Are you one of those people who feel invigorated by the smell of citrus? Do you immediately perk up when you smell coffee? Does the smell of pine or eggnog remind you of the holidays? Is there a certain perfume fragrance that reminds you of your friend? You probably said yes to one, if not all of these questions.

Fragrances do more than elicit a memory or an emotion. They can also affect our behavior and physiological response. For example, lavender scents help calm the nervous system and induce relaxation while peppermint revitalizes and helps keep us alert. A whiff of lemon makes you feel a bit cheerier while jasmine could very well be part of your evening routine as it makes you feel calmer. Rosemary helps you feel perkier since it is known to have stimulating properties that fight mental fatigue, exhaustion and headaches. If you lack clarity and focus, try peppermint – the scent is linked to greater motivation, cognitive stamina and improving overall performance.

Want to give aromatherapy a try? Here are some of the most common scents you can find in the market and what they are used for:

For when you want to have clarity and focus

• Vetiver, rosemary, peppermint, tea tree, rosemary 

For revitalization and invigoration

• Citrus – orange, grapefruit, lemon, line, etc.
• Minty – eucalyptus, peppermint, spearmint
• Woodsy – pine
• Clean – tea tree
• Herbal – thyme

For relaxation and calmness – or if you have trouble falling asleep

• Vanilla, lavender, sandalwood, jasmine, neroli, chamomile, rosewood, frankincense

For productivity and mental performance – helps if you’re taking a test or learning something new

• Rosemary, vetiver, coffee, lemon, jasmine, citrus, cinnamon, peppermint, ginger, pine, lemongrass, lavender

For allure and sophistication – if you want to feel sexy

• Nutmeg, clove, lavender, floral scents (patchouli, rose, lily, etc.)

For concentration

• Sage, lemon, peppermint, jasmine, cedarwood

For creativity

• Cocoa, coffee, tea tree, frankincense, peppermint, bergamot, tangerine, grapefruit, lavender, jasmine, spearmint, rosemary

For happiness

• Citrus, grapefruit, sweet orange, bergamot, lime, pine, fir, cedarwood, lilac, ylang-ylang, lavender, pumpkin, apple, vanilla, sandalwood, rose geranium, cinnamon, anise

So now that you know the most common scents, how do you use them? There are a couple of ways you can use aromatherapy or the power of scents to your advantage.

1. Buy essential oils – they’re not expensive – and add them to oil diffusers or you can also use water-based oils and add them to air diffusers or humidifiers.
2. Use scented candles but be careful about burning them and make sure to look after them
3. Get some reed diffusers – these are sticks of reed that diffuse scent
4. Even air fresheners or room sprays/linen sprays in certain scents can work
5. Use the real thing – imagine waking up to hot coffee or cocoa or keeping a bundle of herbs in the kitchen. You can also grow some lavender plants or have dried lavender and eucalyptus on your bedside table.

Do you use scents to improve your mood? What do you use? Share them with us in the comments. Remember to work smart and be a blessing to someone today. Stay safe and healthy!

Written by Jaie O. TheHelp