Ahhhh, the beginning of summer. It is finally here. This is a wonderful time of year with sunshine, picnics, mountain hikes, camping, trips to the beach, and so many other activities. But, the last month working to get to this point has been very busy around my house. Both my husband and I are educators. Dave is a Junior High Science Teacher and I am a Speech Therapist, in an Elementary School. Finishing up the current school year and preparing for the next is very involved. For parents and kids this is a busy time of year too, with kids home for the summer and parents figuring out what to do to help keep them occupied and happy.
Enjoy Your Senses
Taking some time to breathe deeply, feel our surroundings, and to focus on where we are and who we’re with can bring an openness to our day. Mindfulness is about just that; bringing ourselves to the present moment, feeling it and savoring it. The 5 senses: smell, taste, touch, sight, and hearing, are only experienced in the present moment, in the now.
The sense of smell can be quite powerful. It can conjure up dormant memories. When I smell raspberries I think of being in my grandmother’s kitchen with her homemade raspberry jam and scones. It reminds me of picking the ripe berries from the bushes next to grandpa’s shed. Smells also trigger our salivary glands. Just imagine walking into a favorite restaurant. Aromas can also energize us, wake up our brain, bring a feeling of tranquility, and many other emotions.
Increases Mindfulness
Frankincense is a great essential oil for mindfulness. It is long considered a healing oil. It comes from the resin of the frankincense tree and has been used for centuries for meditation, focusing the mind, and in Chinese medicine. Try an experiment. Go to a relatively quiet place. Sit comfortably. Inhale some frankincense essential oil from the bottle, a cotton ball, or a diffuser. Close your eyes. What do you smell? feel? hear? taste? Today, let frankincense bring a sense of focused attention to your day. Tomorrow try another essential oil this way. How is it different? How is it the same?
Frankincense is also good for skin repair, respiratory support, clearing infections, and relieving headaches. And it is kid friendly! Another reason to love this amazing essential oil.
