Back to School with Essential Oils: How Aromatherapy Can Help Teachers Focus, Relieve Stress and Stay Healthy

Teaching can be a very stressful and tiring job, there is no doubt about that. As a society, we owe teachers greatly for their sacrifices, patience and readiness to do a job each and every day that is tiring, underappreciated and stressful. As with anyone that has a stressful job, practicing self-care is essential to keeping emotionally and physically well. Aromatherapy and essential oils can be a great tool when it comes to self-care. Continue reading to see how essential oils can help with stress relief, aid in focus and help in times of illness.

Teachers spend a lot of time outside of the classroom grading assignments and making lesson plans. With all the mentally strenuous work that is often required, many teachers find that aromatherapy can help them stay focused, keep energized and help them concentrate on their task at hand. While working at home, many teachers prefer to diffuse their oils in a diffuser. If working at school, teachers may find it easier to use a personal essential oil inhaler as a quick, portable way to enjoy aromatherapy.

Some of the best essential oils to improve concentration, focus and energy include: lemon, grapefruit, lemongrass, rosemary, eucalyptus, peppermint and spearmint. Any of these oils can be diffused individually, but many can be blended for a unique aromatherapy experience. Some of my favorite blends include:

4 drops lemongrass, 2 drops rosemary

3 drops rosemary, 3 drops eucalyptus, 3 drops grapefruit

5 drops eucalyptus, 3 drops spearmint

4 drops grapefruit, 2 drops lemon, 1 drop spearmint

4 drops lemon, 2 drops peppermint

If using an essential oil inhaler, use 15 drops of any of the oils listed above individually or blended and inhale when needed.

Teaching can unfortunately be a highly stressful job with a great degree of burnout. Because of this stress, it is important to take care of oneself using good self-care. Aromatherapy can be a great component for self-care, as many essential oils can help reduce stress and anxiety. The most common essential oil for this use is lavender. Some other oils for reducing stress are: clary sage, orange, cedarwood, vetiver, roman chamomile and bergamot. These oils can be used individually or blended together. Some of my favorite blends are:

4 drops lavender, 2 drops cedarwood

3 drops lavender, 2 drops cedarwood, 1 drop roman chamomile

3 drops lavender, 3 drops bergamot

3 drops lavender, 3 drops vetiver

3 drops lavender, 3 drops roman chamomile, 2 drops clary sage

5 drops lavender, 5 drops clary sage, 2 drops orange

There is no doubt that teachers are at risk of developing illness throughout the year due to the fact they are constantly exposed to germs in the classroom. Essential oils are great at preventing illness and helping ease respiratory distress when illness does strike. Some of the best essential oils for illness include: tea tree, oregano, eucalyptus, peppermint and lemon. Some great blends involving these oil are:

5 drops lemon, 3 drops peppermint, 1 drop oregano

5 drops peppermint, 2 drops tea tree, 2 drops eucalyptus

5 drops eucalyptus, 4 drops lemon, 2 drops tea tree