We’ve all experienced that strange memory-jogging power of scent: a whiff of pine sends you back to Christmases long gone, while the smell of disinfectant can give you the chills.
Fragrance companies know this, and perfumes and colognes come in all sorts of notes that direct and target specific emotions.
Calming Scents
For those seeking a mood-boosting lift, soothing scents can ease the mind and body. The most popular calming fragrances are lavender, chamomile, and ylang-ylang. These fragrances can help promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep quality. These scents are also effective when used during meditation and mindfulness practices.
Many people associate certain scents with a specific memory or emotion, which is why the power of smell plays such an important role in our mental and emotional well-being. For example, studies have shown that when we smell a familiar fragrance, it can trigger an autobiographic memory, causing us to feel nostalgic or even cry. This is why it’s so important to use calming fragrances that are free of synthetic perfumes and chemicals.
Using natural ingredients, these calming scents will have the effect of transporting you into a relaxing state of mind. Whether it’s a walk through the lavender fields of France or drifting off to sleep with the soft cooling mist of rose and lily, these aromas will leave you feeling calm, tranquil, and relaxed.
In addition to reducing stress, calming scents can also boost your concentration and improve memory retention. If you’re looking to uplift your mood while focusing on a task, consider fragrances like vanilla, sandalwood, or jasmine. These fragrances will give you the energy boost you need to remain productive throughout your day.
Aromatherapy is an ancient practice that has proven health benefits. Creating a calming environment can be as simple as lighting a candle or spritzing a spray in your home. These calming scents are available as scented candles, reed diffusers, and room sprays.
The participants (n = 127) reported on their current mood states at baseline (T0). They were then asked to smell the fragrances and rate them with a questionnaire designed for the experiment. The values of T0-T1 were analyzed with ANOVA repeated measures and a post hoc test by adjectives to assess the mood-enhancing effects of the different fragrances. The results showed that both familiar and exotic fragrances significantly changed the mood state. The most significant changes were found in the positive mood states.
Energizing Scents
Energizing scents have long been used to encourage healthy, positive feelings of confidence and alertness. They work by triggering areas of the brain that deal with emotions. These effects can be felt as a result of perfumes, candles and other home fragrances as well as aromatherapy. This type of scent therapy involves using essential oils and fragrances derived from plants that are inhaled. These can be applied directly to the skin or used in a diffuser. Whether they are natural or synthetic, these scents can have a powerful effect on your mood and your outlook on life.
Scents like peppermint and ylang ylang are known to increase dopamine and serotonin, neurotransmitters that help promote happiness and a sense of wellbeing. They can also energize the mind and improve concentration, helping people be more productive at work or study. Similarly, uplifting scents such as orange have been used throughout history to encourage a feeling of renewal and revitalization. These are particularly useful during the current pandemic, when many of us feel worn out and need a little lift.
Aside from the mental and emotional benefits of energizing scents, they can also physically boost your energy levels. They can give you a more positive attitude and help reduce stress, which in turn leads to a reduction in your heart rate. The result is that you can get more done with less effort and in less time.
This unique interaction between smell, memory and emotion explains why we can associate certain scents with specific memories, feelings and moods. It’s why we remember our grandmother’s cookies baking, a day spent with friends, or the way a new perfume makes us feel. It’s why businesses use scents to connect with customers and keep them in stores longer.
De-stressing Scents
Fragrances can help alleviate stress and anxiety. They do this by triggering certain emotions and feelings that can make you feel calmer, happier and more relaxed. This is why many people choose to use fragrances in their everyday routine – whether it’s in the form of perfume, body spray or candles – to lift their mood. The cultural impact of fragrances in 2022 has been a tremendous addition to people’s routines.
One of the most common mood-enhancing scents is lavender. This fragrant plant is known for its ability to relieve tension and promote sleep. It also has anti-depressant properties which can help to reduce stress. Lavender can be used in a variety of ways including burning a candle, inhaling its aroma through a diffuser or even adding a few drops to your bath.
Another calming scent is chamomile. Its relaxing properties are derived from its essential oil which contains natural compounds that act as a sedative. When inhaled, chamomile releases hormones such as serotonin and dopamine that can make you feel happy and calm. You can find chamomile in products such as scented lotions, shower gels and face masks.
Alternatively, you can try a relaxing scent such as rosemary. Research has shown that smelling rosemary can boost cognitive functioning. This makes it a great scent to wear when you need to focus and be productive. You can add rosemary to your fragrance repertoire by wearing a perfume with its notes or using it as a room spray.
Finally, there is bergamot which has been shown to have calming effects. Like lavender and chamomile, bergamot’s fragrance is able to trigger positive emotions and reduce stress levels. If you are feeling anxious or stressed, consider trying a few spritzes of this uplifting fragrance to see how it affects your mood.
While there are many medications available to treat mood disorders, most of them have side effects and can be habit forming. Scents on the other hand can be naturally beneficial and have no adverse side effects. The next time you’re in need of a mood boost, turn to your favorite scent for the perfect pick me up. Just be sure to test the fragrance on your skin beforehand to ensure that it won’t cause any allergic reactions.
Invigorating Scents
Fragrance is a great way to uplift your mood, promote relaxation or even help you get a better night’s sleep. However, when shopping for fragrances and scented candles, it’s important to look for natural ingredients to avoid toxic chemicals that could negatively affect your health.
The best perfumes and colognes contain natural oils, essential oils or botanical extracts that are distilled from the plant or flower that is used to create the scent. This is important because synthetic versions often contain phthalates and other harmful chemicals that aren’t good for your skin or environment. When looking for a natural alternative, choose a fragrance that is labeled as non-toxic, organic or eco-friendly to be sure you’re getting the most out of your fragrance experience.
Invigorating Scents
Certain fragrances can make you feel invigorated and alert by increasing focus, promoting productivity and sharpening your senses. Scents like citrus, peppermint, eucalyptus and rosemary have been found to increase mental clarity and concentration. Try adding a few drops of essential oil to your vaporizer or diffuser and inhaling the fresh aroma to give you an energy boost throughout the day. The invigorating fragrance family also includes the citrus, aromatic and marine fragrances.
The calming fragrances of lavender, vanilla, rose and chamomile are perfect for a relaxing evening at home or in a candlelit bedtime ritual. This type of fragrance also encourages better sleep quality by promoting relaxation and a calm ambiance for restful sleep. When you’re in need of a pick-me-up, turn to uplifting perfumes that are designed with ingredients such as jasmine and ylang-ylang to elevate your mood and create a feeling of radiance. This is a great scent to wear when you’re meeting with coworkers or clients to promote confidence and positivity. You can also spritz on a few sprays of this fragrance during your morning workout for an extra boost of motivation to start the day.
