Stressed about Finals? Light a candle!

Before I write anything, allow me to explain the above picture (although it's basically self-explanatory): EIGHT DAYS until Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1. This, in case you couldn't tell, excites me a great deal. Although the Harry Potter books trump the movies by far, I'm a fan of both either way; so expect to see a countdown every day until the 19th!

Anyway, I promise the reason that I didn't write yesterday was NOT because I was being lazy. I have this problem where, if I can't figure something minuscule out, it ruins everything. Case in point, yesterday, I tried to add a picture to my blog as I always attempt to do, and it wouldn't let me. So something in my brain told me that, if I didn't put a picture at the top of my post, I shouldn't even bother posting anything. I don't know, don't ask me.

SO, relaxation. Finals are right around the corner, papers are being written (or pushed off), chapters are being read. It's getting rough out there, it's every man for himself. What can you do to rid yourself of some of that end-of-semester anxiety? Light a candle.

Scents are great ways to put your mind at ease:

Falling asleep while studying? Then Peppermint is what you need! Sniffing peppermint oil, or peppermint scents in general, will help you stay more awake. One study found that, after getting a whiff of peppermint, people were able to type, read, and write more accurately. 

Stressed out and unable to sleep? Jasmine is your answer. The calming scent of jasmine will help you sleep sounder, perhaps even drowning out the obnoxiously permeating snores of you roommate.

Been cranky lately? Try sniffing some cinnamon. Studies show that, after inhaling cinnamon, you'll be kinder, more concentrated, and more enthusiastic about what you're doing. In fact, just reading the word "cinnamon" sparks the same part of your brain that makes you cheerier when smelling it. 

I'm no coffee addict, but it certainly wakes me up. Unfortunately, being that I'm a broke student, I can't afford coffee on a daily basis. However, a recent study shows that simply smelling coffee will wake you right up.

Citrus will work as a quick, mid-day "pick-me-up".

Lemon is proven to boost stamina.

If you're feeling sick, chamomile is the best scent to surround yourself with. Studies show that chamomile will soothe your stomach and your mind.

I know a lot of residence halls don't permit candles (like mine), which makes it hard to fill your room with these wonderfully beneficial scents, however, there are ways around it; buy a scented body scrub, for example. A lot of these scents are offered in things like Glade plug-ins, which is what my roommate and I keep in our room. Or, just go out and pick some flowers -- a lot of these scents derive from a flower or plant!

(This information was all taken from http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Health/The-Power-of-Scent.html if you want more information!)

Keep calm,
Sarah