Feeling a little sluggish at the start of your writing
session? An espresso or energy drink helps, but if you
prefer to energize via your nose, try sniffing rosemary oil.
Researchers at Northumbria University found that rosemary oil made test subjects feel more alert and enhanced their long term memory by about 15%. Other essential oils that have a similar effect:
- Peppermint
- Basil
- Sage – one study showed an improvement of ten percent in short term memory
- Juniper Berry
- Frankincense
You can use an oil diffuser, but I just take a couple of deep whiffs from a small bottle of peppermint oil I bought at my local health food store. You can also put a few drops on your hands and smell them, or apply a drop or two to the back of your neck.
PS: Stimulants aren’t a good substitute for a good night’s sleep, but if, like me, you sometimes find it difficult to get energized even after sleeping seven or eight hours, these can help. Nothing here should be construed as medical advice; if in doubt, consult your doctor, especially if you have high blood pressure.
(Need to focus? Get my book, "Focus: use the power of targeted thinking to get more done." It's published by Pearson and available now from Amazon or your other favorite book seller.)