Psychology & Scents at Home
You are 100 times more likely to remember something that you smell over something you see, hear or touch. That’s probably part of the reason why the American candle industry is able to generate over $2.3 billion in sales annually. The smells you choose to bring into your home can have an effect on your psyche and every scent brings something a little different to the table. Here’s what you need to know about your favorite scents.
Vanilla-While the adjective “vanilla” placed in front of any word typically invokes a sense of blandness; the scent of vanilla has a different meaning. Studies have shown that vanilla invokes feelings of relaxation and can assist in helping you fall asleep. It is known to increase one’s appetite and can even boost memory.
Lemon-The smell of lemon can improve concentration, attentiveness and alleviate stress. It promotes feelings of energy. Being surrounded by the smell of lemon can also alleviate feelings of depression and nervous tension.
Apple- The scent of apple has been linked with the lessening of headache symptoms. Because headaches are often manifestation of stress, being surrounded by an apple scent can assist in squelching the emotions of anxiety and stress.
Peppermint– If the Energizer Bunny had a scent, it’d be peppermint. It has a subtle way of increasing one’s motivation and alertness. Peppermint is a great scent to surround yourself with when you are overexerted and running low on stamina.
Cinnamon- The fragrance of cinnamon can be used to melt away stress and tension. It can also assist in increasing mental focus, which allows for deeper creativity. Folklore also suggests cinnamon brings prosperity and great achievements.
Lavender- Remember the scene in the Wizard of Oz where Dorothy, the Lion, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow fall asleep in a field of poppies right outside of Emerald City? If you’re having issues sleeping, lavender will have the same effect. Like the smell of apple, lavender fragrance can assist in alleviating headache symptoms.
Coconut- Tropical scents like coconut instantly transform your home into a relaxing oasis with this fragrance. Coconut is synonymous with comfort, protection and stress relief.
Patchouli-Much like scotch, patchouli is an acquired taste. However, this earthy/musty aroma does have its benefits. They include: appetite suppression, stress relief, anxiety tamer and sedative properties.
