September 5
The Sense of Smell
Did you know that smell is the sense that is most closely linked with memory? Scent, emotion, and memory are actually quite intertwined! The sense and the nerves related to it are able to match scents to memories or one’s experiences. Today’s page walks through activities and things you can do to de-stress with the sense of smell. Watch this fascinating video to learn more about how this sense works?
De-stressing with the sense of smell
Scents of Nature
Why do scents of nature help alleviate stress?
lower psychological stress and faster recovery rates from instances of stress
general improved mental health
smell signals are sent straight to the hippocampus, the brain’s stress regulating region, for processing. pleasant scents, such as those of nature, have a stress-reducing effect on in these regions.
Candles
Which candle scents help with stress?
lavender to help improve mood
cinnamon for relaxation
peppermint to enhance focus
vanilla to boost happiness levels
“I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery—air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, "This is what it is to be happy.”
Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar