Improve Focus With Aromatherapy and Snacks!

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils or other natural fragrances for healing and balancing the mind and body. We begin healing as soon as we catch the scent! The olfactory system (the part of the brain for smell) is stimulated and affects the limbic system, which controls emotions, the heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress, and hormone balance. Although subtle, essential oils can have a holistic effect on the body.

A few oils that are great for cognitive function include:

• Rosemary (improves focus and concentration)

• Sweet Basil (improves alertness)

• Peppermint (refreshes the mind)

• Lavender (calms irritability)

• Eucalyptus (relieves sluggishness).

Now let’s relieve some stress! Once you have finished a blend of your chosen oils, you may either apply a drop the oil blend to your palms and inhale or apply oil to particular acu-points to help relieve stress and promote the Movement of Qi! In this, we are combining two mild and safe therapies for a synergistic effect.

Large Intestine 4 is a point on the back of your hand, in between the thumb and index finger, generally on the meat where the fingers are webbed. Try a Lavender Blend and rub it onto LI4 on both hands while breathing deeply for a few moments.

Lavender for Stress Relief Ritual:

Add one drop of the Lavender blend to the palm of your hand and rub your hands together and close your eyes.

Bring your palms up, Inhale (through the nose) for 4 counts, hold your breath for 4 counts and exhale for 4 counts.

Exhale completely through the mouth.

Repeat 3 times

Apply and Massage a drop onto LI4 on both hands

As nutrition also helps keep your mind fresh, I try to keep snacks readily available for my moments of brain fog or sluggishness. Blueberries, native to North America, are known for their benefits in cognitive function. The Flavonoids act to protect cells all over your body, including neurons, (the nerve cells in the brain that transmit thoughts, feelings, memories and more.) Keeping these preserved helps you stay sharp. Research shows that a diet containing blueberries or blueberry extract may enhance memory function, balance and coordination. If you like blueberries, make sure you check that they are in

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to comment or send an email!