How do you lead your team in autumn?

The darker months of the year often present a particular challenge for managers, as reduced daylight can quickly lower team morale and energy levels. This impacts the individual performance of team members, as well as the overall morale and productivity of the company. So, how can a manager create an environment that fosters well-being and sustains 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 brain's emotional centre, is directly influenced by scents, which can improve mood and performance.

Aromatherapy: The Emotional Impact of Scents

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 relieve tension, especially during the winter months when the sun is often scarce.

The five best scents for inner peace and concentration

Lavender: Lavender is known for its relaxing properties and can alleviate anxiety and tension. In stressful times, a few drops of lavender oil in a room diffuser at the workplace can help the team relax and reduce anxiety. Likewise, lavender can promote mental clarity, which is a prerequisite for more focused work and better-informed decisions.
Orange: Orange is the epitome of joy. The invigorating and uplifting, fresh and zesty aroma can transform the workplace into a pleasant place. Perfect when you need a general motivational boost and your energy levels are low. An invigorating room spray or a diffuser with orange oil can spread a pleasant mood, and there's a chance that teamwork could become more lively and fresh. Do you have the scent of an orange plantation in Spain in your mind's nose? Imagine how you feel at that thought.
Cedarwood: The earthy aroma of cedarwood can promote inner calm and provide a sense of grounding. Cedarwood oil can convey a feeling of stability and security, which is essential during stressful times. As cedarwood can have 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 can provide people with more energy. Due to its invigorating, herbal aroma, it is ideal for long working days and intensive project phases. Without creating tension, rosemary oil can improve cognitive functions and it can promote concentration. A natural scent that helps to clarify and organise ideas.
Ylang-ylang: This floral, slightly exotic aroma can relieve stress and promote emotional balance. Perfect for times when spirits are a little low or after demanding meetings. This scent has the power to lift the mood of a group, filling a space 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 scent diffuser in the workplace guarantees even, subtle scent distribution.
Aroma Roll-ons: Your team can be provided with easy-to-use roll-ons with essential oils for personal use. Often, a small drop on the wrists can be enough to create inner peace or fresh vitality.

Your role as a leader

As a manager, you are responsible for maintaining the emotional equilibrium of the team.
The selection and use of essential oils is not only a useful method for promoting the team's well-being but also sends a strong message of gratitude and care.
Wellbeing can easily fall by the wayside in an increasingly complex workplace. This is precisely where, as a manager, you can demonstrate your concern for your team's inner balance. A quick and affordable way to discreetly improve the workplace is through aromatherapy. Treat yourself and your team to a little „breather“ and use a calming or invigorating scent; it's a small investment that can realign energy and strengthen the team. It can create fresh clarity and boost motivation, all through a few mindful breaths of essential oil.
Aromatherapy can help leaders create a calm and motivating environment where innovative ideas flourish and performance improves organically. As a manager, you can offer emotional support to your employees through small, targeted actions like aromatherapy to sustainably enhance health and well-being.

HHave I piqued your interest in how you, as a leader, can empower your team with the help of essential oils? I would be happy to come to your company and hold a workshop on the application and effects of essential oils. Then take Contact us with me or visit me on Instagram. I am at your disposal with advice and practical support in a free initial consultation. For a successful outcome, it is important to use pure oils. I have chosen the brand DoTERRA decided, and if you want to stock up on essential oils, you're welcome to do so through 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 can 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 collaboration within the team.

Improving cognitive performance

Certain scents, like peppermint or lemon, can boost concentration and cognitive performance[2]. This can lead to increased productivity and creativity within a team, as employees are more focused and alert.

Mood enhancement

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

Boosting the immune system

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

Promoting social bonds

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

Improving sleep quality

Certain essential oils such as lavender can improve sleep quality [1]. Well-rested team members are generally more productive and balanced, which can positively impact team dynamics.

It is important to note that the effect of scents can vary from person to person and not all team members will react to them in the same way. Furthermore, the use of aromatherapy in the work 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