Can Your Students Smell Their Way to a More Successful and Peaceful Year?

The power of smell is so strong that it's made grown men and women weep from awakening fond memories.

I'm raising my hand here.

Think about your childhood. What scents bring you right back to your cherished memories?

Once in a while, we have a sweet, much older nurse substitute in our school. When I walk by the office, I'm instantly flooded with the smell of her compact Cover Girl foundation. I love it! It reminds me of my grandmother. It's the EXACT same smell.  I'd know it anywhere.

So while my colleagues find the smell revolting, it makes my heart burst.

A whiff of coconut ANYTHING instantly brings me back 45 years to summers on the beach.

Vanilla candles? My parents house.

Pine trees? Family camping trips and Christmas tree shopping memories.

Burning wood?  Sitting for hours with my dad in front of the fireplace when I was little.

I want this candle!

We recently opened up a box of old greeting cards from my husband's parents' house.  The overwhelming aroma of his parents house overcame him and he grew misty eyed. A few minutes later, my son came into the room, sniffed the air and said, "I smell grandma in here."

For a brief second, it was if she was still with us.  We felt peace and comfort in a familiar but almost forgotten smell.

What about you?

Years ago a former student visited me after school. As soon as she walked in, she took a deep breath and smiled. "Whenever I smell cinnamon, I think of you and our class. It was so peaceful. They're such good memories."

I used air fresheners back then purposefully to create a lovely warm scent because MY first grade teacher did the same. I wanted to recreate that warm fuzzy feeling with my own students through their sense of smell.

SUCCESS!

I'm still adding scent to my classroom but there's a difference now.

I use Essential Oils (no chemicals / natural) with the added intention of boosting my students' moods, calming kids down, and helping them focus / achieve more academic success because there are many studies that have proven these connections. 

As teachers, we spend a lot of time making sure our physical environment is best suited to learn so why not make sure the scent in the room is conducive to learning as well?

The stats in the highlighted study above are impressive.  (Google other studies if you'd like.  So many to pick from!)

Why not use this information to boost your students social, emotional as well as academic learning?

For me, it's all part of the total package to creating your thriving classroom community.

In my class, I tend to use THIEVES  or FIGHTING FIVE (same stuff pretty much!) which is a cinnamon smelling oil that is said to boost immunity.

Other oils I use: Lemon, Lemongrass, Orange, Peppermint, Rose and Lavender (just a little!) after lunch to help sooth and calm kids down, and several blends that "claim" to boost brain power, serenity, focus, etc.

I say "claim" but I believe it. I love this blend as well!

I have no affiliation with Eden's Garden. Just love the products.  Believe in them.

THAT BEING SAID: Before you use oils, ask parents if it's okay. You have to be mindful of allergies, asthma, and any possible breathing or immune conditions.  One year, a para in my room didn't have a good reaction to lavender so I shelved it that year.

(And animals are extra sensitive to Lavender. I wouldn't use at all if I had a class pet.)

Although I haven't used this, a homeschooling friend of mine uses this.

I'd say, based on feedback from parents, at least 40% of my kids used diffusers at home this year.

My favorite diffuser I use at home.  (Going on 4 years.) Timer/changes colors. Pretty!

WHAT NOT TO DO: Don't put ANY oil on a child.  Ever. I was horrified when I read on Instagram about a teacher dabbing LAVENDER on kids' hands each day. EEK. If YOU want to dab on yourself to relax (which I often do) then go for it. BUT never put ANY oil directly on a child.  (And I pointed out to her that a DAB of any citrus-based oil could lead to severe burns at recess.)

Always do your research.

I tend to have Thieves / Fighting Five diffusing BEFORE school and sometimes during.  I believe in the health benefits (I now actually use the cheaper equivalent FIGHTING FIVE by Eden's Garden. Free shipping!), and the other oils above during the day for memory boosting.

Lavender is used after lunch BUT I use very little. Do I think it calms my class down and makes them feel more relaxed?  Yep. Adults who walk in ALWAYS comment on the ZEN feeling they get.

I'd love to know your thoughts and if you use essentials oils in your classroom.

If you like using oils, I urge you to click on this earlier post about a blend you can make for your serious and not so serious skin ailments.

Honestly, bookmark it.

It's a miracle worker!  A life saver!

PSA: See Something? Say Something!

In my case, it isn't the NY Subway commercial I'm talking about...Nope.  This has to do with the big C.  Cancer.  After not having my period for two years, one night, it magically reappeared for a few days.  It was exactly one month after my mom passed away and my first split second thought was to blame it on the stress I had been dealing with for six months.

Since it was the most stressful time in my life, it made sense.  But I also Googled three seconds later and read that it was the Number 1 sign of Uterine Cancer.  However, in the next sentence, it did say that 90% of cases turned out to be non-cancerous.  I was hoping I was in the 90%.  Nope.

I had surgery (Full hysterectomy) on April 9th and a week later, I found out that I was cancer-free!  No chemo or radiation needed.  Going into the surgery I did know that there are TWO types of Uterine cancer and I did have the "better" one.  Coming out of surgery, I also knew that my sentinel node was clear. So I was expecting good news with fingers crossed.

