Diffusing in Classrooms and Public Spaces: Yay or Nay?
It may only be August, but back to school season is just around the corner (as every ad on TV will remind you, constantly.) With that in mind, here are some thoughts about diffusing essential oils in schools and public spaces.
Once you start using oils, you will love oils. And you will want EVERYONE ELSE to love them with you, and have the same life-changing experiences. I have nothing but respect for this passion, and who wouldn't want to share such an amazing and meaningful product with the world?
Sometimes this eagerness to share can get a little sticky, and we start getting into territories of diffusing in your workplace, and teachers wanting to diffuse in schools. You can certainly do these things, but it's important to go through the proper channels and be mindful that these are therapeutic products. Some things to consider:
— You never know who in your vicinity may be sensitive to all scents (natural or otherwise). For some people they are major headache triggers regardless of purity.
— Someone may have allergies to some oils (you absolutely can be allergic to EOs despite what you may have heard)
— An individual may be on medications that could interact with the oils
— Someone may react unpredictably - some folks are mellow yellow with lavender, but others are like a hamster on a wheel! Some people breathe easy and deep with eucalyptus, and others find themselves in the midst of an asthma attack.
In a school, if you really wish to pursue it, it would be prudent to get permission from all the parents to diffuse around their kids, and include a list of oils to be used. Many may be just fine with it, but it's respectful and professional to extend the courtesy of giving them the chance to opt out. If you do proceed with permission, intermittent diffusion would be best practice (think 30-60 minutes on, equal time off).
(There are many times in life I personally follow the adage “it’s better to ask forgiveness than ask permission.” In this instance, I disagree. I’ve seen so many aromatherapy and mom group convos spiral into panic and vicious attacks on MLM/direct sales reps for “reckless endangerment” of their kids by diffusing in public without permission. Yes, some of the concerns being voiced may not be totally accurate, and often times the effort to practice oil safety swings too far into the land of fear-mongering and ultra-conservative use. Despite that, given the very real health considerations we’ve outlined above, it is in a way similar to medicating their child without their permission. I get their concern, and respecting it and going through the appropriate channels to obtain permission would go a long way towards turning the tide of anti-MLM sentiment.)
And if parents wish for you to NOT diffuse around their wee ones? Don't get offended, indignant, or use the situation as a teachable moment about why your particular brand of oils is the best/only safe brand/made entirely of unicorn tears and who wouldn't want THAT? This is not a big deal. Adapt! Wear diffuser jewelry on yourself. Use rollers. If even that scent is too much in a public setting (I work in health care and that just won't fly with some patients), personal inhalers are a wonderful way to keep the scent and therapeutic properties contained just to you.
Same goes for parents who wish for their kids to use oils in the classroom. It isn't always allowed, but the same methods may work to get around that and limit exposure to just your kid. And of course as a teacher you can always diffuse to your heart's content after the little ankle-biters leave for the day!
And I know, when people get a little frustrated that they may not be allowed to diffuse their much-loved oils in public, it is almost always followed by "well then everyone else shouldn't be allowed to use plug-in or spray air fresheners either!"
I would argue from a medical standpoint, those aren't therapeutic (far from it!) and don't interact and react with bodily systems the same way as oils can, but from a potential respiratory irritant and headache standpoint? Heck yeah, they're awful. So by all means use the opportunity to broach that subject, but not from a place of feeling you've been treated unfairly and want to even the score. Please approach it from a place of opening a discussion about limiting fragrance in the workplace completely.
For more information of how to love, use, and share EOs safely, check out my FB group by the same name here.