Sniff your way to happiness: scents to boost your mood

Scent is a very powerful thing—but it is often underestimated.

When a smell travels through your nose into the brain, it can trigger the release of feel-good endorphins and serotonin. Human’s olfactory bulbs are part of the limbic system and directly connect to the areas of the brain that process emotion and learning. This is one of the reasons why so often something that we smell will trigger a memory or reminds us of something or someone.

According to research, there are certain smells that have positive effect on the majority of people. These smells are able to lift up your moods and increase your productivity.

You can get these scents in the form of essential oils, which have anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. You can use them in an environment where there are a lot of people can help to keep germs at bay. You can use the essential oils by placing a drop or two of an essential oil on a cotton ball and take a whiff when you need an energy boost.

This is why it is called aromatherapy

Citrus

If you need to boost your mood, try sniffing some citrus. The smell of vitamin C-packed fruits (lemons, oranges, and grapefruits) has been shown to boost energy and alertness, and studies have revealed that lemon scents in particular can reduce stress and leave a positive impression on others.

Rosemary

This is the perfect pick-me-up for those lazy mornings when you don’t have much energy to start the day. Studies have found that the smell of the herb enhanced participants ability to remember complex events and tasks, and scientists say the research could lead the way to treating memory loss. In addition to improving memory retention, rosemary has stimulating properties that fight physical exhaustion, headaches and mental fatigue.

Peppermint

Peppermint essential oil is known for its ability to elevate your mood and stimulate your mind and body. Studies have shown that athletes who smell peppermint have improved athletic performance and better breathing. It also promotes concentration and stimulates clear thinking.

Fresh-cut grass

Have you ever realized how invigorating freshly-cut grass smell like? Researchers in Australia have found that a chemical released by freshly cut grass can cause people to become more relaxed and even feel joy. They’ve even bottled the scent into a spray-on fragrance. The smell is so powerful that is said to prevent mental decline as you age.

Lavender

Lavender has been shown to improve mood, soothe anxiety, and ease physical pain. A research from the University of Miami School of Medicine showed that smelling lavender had a significant transient effect of improving mood, making people feel more relaxed, and performing math computation faster.

Jasmine or rose

Jasmine and rose have historically been used in aromatherapy, and more recent research backs up their salutary reputation. A series of studies found that flowers in general are a powerful positive emotion inducer, and that exposure to floral scents in particular can increase people’s immediate associations with happy thoughts threefold.

Eucalyptus

The woodsy scent will definitely help wake you up, and it can also improve your empathy if you combine it with menthol and camphor. Eucalyptus scent is also good to help clearing your nasal passages due to congestion.

What is your favorite scent?