There’s all this new information to absorb, and there’s the added pressure of performing well. For some people, going back to school may even trigger anxiety or stress. Fortunately, there are plenty of natural resources we can draw on to support relaxation, concentration and focus for all things school and study related.
Essential oils are one of these resources and they should be in everyone's school bag - no matter your age. Different essential oils offer varying benefits. There are essential oils for studying, concentration, focus and memory retention, as well as back to school essential oil blends that offer multiple benefits.
If you want to use essential oils when going back to school, this guide can help. Volant’s essential oils can make returning to the classroom easier, more enjoyable and less stressful.
Here’s how.
How essential oils influence mood, body and mental state
People have been using essential oils to soothe, uplift and heal both the body and mind for centuries.
Essential oils enter the body through the skin and/or via the olfactory system, an internal system that serves our sense of smell. When particles enter the body through the nostrils, they are redirected toward other parts of the body and brain, mainly the respiratory system, nervous system, and limbic system - or the “emotional brain”.
This gives significance to the products and smells that we inhale. Many essential oils contain natural properties which can boost everything from relaxation and sleep to focus and concentration.
In addition to this, smell is the strongest sense we have in relation to memory recollection. A whiff of your mother’s perfume or the smell of a favorite childhood food can stimulate your memory in a way that no other sense can. This adds an extra layer of effectiveness to essential oils.
Harnessed in the right way, they can be used to support memory recollection during exams or help you become more familiar with a subject as you study it. You may also use them for emotional or sleep support when a consistent rest schedule becomes difficult to manage.
Depending on the type of essential oil you are using, you can naturally influence your mental, emotional and physical state for the better.
Which oils should I use for going back to school?
Nature has ensured that we have loads of options to choose from. Long gone are the days when all you could find to buy was lavender or tea tree. In today’s world, we are lucky enough to have access to everything from cinnamon to Roman chamomile essential oils.
With this newfound accessibility, it is easier to identify essential oils that meet more specific therapeutic needs. You can find essential oils for focus, essential oils for studying, and essential oils for unwinding.
Some of the best back to school essential oil blends are citrus or garden herb based as opposed to flower or tree bark based, which are useful for other purposes.
The best essential oils for studying
Volant’s wide range of 100% organic essential oils includes several that should be in your school bag. These are the best essential oils for studying:
Bergamot
Bergamot is a sweet, aromatic citrus fruit predominantly grown and cultivated in Reggio Calabria, Italy. Its Latin name is Citrus bergamia, and the essential oil extracted from this fruit is altogether bitter, sweet and extremely fragrant. It is also the plant used to flavor Earl Grey tea.
Bergamot Essential Oil is one of the many great essential oils for reducing anxiety and uplifting mood. With both a calming and energizing effect, bergamot works as a beautiful pick-me-up for mornings or moments that need a little zest.
A study from 2017 found that people who inhaled bergamot essential oil at a mental health facility waiting room experienced a decrease in stress and an increase in positive feelings. A 2015 study had similar findings, with the aroma of bergamot reducing cortisol, the stress hormone, and reducing fatigue.
Peppermint
Volant’s Peppermint Essential Oil is one of the most popular, and for good reason. This highly refreshing and invigorating Mentha piperita makes an excellent mental booster and can even help you absorb and retain information.
In a 2008 study, a large group of volunteers were administered peppermint oil or placebo via aromatherapy and then had their cognitive performance tested. Those who had inhaled the peppermint oil showed significantly increased alertness and memory recollection.
Lemon
Another potent citrus oil, lemon is an excellent mood booster for when you feel drained, tired or fatigued. Dubbed Citrus limon in Latin, the bright, sour lemon fruit is used in all sorts of ways for its antibacterial properties, ability to improve digestion as well as gut alkalization.
If you need something zesty, bright and refreshing to elevate your mood and mental state before a class, to enhance your learning while studying or to boost your brain function during projects or exams, Lemon Essential Oil can deliver that with a few deep inhalations.
A study from 2006 showed that mice who were exposed to organic lemon oil experienced accelerated mental processing and antidepressant effects. The same study also indicated that lemon oil could be used to alleviate stress-induced nausea.
A review on citrus oils cited a study on students who inhaled lemon essential oil found that it boosted “attention levels, concentration, cognitive performance, mood and memory of students during the learning process.” Other studies have found that it also enhances creativity, helps speed up mental performance and has anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects.
Rosemary
Even though rosemary is best known for its culinary potential, this herb has much more to offer than just a dinner roast. Originally cultivated in the Mediterranean, Rosmarinus officinalis produces a deeply herbal, aromatic fragrance with potent floral tones.
Volant’s organic Rosemary Essential Oil is one of the best essential oils for both concentration and calming an overly active mind. It can also be used for gastrointestinal support if you struggle with anxiety-induced stomach pains. If you get anxious and nervous while learning or during tests, rosemary essential oil would work well for you.
A 2020 study from the National Library of Medicine found that volunteers who inhaled rosemary essential oil experienced decreased cortisol (stress) levels, heightened mood and improved performance during exams.
