SENSORY PERCEPTIONS
Home working has many advantages – no commuting, no endless meetings, no office politics – but the flipside of this is that if you’re lacking energy or concentration, or if you’re feeling low, overwhelmed or stressed, there’s no-one around to pick you up and dust you off. But you can be your own therapist and cheerleader with a little help from productivity-inducing essential oils, with a side order of colour psychology.
PICK ME UPS
ROSEMARY OIL This brain-booster oil increases mental focus and concentration, perfect when a deadline’s looming. BLACK PEPPER OIL Use this energising oil to stimulate circulation and increase blood flow to the brain and muscles. FENNEL OIL Offering many health benefits, fennel oil is thought to boost motivation.
VIBRANT COLOURS Yellow, orange and red can get the creative juices flowing and energise you. If you don’t want to work in a tangerine dream machine though, introduce a few pops of vivid colour with rugs, cushions or a on feature wall.
CALM ME DOWNS
LAVENDER OIL Shown by some studies to calm nervous system disorders, lavender oil is great for helping to combat stress and anxiety.
ROSE OIL This is believed to promote calm.
YLANG-YLANG Thought to reduce blood pressure, ylang-ylang oil has mild sedative qualities and is great for your emotional wellbeing.
BLUE/GREEN COLOURS Blue is the most relaxing shade on the spectrum, known to relax and calm by slowing breathing and heart rate. Green is also considered a restful shade, being gentle on the eyes and promoting a sense of serenity.