Most of us have gotten a whiff of something and instantly felt at ease. Or, we've experienced a surge of serotonin after walking past a bakery, flower garden, or (gasp) gas station. Our sense of smell is deeply ingrained in the memory centers of our brain and just one sniff can alter our mood.
The olfactory system is really quite something. There is literally a super short nerve (first cranial 1) that, according to the Cleveland Clinic, "starts in the brain and ends in the upper, inside part of your nose." It gives the ability to process odor, while working with a whole system of olfactory receptors which receive the tiny molecules emitted by substances. (There's a whole system of membranes, bulbs, and neurons which work together to absorb a smell and make sense of it in your brain.)
What's extra interesting is that if this nerve is damaged, the long-time effect has been linked to Alzheimer's and other memory-loss diseases. Rather, an early sign of such a disease is anosmia (lack of smell), so whether it's causal or a symptom, it's theorized that smell and memory are intricately neurologically linked.
Beyond just memory (which factors into our moods, of course), there are many experts who claim specific scents affect different parts of the brain, and the science behind it is quite fascinating.
The power of scent. www.youtube.com, Real Men, Real STyle
But why and how different scents have such different effects on aspects of our lives are some remaining questions. Think of it like this. When you're taking medicine, whether it's for a physical ailment or mental health, different neurotransmitters are targeted. Smell is no different, which is why aromatherapy is so popular. From "The Science of Scents": "From the olfactory epithelium, nerve impulses are transmitted to the limbic system, a region in the brain associated with emotions, memories, and behavior. This direct connection explains why scents can evoke powerful emotional responses and trigger memories. Different aromas stimulate specific areas within the limbic system, influencing mood, stress levels, and even cognitive function."
Professor Kathy Willis writes in a piece for the BBC's Countryfile section about the importance of plants and their "science-backed" effect on overall wellbeing.
LAVENDER
Lavender flowers in the evening. Photo by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash
Lavender can literally help you sleep better. Willis shares, "Experiments in sleep chambers have shown that during the nights when participants had aromas of lavender puffed into their rooms while sleeping, their brain wave activity indicated that they slept for longer intervals of time and also had more slow-wave deep sleep."
Dr. Elizabeth Ko, medical director at the UCLA Health Integrative Medicine Collaborative, adds that lavender oils for older people can greatly improve racing minds. "If you’re experiencing anxiety, try lavender. Inhaling lavender or diffusing it in your space may temporarily relieve feelings of stress and anxiety."
ROSEMARY
This scent actually has the opposite effect. Willis claims that many studies have shown that the "scent compounds of rosemary influence the neurotransmitters in our brain that are responsible for wakefulness and alertness."
Kate Rockwood backs up this claim, writing on Oprah.com, "Researchers at Northumbria University in England found that participants who sniffed essential oil of this (rosemary) herb performed significantly better on prospective memory tests, meaning they were less likely to forget future tasks."
PINE
Feeling anxious? The smell of pine can significantly reduce that. In experiments where respondents were exposed to the smell of pine, Willis shares that "even after as little as 90 seconds, participants showed clear evidence of physiological relaxation and reduced anxiety."
ROSE
A red rose with drops of dew. Photo by Edward Howell on Unsplash
This one is super cool. One experiment, described by Willis, had subjects drive a simulated car. During their drive, different scents were pumped into the "car" to assess whether they could reduce anxiety or create alertness. The smell of rose, peppermint, and civet were used, but "it was the smell of roses that indicated the best performance: slower speeds, less crashes, and the participants feeling more relaxed and cautious when behind the wheel."
CITRUS
This smell energizes and uplifts. An article on the Maison 21G, a perfumery website, "How Fragrances Affect Your Mood: Understanding the Power of Scents" further explains how deeply rooted smell is to our mental health and adds some more powerful scent connections to the list. Of citrus, they explain, "fragrances (with citrus) can help improve mood, increase alertness, and reduce feelings of fatigue."
Ko adds, "Citrus oils like bergamot or lemon tend to be uplifting and promote happiness."
EUCALYPTUS
We often think of these plants as having healing qualities (and may notice it in the ingredients of products meant to provide calm to the skin or hair.) There's a reason for that. The perfumery site claims, "Eucalyptus has a fresh, cooling scent that is known for its ability to clear the mind and promote focus. (It) can also help alleviate congestion and promote clear breathing, making it a popular choice for those suffering from colds or allergies. This invigorating scent is perfect for maintaining mental clarity and focus, especially during times of stress."
