Best Incense For Studying: A+ Scents to Boost Your Grades


Pen? Check. Books? Check. Incense? Wait, what?!
This may come as a surprise, but incense is the ultimate study tool. And it's going to help you ace those exams because it has some powerful benefits when it comes to cramming.
Our incense and spirituality experts break down why it will help you get ahead in your exams and which fragrances make the best incense for studying.

Our Pick: Sandalwood

Sandalwood is found in many products nowadays. This includes aromatherapy products, essential oil, perfumes, toiletries, and so much more.
This is because its beautiful, earthy smell creates a pleasant, grounding atmosphere. So whether it is burned in the form of incense sticks, or the oil is warmed to release the uplifting fragrance, sandalwood is a great tool to use to create a peaceful and calming space.

sandalwood branch

So, how does that benefit studying? Well, Sandalwood is a very powerful incense to burn when it comes to stress and anxiety. Sandalwood has been proven to boost mood, calm the mind, and lower blood pressure.
This is why we've picked it for our number 1 spot. Trying to study for exams is one of the most stressful aspects of school life. So to really get the best from yourself, you need a tool that will inspire a calm focus.

Incense for Studying

Incense? For studying?!
Incense has a wide variety of benefits. Most commonly, it is known for its relaxation and mental health-improving abilities. This does help with studies. A lot. Because exams - and school in general - can be super stressful so you may need all the relaxation you can get!
What many people do not realize is that incense can also improve focus, creativity and productivity. This makes it an excellent tool to use when studying and working.

What is Incense?

Incense has a long history of use. It was first recorded around 5000 years ago in the earliest human civilizations. It was mostly used during rituals, celebrations, and ceremonies to summon the gods and connect with the spiritual plane.
We now know a lot more about the impacts of burning incense and the wide array of benefits it has to offer. And, as our lives become more busy and demanding, we are now seeking natural tools to assist with concentration and focus.
Read on to see our other favorite incense scents to use when studying and how they could give your grades a boost.

How to use incense for studying

Time needed: 50 minutes.

How to get the best from your incense to make your studies a breeze.

    1. Remove distractions

      Put. The phone. Down! Turn off the TV and situate yourself in a calm environment with no clutter. This will promote concentration and reduce the opportunity for distraction to take away your focus.

    2. Sit comfortably

      Make sure you are in adequate seating and that you maintain a good posture. I like to have some plants around me to increase my oxygen supply. This means maximum mental clarity.

    3. Take a moment

      A short period of meditation before you get into studying is a great chance for you to set the intentions of your study and clear your mind.

    4. Light your incense

      Stick or Cone: Using a lighter or match, ignite the tip, allowing it to flame for ~10 seconds, then blow it out leaving a burning ember.
      Loose: Pick up your charcoal disc using tongs, light it, and place on a heatproof holder. Then, gently drop a small amount of your loose incense blend of resin, herb and powder onto the disc, allowing it to burn a produce an aromatic smoke.

      Tip: We recommend opening windows. This serves two purposes:
      The fresh air will combine with the incense smoke, making it less harsh.
      The natural, clean and cooling air will help you to focus.

    5. Time to study

      It is important to avoid distractions while you study. This will allow you to have absolute concentration and perform the task to the highest possible standard.

    6. Extinguish and dispose

      Safely put out your incense and allow the ash to go cold. Once it is cold throw the ash away.


Our 8 (Next) Best Incense for Studying

Whether you are burning incense sticks, cones, or loose, these incense could give you that top of the class energy you've been looking for!

1. Frankincense

frankincense branch

Frankincense is a fragrance as old as incense itself. For the purists, Frankincense is a resin from a variety of trees known as 'Burseraceae'. However, it also comes in the form of incense sticks and cones.
Frankincense has many uses, including for menstrual pains which can help your studies if it is that time of the month.
However, another great quality of frankincense is that it boosts concentration and focus, as well as reducing school-related anxiety. So this is an ideal incense to study with if you are feeling nervous.

2. Lavender

lavender plant

Lavender comes from the lavender plant, which is a member of the mint family. This makes it antibacterial and, of course, it smells beautiful!
Lavender is special in that it is both relaxing and improves focus at the same time. So this is a great regular incense to burn, because its stress relieving properties will create a calming and relaxed environment so you get get the most from your studies.
And what's more, lavender is the perfect incense to burn the night before a big exam. This is because it promotes a great night of sleep.

3. Rose

rose flower

Rose incense is commonly associated with love and romance, just like the plants. And for good reason. It is a great scent for attracting love and evoking feelings of lust and sensuality.
However, it is a powerful tool to use to improve focus and memory. Burn rose incense sticks in your home office to make it smell beautiful and maximize your grades with a long-term memory boost.

4. Rosemary

rosemary sprigs

Rosemary is an aromatic herb most commonly used in cooking, herbal tea, and cosmetics. The heavily-scented needles produce an astringent, bitter aroma.
This is what gives rosemary incense the power to be so energizing and makes it perfect for perking you up ready for a period of work, especially when studying online. So there's no need for espresso!

5. Patchouli

patchouli flower

Patchouli is another member of the mint family, so it's not surprising that it gives you the fresh pick-me-up you need to get stuck into your studies.
Burning a patchouli incense stick produces an incredibly uplifting and perky aroma, which is great for mental clarity and positive energy, especially when combined with the natural fresh air.

6. Cinnamon

cinnamon leaves

Cinnamon has a sweet, earthy, and spicy aroma which is great for use during the cold winter months. It is another scent that is commonly associated with lust and desire.
However, it is also known for being a fragrance of joy and happiness, as well as productivity. Burning cinnamon incense has a powerfully positive impact on the brain and the senses. So if you are hoping to get into a good mental space to study, cinnamon is a perfect choice.

7. Vanilla

vanilla flowers

Vanilla has a pleasant and sweet scent that is universally adored. We often associate it with food and especially desserts such as ice cream and custard. What's not to love!
Aside from the beautiful aroma, vanilla incense is a powerful tool to use to enhance creativity and improve productivity. This makes it an ideal tool to use for subjects that require a lot of creative thought, such as literature studies.
So, if your school work is piling up and you need to think outside the box, give this underrated incense a try.

8. Peppermint

peppermint leaves

Peppermint is yet another member of the mint family. That is 3 on this list alone! So, you can probably guess that mint's wide range of benefits, including its fresh, healing scent and association with good health, also make it a great tool to use for studying.
Burning peppermint incense sticks create an uplifting and positive atmosphere which helps to relieve stress and bring positive energy. However, it also increases psychological awareness and eases tension which makes it a no-brainer for exam season.

The Bottom Line

Studying can be difficult. But if you follow the steps above and burn one of these delightful incense fragrances, you give yourself the best possible footing to get your head down and your grades up. Now, get to work!

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