How scents can affect our mood
What’s your favourite smell? Maybe it’s freshly-cut grass, the saltiness of the sea at the beach, maybe it’s even your favourite Zoflora!
More so than other senses, smelling our favourite scent can trigger positive moods and release endorphins into our system. It’s no coincidence that estate agents suggest brewing coffee and baking bread in order to entice potential buyers when selling your house.
But what impact do different smells have on our mood and can different scents improve our day-to-day life?
Citrus: The citrusy scent of oranges, lemons and bergamot can help you to feel more energised and boost your alertness. As well as this, they are extremely good for cleaning and sanitising as they contain the natural solvent d-limonene so are a popular choice of scent for cleaning products.
Peppermint: Peppermint is a natural stimulant which can increase your ability to concentrate during times of mental fatigue or stress. It also gives a cooling sensation from its high proportion of menthol, which explains why it is often used in shampoos and shower gels, and contains antibacterial properties.
Lavender: For anyone who struggles to sleep, lavender is known to be a calming smell which can relax our body and mind, making it ideal for those with insomnia. Many people choose to put lavender in with their laundry or in their airing cupboard to give a soothing scent to clothes and linen too.
Vanilla: Not just in ice cream, vanilla is frequently used in perfumes and is associated with warmth and softness. The smell of vanilla is also known to be a natural aphrodisiac that induces euphoria and relaxation.
So whether it's the scent you use in your cleaning products or lighting a scented candle before bed, why not see if a different smell makes a difference around your home.
Written by staff writer: Laura Dew // www.linkedin.com/in/laura-dew-0b71b85a
I love a citrus smell. Love the small of lemon when cleaning… especially when the sun is out makes me feel so summery haha
I find that the smell stays longer too! Win win! Love the colour yellow to😊
I love any thing that smells floral. I have hayfever and I cant have certain flowers in the house. So anything that smells like flowers Is great with me. I can enjoy the smell without sneezing all over the house. Also anything that covers up the smell of smelly teenagers
Bahama Breeze yankee candle will always always be my favourite scent. It just makes you feel so warm and cosy inside, and this is coming from someone who is super fussy. It got discontinued in the UK so I have to stock up on this when I go to America. Needs must😂
Thank you for sharing this..my son is almost about to start doing his GCSES. He’s really suffering with stress which then causes him not to be able to concentrate properly. At 16 years old I find it very upsetting that so much pressure is put on our children. I’m going to try the peppermint with him.
Big thank you again :)
My favorite smell in the summer is tomato plants, my Dad loved gardening, he literally had green fingers from the tomatoes, whenever I smell them I’m a young girl again sitting with my Dad in the greenhouse.