CINNAMON
cinnamon sticks and powder sit on a table. Photo by Rens D on Unsplash
Want to feel sexy? Who would have thought the spices you sprinkle atop eggnog could do the trick? "Cinnamon boasts a warm, spicy scent that can evoke feelings of comfort and warmth. This fragrance has been linked to increased alertness, focus, and even a mild aphrodisiac effect."
Rockwood adds, "Scientists at Wheeling Jesuit University discovered that when people smelled cinnamon, their attention improved and they had a better working memory. That could come in handy when you're trying to remember which party guest wanted your banana bread recipe."
PAIN RELIEF
Dr. Ko also specifically shares, "When researchers reviewed the results of over 170 trials, the findings suggested that inhaled essential oils may have some benefits for pain. The Arthritis Foundation suggests that certain oils work better than others for pain relief."
BERGAMOT blended with LAVENDER
(It's common for aromatherapists to blend scents to create a desired response. Again, doctors blend medications all the time until they find the right balance.)
GINGER
This scent, Ko suggests, is excellent when paired with a massage.
GREEN APPLE
If you have a headache, try the scent of green apple. Ko mentioned this as having specific properties that target cranial pain.
While aromatherapy obviously can't be the end all for serious physical or mental ailments, research continues to show that it can be extremely beneficial. So if all of this feels overwhelming, grab some lavender and take a whiff. You might just feel a tad calmer.
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Lavender flowers in the evening. Photo by 
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12 non-threatening leadership strategies for women
We mustn't hurt a man's feelings.
Men and the feels.
Note: This an excerpt is from Sarah Cooper's book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings.
In this fast-paced business world, female leaders need to make sure they're not perceived as pushy, aggressive, or competent.
One way to do that is to alter your leadership style to account for the fragile male ego.
Should men accept powerful women and not feel threatened by them? Yes. Is that asking too much?
IS IT?
Sorry, I didn't mean to get aggressive there. Anyhoo, here are twelve non-threatening leadership strategies for women.
Encourage.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When setting a deadline, ask your coworker what he thinks of doing something, instead of just asking him to get it done. This makes him feel less like you're telling him what to do and more like you care about his opinions.
Sharing ideas.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don't want your male coworkers to think you're getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just "thinking out loud," "throwing something out there," or sharing something "dumb," "random," or "crazy."
Email requests.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pepper your emails with exclamation marks and emojis so you don't come across as too clear or direct. Your lack of efficient communication will make you seem more approachable.
Idea sharing.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
If a male coworker steals your idea in a meeting, thank him for it. Give him kudos for how he explained your idea so clearly. And let's face it, no one might've ever heard it if he hadn't repeated it.
Sexism.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you hear a sexist comment, the awkward laugh is key. Practice your awkward laugh at home, with your friends and family, and in the mirror. Make sure you sound truly delighted even as your soul is dying inside.
Mansplain.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Men love explaining things. But when he's explaining something and you already know that, it might be tempting to say, "I already know that." Instead, have him explain it to you over and over again. It will make him feel useful and will give you some time to think about how to avoid him in the future.
Mistakes.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pointing out a mistake is always risky so it's important to always apologize for noticing the mistake and then make sure that no one thinks you're too sure about it. People will appreciate your "hey what do I know?!" sensibilities.
Promotions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Asking your manager for a promotion could make you seem power- hungry, opportunistic, and transparent. Instead, ask a male coworker to vouch for you. Have your coworker tell your manager you'd be great for the role even though you don't really want it. This will make you more likely to actually get that promotion.
Rude.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Sometimes not everyone is properly introduced at the start of a meeting. Don't take it personally even if it happens to you all the time, and certainly don't stop the meeting from moving forward to introduce yourself. Sending a quick note afterward is the best way to introduce yourself without seeming too self-important.
Interruptions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you get interrupted, you might be tempted to just continue talking or even ask if you can finish what you were saying. This is treacherous territory. Instead, simply stop talking. The path of least resistance is silence.
Collaboration.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When collaborating with a man, type using only one finger. Skill and speed are very off-putting.
Disagreements.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When all else fails, wear a mustache so everyone sees you as more man-like. This will cancel out any need to change your leadership style. In fact, you may even get a quick promotion!
In conclusion...
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Many women have discovered the secret power of non-threatening leadership. We call it a "secret power" because no one else actually knows about it. We keep our power hidden within ourselves so that it doesn't frighten and intimidate others. That's what makes us the true unsung heroes of the corporate world.
About the Author: Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is a writer, comedian, and author of 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings. Her new book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings, is out now.
The comedic book cover.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
A satirical take on what it's like to be a woman in the workplace, Cooper draws from her experience as a former executive in the world of tech (she's a former Googler and Yahooer). You can get the book here.
This article was originally published on 3.25.19