I wrote a post a while ago triggered by a poem that made the internet rounds years ago entitled, “Where I’m From.” In that post, I reminisced about how powerful smell is and how connected it is to our memories. I know I don’t need to tell you that though, but I do want to share a little science with you.
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Some Science Behind Our Sense of Smell
•Smell, more so than any other sense, is also intimately linked to the parts of the brain that process emotion and associative learning.
•For most untrained people, the process of smelling gives little information concerning the specific ingredients of an odor. Their smell perception primarily offers information related to the emotional impact.
•The human sense of smell is a primary factor in the sensation of comfort.
•Odor molecules transmit messages to the limbic system, the area of the brain that governs emotional responses. Some believe that these messages have the power to alter moods, evoke distant memories, raise their spirits, and boost self-confidence.
•Because the olfactory signal terminates in or near the amygdala, odors are strongly linked to memories and can evoke emotions. Memories recalled by odors are significantly more emotional and evocative than those recalled by the same cue presented visually or auditorily.
•Scientists are increasingly aware of ways that human senses can be harnessed to manage our own well-being – so fragrance can now be designed to stimulate the best emotional experience possible; the perfect relaxing fragrance for a warm soak in the bath or for laundering sheets to encourage a good night’s sleep.
•Fragrances may be used to optimize lifestyle: they can be designed to be relaxing, uplifting, reduce stress or help with sleep. These are small things, but they improve quality of life.
I could go on and on, but I don’t need to you. All I need to do is ask you about your grandma or Christmas as a child and more often than not, as you’re sharing your memories with me, you’ll bring up something about smell. You might tell me about the way your grandma’s hand lotion smelled or the certain pie she baked for Christmas.
And think of how many times we either say or hear someone else say, “That smells reminds me of home.” It could be the scent of tobacco smoke, a fresh cut lawn, Ivory Soap, or hot coffee that takes us back.
Why I Started Using Essential Oils
I started using essential oils recreationally a couple of years ago. The more I read, the more convinced I became that essential oils had a place in our family to support our bodies, our minds and our emotions. But I had no idea where to start my research!
It’s no secret if you’ve poked around my blog that I have struggled with feeling anxious and intrusive thoughts in the past. Sometimes almost to the point of being debilitating. With the supervision of a Biblical Counselor a number of years ago, I began building a “Tool Kit” to battle and overcome anxious and obsessive thoughts. A couple of years ago I decided I wanted to add essential oils to my toolkit. Especially almost two years ago when I had a hysterectomy.
Once I started using essential oils for myself, I started pulling out my oils for my children when they were over-tired children, feeling anxious, needed a little boost in focusing on their school work and to soothe injuries–especially bumps, bruises, and strains on my soccer players. Now that I have a daughter in college, you better believe one of the first things we got for her dorm room was a diffuser! We’ve also started adding them into our school and fun, No Grinches Play Dough Recipe.
Why Young Living
I’ve written a more recent post explaining why I did something I didn’t think I would ever do, I signed up to purchase my oils through Young Living. In my recent post, Gladly Eating My Words, I explain the important reason why, education. I know the power of smell on my own emotions and mood. I recognize the properties and value of essential oils. I also know I was not using them to their fullest potential. I also know, I don’t have to read and research, Google and analyze the science and safety of essential oils.
And just when I started thinking, “I wish there was a doctor around who could guide and teach me,” I run into Dr. Edie Wadsworth on the internet teaching about essential oils and our emotions! I didn’t hesitate to sign up as a wholesale member of Young Living. And then I started telling my sister and a few friends in real life and online and they became interested in purchasing their oils from Young Living and learning more about how to use them from a medical doctor’s perspective.
What This Means for You
I have always honestly shared what I love and things I find that work. I share here on my blog, on my Facebook page, on Instagram, when talking to my sister on the phone, my best friend after church, or the grocery store check-out girl–no seriously, ask my children! Sharing Young Living now and here is just a natural part of my character. Especially if I can guide you to some alternatives or different tools to add to your toolkit.
More Information to come! Consider this an “Under Construction” message.
In the meantime, you can use my link to purchase anything and everything…even just a little…or A Lot!
