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 the smell of floral things. Also citrus smells aswell as perfume smells I just absolutely love smells apart from zoflora fireside bit to much for my liking!!
I have a massive sweet tooth so I love coming home to the smell of anything sweet and tart. I imagine to others my flat smells like a sweet factory but I love it 🍭
Thank you! Brilliant read. I love different smells around the home and last night had lavender upstairs to relax and citrus downstairs to energise. I’m going to give peppermint a try, it’s something I wouldn’t have chosen before! I 100% agree scents can trigger memories it is truly amazing how our minds can associate certain smells with feelings and memories.
I love the smell of anything clean. Whether it is freshly washed clothes or a clean bathroom. As long as it smells clean I’m happy.
I can relate to this so I have different smells going on in the house. Upstairs I have lavender for relaxing and sleeping. As you walk in door I have vanilla was melts and everyone loves it as they walk in. Then usually in kitchen I have a cleaning smell on in wax melts but after reading this I am going to try some different ones and see what the smells do. Great blog