Did you know that smell is linked to people's memories and plays an important role in enhancing physical and mental health?
Highlights:
Smell roses! Smell coffee! Whatever it is that makes you happy! - Being in nature is crucial for overall well-being and smell plays a crucial role in this.
- Smells of nature help to boost the physical and psychological well-being of an individual.
- It helps provide calmness and relaxation.
This quote by Rita Moreno, noted Puerto Rican actress, dancer and singer, is reinforced by recent research. The smells we encounter in nature can help us feel calm, happy, and healthy, suggested scientists at Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology at the University of Kent (DICE).
Impact of Smell in Well-Being
The COVID-19 pandemic re-established the importance of nature in enhancing human health and welfare. Earlier studies had only partially examined how and why certain aspects of nature (such as noises, colors, and fragrances) impact health.
Smell and Taste Disorders - Diagnosis - Treatment - Reference
Smell and taste disorders are common chemosensory disorders that are capable of affecting an individual’s quality of life.
Smell and taste disorders are common chemosensory disorders that are capable of affecting an individual’s quality of life.
‘Smell can boost a sense of physical wellness and promote calmness and relaxation.’
With this DICE university study, it is clear that smells play a significant role in providing health advantages of being in contact with nature. These benefits are strongly associated with people’s own memories and certain ecological qualities and processes (e.g., fallen leaves rotting in the winter). This research published in Ambio, a Journal of Environment and Society, looks at how fragrance affects well-being in nature. Researchers discovered that scents impact several aspects of human health. Physical well-being received maximum attention, notably with reference to comfort, relaxation and renewal. The absence of a fragrance was also thought to boost physical wellness and promote relaxation by creating a clean atmosphere free of foul odors and pollutants. These findings are significant for public health practitioners since relaxation lowers cortisol levels, which are linked to various disorders.
The study, based in woodland settings during all four seasons, found that certain fragrances brought up memories of playtime with children. Instead of the woods, several participants made meaningful associations with certain odors and linked them to a memorable experience. They concluded that emotional responses to the memories positively impacted overall wellness.
Phantosmia (Phantom Smell) - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention
Phantosmia is a rare disorder that causes one to perceive nonexistent unpleasant odors, mainly smoky smells. It is caused by age, infectious diseases, mental health issues, brain tumors, among others.
Phantosmia is a rare disorder that causes one to perceive nonexistent unpleasant odors, mainly smoky smells. It is caused by age, infectious diseases, mental health issues, brain tumors, among others.
The study findings can be beneficial for promoting well-being outcomes through nature. It can guide the work of healthcare practitioners, public health experts, policymakers and landscape designers. Small initiatives can have a positive impact on public health.
Advertisement
Your Sense of Smell May Be The Key To a Balanced Diet: Study
People are less likely to perceive smells of food that relate to a recent meal, and thus, helps them make choices about what to eat next.
People are less likely to perceive smells of food that relate to a recent meal, and thus, helps them make choices about what to eat next.
- Add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to your bathing water and treat yourself to an aromatic bath.
- Give yourself a face massage with essential oils. Do not apply them directly to the face. Always use carrier oil.
- Use an oil diffuser or light an essential oil-based candle and let your home smell your favourite fragrance.
- Eucalyptus oil: It is an excellent expectorant and decongestant. It is beneficial for cold/flu season. It also helps in clearing and energizing the mind.
- Lavender oil: It is calming and helps to reduce anxiety.
- Lemongrass oil: It works well for cleansing and is an excellent insect repellent. It is antiviral and antimicrobial.
Source-Medindia
Sleep Well at Night: Smelling Your Lover's Shirt can Help You Catch Some Zzz�s
Want to sleep well at night? If yes, then start smelling your partner’s shirt to get sound sleep. So, hurry up, hug your lover’s shirt every night to catch some extra Zzz’s.
Want to sleep well at night? If yes, then start smelling your partner’s shirt to get sound sleep. So, hurry up, hug your lover’s shirt every night to catch some extra Zzz’s.
