In our rush to taste, see and touch, our desire to smell is sometimes muted. Bring wonder back to your senses by focusing on these 6 scents to enhance mind, body and spirit.
Cinnamon: Not just a fantastic natural, calorie free sweetener that helps balance blood sugar, sniffing cinnamon is also linked to higher levels of alertness. Sprinkle cinnamon in your morning smoothie or favorite almond milk latte and refresh your senses.
Peppermint: Feeling forgetful or fatigued? Take a whiff of peppermint. Studies have shown that smelling peppermint improves brain function, memory and visual-motor skills. Peppermint is also linked to a boost in exercise performance. Those you sniff or even drink a few drops of peppermint oil diluted in water pre-workout have improved performance, energy and endurance as well as a higher threshold for pain and injury. How refreshing!
Rosemary: If ‘space cadet’ is your middle name, try adding rosemary to your daily diet, which improves mental concentration and speed. Sprinkle this fresh herb into your morning omelet for delicious flavor and improved mental function.
Citrus: Feeling stressed? Take a deep breath and inhale some citrus. Orange, grapefruit and lemon are excellent choices for anxiety reduction. Even better yet, snack on a fresh grapefruit or orange, reaping both mental AND physical health benefits.
Lavender: Known for its relaxing benefits, lavender is an excellent way to unwind and soothe the senses. Taking a deep inhale of lavender before bed encourages deep sleep, so pick up a bottle of essential oil and dab it on your wrists before hitting the sheets. Jasmine can also have this relaxing, deep sleep effect, so play around with your favorite scent.
Sage: A 2013 study revealed that women who took a deep inhale of sage experienced significant blood pressure reduction and steadier breathing. Sage has also been shown to improve attention span and memory, making it a very appealing choice for overall wellness.
So get to sniffing! All the 6 scents to enhance mind, body and spirit listed above are bound to help you feel centered, focused and energized.
(Visited 14 times, 1 visits today)