential oil helps in improving concentration and better focus. Peppermint contains eucalyptol, which significantly helps with improving mental clarity when performing cognitive intensive tasks. Pour a couple of drops of this peppermint essential oil from Handcraft in your diffuser or in a cotton ball to inhale in when hunkering down for a deadline or assignment.
Pros:
- Versatile functions
- Comes with dropper for accurate dispensing and minimal wastage
- Affordable
Cons:
- Mixed reviews on the packaging
- Mixed reviews on the scent
- Some reviews have concerns on the durability of the glass dropper
Reviews
- “The peppermint is my favorite. I use it with my scent mist to get the smell all through my living room.” Quinton Wilson
- “This is a big bottle and smells good. I bought lavender, lemon and peppermint. I run my diffuser all day and night (until we go to bed). I’ve been trying to find an alternative to the expensive ones I’ve been buying, and this works. It’s not as strong and I have to use more, but way more oil for your dollar.” Amazon Customer
Sharpen Focus: Rosemary Essential Oil
Another oil that helps to improve memory and sharpen focus because of its eucalyptol is rosemary. Just add a few drops of this rosemary essential oil from Majestic Pure to reduce brain fog and enhance your cognitive performance while at work or during an online meeting (you know how zapping it gets!). Rosemary is a multi-purpose oil too. Apply topically with your preferred carrier oil to enjoy its hair and scalp benefits, and add it as part of your facial regimen as well.
Pros:
- Versatile and can be used for skin regime
- Great scent
Cons:
- Mixed reviews on the longevity of the scent
Reviews
- “I’m no essential oil expert, but I know that I enjoy the fragrance of this in my diffuser. It’s long lasting and I think the price is very good.” Amazon Customer
- “I was very pleased with the high quality of the rosemary essential oil. Big bottle too.” Cynthia Harrell
Reduce Stress: Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender is a versatile essential oil with many beneficial properties, but it is widely known for its calming and relaxing herbal scent. With this lavender essential oil from Plant Therapy in your bedside diffuser, feel the stress of the day wash away and be lulled into a recharging, relaxing sleep.
Pros:
- Best for aromatherapy use especially for those with insomnia
- Some reviews mention that it is also a great pest repellant
Cons:
- Mixed reviews on the strength of the scent
Reviews
- “I used this lavender oil in my diffuser and it has a nice scent, just a few drops will work.” Amazon Customer
- “I put a few drops of this in my toddlers humidifier at night and it helps him sleep peacefully. The lavender smell is great and it only takes a few drops.” Shelby
Promote Relaxation: Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil
Want another floral scent that is not lavender? Another floral scent, ylang-ylang can also help relax you during stressful times. You can use the oils alone or mix it with other essential oils to improve focus and concentration while keeping you at ease all at the same time. Mix this ylang ylang oil from Gya Labs in your diffuser or in your special blend to reap the relaxing aromatherapy benefits this oil can give. Use with caution if you have a pet dog, as ylang ylang oil has active compounds that can be toxic to them.
Pros:
- Goes well with other oils
- Perfect for those who like to relax with the scent of flowers
Cons:
- Mixed reviews on the packaging and scent
- Use with caution if you have pets
Reviews
- “I bought 4 different oils. Lavender, geranium, vanilla, ylang ylang. Each smell is wonderful. This is probably the most legit essential oil company I’ve run into on Amazon that isn’t overpriced. “ Daniel
- “Product shipped timely. I mainly use ylang-ylang to blend with other scents in aromatherapy and for room deodorant sprays. This product has an excellent scent, and I expect it to blend well with other oils, though this oil has a very nice aroma on its own, for those who prefer to use it straight.” Laurence Williams
Embrace Calmness: Vetiver Essential Oil
Vetiver oil is extracted from the grass plant vetiver, which helps in relieving stress and nervousness. Vetiver can also be used for pains and to repel insects! Combine a few drops of this vetiver oil from Gya Labs along with lavender for a soothing aromatherapy concoction to help you wind down after a long day.
