What happens if you lose your sense of smell - through Covid or any other reason? Why does it happen, what can you do to improve it, and where can you get help? As @outspokenbeautynicola knows, it can be scary, completely debilitating and even trigger depression and anxiety. But don’t panic - you are NOT alone, and help IS out there. We’ll explain all (with links to organisations and resources in our notes, below) in this episode…

Fragrances that make us feel better:

Nicola:
@clarinsuk Eau Dynamisante
@tothefairestlondon Cécile

Suzy:
@skinalchemists Equilibrium Pulse Point Oil
@lilanurparfums Tubereuse Attar Absolu
@sanajardin Venus of Verbena
@honore.payan Vetyver Eau de Toilette


Article on why some people lose their sense of smell with Covid, by @gavialliance

https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/why-covid-19-makes-you-lose-your-sense-smell-and-how-get-it-back

Improving your sense of smell / Further help

Not only for people who’ve lost their sense of smell through Covid - for anyone with an impaired sense of smell or taste

AbScent: https://abscent.org

Step 1: ‘Find out where your sense of smell is today. Use the AbScent self-assessment form, here. You won’t know if you are improving if you don’t know where you’ve started.’

Step 2: Smell Train. There are full instructions for making your own Smell Training Kit, here. Or, if you prefer, you can purchase a pre-assembled Smell Training Kit.

Step 3: Take note of your experiences. AbScent provide a guide for keeping notes and a downloadable diary.

You can also now use the online Snif App – to ‘guide and instruct users so that each smell training session is consistent and productive.’

Fifth Sense https://www.fifthsense.org.uk are another excellent resource for anyone who has an impaired sense of smell, through Covid, other illness or trauma, or from birth.

They also have a whole section of their website dedicated to smell training, using things you have around your home, along with excellent resources on further advice and gaining medical help.

https://www.fifthsense.org.uk/smell-training/

Losing your sense of taste
A FREE cookbook by @lifekitchencookery, called Taste & Flavour, has been written to help those who’ve lost their sense of smell - following Covid, or for any other reason your taste & smell is impaired.

You can download a copy, here:

https://lifekitchen.co.uk/product/taste-flavour-digital-book/

Don’t suffer in silence - losing your sense of smell or having it change is scary and debilitating. Try not to panic, contact the organisations above and medical professionals, if it’s not getting any better, and seek help & support. It is out there, and you’re not alone. X