you & your scent escape

Feb 2nd 2021

As I post this, it is February 2nd. It is quite literally Groundhog day. A term which has become far too familiar in lockdown. Throughout this last phase, it feels like I am in a waiting room in my head, counting the seconds until my name is called. How am I getting through each day? Sometimes it feels like barely, but I am finding opportunity and optimism in the smaller things which seems to be helping. When I’m not working with clients to help introduce aromatherapy in their day to day, most of the time I am finding solace in cooking and TV. However, sometimes there is the urge to escape. Escape the looping thoughts and be transported somewhere else for a little while, even if it’s momentarily. There is the desire to create a change of scene in my mind and body. In this post, I discuss how this could be possible using the power of scent.

Stimuli to our senses, such as music, driving through a familiar place, eating certain foods, can all trigger a response from our brain to recall memories or a feeling of nostalgia. However, scent can do this in a much more vivid and detailed way. This is called the “Proust effect” where aromas have the ability to trigger memories. This can be involuntary, for example, walking past someone who wears a familiar perfume, or roses which remind you of your neighbour’s garden, or the smell of doughnuts reminding you of a funfair. It can also be voluntary, in the sense of keeping a teddy or someone’s jumper with you while you sleep to remind you of the scent of home, wearing a particular scent to take you back to a summer holiday, or even using a certain essential oil to take you back to the feeling of serenity and calm which you experienced in a treatment space. 

One of the latest additions to my essential oil box is Galbanum (Ferula Galbaniflua Boiss). I’ve loved this oil from the moment I got my hands on it. Mostly because it reminds me of my grandparent’s garden which I used to visit every summer when I was younger. Strangely enough, Galbanum has absolutely nothing to do with a Welsh garden as it is a plant originally from the mountains of Iran. However, for some reason it transports me right to their garden and reminds me of freshly cut green grass and sunshine after rain. It allows me to revisit the freshly watered gardens in West Wales where I would spend hours wondering and pondering as a child. I can sit with the essential oil bottle for a few seconds with my eyes closed and I am transported with its fresh green quality to a different place. Once I’ve opened my eyes, things feel just a little bit lighter. Not only because I have been transported for a while, but also because Galbanum is fantastic for easing overthinking, worry and anxiety. It has a calming quality and is great for reducing stress.

What is a memory which would momentarily blissfully carry you away? Can you pinpoint surrounding smells? What could spark that nostalgia through your nose? 

It’s important to acknowledge that scent can be very powerful and of course sometimes, odours don’t always trigger happy memories or events and that feeling of nostalgia could be unwanted. Perhaps you don’t want to be taken back, but still want to be taken away. A technique I learnt through perfume studies and aromatherapy is to let your imagination run free and to meditate with a simple smelling exercise. Take an essential oil, like Grapefruit (citrus x paradisi) for example, and pour 2-4 drops on to a tissue. Sit with your eyes closed, taking moments to inhale the aroma. As you inhale, think of what colour comes to mind, does the scent have a temperature? Does it have a texture? Does the aroma feel like it’s sitting in a certain part of your body? What kind of picture are you seeing, what’s the landscape? Is someone there with you? You are painting a picture with your mind using the aroma to guide you. You can sit in the stillness with your creation. This technique is great for carrying ourselves away and creates a moment to practice mindfulness. 

There are many ways we can introduce aromas into our day to day to create an element of escape or at least, some difference. For example, we can transform simple tasks into more precious, transformative moments. I refer to some of these methods in my previous post, based around separating work from home. Whether it’s turning a shower into more of a moment to focus on the breath and relaxation or using a diffuser to reset your space during down time. Make sure you prioritise yourself for at least a short time each day, whether it’s through nutrition, movement or therapeutic care like using aromas and oils. 

Throughout the phases of lockdown, some days we have to sink and rest, others we have to motivate and drive ourselves. When everything is feeling stagnant and claustrophobic, perhaps turn to the idea of sailing away with your imagination using an aroma to guide you. Create a momentary escape for yourself. Allow yourself to drift with the endless possibilities of the mind.

Safety note:

There are certain oils to avoid/be cautious of if you are pregnant. Galbanum is an essential oil to be cautious of. If you are looking to use essential oils during your pregnancy, please seek the guidance of an aromatherapist first.

For general use of essential oils, it is always best to seek the advice of an aromatherapist if you are unsure on the best selection of essential oils for yourself or how best to use them. Please always use safe dilutions when using essential oils and do not ingest. 

For diffusion of essential oils, use for only 30mins max with breaks in between.

References:

Lawless, Julia. Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils ; Wikipedia, “The Proust Effect” ; Penny Price Academy, Webinar: ‘Remembrance: Triggering memory with essential oils’.