Sunday Brain Workout
Improve your brain health in 5 minutes or less
“I’m too busy,” is no excuse. Everyone can find 5 extra minutes.
Smell your way to a better brain
A memory (especially an autobiographical memory) sparked by an aroma is more vivid than a memory evoked by other cues, such as words, images or sounds. Some literary neuroscientists call this the Proust Phenomenon, named after the famous (I tried to read him, I must admit it was a real snooze fest) French novelist.
Aromas so powerfully affect the brain because olfaction is the only sensation from the outside world (smell, touch, sight, sound, feeling) that is not routed through and muffled by the thalamus (main relay center of the brain). The olfactory nerve is connected directly to your frontal lobe (the executive function area in the thinking part of your brain). It is also intimately involved with your limbic system (the area responsible for emotions and memory formation).
Multiple scientific studies have demonstrated that aromatherapy with essential oils such as lemon and lavender have beneficial effects on your brain (such as decreased anxiety and depression, better sleep and decreased pain).
What can you do in 5 minutes or less: Fire up a scented candle.or better yet, take a stroll in the garden.
Want to learn more about aromatherapy, check out https://brain2mind.substack.com/p/hey-whats-that-i-smell
For another 18 brain workouts, check out https://brain2mind.substack.com/p/19-brain-workouts
It’s the first year I really noticed the smells of flowering trees and roses while outdoors.
This reminds me of the effect sniffing peppermint every 2 hours has and how you can reduce food cravings. There’s at least one study showing that it leads to consuming less calories.