Have you ever noticed some smells instantly bring back certain memories? While we don’t often think about it, the power of different scents is pretty remarkable. By exposing yourself to different smells, you can instantly alter your mood. Here, we’ll look at how scents affect the mood and how to use them to your advantage.
The link between mood and scent
There have been a lot of studies carried out to determine the link between the mood and different scents. Behavioral studies have shown that smells are able to trigger much more vivid emotional memories than images do.
The most recent research has revealed that memories which are triggered by a particular scent, are often linked to increased activity within the limbic system. They also link to an increase in brain activity surrounding the areas which are responsible for vivid memories.
What’s interesting is that scent has the power to make you remember both positive and negative memories, and similarly help to either enhance or hinder your mood.
How to use scents to alter your mood
Knowing how scent can impact your mood gives you the opportunity to use it to your advantage. Not only can you use different fragrances to bring back certain memories, but you can also use them to feel a certain way too.
For example, did you know that the scent of citrus can make you feel more awake, productive and calmer? So, if you’re struggling to wake up and get working, spraying a citrus based scent into the air could really help.
Similarly, Lavender is another powerful scent capable of altering the mood. It’s often used as a natural sleep and relaxation aid. So, if you’re looking to unwind, you’ll want to focus on scents which contain Lavender.
It’s easy to utilise different scents in the home and workplace. From body mists to oil diffusers and plug in air fresheners to reed diffusers – it’s easy to surround yourself with powerful scents no matter where you are. It’s also inexpensive too so no matter what your budget, you’ll be able to invest in mood-altering fragrances.
Why not try out different scents to notice how you feel as you breathe them in? This will give you a good idea of which scents evoke memories and how they impact your moods. Then, when you want to feel a certain way, whether it’s calmer or more productive, you can use your newfound knowledge to choose a scent to help.
As you can see, smells can have a large impact in how you feel. They’re capable of triggering forgotten memories and instantly altering the mood. So, if you’re looking to gain more control over how you feel, why not give the power of smell a try?