It's not the smell of coffee. There are three scents that can wake you up: jasmine, which increases beta waves (the brain waves associated with alertness), and citrus and peppermint scents, which stimulate the same nerve that's activated when you're revived with smelling salts.
Peppermint
A known energy booster, peppermint invigorates the mind, promotes concentration and stimulates clear thinking. It is one of the best scents for focus. Find uplifting peppermint in our Onsen collection, along with eucalyptus and mandarin.
Can Smells Wake You Up? Smells do not usually cause a person to wake up. Researchers have found that smell sensitivity changes through the day in accordance with circadian timing. In general, the sense of smell is strongest in the evening and weakest overnight and into the early hours of the morning.
Citrus (lemon, orange and grapefruit) helps boost the happiness hormone serotonin. Peppermint and rosemary both contribute to alertness.
As a whole, citrus scents boost alertness, increase energy and can help you wake up. Lemon in particular is an excellent choice if you're looking for energy and focus. Whether you're feeling keyed up or run down, lemon will promote feelings of clarity and calmness.
Citrus scents are often cited as some of the most pleasant smells and have been shown to boost energy and reduce stress. This is excellent news for perfume lovers, as citrus scents are frequently used in the top notes of your favourite fragrances.
Peppermint.
It's not just a plant that's commonly used in toothpaste and chewing gum to freshen your breath. Peppermint can also help clear your mind. The scent is known for boosting attentiveness. In a brainstorming session, use peppermint oil to invigorate the mind and soon your team could have all the right ideas.
Eucalyptus oil's woodsy scent can help wake you up and — bonus — feel refreshed. And if you're feeling foggy due to congestion or a stuffy nose, breathing in some eucalyptus scent can help clear your sinuses, which will also give you that much-needed energy boost.
And it's actually the scent of peppermint that's key. The scent stimulates the hippocampus area of the brain, the area that controls mental clarity and memory, particularly long-term memory. Basically, the aroma of peppermint - primarily the menthol component - triggers you to wake up and pay attention.
Smelling salts are used to arouse consciousness because the release of ammonia (NH3) gas that accompanies their use irritates the membranes of the nose and lungs, and thereby triggers an inhalation reflex. This reflex alters the pattern of breathing, resulting in improved respiratory flow rates and possibly alertness.
Eucalyptus. Eucalyptus is a popular scent in aromatherapy practice. Eucalyptus has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and anti-bacterial properties, and studies also show that eucalyptus may help get rid of headaches while helping you wake up.
What if a simple sniff could wake you up and energize you for hours – or help you sleep better? The zesty, fresh citrus fruit lemon might actually be the perfect “good morning” drink. It's also often used in massage oils, perfumes and soaps due to its energizing smell.
Jasmine is often used to promote positive moods and emotions; it's a refreshing smell that tends to re-energize us. Like lemon, citrus smells are great for wakefulness and alertness and they're great to give people an energy boost. Cinnamon can improve performance on high-focus work and is also linked to better memory.
Several essential oil blends can be used to boost motivation. Some of our favorites include a mix of peppermint and rosemary, lemon and ginger, and grapefruit and rosemary. Each of these blends has a unique scent that can help to energise and refresh the mind, body, and spirit.
One study found that bergamot, lavender, and lemon essential oils are particularly therapeutic. Using your sense of smell, they prompt your brain to release serotonin and dopamine.
Eucalyptus oil can be inhaled, ingested, and put on the skin topically in highly diluted forms. Do not use a pure/undiluted solution on your skin or ingest it [3].
There are a number of scientific studies that suggest luxurious lavender essential oil has powerful snooze inducing properties. Not only can it improve the quality of your sleep (including those with insomnia), but also how long you sleep, so making you fresher and more alert during the day.
The invigorating scent of eucalyptus oil stimulates the senses. This not only helps refresh and re-energize the body, but also has a calming, soothing effect on the mind. It can also be used to reduce stress and mood disorders.
Lavender – one of the favourite essential oils for physical fatigue, Lavender is a deeply restorative oil. Sweet Marjoram – a sedative oil, Marjoram is perfect for deeply relaxing the body – and all your aches and pains.
Tips for using essential oils for fatigue
The fragrances that are known for their invigorating properties include citrus scents such as bergamot, mandarin or orange as well as peppermint, rosemary and lavender.
1. Apply topically: Rub 1 drop of frankincense oil to your wrists, on your feet and on the back of your neck. It is sometimes used as a massage oil to balance nervous energy and promote positive energy. On the heels of the feet is also a great place to rub a drop.
Thanks to fMRI scans, we now have evidence to explain why the smell of freshly cut grass takes us back to a previous summer in our memories, or why Mr. Proust so clearly remembered his childhood just from smelling a pastry. Smelling the grass or a pastry activates the brain areas responsible for emotions and memories!
A study from Wheeling Jesuit University has linked peppermint to greater alertness, performance, and motivation by serving as a central nervous system stimulant. Having a bottle of peppermint oil on hand and sniffing it whenever you're feeling sluggish may help. Here are more smells that pep you up.