How to lead your team with essential oils in autumn?

How do you manage your team in the autumn?

The darker months of the year often present a particular challenge for managers as there is less daylight, team morale can drop quickly and energy levels decline. This affects the individual performance of team members as well as the overall morale and performance of the organisation. So how can a manager create an environment that promotes wellbeing and maintains motivation during these difficult times?
The targeted use of aromatherapy and essential oils can be a creative and successful strategy for increasing positive energy. The limbic system, the emotional centre of the brain, is directly influenced by scents, which can improve mood and performance.

Aromatherapy: The emotional effect of fragrances

The only sense that has a direct connection to the brain is the sense of smell. Scents have the power to instantly evoke feelings and memories, lower stress levels and give us a sense of well-being and contentment. Aromatherapy can help to evoke feelings of happiness and reduce tension, especially in the winter months when sunshine is often scarce.

The five best fragrances for inner peace and concentration

• Lavender: Lavender is known for its relaxing properties and has been proven to relieve anxiety and tension. In stressful times, a few drops of lavender oil in the room fragrance dispenser in the workplace can help to relax the team and alleviate anxiety. Lavender also promotes mental clarity, which is a necessary prerequisite for focussed work and sound decision-making.
• Orange: Orange is the epitome of joy. The invigorating and uplifting, fresh and zesty flavour makes the workplace a pleasant place to be. Perfect when you need a general motivational boost and your energy levels are low. A revitalising room fragrance or a fragrance lamp with orange oil spreads a pleasant mood and makes teamwork more lively and fresh.
• Cedarwood: The earthy aroma of cedarwood can promote inner calm and provide a sense of grounding. Cedarwood oil provides a sense of stability and security, which is essential in stressful times. As cedarwood has a balancing and stabilising effect, it can help to strengthen a team's sense of community. A perfect scent for conferences and decision-making processes.
• Rosemary: Rosemary really energises people. Its invigorating and concentration-enhancing herbaceous aroma makes it ideal for long working days and intensive project phases. Without causing tension, rosemary oil improves cognitive function and promotes concentration. A natural fragrance that helps to clarify and organise ideas.
• Ylang-ylang: This floral, somewhat exotic aroma alleviates stress and maintains emotional balance. Perfect for times when the mood is a little tense or after stressful meetings. This aroma has the power to lift the mood of the group and fill a room with happiness and brightness.

How to use essential oils in office aromatherapy

The effect of essential oils in an office environment can be maximised in various ways:

• Diffuser: Depending on the size of the team and the room, a modern fragrance diffuser at the workplace guarantees an even, subtle fragrance distribution.
• Aroma roll-ons: Your team can be provided with easy-to-use roll-ons containing essential oils for personal use. A small drop on the wrists is often enough to create inner calm or fresh vitality.

Your task as a manager

As a manager, you are responsible for maintaining the emotional balance of the team.
The selection and use of essential oils is not only a useful way to promote the well-being of the team, but also sends a strong message of gratitude and care.
Wellbeing can easily become less important in an increasingly complex workplace. This is exactly where you, as a manager, can demonstrate your concern for your team's inner balance. A quick and affordable way to discreetly improve the workplace is aromatherapy. Give yourself and your team a little 'breathing space' and use a calming or revitalising fragrance, this is a small investment that can realign energy and strengthen the team. It creates fresh clarity and can boost motivation, just by taking a few mindful breaths with an essential oil.
Aromatherapy can help managers create a calm and motivating environment where innovative ideas flourish and performance organically improves. As a manager, you can provide emotional support to your employees by using small, targeted interventions such as aromatherapy to sustainably improve health and wellbeing.

HAm I arousing your interest in how you as a manager can strengthen your team with the help of essential oils? I would be happy to come to your company and hold a workshop on the use and effects of essential oils. Then take Contact with me or visit me on Instagram. I am at your disposal with help and advice during a free initial consultation. For a successful result, it is important to use pure oils. I have opted for the brand Doterra and if you would like to stock up on essential oils, you are welcome to do so via my shop.

Aromatherapy can have various positive effects on a team that can be scientifically explained:

Stress reduction and relaxation

Essential oils such as lavender or bergamot have been shown to have stress-reducing and relaxing effects[1][3]. In a team context, this can lead to a calmer and more balanced working atmosphere. Less stress can improve communication and teamwork.

Improvement of cognitive performance

Certain scents such as peppermint or lemon can increase concentration and mental performance[2]. This can lead to increased productivity and creativity in a team, as employees are more focussed and attentive.

Mood enhancement

Essential oils such as orange or grapefruit have mood-enhancing properties[2]. A positive mood in the team promotes motivation and can contribute to a more pleasant working atmosphere.

Improvement of the immune system

Some essential oils such as tea tree oil or eucalyptus have antimicrobial properties[3]. By improving the air quality and strengthening the immune system of team members, sickness absence can be reduced.

Promotion of social ties

The shared experience of pleasant scents can strengthen the sense of community. Fragrances activate the limbic system, which is responsible for emotions and memories[1]. This can promote positive associations with the working environment and colleagues.

Improving the quality of sleep

Some essential oils such as lavender can improve the quality of sleep[1]. Rested team members are generally more productive and balanced, which can have a positive effect on team dynamics.

It is important to note that the effect of fragrances can vary from person to person and not all team members react to them in the same way. In addition, the use of aromatherapy in the working environment should take into account possible allergies or hypersensitivities.

Sources:
[1] https://www.bibliomed-pflege.de/sp/artikel/36937-aromapflege-in-den-klinikalltag-integrieren
[2] https://www.diakonie-michaelshoven.de/blog?cHash=24624a79438c6aa6a3cb482bfd7d31cb&tx_t3extblog_blogsystem%5Baction%5D=show&tx_t3extblog_blogsystem%5Bcontroller%5D=Post&tx_t3extblog_blogsystem%5Bpost%5D=27
[3] https://natuerlich.thieme.de/therapieverfahren/aromatherapie/detail/aromatherapie-fuer-die-immunabwehr-1822
[4] https://www.stadlerform.com/de-de/gesundheit/aromatherapie/aetherische-oele-und-emotionen-wie-wirkt-das-zusammen
[5] https://www.netdoktor.de/alternativmedizin/aetherische-oele/
[6] https://www.dgpalliativmedizin.de/images/stories/Anne-Sophie%20Weckmann_GL%20AROMAPFLEGE_PC%20KURS.pdf
[7] https://www.inspirations.eu/blog/entry/aromatherapie-am-arbeitsplatz/
[8] https://taoasis.com/resilienz-und-aromatherapie-ein-perfektes-team?slotId=47b97baf2feb47b683391475a091cdb2