Take 5: 5 Ways Aromatherapy Can Make You More Productive

When you woke up this morning, you began your journey of aromatherapy without even knowing it. Was it the smell of your shampoo on your pillow? The Costa Rican fair trade brewing in the kitchen? Those yummy herbs growing in your windowsill?  

Many times during our day, we'll encounter aromas that affect our mood, whether it's an undefinable experience or one we directly connect to good times or loved ones. From smells that put a pep in our step to ones that put a warm feeling in our heart, our olfactory senses have the power to influence how we go about our day.   

Aromatherapy—what exactly is it? 

While the use of aromatherapy is relatively new in terms of finding its way into the lives and homes of Americans, the practice is thousands of years old. It's a simple concept: Certain botanical smells can have beneficial effects on our well-being. That's why our sani sprays are scented with essential oils. 

Even the "father of modern medicine" himself, Hippocrates, was hip to the benefits of scents, with this quote attributed to him: "The key to good health rests on having a daily aromatic bath and scented massage."

You might wonder how exactly to incorporate aromatherapy into your everyday life and what scents do what. Don't worry, Luv—we're here to help. 

How To Use Aromatherapy To Slay Your Day

Memory Trigger

As we mentioned above, smells can trigger pleasant thoughts of past people or events. An easy trick to boost your happiness quotient? Pick a favorite memory-scent you can replicate in some way throughout your day. If the smell of Grandma's chicken soup takes you away to a happy place, then by all means, put that on your men! 

Mood Lifter

According to integrative medicine specialist Dr. Yufang Lin, an "oil’s aroma immediately stimulates your central nervous system, triggering an emotional response." So if you're feeling anxious—say you have a pressing work deadline or a big college exam—try diffusing lavender oil. Lavender is one of the most popular aromatherapy scents, and now you know why. 

Sani Sensation

Activated charcoal is popular in an array of products today, from toothpaste to supplements to beauty products. We believe charcoal lives its best life in a basic application: odor removal. Say you're frustrated over one of life's little hiccups. Why not spray away the day with our charcoal sani spray? With a spritz or two, you can clear the air and get on with your to-do list!

All-around Awesome

A surprising aromatherapy superstar comes in the form of a familiar herb: basil. Basil is believed to benefit digestion, mood, and sinus function, and has even been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. While we can't confirm results, we can say that we love the smell of basil and the associations it brings about, like fresh, clean, new. We recommend our cucumber basil starter pack to give you that basil boost throughout your day. 

Healthy Habit

A habit is something you do routinely—and there's no doubt that engaging in healthy habits is a good practice. To form a new habit, it takes an average of 66 days. By adding aromatherapy to your regular routine, the positive association with scents is a simple way to lay the foundation for productivity at work, school, or wherever the day takes you. 

Which OLIKA scent is your favorite? Snap a pic of your clip-on in action and let us know on Instagram @olikalife how the aroma makes your day better!