We all know those moments when you smell something and are suddenly transported back in time.
A particular herb reminds you of a trip abroad, the smell of apple pie takes you back to your grandmother, or a certain perfume brings you back to someone you once loved. But scent can also bring up less pleasant memories.
In this blog, I want to focus mainly on the beautiful side of scent and how you can use it consciously.
Scent is strongly connected to memories and emotions
Scent has a special connection with our memory and emotions. A scent can not only bring back memories, but also influence how you feel in that moment. What I find particularly interesting is that a scent can sometimes bring back a surprising number of details from a memory.
For years, I couldn’t eat cumin. The smell and taste, even unconsciously, reminded me of a time when I became very ill during a trip to India. The trip itself was wonderful, but this one experience had a lasting effect on my association with cumin.
Why one scent feels different from another
Lavender is often associated with relaxation, while citrus scents such as lemon and orange are often experienced as fresh and uplifting. Rosemary has a fresh, herbal scent that I personally like to use on an aroma stone when I want to concentrate. I also regularly use lemongrass.
There is a lot of research into the effects of scent. But regardless of what scent may do biologically, scent is also very personal.
What feels relaxing to one person may trigger a completely different association in someone else.
I love lavender, for example. But if you have an unpleasant memory associated with it, that scent probably won’t make you feel relaxed at all.
Other scents that are often associated with relaxation include jasmine, ylang-ylang, bergamot and cedarwood.
Jasmine is my personal favourite. Whenever I walk past a jasmine tree and breathe in its scent, I immediately experience a little moment of happiness. I have no idea why, but that’s simply how it is. I now even have a jasmine plant at home.
Vanilla can also evoke a feeling of relaxation and safety for many people, but I don’t really like the scent at all. I don’t know why. And sometimes you don’t need to know. Just smell it and notice what it does to you.
Using scent consciously in everyday life
You can use scent at all kinds of moments throughout the day.
A fresh scent during your morning shower can help you start the day feeling awake and energised. And perhaps you love coffee; the smell alone can be part of a pleasant morning ritual. 😉
During the day, you can use essential oils, for example in a diffuser or on an aroma stone. I always have an aroma stone next to my computer.
After a busy day, it can sometimes be difficult to shift from being active to feeling ready to relax. I wrote about this in my previous blog, Why slowing down is sometimes so difficult. Movement can help with that transition: going for a walk, cycling, cooking, or simply drinking tea slowly and mindfully.
But scent can also become part of that transition.
And it doesn’t necessarily have to be a typical ‘relaxing’ scent such as lavender. You might find a combination of, for example, cedarwood and bergamot much more pleasant.
And then it’s bedtime. Scent can be part of your evening ritual too.
A lavender eye pillow over your eyes or beside you in bed, an aroma stone on your bedside table, or a diffuser can all become part of winding down. If you use a diffuser, a timer is a good idea. (check here for some ideas)
In this way, you can gradually connect a particular scent with a certain moment: waking up, concentrating, relaxing, or making the transition from a busy day into the evening.
And adding scent doesn’t have to be complicated at all, by the way.
Perhaps you enjoy the smell of freshly baked rolls on the weekend, consciously smell fresh herbs while cooking, or find joy in flowers in the house.
You don’t have to do anything with it.
Simply taking a moment to consciously smell and reflect on what a scent does to you can be a small moment of mindfulness.
Using essential oils: aroma stone or diffuser?
There are different ways to use essential oils.
An aroma stone
An aroma stone doesn’t need heat and releases the scent very gently. This makes it particularly suitable for smaller spaces or more local use, for example on your desk, in the bathroom, in the car or on your bedside table.
A few drops of oil (3–5) are usually enough. Depending on the oil, the scent can remain subtly noticeable for several hours.
If your stone becomes a little oily or discoloured over time, you can clean it with a little mild soapy water. Let it dry thoroughly before using it again.
A diffuser
|A diffuser spreads the scent further throughout a room and is therefore particularly suitable for larger spaces, such as the living room. You can also use a diffuser in the bedroom.
You generally use around 5–8 drops, depending on your diffuser and the essential oil. A diffuser doesn’t need to run all day either; often, a short period is enough.
I have a diffuser in a permanent spot in the living room and several aroma stones around the house. One is next to my computer, one in the bathroom and one in the bedroom. I also have one in my camper.
When I travel, I even take a small USB diffuser with me that can be connected to a power bank.
Good to know
Essential oils are highly concentrated. More drops therefore don’t automatically mean a stronger or better effect. Always use oils according to the supplier’s instructions and make sure there is sufficient ventilation when using a diffuser.
Do you have pets? Keep in mind that they can be much more sensitive to scents than we are. Don’t use essential oils casually around or on animals, and make sure they cannot get to bottles of essential oil.
I am also a little more careful with incense these days. I absolutely love certain incense scents, but the smoke isn’t particularly pleasant for our lungs. So nowadays I walk around the house with the burning stick and let it finish burning outside.
I still have incense sticks in almost all my cupboards, though, tucked in between my clothes. I simply love the scent.
Scent is special
Sometimes a single scent can take you years back in time. Another scent may help you pause for a moment, wake up, or consciously create a little time for yourself.
What a scent does to you depends not only on the scent itself, but also on your own experiences and associations.
So go ahead and experiment. Smell herbs, flowers, coffee, citrus fruits or an essential oil consciously and notice what it does to you.
Perhaps you’ll discover a scent that you’d like to associate with a particular moment of your day.
My name is Jolinda. With Flow Spirit, I guide people towards more peace, balance, and connection with themselves through energy work, intuitive coaching, and Reiki.
In addition, I enjoy sharing inspiration here with my blogs, about conscious living, herbs, nutrition, relaxation, and the little things that make life just a bit more beautiful.
Do you feel this resonates with you, you are very welcome to contact me.