Connection Between Scent and Emotional Well-Being
olfactory responses, Unlike other human senses, correlate directly with our past experiences and are linked to the emotional center of our brains. This is why a particular smell like the smell of the ocean or rain or that juicy Shawarma takes us back to wherever we first experienced that smell. Scents are known to send signals to the sector of the brain that controls memory and emotion, the limbic system. Certain fragrances, that have been proven to lower stress levels and improve overall mental outlook, can trigger positive emotions. This is due to the power of scent solutions to reduce stress.
Smells have the power to influence our moods and psychological wellbeing and are explained by This trinity of scent, memory, and emotion. Creators of Ambient air care products manipulate fragrances to evoke the desired responses among consumers.
As per a study performed by Oxford University, an aroma can significantly improve mood and promote stress reduction. Participants experienced an autobiographic memory when they smelled a nostalgic odour. This was compared with a control odour, which was the same for all participants and was a new fragrance that they never had before. The mood states of participants were significantly altered after smelling the nostalgic scent. Negative feelings like anxiety had significantly decreased and were replaced by happiness and feelings of comfort.
5 scents that reduce stress
1. Lavender
Lavender will be a familiar scent for many and its essential oil emits a serene scent that is sure to bring you a sense of calmness and relaxation. Some studies have proven that it can increase the quality of sleep as well as lower anxiety & pain in post-surgical hospital patients. The soothing scent of lavender-based aromatherapy is designed for stress relief and can enhance a much-needed bathtub soak after a long day.
2. Sweet Orange
Citrus scents, especially sweet orange can radiate and uplift an optimistic comfort. On top of smelling delicious, sweet orange has been shown to reduce anxiety during childbirth, envigorate members of the gym and have an overall positive effect on one’s morale.
3. Petitgrain
Petitgrain is an essential oil that is extracted from the green twigs and leaves of the bitter orange tree and has been used in perfume and traditional health practices for years. This essential oil can vary widely in scent, from floral to citrusy to woodsy. Petitgrain brings strong calming and antidepressant benefits and is used for stress and tension relief. Diffusing petitgrain essential oil using scent diffuser UAE in offices, has been shown to improve workplace performance by increasing attentiveness & reducing stress.
4. Cedar
Cedar has that unique scent that helps to relax and fits the wintry season. Cedar essential oil is derived from the cedar tree’s evergreen needles & inspires feelings of a cosy hibernation. Cedar-scented aromatherapy enables you to enter your rest mode and drift away in a serene winter wonderland. Cedar combined with lavender will reduce stress, soothe the mind and promote a feeling of peace.
5. Lemongrass
lemongrass has aromatherapy stress-relief benefits and is often associated with savoury cuisine from its native Southeastern Asia. Lemongrass essential oil is a potent scent that goes a long way towards producing an uplifting and invigorating effect. while reducing anxiety and tension.
How does your sense of smell work
The olfactory system controls your sense of smell. When a fragrance is released into the air, the airborne odour molecules that diffuse through the air pass through your nose and come into contact with olfactory neurons. These olfactory neurons are made up of millions of specialized sensory cells found at the top of your nasal cavity. These cells send chemical messages around your body including to your brain and form part of your nervous system.
The olfactory bulb is an area of the brain which is responsible for distinguishing the chemical composition of the odours it receives from the olfactory neurons. It sends this olfactory information to be further processed in the amygdala, the hippocampus and the orbitofrontal cortex where it plays a role in memory, emotion, and learning.
This is why a smell can trigger a trip down memory lane and even an emotional response when triggered with the right stimulants. Sometimes, a simple inhalation of a particular smell can even activate bodily functions such as your immune system, blood pressure and digestion. Automatic fragrance diffuser in Dubai is designed to diffuse fragrances at controlled intensities depending on the place where it is installed so as not to overwhelm the olfactory system.
In conclusion, the power of scent solutions to reduce stress is actively utilized in many industries and has seen much success. Atmocare is a leading supplier of air fragrance diffusers in Dubai and has the expertise to provide the most suitable scent solutions for your business.
