The scent of success: How aromatherapy can help your professional edge

(ARA) - Scent stirs memory. You can use aroma to evoke the emotion of a childhood experience, enhance romance ... and even hone your competitive edge in the business world.

In an increasingly competitive job market, many Americans are seeking every edge they can get to find a job, or keep the one they have. Stimulating the mind and memory function can help professionals feel more alert and "on their game." Aromatherapy can be one more weapon in a professional's business arsenal.

Aromatherapy works to stimulate memory and the mind because our sense of smell is the only sense directly connected to the central nervous system. The nasal bulb, an area of densely packed neural receptors, sits near the center of our heads and interfaces directly with the brain. By contrast, miles of nerve pathways sit between the ears, eyes and the brain. Tying visual and auditory experiences to a distinct aroma can help us process, retain and recall visual and auditory data more effectively.

Essential oils, the essences plants use to attract pollinating insects or ward off disease and predators, are the core of aromatherapy. They are completely natural, widely available, and can be great tools for stimulating mental clarity and the enhancement of memory.

The oil most associated with memory is rosemary. The scent invigorates and refreshes while it stimulates the mind. Tom Havran, aromatherapy expert for Aura Cacia, makes this suggestion: Try occasionally sniffing a small bottle of rosemary essential oil while studying for an exam or preparing for a work presentation, and then smelling the oil again during the test or presentation itself.

Mr. Havran suggests several other mentally stimulating essential oils that enhance concentration and alertness, including:

Sweet basil is great to diffuse at your desk when that inevitable post-lunch lethargy starts to sap your productivity. It's as easy as placing two to three drops on a sticky note and positioning it near the exhaust fan of your computer.

Bergamot orange is loved by almost everyone who smells it, and the scent can inspire fantastic brainstorming sessions. Combine five to six drops per ounce of water and make a mist to occasionally spritz the atmosphere during your next meeting.

Peppermint oil is regarded as a cephalic oil - it's associated with the head, brain and nervous system. Use your fingertips to massage a single drop into the temples to clear the mind and dispel tension.

You might be in the habit of fueling mental clarity and alertness with cup after cup of coffee. That's fine, but perhaps not as interesting, inspiring or delightful as the beautiful scents and extraordinary benefits provided by pure, botanically derived essential oils. Try infusing your old work routine with some new clarity today.

To learn more about Aura Cacia, a purveyor of 100 percent pure and natural essential oils and aromatherapy products in the United States, go to www.auracacia.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent