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Description: a few flowers in the foreground, with incense burners and essential oil bottles at rear. Image has the number 5 in a flower and the hashtag #ChronicChristmas

This is my daily Advent calendar of gift ideas for people with chronic illness, running from December 1-25. Some entries will contain affiliate links.

Scents and aromas are such a big part of everything we do — like dogs, we lead with our noses, but are probably less aware of it. That is, unless you are like Marcel Proust, who experienced the smell of a particular cookie, which prompted him to write In Search of Lost Time in seven volumes and 3-4000 pages (depending on the translation).

Thankfully, we’re not all like that or nothing would get done.

But he was on to something. There is nothing like a certain aroma that can trigger a memory of a particular time and place. We associate certain scents with emotions and state of being. For me, the smell of the ocean is healing, the scent of fresh baked bread brings me back to my childhood, freshly cut grass is invigorating, and the list goes on. I am sure you have your own associations and favourite aromas.

Aromatherapy is based in the experience of scent, but it has a healing theory behind it. The idea is that smelling particular aromas contained in essential oils (preferably organic) will stimulate nerves in your nose, which will send impulses to your brain, serving as a trigger for memory and emotion. Depending on the oil used, the effect may be stimulating or calming. You can use the oils for massage, inhale them,  or diffuse them through the air.

A lot of people find the aromatherapy diffusers very useful — you add a few drops of essential oils and it spreads the aroma throughout the room.

If your friend or family member enjoys scents and aromas, an aromatherapy diffuser may be the perfect gift. The Raindrop Nebulizing Essential Oil Diffuser has gotten a good review from a friend whose opinion I trust. Don’t forget to add a few bottles of essential oils so they can use it right away.

Note: be aware that aromatherapy and other scented products should be avoided with certain chronic illnesses, as fragrances can trigger flares. These may include migraines, asthma, fibromyalgia, and others. Given this gift only if you know the person enjoys fragrance.