To some people, a smell isn’t just a fragrance – it’s also a memory. When you smell the aroma of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, you remember baking in your own kitchen; a breeze blows the scent of fresh flowers, you instantly go back to your first dance in high school. Aside from its memory-inducing powers however, certain scents can actually do amazing things for your body and mind. From headache relief to stress relief, the following scents will surely leave a good impact on your overall health.
- Lavender. Considered as one of the go-to-scents for relaxation, lavender works by instantly calming the mind and body. Aside from that, lavender also does wonders in treating insomnia. A research found that the said scent effectively eased depression and sleeping problems among students. So next time you find yourself having trouble shutting your eye, try turning to this soothing scent for some help.
- Cinnamon. Apart from adding some sweet and spicy flavour to your meals, this sweet-smelling spice also works by boosting your brain power. In fact, one whiff of cinnamon is already enough to improve your cognitive function like your attention span, visual-motor response and working memory.
- Pine. Another reason why pine trees bring us joy during holidays? Its scent brings a greater feeling of relaxation. According to a research, indulging in the scent significantly decreases our anxiety, and lowers depression and stress levels. Use this as an excuse the next time your family tries to get rid of your Christmas tree right away.
- Citrus. If you’re looking for a good pick-me-up, then we suggest that you ditch your cup of coffee and opt for citrus instead. Apart from the amazing vitamin C properties offered by citrus fruits, sniffing lemon or orange scents can also help in boosting energy and alertness. Now that’s a real superfruit.
- Vanilla. Although it’s commonly associated with the word ‘bland,’ vanilla’s scent is anything but that when it comes to elevating our mood. In fact, taking a whiff of this scent is already enough to elevate your feelings of relaxation and joy even if you’re placed in an irritating situation.
- Peppermint. Other than giving you sweet breath, peppermint may also do your brain a favour. A research done at Wheeling Jesuit University found that smelling peppermint could be linked to greater motivation, cognitive stamina and overall performance. Aside from that, peppermint’s menthol scent also tricks the brain into thinking that it can alleviate stuffy nasal passages. Just the thing you need every time you’re feeling a bit under the weather.
Certain scents can really do a good job at taking us back down the memory lane, but more than that, they can also do wonders in improving our health. So take hold of any of the aforementioned scents now, and see how it significantly improves your well-being.