Anyway, two things:

1. I am shocked how many people I've shared this story with that have bled from time to time long after periods have stopped and didn't get it checked out.  Don't be that person.  Go.  Chances are, it's a polyp.  I'm glad I made an immediate appointment.  My oncologist said that Uterine cancer gives signs/warnings unlike Ovarian.  My ONLY sign was the above and two weeks later spotting one night.

2. If in the NJ area and you find yourself in a similar situation, let me know and I'll help you out in any way I can starting with sharing my Drs. name who trained at Sloan. She was an oncologist/surgeon which is n't that common and her staff was top-notch! Within 45 minutes, I had to appointments books for consultations and I already knew I'd be going with her.  (When I called, I was crying and in such shock, I couldn't speak.  The receptionist kept saying: "Take your time,  I have all day.  We got this.  This is why people come to us.  Breathe."  It took me EIGHT minutes to get out my name and phone number.  Seriously.  Know someone having a hysterectomy? Give them this GREAT SITE: Hystersisters.  Seriously.  Who knew?

After six weeks recovering at home, I went back to school and my Firsties on May 23.  I feel good.  Tired.  Very tired but it is the end of the year.

Here's wishing YOU good health and remember: If you see something, say something and get thee to a doctor! STAT!

Update: MANUKA HONEY (Problem Solved!)

If you haven't read and filed this post away, please do it now.
Go ahead.
I'll wait.  It may just save your life one day.
Really.

A few minutes ago, I watched a segment on Good Morninig America about Manuka Honey which I talk about above.  Google GMA and MANUKA and you will see the article.  Happy to say, my Manuka purchases has been real honey BUT I saw the results of the TRADER JOE brand!  HALF THE PRICE!

A steal!

I quickly ordered 6 on Amazon for some family members.  As I ordered, I saw quantities go down, down, down and limits be reduced to 4 per person.  This was all in a matter of minutes.

So I suggest you check out Amazon (22 bucks for 8 ounces!) or get yourself to TRADER JOES ASAP.  When you read the article, you'll see why TJ will have to get approval next time.  All explained.

Bottom line:  Research it.  Watch the GMA video of the Drs. using it on infants.  Keep it.  USE IT!

That's my PSA for the day!

SAVE THIS: MRSA, Skin Infections, Essential Oils

Hi there!  Edited this post a little to leave out names!  :)

A close friend came down with MRSA.

That.
Freaked.
Me.
Out.

Big Time.

Seriously.  A lot of people don't seem to quite grasp the seriousness of it or have even heard of it.  (Example of how serious it can be:  Two years ago, a New York Giants player contracted MRSA.  It was career-ending and they contemplated amputation of his lower leg because the infection was...well, you can only imagine.)

I'm not going to go into the whole MRSA thing because you can Google and look it up.  But what I am going to do is tell you what happened to my friend, worked for her, and has continued to work in fighting it.  (Eliminating it?)

A timeline that's important: She got a boil on her thigh. Two summer's ago.  Painful.  Hot.  Red.  Warm compressions, soaks, etc.  Didn't go to Dr. at the time.

A few months later, another boil.

A month later: Called me to say her elbow was really red.  Next day, a smallish "pimple" on KNEE looked infected.  She is not a pimply person and before this, never had boils or funky stuff.

Turns out she was diagnosed with Cellulitis which is a soft tissue infection.  Meds.  She was okay.  Drs. at the hospital felt that she might have cut herself shaving, entered in knee and traveled up to elbow.  Odd.

Two weeks later, at her Drs. appointment, her doctor recommended HIBICLENS to use 1-2 times a week.   After her reviews and researching it, I got some. Love this stuff.  Research.  I will never be without it in house and you shouldn't either.  (Must get foaming pump with it!)

Few months later:  ANOTHER Boil.  So painful she couldn't walk.  Had to have it lanced.  They didn't swab it.  Looking back, they should have.

Fast forward to 6 months later: a normal INVISIBLE spot on forehead started to bother her.  Monday morning, she felt like it was below the skin.  Maybe a TINY pimple she said.

By Wednesday, full blown BOIL that was so big, her eye was closing.  Emergency room didn't do a thing.  She found a great Dermatologist who took her right away when she said it was size of a golfball (!)  and an hour later, lanced and LOOKED fine.  Amazing how she looked!  A tiny scratch.  This Dr. swabbed it and said by looking at it and hearing about her boils/cellulitis, etc.,  she felt confident it was MRSA.

It was.

Test results came back positive.

The Dr. seemed like it wasn't a big deal but my friend wasn't taking any chances.  She had a special cream she had to use in MRSA-friendly body places and that was it.  (Now she puts the Hibiclens in those same spots once a week,)

After researching how MRSA can make tunnels under the skin (She thinks that was happening on boils) she knew she had to do something and I was happy to research for her.

NOTE: As scary as it was, after Googling and seeing IMAGES of MRSA infections, I knew hers was pretty "mild" but the pics of what could be scared the heck out of me.  Google MRSA images at own risk.

