There are many videos circulating on social media that recommend putting a bay leaf in your phone case. This is said to have various positive effects. But does the trend really make a difference?
Today, the laurel has its place primarily in the kitchen. It particularly adds spice and flavor to soups and stews. Instead of ending up in the pot, some people end up with bay leaves in their smartphone cases – at least that’s what a number of reels and posts on TikTok, Instagram & Co advise. The bay leaf stored there is said to act as a good luck charm.
There is much more cultural history behind the modern phenomenon than it seems at first glance. We explain the background and check what the promises are.
Why do people put a bay leaf in their phone case?
A bay leaf in the phone case looks beautiful and smells pleasant. But that’s not what the videos circulating on social networks are about. Rather, the trend promises greater things: for example success and happiness, achieving one’s own goals or even warding off negative energies.
The supposed positive effects that the bay leaf is said to have are not always the same and are often personally colored. It is said to bring success in a relationship, an exam or a job or to help you become rich. Some also write the specific goal on the sheet. The smartphone case serves as a practical storage place because many people always have their phone with them.
However, the phenomenon is less new than it initially seems. Laurel was already considered a good luck charm in ancient times. It was also said to have other positive effects, such as healing powers or protection against magic. As a symbol of power and fame, it is still known today, especially in the form of the laurel wreath, which adorns numerous ancient statues and illustrations.
The bay leaf in the cell phone case is just the modern version of centuries-old ideas and customs. Today the laurel is no longer worn around the neck or as a wreath on the head, but on the back of the smartphone.
Is the social media trend really making a difference?
There is no scientific proof that bay leaves bring luck, success or wealth or even ward off negative energies. At least some of the social media trend can still have helpful effects.
If you want to achieve goals, it is important from a psychological perspective to first formulate them specifically. A positive wording can help to connect the resolution with positive feelings. For example, you can say, “I want to get a new job,” or, “I want to pass this exam.” Writing down such phrases serves as an anchor and reminder.
Similarly, the bay leaf on your smartphone can serve as an anchor or reminder of your goal. In addition, with the trend you often formulate a concrete, positive goal and thus take the first step towards achieving it.
Personal rituals and routines also play an important role from a psychological perspective. They can help you stay calm and motivated and not lose sight of your resolutions. The bay leaf in the phone case can be such a useful ritual.
Instead of bay leaf: What helps to achieve goals?
A bay leaf in your smartphone case can help you achieve your goals on your own. But there are even more effective methods for doing this.
The SMART and WOOP methods from psychology, for example, are concrete concepts that were developed for this purpose. Find out how they work in our articles:
- Goals in life: This is how you can set them
- WOOP method: Achieve goals in four steps
How else can laurel be used?
To this day, a number of positive health effects are attributed to laurel. For example, it is said to stimulate digestion or help with colds. The same applies to laurel oil. Among other things, there are scientific studies on laurel essential oil that indicate that it can have an antibacterial effect. More about it here:
In the kitchen, you can traditionally use bay leaves as a spice in soups, stews or sauces. For example, a bay leaf is suitable as a flavor addition to pea stew, potato and carrot soup, white bean stew or vegan gravy.
Read more on Techzle\.com:
- Can you eat bay leaves? What you should consider
- Planting cherry laurel: 3 important reasons against it
- These 6 wild herbs are growing everywhere right now – and you can simply eat them
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