All over the world, millions of people go about their days feeling groggy and half-asleep. This puts an additional strain on them, which they should not be feeling. I myself used to get up for work each morning feeling more tired than I did when I went to sleep. I hated feeling this way, so I researched methods of dealing with it naturally.
While doing my research, I found a collection of 9 scents that will wake you up and energize you. I tried each of them individually, and found that some worked better than others. However, seeing as everyone is unique, it’s hard to say which one of these scents will work best for you until you try them yourself.
9 Glorious Scents And Why They’re So Great
Below is a compilation of the different scents that I found research on. Each one of them are on this list for different reasons, and I’ll tell you all about my findings!
#1 Oranges
Oranges have a distinct sweet, fruity smell that can be recognized instantaneously. Oranges are primarily grown in California, Arizona and Texas. This means that they travel a very long way to get to us, but their benefits are definitely worth the distance! They have been shown to have a positive effect on people’s mood, as well as a reduction in stress and anxiety.
This citrus fruit is high in vitamin C and vitamin B6. These vitamins have been shown to cause an improvement in mood and reduce anxiety. Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant. Cells in the body suffer when they are exposed to harmful toxins such as cigarette smoke and toxic fumes. Cells will also suffer as people age, although this is a natural effect. Antioxidants are important because they have the ability to reduce the damaging effect of unnatural pollutants in the body.
If you are in a hurry to leave in the morning, don’t worry; there is a quick way of getting the necessary vitamin C that your body loves. Having a big glass of orange juice in the morning is a reliable method of waking yourself up and getting prepared for the day ahead of you.
#2 Lemon
Similar to oranges, lemons are citrus fruits. When someone catches the scent of a lemon, their body will automatically start to produce serotonin; a ‘happy’ hormone. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, so it has the ability to transfer signals from different parts of the brain. When serotonin relays messages to the brain, a person’s mood will change. Depression is thought to be caused by a lack of serotonin in the brain, or an inability for the hormone to relay it messages.
Vitamin C is also responsible for keeping your immune system healthy and functional. When the immune system gets attacked by viruses and infections, antioxidants work to fight back and protect us from harm. Vitamin C helps with this, and keeps away unwanted virus cells. Overall, this helps us by keeping us healthy, happy, and energized!
Lemon has a very strong scent, so it is thought to be the most powerful citrus smell. Even if you do not like eating lemons by themselves, there are plenty of ways that you can get your recommended daily dose of citrus! You can easily add lemon to all sorts of different recipes. Allrecipes.com can be a good source of inspiration while cooking with lemon.
#3 Grapefruit
Grapefruit is an interesting fruit, with many different beneficial properties. This fruit also has the ability to provide you with an instant pick-me-up. As with the previous two fruits, grapefruit is rich with vitamin C. However, this is only part of what makes it such a good source of energy!
Studies have shown that when people have a vitamin C deficiency, they will become irritable and have less energy than they usually do. Vitamin C is not made naturally by the body, so it must be consumed through food or supplements. When someone’s immune system is weakened due to an illness or stress, vitamin C can work to improve and regulate it once more.
Do you (like many of us) have a sweet tooth? Grapefruit may be a good option for you! The fruit is made primarily of natural sugar. It gives you a refreshing energy boost, but will not have any harmful side effects to the body. If you start to get sleepy in the afternoon and crave a nap, try having a piece of grapefruit instead. That might be all it takes to perk you up and get you focused on whatever task you should be working on.
#4 Peppermint
A well-kept secret about peppermint is that it has a rejuvenating effect on people. Peppermint oil has some amazing health benefits. Just a small amount has been shown to reduce mental stress, and help with performance and focus on work and other tasks. As for physical health, peppermint oil can also be used to assist when you feel bloated, or if you are stuffed up with allergies.
A study was recently performed by Wheeling Jesuit University, which highlighted some of the benefits of using peppermint. This study involved the use of peppermint flavored gum. The participants were tested against a group who chewed other flavors of gum, as well as a group who had gum with no flavor. A variety of assessments were performed over a period of time. The end results showed that the groups who chewed flavored gum had an increase in both memory and visual-motor response.
Another helpful use of peppermint is that it can be used to cure nausea. When you feel sick to your stomach, try inhaling the minty smell of fresh peppermint. Another option would be to have a warm cup of peppermint tea; this will definitely make you feel better, especially if it is on a cold day!
#5 Rosemary
Rosemary is a well-known herb which has many important uses. When the nervous system is damaged, rosemary can help to improve it again. It is made up of a compound which is anti-inflammatory. This can reduce the negative effects of asthma attacks.
