How to Stay Productive When You’re Feeling Scattered: 5 Natural Ways to Regain Focus

We’ve all had those days — the ones where your to-do list stares back at you, your mind feels like a jar of bees, and you can’t seem to land on one clear thought, let alone get anything done.

If you’ve been there lately, you’re not alone. But you don’t have to stay stuck in that scattered energy. With a few simple, natural rituals, you can ground yourself, refocus, and bring your full presence — and therefore, your power — to the tasks ahead.

Here are five of my favorite ways to call yourself back to focus, and bring intention to your day.

1. Breathe — fully, deeply, and more than once.

Never underestimate the power of a full-bodied breath. And by “full-bodied,” I mean more than just a quick inhale and back to work.

Pause. Close your eyes. Take your hands off your keyboard and rest them over your heart. Now — instead of the usual gentle nose inhale you might have learned in meditation or yoga, try this: take a slow, deep breath in through your mouth, filling your lungs completely. Hold it gently at the top for just a moment, then let the breath flow out naturally through your nose.

This Frequency Energy Reset™ technique helps you bring in more oxygen and energy with a deeper mouth inhale, rather than the more restrained nasal breath common in calming practices. It can help shift your energy and clear stress or tension in a way that feels powerful yet grounding.

Repeat that three times.

Feel yourself settle back into your body. Feel your feet on the floor. Feel your mind quiet just a little.

For bonus grounding, whisper to yourself one thing you’re grateful for before opening your eyes and diving back in.

2. Use aromatherapy to reset your mind.

Scent has a powerful way of cutting through mental noise and bringing you back to yourself. Aromatherapy works because scent bypasses the thinking mind and speaks straight to the emotional centers of your brain, which makes it an incredibly effective tool for focus and presence.

Some essential oils are particularly helpful:

• Rosemary: Supports memory, clarity, and alertness.

• Patchouli: Grounds scattered energy and helps you feel steady and centered.

• Oak Moss: Brings a sense of calm balance and connection to nature.

These botanicals have been personally blended into our Optimize Aromatherapy Roll-On, a high-quality, hand-crafted oil designed to promote holistic well-being and help you harmonize body and mind when you’re feeling pulled in too many directions. A swipe on your pulse points (wrists, temples, neck) can be your ritual of returning to focus.

3. Jot down what is on your mind — clear the mental clutter.

One of the biggest drains on your energy isn’t the tasks themselves — it’s trying to remember all the little things.

That’s where a simple brain dump can save you. Keep a notepad nearby and, before you settle into a focus session, take five minutes to write down every single thing swirling in your mind. Big or small — just get it out of your head and onto paper.

Keep that pad nearby as you work, too. If more stray thoughts pop up, jot them down and return to your task.

Bonus tip: Once you’ve dumped everything out, pick a few micro-steps and make a little checklist. The satisfaction of checking things off (thanks to a dopamine boost in your brain) helps keep you motivated and builds your personal momentum.

4. Make your breaks intentional.

When you’re busy, it’s tempting to skip breaks altogether — or worse, to spend your “break” time scrolling through your phone. But distraction is not the same as mindfulness. Your body and brain perform best when you honor their natural rhythms. Throughout the day, your energy and focus rise and fall in cycles called ultradian rhythms, which typically last about 90–120 minutes. At the end of each cycle, your body signals that it needs a few minutes of rest to recharge before diving back in.

Instead of ignoring these cues or numbing them with a screen, step outside. Stretch your arms toward the sky and let the sunlight warm your face (when the season allows). Even just five minutes of gentle movement or natural light can reset your nervous system and sharpen your focus — improving blood flow, lowering cortisol, and giving you a little boost of vitamin D.

5. Create a Focus & Flow Toolkit.

Lastly, set yourself up for success by keeping, what I will reference as, your Focus & Flow Toolkit at hand. Here’s what I recommend having in your workspace:

• Your aromatherapy roll-on to cue your senses, optimize your focus and set intention.

• A journal or notepad for brain dumping and prioritizing. (Tip: Keep two sheets handy — one for your dump list, one for your top priorities.)

• A full glass of water. Hydration keeps your brain sharp and your energy steady.

• (Optional but helpful) A simple snack to stabilize your blood sugar:

  • Handful of nuts & dried fruit

  • Apple or banana with almond butter

  • A square of dark chocolate and green tea if you’d like a little treat (Just skip the sugary snacks — they can spike your energy and then leave you crashing.)

Bonus tip: If possible, keep your phone out of reach. The buzz of apps can pull you out of your flow faster than you realize.

When you’re feeling scattered, the most important thing is to slow down just enough to choose your next step with intention. These little rituals won’t just help you get more done — they’ll help you feel calmer, more centered, and more like yourself while doing it.

Because productivity isn’t just about doing more — it’s about doing it from a place of grounded focus.

If you’re feeling inspired to bring more aromatherapy into your daily rituals — to feel more grounded, confident, joyful, empowered, harmonious, or deeply connected to yourself and your intuition — I invite you to explore our Action Collection.

This thoughtfully curated set of six intentional essential oil blends offers the most versatile and cost-effective way to elevate your aromatherapy journey. Whether you’re gifting it or keeping it close for every occasion life brings, it’s a wonderful next step for those looking for more.