That's Fit

Being Life Fit is about your total health, including the health of all of your relationships. Life Fit is a journey, not a destination. It is a process of continuous growth: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Check in each Tuesday to Life Fit with Laura Lewis, author of "52 Ways To A Healthy You," as we explore our total life fitness. Then, weigh in with your own thoughts over at Laura's "Life Fit Chat" each Wednesday and Thursday for further discussion on the week's topic. For more information visit Laura at www.LauraLewis.com.

Aromatic plants and essential oils are very beneficial for increasing concentration, as well as inducing a sense of calm and wellness in our deadline-driven lifestyle. Each herb has a slightly different affect on the mind, as well as the spirit. By experimenting with various plants and oils, you will be able to determine which ones most suit your needs.

Uses for Aromatic Plants
For a regenerating break, make up a vase of fresh herbs and place it in a close proximity to your work space. Throughout the day pinch and inhale various leaves and offer up a thought of thanksgiving for the refreshing and healing aromas. The following plants are especially rejuvenating:

• Alecost
• Angelica
• Basil
• Bay
• Calamint
• Catnip
• Cedar
• Citrus leaves
• Cyprus
• Fennel
• Germander
• Hyssop
• Lavender
• Lemon Balm
• Lemon Verbena
• Marjoram
• Mint
• Oregano
• Pine
• Rosemary
• Santolina
• Savory
• Thyme
• Wax Myrtle
• Wormwood

Our homes and offices are often far more toxic than even the busiest urban environment. Many plants actually work double duty by pulling toxins from the air while at the same time eliciting refreshing aromas. Plants from the Dieffenbachia species are particularly known to filter out building pollutants especially when they are grown in soil with plant-pot carbon.

The following plants will reduce formaldehyde from the environment:

• Spider Plant
• Heart Leaf Philodendron
• Azalea
• Mother-in-Law's Tongue
• Poinsettia
• Fig Tree

Use these plants to reduce benzene:

• English Ivy
• Marginata
• Golden Pothos

Reduce trichloroethylene with these plants:

• Peace Lily
• Dragon Tree

Rosemary, Thyme and Lavender all tolerate dry air and provide cleansing aromas to the environment. The Peruvian Cactus with scented white flowers can reduce electromagnetic pollution, which is offset by computers. This plant should be placed near the television, as well as computers.

Uses for Essential Oils
The highly concentrated aromas of essential oils is much more powerful than sniffing the scent of the actual plant. Enjoy the benefits of essential oils by placing five drops of oil into a handkerchief or cloth napkin. I like to keep a scent filled cloth in my car as well as well to bring a sense of calm while driving.

Rosemary oil is excellent for increasing concentration. The most invigorating scents to the brain are Rosemary, Basil, Peppermint, Black Pepper and Grapefruit. These oils are especially beneficial in reducing mental fatigue. Geranium, Thyme, Sweet Marjoram, Pine and Nutmeg are beneficial for physical fatigue.

You will need to alternate these oils with choices that are little less potent in order to not overstimulate your brain or create a tolerance to their effectiveness. Less potent scents are Eucalyptus, Lemon Eucalyptus, Thyme, Lemon, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Cypress, Juniper, Lemongrass, Ginger, Cinnamon, Clove, Linden Blossom, Nutmeg,Cardamom, Coriander, Petitgrain, Lime and Orange.

Essential oils can also be used for memory retention while studying. Simply place drop of a different essential oil inside the book or document that you are reading to provide a memory link or memory association. Avoid using oils in which you already have a strong association. For example, if geranium reminds you of your grandmother's garden, you would not want to use that scent to develop a new association. By coupling specific scents to particular topics, you will have a recall on the information when you experience that scent. To reinforce the memory, dab the oil on your sleeve to sniff when needed. General memory enhancing oils are Basil, Black Pepper, Cardamom, Coriander, Ginger, Grapefruit, Lemon, Rosemary and Thyme.