To many people, scents and fragrances are more than just simple smells or aromas. They are backdrops and settings for our personal environment, mood and even general daily actions. Indeed, aromatherapy can often be considered a key tool in productivity and success, as the sense of smell is one of the most powerful ways to influence our brain’s activity.
Your sense of smell is part of a larger brain system – the limbic system – that directly controls the way that emotions and learning are processed (one of the reason why certain smells trigger memories). In this way, particular sets and smells are key mechanisms that set the tone for our emotional self— changing during the course of the day to create the energies and emotions we need to get tasks done and store memories.
In this way, scents are strategic and powerful tools that influence our daily activities, productivity and overall mood – thereby setting the stage for benefits to our well-being, success and potential for positive impact every day.
Success Is In Your Pocket
By keeping a small stock of your own motivational scents on hand, you’ll find that you’ll be able to navigate through your day a little easier, with a boost or destress when you may need it. Some scents that may help include:
Peppermint is generally invigorating and can increases the activity in the brain that helps us “wake up” in the morning. A little in the morning or when you need to get up and go is always helpful.
Lemon and rosemary are great focus enhancers and can do wonders on general cognitive performance. These are great to keep at your desk or in your gym bag to use throughout the day!
Cedar, orange and lavender have been shown to help to reduce tension and anxiety. It’s always beneficial to use them before a stressful event or meeting, or just when you may need to have a little calm during the day or after a workout.
Bergamot helps soothes the nerves and alleviate feelings of anxiety. It also provides a feeling encouragement when you need a little motivation or emotional boost.
Grapefruit is a positive and upbeat scent is the perfect antidote for tension, frustration, irritability, and moodiness. It can help you deal with disappointment and unpleasant situations more effectively.