It’s that time of year again. The air feels cool and crisp and kids are going back to school.
In the fall, everything changes. The autumn air is unlike that of the other seasons. There are different
scents in the air, such as the lovely aroma of fallen leaves. Cooler air also contributes to the change. The
sense of smell is linked to the limbic system, which is the part of the brain that controls memory and
emotion.
Certain pleasurable fragrances do more than just make us smell good to others. This is why the
smell of certain foods or the soap your mother always used takes you back to a place of comfort.
There is a subtle healing connection between scent and emotional well-being. You may catch a whiff of
apples, which some studies show reduce headache symptoms. Cinnamon, one of the world’s oldest known
spices, can improve cognitive functions and attention span. Research from Japan indicates that walking
through a pine forest can help you relax, eliminate fatigue and enhance concentration. Studies from Ohio
State University have linked lemon to a rise in levels of norepinephrine, a brain chemical linked to easier
decision-making and increased motivation.
If your student is heading off to college, they may be living in a dormitory and sharing a bathroom with
non-family members. If you want to send them a little gift, think about “showering” them with bath
essentials. Everybody needs bath and body care supplies, but college students may not be in the habit of
noticing or replenishing these items. Not sure what to send? The CDC continues to remind everyone of
the importance of hand washing. They say liquid soap and bar soap are equally effective in getting rid of
germs. However, if your student is sharing soap, liquid soap is easier to share with other people. That’s
why you often see it provided in public bathrooms. For both men and women, a care package of luxury
liquid and bar soaps, easy to use shampoo bars, hand-knit washcloths, soothing lotions and other bath
goodies are a like a warm, soapy hug from home.
Stay safe, stay clean.