I researched essential oils and came up with an Essential Oil recipe that I swear has been a miracle. FOR ANY SKIN INFECTION.  Seriously, over the last year, I cannot tell you how many people have used the spray for ALL SORTS of skin problems and it's cleared them up.  Friend has had a few hard "spots" appear and taking no chances, she sprays them and they are gone the next day.

I will never be without the following recipe:

In a small SPRAY bottle  (Not a roll on since it's used for infections and you don't want to share roll-ons) I added 20 drops of each of the following:

Lavender, Tea Tree, Frankincense, Lemongrass, Thyme, Oregano, Thieves, RC, and topped with Fractionated Coconut Oil (No smell!), shake gently and spray directly on area when needed.

In the last two weeks, it has cleared up a friend's infected fingernail, boils on my colleague's 15 YO son who wrestles. eczema on my niece, and used on a friend's nasty scrape from falling off a bike.  (Not infected but probably would have been!)

The oregano, lemongrass and Thyme are HUGE anti-bacterial oils. (I finally understood Perdue Chicken commercial: "We don't use antibiotics on are chickens.  Instead, we feed them oregano.")  Everyone knows about the benefits of Tree Tee.  All the oils above are awesome!  Together, they really work well.  THIEVES is probably best known oil.  Research it!

I also read that you should diffuse with above oils (minus the coconut oil) on a regular basis and my friend has gently swabbed nose area too as that's where lots of MRSA colonize.

We used Young Living Oils but as long as it's 100% oils with nothing added, you should have same results.  (Eden's Garden?  doTerra?) I wouldn't buy supermarket ones but I would buy from any of the trusted companies out there.  I'm sure there are a lot more companies out there that are awesome that I'm just not aware of.

If you are still reading, we also learned about the amazing healing powers of MANUKA Honey.  Look it up.  If someone has a wound that isn't healing (diabetics, MRSA patients) buy some of this.  I spent $45 on a smallish jar and have it on hand "just in case" for my family.  Seriously, look up MANUKA honey.  Amazing.  I used it on a sore throat for a few days and loved it.

NOTE:  I've been using oils for about two years now.  My family, in the beginning, didn't buy too much  into them.  Now?  Let's just say they are all believers. (My husband gets terrible poison ivy.  Nothing stops it except this combination of oils someone made for him. )  OILS mentioned above should be RESEARCHED before used.  Oils are STRONG and ones like OREGANO above can be dangerous on kids.  A little goes a long way.  (Please research oils!  PLEASE!  For example, if you get oil in eyes, NO RINSING WITH WATER!  Some oils are PHOTOSENSITIVE too.  You can get a TERRIBLE burn if you have them on in the sun.

NOTE: When I first used Peppermint oil, I applied it to my rash I had from an allergic reaction to meds.  My itching was intense and the Peppermint oil was INSTANT RELIEF.  I loved the smell and cool sensation.  I used it for 5 days straight and without mixing with a carrier oil.  On the sixth day,  I could feel my skin burning inside. Like a terrible sunburn inside my legs.  I didn't know I was supposed to add a carrier oil and called my friend who promptly informed me.   I immediately went to store and slathered it on and (I use coconut oil) the burning instantly stopped.  That's why I urge you to research first and proceed with caution.  I seriously could have had serious burns and damaged some organs if I kept slathering it on my legs and used on torso where itching was just starting.

Don't let the above story scare you off.  Just EDUCATE yourself and you'll be fine.

NOTE: Lots of people I know INGEST oils in capsules or add to tea.  NOT ME.  Never.  After researching, this isn't something I want to take a chance on at all.

I hope you never need this information or spray but if you find yourself with a nagging skin infection or something more serious, know there is help.

Creating a "Zen Den" at School

One of our School Goals this year is Health and Wellness for students and teachers.  We've increased Brain Breaks, have Yoga at lunch for the kids on rainy days, have quick meetings while walking around the gym, etc. But my favorite move toward achieving this goal for the teachers?  The Zen Den!  It's a very small room (storage!) that's been transformed to a quiet, peaceful, reflective escape.



When you walk through the door, you're greeted by the soft sounds of some "spa" music from an iPod, a few dozen quotes and Power Words on the walls, a lovely Essential Oil Lavender aroma in a soft-lit room (lamps were brought in) and the sound of trickling water.  I had to put my flash on for these pics.  Quiet and peaceful.  A welcome change!

  

For our kickoff, we had three days of fruit/cucumber infused water, hummus and pita chips, veggies and some other healthy snacks.






Lotions, books, and a file folder full of quotes/words for us to take back to our classrooms... Candles are battery operated and truly added to the peaceful feeling.









I love these coloring pages and can understand why they are so popular at the moment.  I started this one day and someone continued working on it the next..,

We had comfy chairs around our table and off to the side was the massage chair. On Friday, teachers were treated to a visit from a massage therapist!  This was supposed to be a three day event but we are working on making it a permanent fixture in our school.  I visited during lunch all three days and during a few prep periods and truly felt refreshed.  I hope our Zen Den is here to stay!

Namaste!