Changing your mood with scents
Our sense of smell is the strongest of our senses, and it can be a powerful tool to uplift your mood or increase your productivity. There is a direct connection between our sense of smell (olfactory bulb) and the emotion center of our brain. This is why we often connect certain smells with vivid memories. Our sense of smell is a natral mood modifier that we often overlook when it comes to stress relief. When we think of aromatherapy, we often think of using various fragrances to calm us down, or put us in chill mode, but there are a number of scents that can give us a boost of energy. Whether you need to calm your nerves after a long day at work or you need a boost of energy to finish a project, aromatherapy can be the answer.
Calming Scents:
- Vanilla – soothing and relaxing properties. Smelling vanilla can evoke a sense of joy.
- Lavender – calming properties that help control emotional stress. Lavender has a soothing effect on the nerves, relaxes tension as well as treats headaches and migraines.
- Jasmine – calms the nerves and is used as an anti-depressant. Gives feelings of confidence, optimism and revitalized energy.
Uplifting Scents:
- Citrus – energizes you and makes you feel happy. Reduces stress hormone levels.
- Rosemary – has stimulating properties that help with mental fatigue and exhaustion. Rosemary is good for a Monday morning pick me up!
- Cinnamon – fights mental fatigue and sharpens your mind. Improves concentration and focus.
- Mint – natural energy booster. Stimulates clear thinking and concentration.
Any of these scents can be used at any time during the day while you are at work. Aromatherapy is not just for at home use. If you work in a private office, you can use an essential oil diffuser to fill your office with a scent that will take you to the peak of performance or calm your nerves and keep the stress away. If you share office space, then you can make a mix of your favorite essential oil and distilled water in a small spray bottle and use it to mist your area or yourself whenever necessary. You can also put a small amount of essential oil in a small container or on a cotton ball and just have it available on your desk for you to smell.
As we get closer to the winter months there are a number of people like me who suffer from the “winter blues.” If you’re like me, you get the winter blues because you are not a fan of the cold winter weather and shorter periods of sunshine. We would much rather stay inside and hibernate like a bear until it’s all over. During the winter months you may notice that you have a lot less energy and it takes a lot more effort to get yourself up and going. Aromatherapy is a great way to keep your energy high and keep the winter blues away. We can’t control the weather outside, but we can control how we feel on the inside. Boost your mood today with your favorite scent.
Be well,
Dr. Tonya
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