Health: How Candles and Scent Can Help Your Well-Being
Health: How Candles and Scent Can Help Your Well-Being
Scents are tied to memories and feelings of the past - both good and bad. A scent is never just a fragrance. Did you know that there is a science behind why we love and cherish a particular scent?
“After a smell enters the nose, it travels through the cranial nerve through the olfactory bulb, which helps the brain process smells. The olfactory bulb is part of the limbic system, the emotional center of the brain. As a member of the limbic system, the olfactory bulb can easily access the amygdala, which plays a role in emotional memories (it’s also where the "fight or flight" reflex comes from). This close relationship between the olfactory and the amygdala is one of the reason odors cause a spark of nostalgia.”
Beside the amazing powers of memory recollection, there are certain fragrances that can do great things for you; from energy aid to stress relief. Some scents are just great for your well-being!
We’ve mentioned it before and we’ll mention it again:
Lavender is a great sleep aid!
In a study of 42 college women, research found that the fragrance effectively eased sleep problems and depression in the participants. Check out Lavender Vanilla to help you relax after a hard day at work. Sleep Health is the most important.
Cinnamon can make you sharp as a tack!
Researchers from Wheeling Jesuit University studied participants and found that those who took a whiff of cinnamon improved in cognitive functions like visual-motor response, working memory and attention span.
Stressed out? Take a walk in the pines!
In one Japanese study, participants who went on a walk through pine forests reported significantly lower depression and stress levels. The research also discovered that anxious subjects had a greater feeling of relaxation after indulging in the scent.
Do you love the smell of fresh cut grass? You may be more joyful than others who don’t!
Scent researchers found that a chemical released by a newly-mowed lawn can make people feel joyful and relaxed. The aroma may also prevent mental decline as you grow older. The smell apparently is so powerful that neuroscientists came up with a perfume and air fragrance that matches it so the lawn less can also reap the benefits of the feel-good scent — no lawn mower required. Our Grapefruit and Basil candle is a great way to feel joyful and energized!
Citrus in the morning can make you feel more energized and alert.
Scents like lemon and orange are not only well-known for their Vitamin C properties, but simply sniffing the fruit can help boost energy and alertness. Talk about a real super fruit! Check out Mango and Tangerine for a boost of energy!
Need a boost after a big meal, Grab a peppermint, it can boost you concentration!
A small study out of Wheeling Jesuit University found that smelling peppermint could be linked to greater cognitive stamina, motivation and overall performance. Known for invigorating the mind, it’s even been used as an aid for students when taking tests. There is also a small bit of research to suggest that the menthol scent in peppermint even tricks the brain into thinking that it alleviates stuffy nasal passages – Perfect for when you need something to clear you up. Better than my trick of hot sauce!
Jasmine can brighten your room and your mood!
A 2010 study found that not only does the smell of jasmine create a sense of alertness, it can also serve as a way to help with depressive thoughts. Researchers found that the stimulating effect of jasmine oil can aid in the relief of depression and can lead to an uplifted mood. Pretty powerful for a tiny flower.
Instead of going for aspirin when your head starts to ache, go for the apple.
You know what they say, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” — and that may be more true when it comes to headaches. Research has suggested that the smell of the crisp fruit may help ease a migraine. One 2008 study showed that those who found the scent appealing had a noticeable reduction in headache symptoms as well as shortened migraine episodes. My personal favorite is Apple, Fig, and Rosemary, check it out, and keep those migraines at bay!
How do you keep an eye on your health?
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