10 Reasons You Should be Using Incense.

Available in various different forms such as agarbatti sticks, small cones, and even raw plant material like palo santo wood chips or sweetgrass, incense is described as any plant matter which is burned for its aromatic or spiritual properties. The practice of burning incense is an important ritual dating back to ancient times. Said to have originated in Egypt at the time of the Old Kingdom, it was used by priests for fumigating tombs. Incense has an extended history of use in conjunction with ceremonies, rituals, and spiritual and religious occasions. The sacred act has stood the test of time and is still widely popular today. Below are ten reasons why you should be using incense as part of your weekly routine.

1) Clearing Negative Energy

Whether you're starting into a new project, performing a ritual, or practicing yoga, Burning some incense beforehand is a great way to set the tone and get into the right frame of mind.

2) Intensifying Concentration Levels When Meditating

Numerous scents are said to aid with maintaining good concentration levels such as peppermint and lemon which can help the mind stay focused. If neither of these appeals to you, try frankincense, which is also great for attentiveness especially in situations where meditation is involved.

3) Connecting With Your Memories

Have you ever encountered a particular smell that takes you back in time and stirs a nostalgic feeling within you? Burn an incense associated with that smell for sentimentality, helping you to go on a trip back through time. The only sense that goes directly to the brain is our sense of smell, which explains why smells are so effective in evoking memories rooted deep in our head. 

4) Helping to Relax and Unwind

Backed up by scientific evidence, it has been proven that particular scents such as lavender can have a calming effect on our central nervous system. Another scent which can summon a state of meditation and stillness is sandalwood.

5) Incorporating the Fire Element into Your Ritual

Traditions such as ayurveda (India's ancient system of medicine) and traditional Chinese medicine contend that the natural elements need to be in balance before true healing can take place. In addition to the other elements (earth, water, air, and space), fire can deepen and balance the practice of meditation.

6) Connecting Your Sense of Spirituality or Religion

Incense and religious ceremonies go hand in hand, for example in Catholicism it is commonplace to witness the burning of incense towards the end of a ceremony in the church. This can also be seen in Native American cultures as a vast amount of indigenous peoples believe that burning incense sends prayers directly up to the spirit.

7) Setting a New Routine

Many of us find ourselves procrastinating constantly which spurs our desire for a new routine, offering more balance and efficient living. For those of you who thrive off routine, lighting incense first thing in the morning as you get ready for the day or last thing at night as you settle down for the evening can help you start or finish on the perfect note.

8) Keeping Track of Time

Stick incense will generally take half an hour to burn down completely. For tasks that are very much time-oriented, light your incense and dedicate all of your time to that task, until the sticks have disappeared. Fragrance is a much more pleasant timekeeper in comparison to a clock or an alarm on your phone.

9) To Practice Mindfulness

If you are someone who enjoys meditation, you will be familiar with the phrase 'focus on the present moment'. Engage with this by simply finding a scent you enjoy and tune into the fragrance fully, putting all of your thoughts to the back of your mind for a moment.

10) Becoming Grounded

Calling on the scents of cedar or vetiver is a great way to feel grounded. We regularly find ourselves in positions of stress or anxiety given the pace of today's world. Light up either of these scents and take some deep breaths for a greater sense of calm in the moment.

New to incense? Follow these do's and do not's to make sure you have the best experience possible:

Do

• Open a window during or after burning
• Burn one stick at a time
• Choose natural incense that has been sustainably sourced

Do Not

• Leave incense burning unattended
• Burn incense if you suffer from respiratory conditions
• Use synthetic incense