7 Smells That Improve Your Day
Get a whiff of these scents to focus better, sleep more, and stress less
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1Media Platforms Design Team
Smell is a powerful sense—a sniff can transport you to a place of pleasure or absolute disgust. “Personal associations and experiences makes smell objective,” says Sally Augustin, Ph.D, an environmental psychologist. A whiff of perfume your ex wore probably brings up bad memories, while the smell of apple pie reminds you of your grandma’s house on Thanksgiving. But certain smells have been proven to enhance your health no matter who you are. And the good news? With these seven scents, you don’t have to make your place smell like a Bath & Body Works to attain the benefits.
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2Media Platforms Design Team
Peppermint
Peppermint has been proven to enhance your cognitive memory, according to the Sense of Smell Institute. When it was administered either through the mouth or nose, the smell of peppermint improved participants’ scores on tasks related to recognition, working memory, and visual-motor response speed. It also does wonders for your workout: A 2013 study in the Journal of International Society of Sports Nutrition found that when participants drank peppermint-infused water for 10 days, it significantly reduced their perceived physical workload during a treadmill stress test. Peppermint was also found to improve pain threshold.
Try this: If you hate the taste of peppermint, try putting drops of essential peppermint oil on your wrist before your workout. Or if you're cool with it, opt for popping in a piece of peppermint gum pre-sweat session and let the taste and smell boost your gym routine.
Try this: If you hate the taste of peppermint, try putting drops of essential peppermint oil on your wrist before your workout. Or if you're cool with it, opt for popping in a piece of peppermint gum pre-sweat session and let the taste and smell boost your gym routine.
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3Media Platforms Design Team
Cinnamon
A 2009 study found that cinnamon filtered through the air improved people's increased ratings of alertness, and decreased frustration during a driving simulation. Cinnamon compounds may also help protect against Alzheimer’s, according to a 2013 study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. Researchers found that the compounds in cinnamon—cinnamaldehyde and epicatechin—help stop build up of tau proteins in the brain, which lead to degenerative memory.
Try this: Use a cinnamon scented air freshener to keep you alert in your car. Ingesting cinnamon can also aid with your blood sugar. Try adding it to oatmeal, shake some on to a smoothie, or add a dash to your coffee.
Try this: Use a cinnamon scented air freshener to keep you alert in your car. Ingesting cinnamon can also aid with your blood sugar. Try adding it to oatmeal, shake some on to a smoothie, or add a dash to your coffee.
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4Media Platforms Design Team
Rosemary
This herb has been found to improve concentration, speed, and accuracy on mental tasks. It also enhances memory quality, according to 2013 research from Northumbria University.
Try this: Add rosemary to your next dish and enjoy the aroma as it cooks. Try these Rosemary Bar Nuts as a snack.
Try this: Add rosemary to your next dish and enjoy the aroma as it cooks. Try these Rosemary Bar Nuts as a snack.
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5Media Platforms Design Team
Jasmine
Snooze like a baby tonight by incorporating jasmine into your sleep routine. A 2010 study in the Journal of Biological Chemistry found that when jasmine was administered into the air, respondents had greater sleep efficiency—deeper shuteye and less tossing and turning. Upon waking up, those who slept breathing in jasmine reported lower levels of anxiety and greater alertness in afternoon hours.
Try this: Sip on a cup of jasmine tea while you're getting ready for bed. Or burn a jasmine candle before hitting the hay.
Try this: Sip on a cup of jasmine tea while you're getting ready for bed. Or burn a jasmine candle before hitting the hay.
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6Media Platforms Design Team
Lavender
Similar to jasmine, lavender is best for its relaxation benefits. A 2005 Wesleyan University study found that people who sniffed lavender before bed increased their amount of deep sleep. Another study found that those who smelled the scent fell asleep faster and woke up less during the night.
Try this: Try a lavender facial before bed. (Seriously guys, do this.) Fill a bowl with 2 cups of boiling water and add 10 drops of lavender essential oil. Place your head over the bowl with a towel over it to keep the steam in, and inhale for 1 minute.
Try this: Try a lavender facial before bed. (Seriously guys, do this.) Fill a bowl with 2 cups of boiling water and add 10 drops of lavender essential oil. Place your head over the bowl with a towel over it to keep the steam in, and inhale for 1 minute.
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7Media Platforms Design Team
Lemon/Orange/Grapefruit
Citrus smells can help reduce stress. Brazilian scientists found that people who sniffed sweet orange essential oil before a stressful test reported lower anxiety levels.
Try this: Peel a fresh orange or grapefruit at your work desk and keep the peels around for the rest of the day. Or try using a citrus scrub in the shower, like this natural one with essential mandarin orange and lemon oils by Every Man Jack.
Try this: Peel a fresh orange or grapefruit at your work desk and keep the peels around for the rest of the day. Or try using a citrus scrub in the shower, like this natural one with essential mandarin orange and lemon oils by Every Man Jack.
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8Media Platforms Design Team
Cleaning Supplies
These scents are far from natural, but as a culture, we have positive associations with them. A 2009 study from Brigham Young University found that clean smells promoted moral, ethical, and charitable behavior. When participants were placed in a room spritzed with Windex, they were significantly more interested in volunteering time and donating money. Researchers concluded that morality and cleanliness go hand-in-hand, and cleanliness shapes our impressions of people and organizations.
Try this: When was the last time you actually gave your place a scrub down? Here’s how to do it.
Try this: When was the last time you actually gave your place a scrub down? Here’s how to do it.
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