Who knew using something as simple as a Chapstick could help you feel grounded when you are feeling anxious?
Jean Alvisse, the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre’s movement and mobility coach, has some great tips for using your sense of smell to help you feel calm and centred when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Jean suggests finding a scent you really love – something comforting and portable, like a lip balm, essential oil, or perfume – that you can carry in your pocket or bag.
In a training video for the Centre, she said it’s best to start practising when you are already feeling calm and regulated. This helps your nervous system associate the smell with a state of peace. Then, when you’re feeling anxious or dysregulated, simply smelling that familiar scent can help bring your body back to that calmer state.
The key is to use the scent regularly when you’re relaxed, to help your body build the connection. Over time, that simple act of smelling can become a powerful grounding tool.
Jean says to find an item you can carry with you so can use it wherever you are.
Such a simple idea.
You can watch Jean demonstrate the technique in our video below or find out more about one of her classes by checking out our services.
