Fragrance Therapy
Feeling fatigued…sad… unmotivated? Relief may just be a scent away.
When it comes to fragrance and feelings, the connection between our sense of smell and our emotional state is not merely the invention of poets and perfumers. Rather, scent has been used for therapeutic purposes for nearly 6,000 years.
UPLITING SCENTS
Fragrance therapy, or aromatherapy as it is commonly known, is the art and science of smell whereby a particular scent stimulates the smell receptors in the nose. These receptors then send messages to the emotional seat of the brain which rules feelings, memory and creativity.
Smell, perhaps the strongest and most primal of senses, holds surprising sway over cognition, emotion and even other senses. The simple inhalation of an aroma can cause many changes in the body and more specifically in mood.
Naturally, we crave the scents that elicit a positive mind-body experience such as relaxation, focus, optimism and vitality. Although emotions evoked by certain smells/fragrances are highly personal, there does seem to be a certain correlation between certain scents and the “moods” they create.
Below we consider some fragrances deemed as “uplifting scents”
LIFT YOUR SPIRIT
You catch a whiff of a particular aroma and suddenly your mood is sunnier, your outlook is brighter and your energy is rejuvenated.
These magical “mood enhancers” have become increasingly popular with over-scheduled consumers craving more energy, hopefulness and focus in their lives. The following “uplifting” scents are believed to charge the body, mind and spirit with energy, stimulating mental focus and a more positive thought process.
SUNNY SCENTS
Citrus – Nearly every member of the citrus family, specifically lemon, lime, bergamot and grapefruit, is considered a “mood brightener,” providing a fresh and invigorating experience.
Lemon – Lemon, in particular, has both calming and clarifying properties, diminishing angry and anxious feelings, replacing them with positive, “cheery” ones.
Jasmine – This floral essence is known to hold uplifting capabilities, generating feelings of confidence, optimism and revitalized energy.
Rosemary & Cinnamon – The stimulating aromatic properties of these charming herbal powerhouses improve mental focus and restore energy.
Peppermint – One of the most celebrated essential fragrance oils; this is one of several scents which boost energy and invigorate the mind, encouraging clear thinking and concentration.
Lavender – One of the most notable fragrances, its sweet, floral aroma has the unique distinction of being both relaxing and uplifting. Ultimately it is this essence’s power to alleviate emotional stress that makes it a key fragrance for creating an overall joyful and positive mood.
'REFRESH' MY MEMORY
Smell perception is not only the sensation of the actual aromas, but also the experiences and emotions that are associated with these sensations. Smelling a fragrance is a form of sensory time-travel, transporting the smeller back to a specific time and place. Ultimately, a scent will evoke a positive response in a person simply because he or she has linked it with a positive experience in their life.
Whether it is science or sentiment, uplifting scents have an absolute and unquestionable ability to cultivate amazing changes in our mind, body and, subsequently, in the world around us.
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