By Lara Okusanya
Do you ever wonder why you become drowsy in the morning as soon as you smell your co-workers perfume? Or maybe you are having trouble sleeping after using your favorite orange scented lotion before bed. Have you ever considered how the fragrances around you are affecting your mood?
Fragrance is a powerful enhancer of mood. Once fragrance’s inhaled, the odor molecules travel up the nose where they are captured in specific receptor cells. The odor molecules then stimulate the limbic system of the brain. The limbic system is our emotional control center and controls heart rate, hormone balance, breathing, and stress levels of the body. A particular scent or fragrance can trigger memories and emotions in our brain before we are consciously aware of them.
Because fragrance has such a powerful effect on our mood, it can be highly beneficial to choose a scent that is congruent to the goal for that time in the day. A person may want to avoid soaking in a lemon/lime bath before bed because the citrus scent may have too much of an energizing effect, and not the sedative effect a night time bath should have.
Try these guidelines the next time you are planning the fragrance choices in your day:
Morning
When choosing the scents to surround your morning, you want to choose something that will help you start your day fresh and with vibrancy. For a burst of early morning energy, try using a fragrance with a lemon or orange scent. The zesty smell will lend a zing to your early morning routine. Grapefruit and citrus blends also have energizing and uplifting qualities perfect to start the day. These scents are light and natural, and tend not to overpower the senses.
Afternoon
The afternoon can be a time when you are in the middle of working, and you want to feel fresh, but also want to relieve some of the built up stress of the morning. For a relaxing and happy afternoon, try using lavender. If you feel tired and groggy during the middle of the day, try using a pine scent to help boost your energy.
Evening
For a romantic evening, utilize musky fragrances like sandalwood and amber. These scents are very powerful, and tend to overpower more delicate fragrances. To unwind into sleep, try the scent of rose. Vanilla and Ylang-ylang are also used to help reduce and relieve stress, and can help the brain wind down for a calm and relaxing evening.
