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Working from home is now routine for many people. Even as pandemic restrictions have lifted, many businesses are retaining partial, or even total, work-from-home arrangements, adding to what was already a growing trend of remote work.
But even among WFH fans, it isn’t universally welcome. The blurring of lines between work and home can cause problems. When the commute is just a few steps from bed, via the breakfast table, it can be difficult to switch into work mode in the morning, or to switch off and relax at the end of the day. And while people use tricks to create boundaries, like changing their environment to create a difference between work and rest, few people think about the sense of smell.
But what you smell is incredibly important, just think how an aroma can trigger powerful memories. Smells are processed in the brain’s limbic system, which is connected not just with memories, but also things like mood, imagination, and behaviour. Using an electric diffuser when working from home isn’t just a nice thing to do, it can be essential.
Here are five reasons why an electric diffuser will transform your WFH life.
1. They can improve concentration.
Many people think about how noise affects concentration. Whether it’s streaming a ‘focus’ playlist or popping on the radio to drown out next-door’s barking dogs, we all know the difference it can make. But smell has a similar effect.
An often-neglected sense, research and modern technology has started to make people think again about the importance of smell. One study analysed the effect of different aromas by using an electroencephalograph (EEG) to measure brain activity. It found different smells would change brain wave patterns and even stimulate different physical responses.
While we can’t help with an EEG, a diffuser like the Well-Being eDiffuser Tall is perfect for a desk. It might take some experimentation to find the right oil for you, but we know many people find scents like peppermint, lemon, or patchouli can help focus. Exactly what works might depend on what you do and personal preference, but you might be surprised at how powerful an effect they can have.
2. They help you relax.
Just as they can help you work, they can help you unwind. The power of smells to assist relaxation has been documented for centuries, with aromas like lavender, clary sage, bergamot and chamomile particularly noted for their restful effects and assisting sleep. These effects have been backed up by several studies.
Using something like the Well-Being eDiffuser Large in a living room or bedroom is ideal. Elegantly designed, it won’t look out of place, and the timer and safety features mean you can leave it on as you fall asleep.
The use of different aromas for work and relaxation has twin benefits. As well as the effect the compounds in the oil have on you, the different smell helps to reinforce the divide, helping you to manage your work/life balance in the same way as a commute when you leave the office might.
3. It’s good for the home.
We don’t mean this in a bad way, but when you are constantly at home it changes the way the home smells! There is far more happening there than ever before, you aren’t just there more, you are cooking there more, you might be exercising there more, and you will be moving around more and keeping everything circulating. It means the aromas from daily life aren’t getting their usual nine-to-five to settle and dissipate.
A diffuser doesn’t just refresh the home’s fragrance, it can have other beneficial effects too. Oils like tea tree, eucalyptus, and lemongrass are all associated with antibacterial and antimicrobial effects.
4. An electric diffuser is better for the environment.
We know that electric diffusers aren’t the only way to get an aroma, but they are one of the most sustainable and safest ways.
While we won’t pretend there isn’t an environmental cost in manufacturing an electric diffuser, that cost is spread over years. When compared to alternatives like candles or air fresheners, the life-time impact is significantly smaller than the alternatives.
It’s safer too. With built-in timers and cut-outs, you can leave it running without having to worry about it. Not something you can ever say about burning candles, which caused nearly a thousand fires in England last year.
And they are cheap to run. Even with rising energy prices, our diffusers will only cost pennies to keep going all day. And the oils themselves last a long time because it only needs a few drops, a single bottle can last months, even as long as a year.
Our diffusers have a high-quality, timeless, design, meaning they will never look out of place however your décor changes. And the quality components mean you can rely on them for years to come.
5. There is endless potential in blending oils.
We sell pre-selected ranges of oils as well as select-your-own packs. And it’s easy to simply combine them in your diffuser to create the perfect aroma, either for the effects you are looking for, or just because you like the smell.
If you are looking for a way to get started, our Portobello Essential Oil Set includes six of our most popular oils: Lavender, Rosemary, Eucalyptus, Lemon, Patchouli and Peppermint. You can use them individual, or start to test out combinations; our customers love peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus.
Or, if you are looking for pre-made blends, we have a range of popular combinations in our Focus, Refresh, Revive and Balance blends. For example, Focus contains eucalyptus, rosemary, and lemon to help you concentrate. Or if you need a lift, Revive uses patchouli, lemon, and pine to put a spring back in your step.
And it’s all so easy...
Using an electronic diffuser couldn’t be easier. Simply fill it with tap water, add a few drops of whatever oil or oils you want, and start it off. It will take care of everything else, delivering a constant, gentle aroma.
They are easy-to-use, easy-to-maintain and incredibly affordable. So, there’s nothing stopping you from finding out how transformative they can be when you are working from home.