Pros:
- Best when mixed with other oils
- Good reviews on the scent
Cons:
- Mixed reviews on the packaging
Reviews
- “Vetiver essential oil has a fragrance that is both earthy and grounded. When I am feeling weak in the body or just spaced out a bit I take a few deep inhales of this oil and feel immediately grounded.” Amazon Customer
- “ The vetiver is quite sharp but I like to combine it with sweeter light scents to give them some depth.” John Burke
Immunity Booster: Eucalyptus Essential Oil
This essential oil found in the popular Vicks Vaporub is not just for sinus congestion relief, eucalyptus oil can also help boost your immunity and help prevent these potential respiratory symptoms. Infuse this certified organic eucalyptus oil from Cliganic in your diffuser, or directly inhale from the bottle and bask in the cool, minty scent which clears the airways and provides that much needed focus. Just exercise caution if you have dogs at home when you choose to diffuse this oil as it can be toxic to them.
Pros:
- Versatile all rounder
- Certified organic and non GMO
- Minty uplifting scent increases alertness
Cons:
- Mixed reviews on the strength of the scent
- Use with caution if you have pets at home
Reviews
- “The smell of eucalyptus is not as noticeable as other brands I have used, however it feels very pleasant to breathe. Very good to use it in bedrooms” Luisa
- “I purchased this to add to our scent diffuser. We use the Eucalyptus scent for when the kids have colds. We run it at night. You can tell this is a good quality oil that is natural with no perfume scent. The bottle is small but lasts a while when you only use a few drops at a time.” Amazon Customer
Protect Well-being: Lemon Essential Oil
The citrusy, clean scent of lemon essential oil not only helps improve focus and concentration, it also boosts your offers mood and energy enhancing benefits: factors one needs in order to stay healthy in spite of a busy schedule. Add a few drops of this lemon essential oil from Majestic Pure in your diffuser to fill your home with that revitalizing zest.
Pros:
- Great scent of citrus oils
- Comes with dropper
- Multifunctional use around household
Cons:
- Mixed reviews on packaging
Reviews
- “I really enjoy this product. I use it in my wood stove pot mixed with water. Gives the house a nice clean lemon smell.” Mystie
- “This bottle will last you a long time. It works very well. You will not get the smell of freshly squeezed lemon juice or that lemony smell of a lemon scent cleaning product. When you use this with your diffuser, you will get that warm smell of lemon juice.” Amazon Customer
Induce Sleep: Sandalwood Essential Oil
The musky, earthy aroma that sandalwood essential oil offers has calming and anti-anxiety benefits, which aids in getting better sleep. You can also tap on sandalwood’s anti-inflammatory properties to promote healthier skin! Use it in your pre-sleep routine or skin care regime! Do mix with your preferred carrier oil if applying topically.
Pros:
- Woodsy calming aroma
- Good packaging
Cons:
- Some reviews question the authenticity of the scent
Reviews
- “I bought the Sandalwood EO, which came with a good sized dropper. So happy it came early! It smells amazingly good! It’s definitely a good value for the price.” Ingrid
- “True sandalwood scent!! Comes in a very nice box, and the glass dropper came with a piece of foam around it to protect it from breakage. Will purchase this again!!” Amazon Customer
Deep Rest: Clary Sage Oil
Another floral-scented essential oil that helps in achieving deeper sleep is clary sage oil. Apart from promoting relaxation and reducing stress levels, clary sage oil can also aid in lowering blood pressure. Other than diffusing this oil in your diffuser, you can dilute this clary sage oil from HIQILI in water and use a small spray bottle to spray some over your bed linens to lower anxiety levels. Use this oil for your hair and skin care needs, too.
Pros:
- Versatile all rounder
- Good packaging, convenient for travel
- More value for money
Cons:
- Mixed reviews on the strength of the scent
Reviews
- “I like the Clary Sage I ordered . I plan to use it for respiratory issues that I have.”, Linda
Enhance Energy: Sweet Orange Essential Oil
The zesty citrus scents are known to be mood boosters. Their distinct clean and bright fragrance can fight feelings of anxiety and depression. To increase mental alertness, diffuse a couple of drops of this orange essential oil from NaturoBliss in your diffuser or add it in your preferred essential oil blend for that needed pick me up. Sweet orange essential oil blends well with other essential oils such as cedarwood, frankincense, geranium, lavender or rosemary.
