We rely on our senses to pick up on cues of danger or safety in our environment. Much of this happens out of our conscious awareness. A smell, even if it’s fleeting or faint, can quickly whip us far away from the present moment into a thousand different places, stories created from memories of long ago. Sometimes these places are kind, familiar, warm and safe. Sometimes less so.

This knowledge alone leads to much greater awareness and can help you to shape these experiences to work with you rather than against.

You can also build on these ideas and have them on hand them during times of increased stress.

Practical Idea:

Make a list of the smells which evoke fondness, nostalgia, but most importantly, a sense of safety.

If for any reason that’s hard to do, find a scent or two you like now and smell it regularly at the times you feel most calm and secure.

Use these scents as a way to ground or anchor yourself into the present moment if you find yourself overwhelmed by a threatening feeling.

Via the same process that slow, deep breathing soothes your system, with this simple practice, you’re sending a signal, through your body, to your brain, that you are safe and that it can reset from its threat state.

Your list of scents will be as individual as your fingerprint.
Mine include patchouli, silage, thyme oil, caravan interior and matches. Some of these are easier to bottle than others