Or Tea!
Mindful Smelling. We don’t hear this a lot. The sense of smell is an excellent tool.
This week, I am sharing different aspects of mindfulness related to our senses. Stop and smell the roses. We hear this a lot. It is actually exactly what mindful smelling is. Stopping to be present in the moment, and taking a moment to smell what is right there in front of you. Our smell and memory centers in the brain are inter-connected, meaning there is a connection between smell and memory. Developing our awareness of smell is an excellent learning. It broadens our awareness, and can help us recognize and regulate our emotional responses to a memory or past event. Do you ever smell something and it reminds you of a fun or not fun memory?
Practicing Mindful Smelling can help us develop focus on our attention. Slowing down to mindfully pay attention to aromas and distinct smells around us can help us be more present in the moment. It can also help us develop patience and acceptance. There is a realization that no matter how horrible a smell is, we can’t change it – acceptance. Mindful Smelling helps us to be present and more fully engaged in the moment, an opportunity to take in what is here and now.
Think about one of your favorite smells and see if you can describe (in 3-5 words) any feelings that are associated with the smell. Now think about any memories it triggers in your mind. This morning, I smelled bread baking. It evoked a feeling of joy, and sense of home. The smell of baked bread can bring about memories of passing a favorite bakery on a vacation.
The next time you are ready to practice Mindful Smelling, try these steps:
- Inhale: Close your eyes and slowly inhale. Allow yourself to take in the aromas. Notice the sensations in the body, air flowing – anything else?
- Pause: Become aware of where you are.
- Reflect: What do you smell? How does it feel in the body? Do any memories arise?
- Present Moment: Come back to the present moment, to where you are right now.
Happy smelling!