ople to Thank
A WHIFF OF WELLNESS
A simple scent can do more than brighten a room. Fragrances can lift your mood, ease tension, and even help you sleep better. For older adults managing chronic pain, sleepless nights, or everyday stressors, aromatherapy offers a gentle, natural boost that works alongside your regular wellness plan. Signaling in the Brain When a scent reaches your nose, it sends a quick message to the brain’s emotional and memory centers, also known as the limbic system. That direct pathway helps explain why a single whiff can lift your spirits, calm an anxious moment, or trigger a comforting memory. Bright citrus scents can perk you up, while lavender often calms a restless mind. Sharpening Your Mind Some research has linked regular, gentle exposure to certain aromas with improvements in attention and memory, especially when people make it part of their nightly routine. While results aren’t guaranteed for everyone, many older adults report feeling mentally sharper or more at ease after using familiar, pleasant scents in their homes. Finding Relief Through Fragrance For those having trouble sleeping, lavender has been linked to deeper, more restful sleep. For maximum effect, try a simple massage with a diluted oil before bed, allowing the scent to settle in both through your skin and the air around you. While aromatherapy won’t cure pain, inhaling or gently massaging essential oils can encourage the release of feel- good hormones, easing your discomfort. Studies show inhaled oils may provide mild relief for chronic pain, making them a soothing addition to your wellness toolkit. Starting Safely • Always dilute: Combine 6–10 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil, such as coconut or grapeseed oil, to prevent skin irritation. • Never ingest oils: Concentrated oils can be toxic if swallowed. • Check with your doctor. Especially if you take medications or have skin sensitivities. Aromatherapy can be a simple and delightful addition to your daily wellness routine. With a little experimentation, the right scents can lift your mood, ease tension, and add a touch of joy to everyday moments. A few mindful breaths could be all it takes to feel more centered, alert, and at peace. Fragrant Paths to Clarity, Comfort, and Calm
No Estate Plan, No Peace How Probate Turns Grief Into a Courtroom Battle People make all kinds of excuses when it comes to establishing an estate plan. They put it off for years, thinking they would do it when the time was right, but the simple truth is that everyone can benefit from creating a plan. If you don’t establish one, your loved ones will have to go to probate court to work through your assets, which can be a costly and arduous process. If you love your family, put a plan in place for them. Whenever someone passes away without an estate plan, the court gets to make most of the decisions, which could go completely against what you would have wanted to happen. Let’s look at an example based on a real scenario that our firm recently handled. A man passed away without any sort of plan in place, which meant we had to ask the probate court to identify the heirs. They discovered four possible people: a son who shared the same name, a girl he had custody of since she was 3 years old, another child listed in the obituary, and a son who was in his 70s who had never met his father. The probate court got to decide who the official heirs were, and as you might imagine, this led to conflict between the children, as they fought over who should be considered heirs. When the dust had settled, the judge decided that three of the four children were heirs, but this didn’t sit well with them. They immediately filed a motion to strip another of their heir status since the father was not actually listed on the birth certificate. All of this could have been avoided, but now they are fighting, and their relationships with each other could be forever tarnished. If that’s not enough, it also costs thousands of dollars to go through probate. This is just one example of the many complex scenarios your family could face if you don’t create an estate plan. You don’t want your estate or your family to be subject to probate, and having an estate plan is your best path to avoid the process. If you love your family, you should avoid probate at all costs.
2
LittlejohnLawLLC.com
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator