Scent and memory are intrinsically connected. If you have ever walked into a home and smelled the inviting scent of cookies or another yummy treat, you are doing much more than simply reacting to the present situation. As you smell the items baking, you are transported back to another time when you smelled something similar. Not only do you remember an event, but you recall how you felt at the time as well.
Scientists who have studied what happens in an individual’s brain when he or she is exposed to scent have described this as the Proustian Effect. The name was chosen to honor Marcel Proust, a writer who lived in the early 1900s. Proust was the first person to describe the effect that scent has on our memories.
The link between scent and memory can be used to your advantage if you are trying to retain information. In a study conducted with students who were preparing for exams, the participants’ ability to recall was greatly improved among the group who had slept in a room containing a rose bouquet the night before writing tests, when compared to the students who had not. The students in the rose scented room were able to recall the material they had studied almost perfectly.
Therefore, next time you are involved in a task that involves having to remember details for a school test or work project, why don’t you try using the gentle rose fragrance from Enchanted Mist to help? Treat yourself to its calming aromatherapy qualities and make sure that you can inhale its scent as you prepare for the task ahead.
To get even more benefits from this scent, have it warming in your bedroom or sleeping area. This will help boost your memory and you will discover that you have a better ability to remember important details of your project.
Do you have any scents that trigger memories for you?
Interesting to think about this as I have always thought of it the other way around. The smell of my mother's perfume on someone else always kinf of upsets me because they smell like "mom" but are not her.
ReplyDeleteHowever, having said that I wish to make two comments. Fristly, we are selling our home and I make every effort to have the rooms smelling good using aromatherapy oils and make sure the kitchen smells of freshly baked apple pie.
Secondly, I recently did a professional development on Boys education and Dr Ian Lillico made it clear how important the smell of the classroom is to aid learning...never thought of taking my oils to school before that.
I am now a follower and lookf forward to reading what you have to say next.