Pros:
- Refreshing citrus scent
- Can be mixed with other oils
Cons:
- Mixed reviews on the packaging and dispensing of the product
Reviews
- Good buy! Smells good. I use this in my DIY linen spray. And in my hand sanitizer spray. And toilet spray.” Patricia Spence
- Really delicious sweet orange scent! Visitors have remarked on how nice my house smells. Best part is that it is natural essential oil instead of one of those disgusting chemical “air fresheners.”, Lili
Mental Clarity: Frankincense Essential Oil
The popular frankincense essential oil helps in many ways. Not only does it help in the treatment of scars, it also gives you that needed boost of energy and mental clarity. Frankincense can also help relieve asthma symptoms, a condition that can be highly disruptive and elevated during stressful periods. Try this frankincense essential oil from Handcraft and enjoy its aromatherapy benefits.
Pros:
- Can be used with other oils
- Great packaging
- Versatile
Cons:
- Mixed reviews on the scent
- Use with caution if you are taking blood thinners
Reviews
- “This is decent oil, but it isn’t as strong as others I’ve had, so I’m not sure it’s 100% pure. I use quite a bit because frankincense is one of my favorite smells. I’m not using it for therapeutic purposes though—more for aromatherapy uses. It doesn’t irritate my migraines or my daughter’s allergies and asthma, so it isn’t bad.”, Erika
Best Essential Oil Set (with diffuser)
Whether it is just to add character in your study or to truly enjoy the aromatherapy benefits for improving mantal clarity, this aromatherapy set from Vamoar has all that you need: a diffuser and oils specific for this purpose. Diffuse these essential oils individually or create your own concoction to create the perfect productivity zen. It also serves as the perfect starter gift set for friends, co-workers or students.
Inclusions
- Vetiver, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Citronella, Lemongrass, Rose, Peppermint, Lavender, Lemon, Cedar
Pros:
- Simple and all-you-need set up for those are starting their aromatherapy journey
- Good steam output
Cons:
- Mixed reviews on the strength of the scents
Reviews
- “Nice product. Absolutely love the changing colors. Helps create a zen mood. The oils are ok, very soft subtle scents, they just don’t last very long, the timer is an added bonus. Would make a nice gift.” Tanya
Essential Oils Blend Recipes
Here are some essential oils blends you can try out with your diffuser for focus and concentration:
- Get it On!: 5 drops Lemon, 3 drops Rosemary, 1 drop Frankincense, 1 drop Peppermint. Mix and put 10 drops in your diffuser.
- Rest & Recuperate: 5 drops Lavendar, 3 drops Vetiver, 1 drop Eucalyptus, 1 drop Sandalwood or Clary Sage. Mix and put 10 drops in your diffuser.
Buying Guide
- Stimulate the nervous system: The body’s limbic system responds to sensory stimulation from the external environment and is associated with memory, emotion, and primitive drives and reactions. This is especially important in tasks such as in studying and working. The limbic brain is easily triggered by the sense of smell, that is why we can associate a lot of things based on how they smell.
- Diffusion: To take advantage of this connection, you can use essential oils while studying or working to activate certain senses or responses as you go along with your tasks. For those who are working or studying at home, diffusion is the best way to integrate these scents. Depending on the formulation, just add a couple of drops of your preferred essential oil to a certain volume of water in the diffuser to fill the room with the aroma of the oil.
- Inhalation: Those who are on-the-go or do not have a diffuser can still bask in the aromatherapy benefits of these oils. Dab a cotton ball with the essential oil of choice and inhale it before or during work for that needed burst of energy and focus. An alternative is to use rolls for easy access during stressful periods!
Precautions
Although dubbed as natural, the use of essential oils come with risks. Always consult your doctor before using essential oils. Some essential oils need to be used with caution as essential oils can trigger allergies when diffused in the air and can also be toxic to some pets.
Wrap Up
Essential oils and aromatherapy are a great way to help improve mental alertness, cognitive function whilst calming nervousness and mental fatigue. Essential oils are perfect for this purpose as the body responds easily to scent stimulation from the surrounding environment. There are many essential oils available in the market that can provide you with plenty of options to choose from. Make sure to take note of any safety precautions when using essential oils for studying or work.
Thanks for reading and stay on course! 🙂