Scents Which Affect Your Mood

By Kat O'Malley

Many scents transmit messages to the brain stirring up stored memories and in turn, these same aromas can influence your emotions, your mood and your feelings. Quite a few aromas are known for lifting ones mood and clarifying thoughts, nearly immediately. If you feel overwhelmed, sad, exhausted, lonesome, anxious or ill, perhaps you should be sure to keep some of these items on hand to use during times when you are not feeling up to par.

Cinnamon is a profound aroma that re-energizes the body and provides that much needed "second wind" or boost. Anyone can easily add a stick of cinnamon or a dash of ground cinnamon into a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy the pleasant smell along with the brew. Cinnamon has abilities of acting as a stimulant and can help you go a bit further in your day without that lagging hesitation. Oddly enough, the aroma of freshly cut grass evokes summer mornings, family life and nature.

Grass, freshly cut, is a sweet and intense smell which stimulates us and lifts our spirits immensely. This particular scent affects and acts to remind us what is important in life and to prioritize our goals and daily tasks.

Ginger is another wonderful spice which can sooth your tummy and can be helpful in making you feel both physically and mentally better. Ginger root can be very stimulating with its fragrant scent. Add ginger to boiling water and allow the aroma to float through you home to aid in your mood. If you prefer, add ginger root to a cup of coffee or hot tea and you will feel better real soon.

Pine is a fresh and clean scent which not only energizes us but it helps in releasing the built-up tension you are feeling from your muscles or limbs and also is able to open your mental state by reconnecting you to nature. It is easy to visualize a gorgeous tall pine tree waving slightly in the cool mountain wind, thus soothing your tension. A quick step outdoors to grab that aroma is very helpful to your mind and body.

Are you feeling lonesome or homesick? Run quickly and head straight for the Oatmeal, as it provides a soothing and sedating feeling, easing your thoughts of solitude. Take a nice long whiff from the canister and see how this special oat grain sets you on the right course for the day. This grain is earthy, and as humans, we all need to feel that connection to the earth in order for us to become totally grounded.

Of course, the ultimate mood shifter is the herb Lavender. This can take you from an agitated state to a very relaxed state with just one whiff. Lavender is very soothing and puts your mind at rest. Should falling asleep be a problem or trouble for you, try a bath with lavender salts or better yet, mist your bedding lightly with some lavender water; soon you will be sleeping sound.

Peppermint - Ah, a lovely cup of Peppermint tea is sure to change up those sluggish feelings quickly. Peppermint is known to enhance the mind, memory and increase the alertness in no time at all. For that mid-morning pick-me-up or the mid-afternoon lag, drink a hot cup of peppermint tea and watch your attitude and body change before your eyes.

Are you on the irritable side today? Do small things bother you more than usual? Perhaps all you need is the fresh smell of a rose. Yes, by taking a breath of the intensely sweet essence of a rose, this scent is able to sooth a nagging headache; it can ease the nervous tension running through your body, and it can even set your mood to a romantic state of mind.

Most of these scents, aromas and smells are in and around our own homes, but if you do not have any on hand, they are all quite inexpensive if you need to make a purchase. If you are in need of a mood change or attitude adjustment, or should you need for some positive influences in your life, see if you can't find one of these popular items; and treat yourself nice today!

Kat O"Malley is a retired tv journalist. Read her casual writings, posted under the username KittyK, at Triond

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