The Power of Scent: How Smells Affect Memory, Productivity, and More

Scents are more powerful than you think. They can invoke almost-forgotten memories, help us avoid danger, and even get us through a busy day. Our sense of smell is closely related to our memories and actions, making it an effective tool in various tasks such as tasting food, remembering certain memories, aiding in relaxation, and avoiding danger.

When we pick up a scent, it is sent to the brain for processing. Cells, called neurons, then send the new scent’s information to two important parts of the brain: the olfactory bulb that identifies what it is and the thalamus, that’s in-charge of motor function. Hence, certain scents can instantly make us alert, like coffee for coffee lovers.

Believe it or not, what we smell can even affect our productivity. Coffee lovers already know this, but there are other scents, such as rosemary, lemon, mint, and cinnamon, that could help us work better. And one of the best ways to harness these scents is through scented candles.

Tips for Using Scented Candles for Work or at Home

You don’t need to drink coffee, rub oils on your wrists, or take medication to increase productivity. Scented candles are a great alternative, producing subtle scents that are effective enough to deliver the results you need. Here are some tips on how to incorporate them into your workplace or home:

1. Generate Ideas with Peppermint or Cinnamon

Stuck in a rut without new ideas for your blog? Choose a peppermint or cinnamon scented candle to stimulate your cognitive senses. Studies show that these smells boost the brain and increase alertness and memory.

2. Stay Awake with Orange or Lemon

It’s usually difficult to keep your eyes open halfway through the day. An orange or lemon-scented candle should do the trick. Keep it lit for about 15 to 30 minutes and let the aroma perk you up for several more hours of productivity.

3. Calm Nerves Before a Presentation Using Jasmine

Speaking before a crowd can get anybody riled up, especially if an important business deal is on the line. Take advantage of nature’s “Valium”, Jasmine, to assist you in this endeavor. A good whiff of this relaxing scent has been known to not only calm nerves, but also improved confidence, optimism, and hand-eye coordination.

4. Focus More Using Rosemary

Mondays are tough enough without having to deal with 3PM fatigue. Make sure you submit reports on time with help from a rosemary-scented candle. The scent should help you – or your colleagues – remember deadlines, and at the same time, relieve headaches or indigestion problems.

5. Go for Orange to Persuade People

If you need to persuade clients during an important meeting, opt for a light orange scent. A 2013 study revealed that store owners and realtors use simple scents to attract customers and/or put them in a good mood in order to snag sales. Avoid using potpourri as these smells are too complex. Light an orange-scented candle instead to put your audiences in the right mood to agree with your ideas.

Extra Notes

Aside from giving a room a nice, romantic appeal, scented candles can help you succeed in various tasks – it all depends on the scent you choose. Before stocking up though, make sure roommates or colleagues are informed. If you tell them that you plan to use scented candles to be more productive, they may even pitch in their favorite aromas.

In conclusion, scents may be an underappreciated sense, but they are one of our most effective arsenals in various tasks. Harness them to help you succeed in work or at home, whether it’s generating ideas, staying alert, calming nerves, focusing, or persuading people. So go ahead and pick up that cinnamon-scented candle – it may just help you breeze through a busy day with a smile.