Get More "Scentual"

Are you a “scentual” person? How often do you experience the world through your sense of smell? So many of us motor through our busy days noticing bad smells (garbage in the street, a whiff of cigarette smoke) but we rarely pay attention to the beauty, joy and health benefits that good aromas offer. At the risk of sounding trite, we need to stop and smell the roses.

 Our sense of smell has incredible power. In fact, researchers at Rockefeller University discovered that the average person can distinguish among 1 trillion different odors! Scents can evoke happy memories, improve mood and concentration, ease tension, and increase mental clarity. For example, lavender makes us calmer, peppermint stimulates the mind, roses can lower blood pressure, eucalyptus improves alertness, and rosemary is great for memory.

Technique of the week: Savor your sense of scent! Start by paying closer attention to the pleasant aromas around you—fresh-brewed coffee, sliced strawberries, the spring flowers you pass by, just-laundered sheets. Try incorporating an essential oil into your morning or bedtime routine. Make the choice to become more aware of the positive scents around you for an instant mood boost!