How Can Aromas Define Your Space?
Of all the senses, I would say that the sense of smell is the most underappreciated.
Smell is an important sense as it can give us notifications of danger like if there was a fire, gas leak or if there was rotten food, but it is also linked to parts of the brain that process emotion and memory.
The "smell cells" in our noses are linked to the limbic system in the brain, which has control over our emotions, behavior and long-term memory. Different smells have the power to lower stress, wake you up, put you to sleep and even boost attraction. Believe it or not, different smells can affect the types of dreams that we have! Smells play a big role in our emotions and they affect our physical & mental health.
“5 percent of our DNA is devoted to olfaction, a fact that emphasizes how important our sense of smell is”
Let's look at different spaces and see how aromas can change the experience of that space...
In retail, studies have shown that stores that have a more pleasant smell are more likely to attract and make sales over the stores with no or unpleasant smells. People also valued the products at a higher rate in the store with the pleasant aroma.
How about our bedrooms...? Everyone wants to relax and get a good night's rest, right?
“Clinical trials have shown that the smell of lavender can help in insomnia, anxiety, stress, and post-operative pain, according to a report from Maryland University. “There is now scientific evidence to suggest that aromatherapy with lavender may slow the activity of the nervous system, improve sleep quality, promote relaxation, and lift mood in people suffering from sleep disorders,” say the researchers.”
Lavender, vanilla, coffee and roses all help promote relaxation & better sleep. There's a study that shows that the smell of roses reduces both our breathing rate and our blood pressure. So ladies, here's another reason why your man should be getting you roses ;)
What if you are in a space that requires concentration, like a library, an office, a classroom or conference room? You can incorporate different scents to help promote concentration. Peppermint, strawberry and lavender are all scents that have been proven to enhance performance. The sense of smell is also very connected to memory. Memories triggered by smells tend to be more clear and more emotional. The theory behind is that because the part of the brain that processes smell has direct links with the parts of the brain that are involved in emotion & memory.
“In a study carried out at Cardiff University, insulin was injected into healthy men once a day for four days and their blood glucose levels fell. Each time they were injected, they were exposed to a smell, but on the fifth day the men were just given the smell... and their blood glucose still fell.”
It is best to have natural elements, like plants, to give off different aromas, but if that is not possible, the other option would be to use essential oils. Essential oils not only give off pleasant aromas, but they also help support the immune system along with many other benefits, but you have to make sure that you are using the best quality oils. There are so many companies selling oils these days, but not all of them are actually what they claim to be.
I currently use essential oils and the two that I absolutely can't live without are peppermint and lavender. Peppermint oil helped me get rid of the headaches I suffered throughout the day, and the lavender oil helps me relax and stay grounded. I have not taken any medication ever since I started using essential oils, so not only do they improve our experiences but also our health.
With the sense of smell being so powerful, it is important to incorporate this into the design of the space. The things we smell affect our experiences and this reflects in our overall performance and well-being. If you need help transforming your space or you would like to learn more about essential oils, contact me and we will work together to improve your daily experiences.