Happy April! Last month’s Quest for Calm involved affirmations. The ones I chose were: I am calm and relaxed. I am able to handle everything that comes my way. And I am inhaling peace and exhaling worry with each breath. I wrote them three times in my journal each day, as well as saying them aloud. Did they help? Yes! Outside of recording them in my journal, I found myself thinking of them at other times of the day. When sitting quietly in the backyard, while out walking, and even driving to and from places. Like deep breathing, I was able to call up my affirmations when needed, and in that way my attention was redirected in a positive way. No wonder I had used affirmations many times in my life! Seeing the words as I wrote them in my journal or reiterating them in my mind, they worked as visuals to help me relax. As a result, I will continue using them, as well as the deep breathing techniques I became reacquainted with in February.
This month I have decided to engage a different sense on my serenity journey. It’s the one that at a moment’s notice can lift our spirits, enhance an experience, or alert us to danger. It can instantly alter our moods, help us bond with others, and transport us to a different time and place. It’s our sense of smell.
From my journal: November 27, 2020, Newbury Park, California
“Robert cooked the turkey in the pizza oven…delish…inside made gravy, baked sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie…smelled so good…the aroma(s) of Thanksgiving!”
It is said that our olfaction is stronger than words, emotions, or our will. I’d say that’s mighty powerful! Think about the yeasty aroma of bread baking in an oven, dark roasted coffee brewing in a pot, or thick cut slices of bacon sizzling in a hot skillet. Scents are easily conjured up, along with accompanying experiences. When I think of freshly mown grass, I’m transported decades ago to weekend mornings in July and August. I can picture my brother Ray pull-starting my dad’s lawn mower. First pushing it along the rectangular perimeter in our backyard, then back and forth in lines until all the green blades of grass were uniform in height. The lingering scent? A pleasantly sweet, earthy, and distinctly sharp smell. The smell of summer!
This April I will be practicing the art of aromatherapy. Just as the name implies, it is the use of scented essential oils for therapeutic purposes. Even simpler, it is the inhalation of aromas to promote the feeling of well-being.
This practice isn’t anything new and as a matter of fact, over 3500 years ago aromatics were used in ancient China, India, and Egypt for religious purposes, and to create perfumes and medicines. Inhaling essential oils in diffusers or through massaging into the skin helps the central nervous system to relax, lessening the effects of depression, anxiety, and stress. For these reasons, it is used in a wide range of settings such as treatment centers, hospitals, and spas. And the term aromatherapy? It was coined in 1935 by a French chemist named Rene-Maurice Gattefosse who after a burn incident discovered that the essential oil scented with lavender was an effective treatment.
In preparation for this month’s venture, I purchased a “Home Harmony” essential oil kit from Mountain Rose Herbs, a company based in Eugene, Oregon. I read about them in the publication Willow and Sage that I enjoy for its all-natural home cleaning recipes. The kit with five essential oils and instructions on storing, diluting oils, and descriptions of their properties was $40 and the plug-in wall diffuser was $20. A minimal investment for the amount of oils included, as well as a diffuser that is easy to use and doesn’t require water.
Three times a week for about 30 minutes a day, I will turn on my diffuser while I work, read, or create art in my craft room and inhale the aroma of either lavender, clary sage, or geranium. These essential oils in particular are known for promoting calm and alleviating emotional imbalances. I’ll record the before and after effects in my journal. And as I’ve done before, I’ll share my findings with you at the beginning of next month. I am so looking forward to continuing on this journey and hope to discover the sweet smell of…serenity. Ah.
A Journal Journey 