Fragrances for the Mind: Choosing the Right Scent for Your Mood
Just as certain flavors, sounds or sensations can affect and reflect our moods, scents can promote all sorts of feelings as well. Read along as we go over how fragrances can alter your mind and which scents we recommend!
Scent Association
Think about how often you stop to smell something that, for whatever reason, brings you back to a certain period in your childhood. Perhaps the smell of fresh lemons takes you back to a summer at your grandma’s house, or pine reminds you of a happy holiday memory.
The reason we may feel certain emotions after smelling something is because of what is scientifically known as associative learning. All that means is that in order for a scent to make us feel a certain way, there is usually some sort of event or memory attached to it!
The beauty of candles is their unique ability to bring us back to a time we may not have thought about in a while, as well as trigger those happy feelings when we need them most.
The Right Scent For Your Mood
Apart from learned associations, certain scents can also promote alertness, positivity, relaxation and so much more!
Citrus scents such as grapefruit, bergamot and lemon are known to be mood and energy boosters, with invigorating aromas that wake up the mind and body. Some of our favorites include Green Tea & Lemongrass, Blood Orange and Sparkling Grapefruit.
Jasmine is known to promote a sense of calm, along with many other floral fragrances such as ylang ylang and rose. If you’re looking for a serene floral scent, our Coastal Plumeria and Sea Salt & Orchid candles are great fragrances to settle the mind.
Sandalwood has been thought to create a sense of balance for centuries, promoting focus and overall concentration. If you're looking for a grounding scent to reset the mind, we highly recommend our Bergamot & Sandalwood scent, as well as our Seaside Linen candle.
When and What to Burn
As long as you’re enjoying a scent, there really is no good or bad option. That said, it is useful to know which times of day certain scents are more beneficial to burn!
If you’re looking to wind down your mind from a long day, a zesty citrus candle might not be the route to get you there. Try to reach for something with soothing notes such as lavender and chamomile. These scents are just fragrant enough to provide a sense of calm without packing too big of a punch.
Another time of day that we can use scents to our advantage is in the early afternoon. When that two o’clock midday fatigue starts kicking in, it’s best to reach for a scent that will keep you awake and focused. Woody and earthy scents like sandalwood, pine and cedarwood are great for giving the mind a gentle boost to keep you awake and focused.
No matter which scents you choose or when you burn them, we hope they bring you all of the joy and relaxation they have brought to all of us at Happy Hops over the years!