Essential Oils Make Good Business Cents
Research shows that people spend up to sixteen hundred hours per year in the workplace and increasing productivity is always on the minds of the top execs. They have run the gambit from providing food preparation areas and ergonomically correct furniture to adjusting temperature and lighting. There are many factors which influence peoples’ work habits and finding those with a positive impact tops the list of the most important. So why are we not hearing more about sensory design? We are now finding that sensory design influences work habits and triggering the olfactory system can have a positive outcome in the workplace.
We’re not just talking about eliciting some sort of comment about the perfume belonging to a neighboring colleague, which can be unpleasant enough. We’re referring to incorporating elements into the design of the office space which trigger the senses for increased productivity. In particularly, there have not been enough emphasis placed on the olfactory senses which can really beef up efficiency.
How Pleasant Odors Stimulate Productivity
When we breathe, olfactory cells in our nerves sense nearby aromatic molecules. Microscopic hairs on these cells recognize aromas as they pass through. Once more, each hair locks in an aroma and will only recognize that specific smell in the future which is commonly referred to as the lock and key process. This activity sends nerve impulses through the limbic system which is primarily concerned with instincts, survival and emotions. As the nerve impulses travel through the region, brain chemistry is altered causing mood changes and sometimes physical or emotional responses. Registered aromas travel to the brain faster than both sight and sound, so it stands to reason that this sense can prompt positive responses in the workplace.
For instance, rosemary has a strong uplifting scent which is great for the office or the car. It helps improve concentration and awakens the senses for an invigorating effect. Bergamot is a sweet citrus scent which strongly resembles orange and has a delightfully mood-boosting quality when diffused. This bright happy scent is also great for blending with other essential oils. If you’re looking for more of a light high-intensity aroma, then try geranium. This noteworthy mood-lifting scent is also great for blending in a diffuser. Lemongrass is an earthy energetic essential oil which will surely get you over that afternoon slump if you have a small diffuser at your desk or in the car. It will awaken the senses and prepare you for the evening activities. Clove has a warm spicy aroma that tends to have a calming effect. If things get hectic, throw a little clove in the diffuser to help turn confusion into clarity. It also mixes well with lavender for a soft evening blend. Eucalyptus has invigorating qualities which helps fight allergies and improve respiratory issues. so many people reach for it the spring and summer time.
Aromatherapy Ambiance Increases Efficiency
People already do many things on their own to increase productivity and positivity in their home and professional lives. They drink coffee and exercise in addition to brightening and personalizing their work areas. Studies have shown that the use of essential oils in the workplace increases accurateness alone by up to fifty percent or more. If we’re talking about productivity, that equates to getting time and a half from each employee. The benefits don’t stop there. Increased awareness and creativity contribute to efficiency in a professional setting which can both be easily prompted with essential oils. They encourage focus, decrease headaches and combat fatigue.
Sensory design is not new and aromatherapy itself dates back more than six thousand years to the ancient Egyptians. It is surprising that it has taken modern society this long to realize all the benefits available through aromatherapy and essential oils. Many businesses and industries are already catching on and using it to hook customers and drive up sales. The hotel industry already uses aromatherapy to encourage repeat business and make customers more comfortable. Now aromatherapy in the office is an entirely different animal, but it still works.
Our sense of smell is the strongest and most acute of the all the senses. Fragrances affect brain waves which can alter behaviors in a positive and motivating fashion. Evidence shows that certain scents can reduce cortisol levels and boost performance while other fragrances may have more of a sedative effect which can help calm a stressful environment. Creating an ideal aromatherapy ambiance in the professional environment is a delicate balance of heating, ventilation and the right approach to dispelling essential oils. A balanced positive atmosphere with the appropriate diffusers and the proper triggers can initiate the intended response. The best place to start is with the desired result and then work backwards designing a space that provides the proper environment to provoke such results.
Aromatherapy in a professional setting can turn confusion into clarity, relieve stress and reduce tension in a hectic professional setting. Another great benefit is that all essential oils have antibacterial properties and their germ-killing power is not lessened when they are diffused. Germs can run ramped in a busy work environment and the commercial cleaning products utilized by the janitorial staff don’t always do the trick. Any way you slice it there are lots of germs in a busy workplace and the antibacterial properties in essential oils mean fewer sick days for employees. This alone should be enough to convince anyone of the benefits of aromatherapy in the workplace.
Productivity Makes Dollars and Cents
Using aromatherapy as a part of sensory design in the workplace makes sense. It produces happier, more productive employees who are less stressed and take fewer sick days. Aromatherapy has stimulating qualities that helps people stay centered and focused on their work while reducing headaches and combating fatigue. The benefits of aromatherapy in the professional setting are countless.
When the time comes to implement aromatherapy as part of the sensory design in a professional setting, resist the urge to just pump it out. Yes, it smells good. It covers those funny smells left behind from the workday and the cleaning staff. It’s important to utilize this as a purely productive strategy and resist the urge to make it smell like home. Start at a lower setting and let the scent slowly creep into the room. Avoid strong flowery fragrances or overpowering aromas that may be offsetting to other people or pose a possible danger to pregnant women. Do a little research and get some help if you need to. When introduced appropriately into the workplace setting, aromatherapy produces happier healthier employees and increases your bottom line.
