Design Psychology: How Our Sensory Responses to Aromas Create Happy Homes

Our sense of smell elicits strong emotional reactions and triggers powerful memories, whether we're consciously aware of it or not.

Scents and Feelings

Our olfactory system sends a chemical message about the scents around us through the limbic part of our brain, which is the oldest part of our brain. In seconds, that message is telegraphed to our central nervous system, which, in turn, controls how our body functions and how we feel about those smells.

Scents also influence the temperature we feel emotionally. For instance, a grass matting floor covering has a pleasant scent, and makes us feel cooler, while the aroma of fresh baked bread creates a warm feeling of being loved. Marine scents, such as salty sea air, refresh us, while spice and wood scents bring warm thoughts.

The Evolution of Aromatherapy

The ancient civilizations of Arabia, Babylon, China, Egypt, Greece, India, and Rome all used the aromas of scented plants, flowers, and woods to heal and protect. Religious and spiritual ceremonies have used aromas to arouse mankind's deeply spiritual nature from the dawn of time. Today, the science of aromatherapy, which is a holistic healing practice, uses essential oils and herbs, to treat stress-related illnesses, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, and digestive ailments, and even skin problems.

The Effects of Scent on Emotions

Essential oils influence our emotions within seconds of inhalation. For instance, clary sage stimulates the thalamus to release a hormone called encephalon, a neurochemical that creates a sense of euphoria and provides pain relief. Lavender and chamomile fuel the release of serotonin, which has a calming effect on fear, stress, aggravation, or insomnia.

Scents activate the deep part of the brain, where memories are stored. You can recreate pleasant memories and share them with your family and friends through the use of smells. For instance, my mother often baked a cake just before we kids arrived home from school. Now that I've grown up, we don't eat as much cake in our home, but sharing a vanilla scent with my children often prompts them to share stories about their grandmother.

Smells are a powerful link with the memories of our past. My mother used to tell me stories of her grandmother, whose home smelled like baked cinnamon rolls in the morning and exotic, tangy spices in the evening.

The sense of smell, a potent tool in Interior Design Psychology, brings a feeling of harmony and serenity to any room in a home. Embrace the scents you love and those that conjure pleasant memories, and make the use of scent an integral part of your overall design plan.

Copyright (c) 2004 by Jeanette J. Fisher

Jeanette Fisher, Design Psychology Professor, is the author of Joy to the Home eNewsletter. Discover innovative Interior Design Psychology and makeover your home to support happiness, productivity, and well-being. For Design Psychology information, see http://www.designpsych.com/ For more information about "Joy to the Home," see http://www.joytothehome.com/

---

Discover a Momentary Miracle

Each moment is filled with miracles - very special treasures... Read More

How To Be Happy

Happiness is a state of mind, so your state of... Read More

Principles of Human Misery / Happiness

Sometimes we are so occupied with our daily routine in... Read More

Get Out Those Legos

Many of my clients are working harder than smarter. This... Read More

Happiness and the Single Person; Changing Myth Into Reality

Does the expression "single and happy" sound like an oxymoron... Read More

Three Inspirations for Happiness

The following three inspirations were adapted from A Daily Dose... Read More

Are You Getting in the Way?

Getting out of our busy mode and into our heart... Read More

About Happiness and Fulfillment

During a FULFILLMENT seminar, at the University of Arizona for... Read More

Growing Up Backwards

It seems like I set out in this life to... Read More

Define Me

We've all had a vision or a great idea and... Read More

Simple Pleasures: Ingredients to Feed Your Spirit.

"When we do something we love, again and again, our... Read More

A Surefire Way To Manage Your Fears While Leading A Happier, Healthier Life

Imagine discovering a way to get rid of your fears... Read More

How to Be Happy!

How would you like to have at least an extra... Read More

Colors: How Do They Make You Feel?

One of the most important colors in advertising is the... Read More

Why We Have Problems? A Coach Debates

As a coach, I often ask myself the question why... Read More

Making Peace With Sloth: The Value of Natural Pace

Though his racing speed is a maximum 6 feet per... Read More

Choose To Integrate Body, Mind, & Soul

Our bodies were made in such a way that everything... Read More

Happiness and Keeping Ahead of the Joneses

Imagine that the Internal Revenue Service in your country claimed... Read More

Ways to Bring Play into Your Life

1. roll around in the grass, and don't brush the... Read More

The Great Opportunity

I assume you want to be happier. Searching for greater... Read More

Choose To Be Happy

What if I told you that you have the ability... Read More

Suffering and Happiness

The one feature that sets life on Earth apart from... Read More

Happy Talk and 3 Simple Secrets to Happiness

What is the one thing you want more than anything... Read More

Happiness Without Prescription

As life and lifestyles speed up, so does the growing... Read More

Common Scents For Emotional Well Being

Aromatics which include essential oils, perfume, centred candles and incense,... Read More

Do You Still Have This Type of Dreams?

Jesus says in Matthew 13:25"But while men slept, his enemy... Read More

Being Together

When it comes to happiness, togetherness is probably the most... Read More

Happiness - Work Now or Later?

Long-term success and happiness follows hand-in-hand with strength of character.As... Read More

Clearing a Path for Happiness

In the United States, the pursuit of happiness is a... Read More

Can Money Buy You Happiness?

Well, doesn't that depend on what's causing you to be... Read More

Many Blessings

"Reflect on your present blessings of which every man has... Read More

Looking In The Eyes Of Happiness

From what you see around you in your daily lives,... Read More

Health and Medical Advice on the Internet: Use it Wisely to Overcome Illness and Find More Happiness

I've got a bit of a problem with depression and... Read More