Preliminary studies have shown that rosemary can have a positive impact on memory and retention. Rosemary is being tested in relation to diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, to see if there is any way to reverse the condition.
Rosemary oil is available for people to purchase and use. They can apply small amounts of this oil to their body, and enjoy the soothing aroma that it leaves. This can be helpful in relieving stress and unburdening the mind. If you often get stressed at work, you might want to consider having a small bottle of rosemary oil nearby in case you need to relax.
Rosemary baths used to frequently be recommended to assist in ailments such as muscle cramping and bacterial infections. The undiluted oil should never be digested.
Rosemary has a bitter taste, and can be added to a variety of recipes. You can add fresh or dried rosemary leaves to a dish, or sprinkle it over foods to add flavoring.
#6 Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a type of tree that originated from Australia. Eucalyptus oil comes from steam-distilling the dried leaves of the tree. The oil is a popular ingredient used in natural medicines to treat a variety of conditions. It has a sweet, and faintly woody smell. However, Eucalyptus oil should never be taken orally if not diluted, and should only be placed on bare skin after it has been diluted. If you suspect that you have eucalyptus poisoning, please consult your doctor immediately.
Eucalyptus oil contains antibacterial components, which can help in treating common cold and flu symptoms. In addition to this, the oil’s vapor has the ability to relieve congestion issues. This can be done by adding several drops onto a cotton ball, and lightly sniffing it multiple times per day. As an alternative, you can also add drops of the oil into your bath water and breathe in the scent.
A study was published in the American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation describing how Eucalyptus can be used to treat physical pain. It worked as a form of pain relief, with no visible side effects to the subjects. Natural pain relievers are widely sought after all over the world.
#7 Coffee
Coffee tends to be the first stop when people start to feel as though they are getting sleepy or lethargic. Some people say that just the smell of coffee in the morning is all the motivation they need to get out of bed. Others prefer to stop in their local coffee shop on their way to work, and chat with the owners or other customers.
Coffee contains a stimulant called caffeine. Caffeine has gotten a bad reputation, because it can be addictive to some people. However, caffeine is able to improve the mood, memory time, and general mental function of a person. It does this by blocking a neurotransmitter known as Adenosine.
When Adenosine starts binding to its receptors, the body will start to slow down. This is the natural reaction for the body when it is ready to go to sleep. Caffeine will bind to the same receptors that Adenosine does, but the body’s activity will not slow down. Overall, the body will receive a sudden burst of energy.
In addition to blocking Adenosine, caffeine also releases neurotransmitters into the brain such as dopamine and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters affect mood and behavior, and are often used to treat depression.
#8 Ginger Mint
Mint ginger is a spice that can easily be grown at home in your garden. If you do not have a green thumb, you can purchase it in a grocery store instead. When made into a tea, the ginger and mint work together to make a healthy drink.
The ginger in the tea has been shown to prevent and shrink cancer cells. If ginger powder is applied to the afflicted cells, their growth will slow and desist. Ginger mint tea can also be used to reduce cramps and pain caused by swollen muscles. A cloth can be soaked in the tea, and then placed on the area that is hurting.
When ginger mint tea is consumed, the person’s metabolic rate will rise, and more energy will start circulating in the body. As a result, the person will sweat more, and remove unnatural toxins from the body. Also, the person will feel a reduction in stress levels, as they will be able to focus more clearly on their tasks.
If someone hopes to see drastic results from ginger mint, they should commit to the process, and drink the tea daily. Overall, this will lighten their mood and help them clear their heads of the problems and concerns that they are managing.
#9 Jasmine
Jasmine is a spice that is often used in tea or in flavoring for food. It gives off a strong floral scent, which gives people a calm, peaceful feeling.
Jasmine tea is helpful for a variety of medical conditions. This includes reducing the change of heart attacks and diabetes and boosting immune systems. The tea has a large number of antioxidants, which work to make the body healthy and happy.
When people have breathed in the scent of jasmine tea, it has shown to reduce their stress levels. Their bodies released a chemical that made them relax and more clear-minded. This tea does have a strong fragrance though, and people should be careful about overdoing it when breathing in the scent.
Conclusion
I personally love feeling wide awake during the day, despite suffering from a mild case of insomnia. It gives me more opportunity to enjoy every single moment. I know that you agree with me, because who wouldn’t want to feel more energized and awake? If there is a way that you can achieve this feeling naturally, wouldn’t you want to check it out? After all, there’s no harm in trying! Let us know if you have tried any of these scents, or if you have another one that isn’t on our list! Comment and share!