1/ Healthy: Fragrance and Memory
Have you ever caught a whiff of a particular fragrance and found yourself transported back in time? Perhaps it's the scent of a childhood home, a familiar dish, or of cypress planks covering the classroom walls of a long-ago school building. Fragrances have a unique ability to tap into our memories, unlocking doors to moments long past.
In the intricate connection between health and our sensory experiences, fragrance emerges powerful. The captivating interplay of scents doesn't just elevate our mood or mask unpleasant odors; it's a primary accomplice to our memory, influencing our well-being in ways we might not fully grasp.
Even when eating, the flavors we taste in food are actually triggered by the olfactory system.
“When you chew, molecules in the food make their way back retro-nasally to your nasal epithelium,” meaning that essentially, “all of what you consider flavor is smell. When you are eating all the beautiful, complicated flavors … they are all smell.”
You can test that theory by pinching your nose when eating something such as vanilla or chocolate ice cream. Instead of tasting the flavor, “all you can taste is sweet.”
How it works: the science of scent and memory
The science behind this phenomenon lies in the intricate workings of our brain. Our olfactory system, responsible for our sense of smell, is intricately connected to the brain's limbic system, which manages emotions and memories. When we inhale a scent, it takes a direct route to the limbic system, triggering a cascade of responses linked to emotions and memories. In the linked study, a control group showed that sleeping with diffused scents overnight improved memory by 226%!
Harnessing fragrance for well-being
Understanding the connection between fragrance and memory can be a tool for nurturing our well-being. Consider incorporating scents that evoke positive memories or emotions into your daily life. It could be the fragrance of fresh flowers, a specific essential oil, or the aroma of a cherished recipe. Such intentional use of fragrance has the potential to create a positive mental space, reducing stress and promoting a sense of calm.
Practical Tips:
Create Scent Associations: Associate specific scents with calming or joyful activities. For instance, use a particular fragrance during meditation or relaxation exercises. Keep another scent in your gym bag (treated wood is enough), so that when you need motivation to get to your workout, you can pick up and smell the bag.
Aromatherapy: Explore the world of aromatherapy. Essential oils like lavender, chamomile, or citrus scents are known for their calming effects.
Mindful Daily Rituals: Incorporate fragrance intentionally into your daily routines, turning ordinary moments into sensory-rich experiences, that enable your positive action. (I.e. Morning tea or coffee gives a high sense of alertness.)
The connection between fragrance and memory unveils a simple yet potent avenue for self-care. Embrace the subtle power of scent to not only enhance your immediate surroundings but also to improve your memory and contribute to your overall health and happiness.
2/ Wealthy: The Drip List
Networking is the backbone of a successful career. Consider your own journey—how did networking play a role in shaping where you are now? A robust network comprises various layers, from close colleagues and former bosses to mentors and admired acquaintances. Nurturing this network is akin to tending to a garden; consistent effort is essential for its growth. Enter the concept of the “Drip List.”
Originated from Drip Marketing, the Drip List is essentially a curated roster of contacts that you intentionally and regularly check in on. Each interaction doesn’t require an agenda; a simple message, call, email, or letter can suffice. Whether stored in a notebook or an Excel file, the method of tracking your drip list also doesn't matter. What is important is that you take the step of making contact and maintain it regularly.
Ready to start?
Block Time: Allocate specific time on your calendar to create your Drip List.
Contact Review: Go through your various contact sources—phone, work, email, LinkedIn, etc.
Categorize: Add names to the respective time intervals based on your connection frequency. Yearly, quarterly, monthly, etc.
Scheduled Check-Ins: Block time each week to review your Drip List and reach out to the designated contacts.
Update: Regularly update and mark the last contact for each person on your list.
3/ Wise: Start With Your Best
We have a tendency in our creative and professional lives to reserve our best. It’s a natural lean toward holding out until we can offer it for the greatest reaction. A counter intuitive, and wise, proposition from some of the greatest American comedians is that we should start with our best.
The act of starting with your best will both establish you with your audience and push you to continue to bring more to the table. It will create a power vacuum of content that only you can fill, with more practice.
Comedian Louis C.K. Presents this tactic in a short clip below: (Yes, he has fallen from grace due to a series of indecent acts, but good ideas can come from anyone.)
“Get rid of your best weapons up front and it brings something out of you”
<Clipped from HBO’s Talking Funny from 2012>
Stay healthy, wealthy, and wise.
With warmth,
Fernando R.F.
(Note: This blog is not written by a medical or financial professional. It's important to consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle, especially if you have any underlying health conditions. They can provide personalized guidance tailored to your individual needs. It is important to do your own research and determine the best course of action together with an expert.)
Go Deeper:
https://www.npr.org/2023/08/07/1192432635/study-suggests-that-exposure-to-different-smells-could-help-improve-memory
https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2020/02/how-scent-emotion-and-memory-are-intertwined-and-exploited/
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-01626-x