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Writer's picturetrythealternative

The smell of safety.


My nephew started school this week and while listening to the preparations and many special stories of those first few days; "apparently the playground isn't really a playground, it's just like a car park "


I was reminded of one of my favourite moments from a Relax Kids Class a few years ago.


The class was finished and a Primary 2 child who was about 5 years old was looking for his jumper, I went to help him asking was his name on it. He replied with great confidence and in a very matter of fact way; "no, I won't need my name, I will just smell it"


As I reflected on it later, I remember thinking how instinctive and natural it was for him to say this and wondered when do we change, when do we stop trusting those natural instincts.


Our sense of smell is one of our most primal senses and one of our inbuilt safety mechanisms, from a survival basis we will always hear and smell danger before we see it. Often when I support children who are experiencing anxiety they will have a heightened sense of smell (see the Blog post linked below for more on this)


Many of us will be able to relate to the idea of a smell instantly reminding you of a person, place or time in your life.


Smell and memory are very closely linked and it is one of the reasons that Aromatherapy works so well. If you have a little or not so little person in your life who is finding starting school a challenge using familiar smells can help them to feel safe and relaxed.


If you would like to access my FREE Aromatherapy Ebook, you can do so here it covers a range of ways to use Aromatherapy and some of my favourite oils.


There are also some Back To School Tips for both Parent's & Teachers (these where created by Relax Kids for the return to school post Covid however the tips & techniques are still relevant)



You may also find this short video helpful.



You can also purchase a wide range of Aromatherapy products from my Neals Yard Shop https://uk.nyrorganic.com/shop/joannecallan/area/shop-online/category/aromatherapy/


I would to hear about your favourite smells, be it essential oils, food, flowers perfume, cut grass. Please share in the comments below.


Thank you for reading, oh and yes that's me circa 1986.


Joanne x





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