Our sense of smell is one of the most powerful of our senses. It is closely linked to our memory and our emotions. It can be both inviting as well as over-powering and impact the way we perceive the world around us. 

With summer comes all kinds of activities that we don’t usually enjoy year-round, those that are associated with the outdoors, vacations, food, family, and fun. And with all of those comes memories that are often associated with certain smells.

One of my favorite summer smells is that of rain on a hot day as it hits the grass, trees, and asphalt. It always makes me pause and take a deep breath – and that is always a good thing, to pause and breathe. Another summer favorite smell is a good barbeque as it brings up memories of times with my grandparents, outdoors with grilled meat, fresh corn on the cob, and fresh tomatoes and green beans from my grandfather’s garden.Then there are the summer fruit and floral scents that seem so much more pungent. They are uplifting and rejuvenating. Scents like orange, lime, and grapefruit.

However, sometimes access to those scents and smells aren’t in our everyday environment so how do we create those memories and emotions in our confined spaces? Using aromatherapy is a wonderful way to bring that to life. Diffusing your favorite essential oils to invoke memories, reduce stress, and uplift our spirits can be very beneficial. If you would like to know more about how to bring those memories, scents and sensations into your everyday life go to the Resource page on Alaka’i Associates. 

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Summer Wellness

Hydrate Your Way to a Healthier Day

Drinking more water is an important, integral part of daily healthy living. It contributes to your overall health from top to bottom. And the good news, it’s easy to start and stay hydrated.

Did you know our bodies are made up of roughly 60% of water? But that doesn’t mean we need to drink 60% of our body weight in water every day. Most experts recommend living by the 8×8 rule: eight, 8-ounce glasses of water per day. That comes to about 2 liters, or half a gallon – plenty of H2O to do the trick. Keep in mind that the 8×8 rule is a general guideline. As with most health initiatives, it’s important to remember that we’re all unique, so your needs may vary. 

And kick up your hydration and wake up your brain even more with Axio, the smart energy, nootropic brain food drink. Improves mental and physical energy, reduces brain fog and fatigue.* Gluten free, non GMO, and all natural sweeteners. 

Walking for Wellness 

Have you ever had a day where you just feel the accumulation of frustrations, the tension building, and your brain about to burst? And then your body tells you to “take a walk.” 

Out the door, one foot in front of the other. And soon you start to feel calmer, clearer, and happier. Your body knows that walking is good medicine. Walking increases blood flow and oxygen which trigger the release of endorphins and other feel-good chemicals like dopamine, which is associated with spurring our motivation.

Mindful walking can be even more powerful. When you focus on your environment it helps to release negative thoughts and stress. To increase the joy factor in your walking try these suggestions:

Make it a mini: Just 10 minutes of brisk walking can lower anxiety levels and bood mood-regulating chemicals. And change up the environment where you walk.

Step and breathe: Box breathing is an easy technique to do while walking. Breathe in to the count of four, hold for a count of four, exhale to a count of four, and hold for a count of four. This rhythmic breathing pattern works to calm you and improve your outlook.

Walk mindfully: Using your senses as your guide, look for 5 things you can see, four things you can hear, three things you can feel or touch, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste (even if its just the inside of your mouth.) Now name one thing you are grateful for. 

Go somewhere new: Take a new path or find a new location for your next walk. Noticing new things is linked to positive emotions. And being in a new environment challenges your brain to pay attention and can spark a sense of joy.

Stroll in nature: Spending time in the great outdoors is associated with improved attention span and cognitive function as well as reduced feelings of stress and depression.

Add some tunes: Music can improve mental well-being and motivate you to get moving on days when you might be dragging. Crank it up and you’ll barely notice how far you can go. 

I am ready for a walk, how about you?

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THE ALAKA’I BOOKSHELF

Summer Reading

I wouldn’t call myself an avid reader but when I find a really good one I devour it! Sometimes more than once! With the changes that summer brings to most of our schedules it allows time for that type of indulgence. So, I thought I would share with you what has caught my attention lately.

Just for enjoyment and after seeing the movie, I am reading Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt.

Next, over the past two years, the two books that influenced my second book, Beyond the Horizon – A Guide for Life’s Journey, were, The untethered soul, by Michael A. Singer, and Transcend – The New Science of Self Actualization, by Scott Barry Kaufmann, Ph.D. Each providing me with new perspectives on discovering our authentic selves.

Here are a few of the benefits of reading…

1. Reduces stress and helps you relax. When you feel stressed just grab a book and be engrossed in the story lines and allow your mind and body to relax. Reading has an unexpected bonus of increasing your lifespan. A 2016 study published in the Social Science & Medicine journal found that reading for at least 30 minutes a day extended the lifespan of participants by an average two years, with book readers who read more than three hours every week at an advantage over their peers who read magazines and newspapers.
2. Improves your concentration and memory. Reading is the best mental exercise for us, as you have to remember different characters, settings, plots, twists, and connections. This will strengthen your memory and concentration because all of your attention is focused on the story.
3. Expands vocabulary and strengthens your writing abilities. Reading a well-written book will expose you to more words, and this will help you be a better communicator. Rather than just saying that you are sad or not in the mood to people, you can say you’re anxious, tired, irritated, frustrated, or weary. Because even though all those words can be described as sad, each needs a different solution.
4. Enhances your knowledge. When you read recipes, magazines, newspapers, articles, or books, your head will be filled with information. We never know when it will be useful, but having all this information might come in handy in the future.
5. Increases your imagination and creativity. Reading sparks imagination and creativity, being immersed in a new world and characters. This will nurture your brain to develop ideas, possibilities, understanding, and be more open to hearing the opinions of others.

I am grateful for books and authors who over the years have given me wisdom, direction, and knowledge, as well as simple enjoyment. Being able to hold a book still provides me with a special sense of connection much more than any digital device. Go to the Books page on Alaka’i Associates for more about my books.

LiveAlohaLiveWell

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