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Can We Control Our Destiny With Smells?
- Her Zen Academy
- Mar 31, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 31, 2021
By Rebecca McGranahan
Proustian memory effect theory suggests that in a matter of milliseconds, a scent can evoke
a strong positive or negative memory. Many of these memories are subconscious and are
developed in early childhood. As a result, the perfume industry is overrun with elixirs promising success and instant sex appeal to anyone who'll douse themselves in a signature fragrance. This industry, skilled in human psychology, understands that good memories equal good sales.
We are drawn to scents that make us feel good and evoke positive memories both
conscious and subconscious. While most of these memories lie in the subconscious and are beyond our control, it's important to note that each person has different life experiences, thus each person's emotional reaction to an odor is unique.
If Proust's theory is accurate, we must ask ourselves "could we maximize our daily
performance simply by manipulating what we smell? Is it possible that one scent could create a positive mindset that would result in better decision making? Could those better decisions give us the confidence and the critical edge to succeed? Perhaps these questions sound absurd but according to research, yes! It's possible!
In his article “How Does Scent Drive Human Nature”, Christopher Bergland states:
“the scents that you choose to surround yourself with can drive your personal
behavior in positive ways. The scents that you surround yourself with are in
the locus of your control. You can put yourself in the driver's seat and use
fragrance as a tool to create a particular mindset and increase your motivation
to achieve a target behavior."
All this fuss over smells has the aromatherapy industry booming as
athletes and executives alike learn to manipulate their memories and
mindsets with scents that maximize their performance.
Perhaps if each of us were to find a way to surround ourselves with scents
that evoke a happy and positive mind set, we could control our frame of mind,
our decisions and ultimately, our destinies.
What are your favorite scents and how do they affect you?
*How Does Scent Drive Human Behavior?
Scents that evoke positive memories motivate decision-making.
Posted Jun 29, 2015; Bergman, Andrew, Psychology Today
Written by: Rebecca McGranahan
Assistant Blog Writer
Certified Holistic Living Advocate
Amazing how a sense of smell can be Improved , i just took it for granted ,never really paid attention , had heard of all the memory stuff , but it didn't really affect me , after all when
n you got Big Dreams and Surviving to do smells are the last thing to give energy to, great , whatever , yuk LOL...since allowing myself to slow down and smelll those Roses we are Blessed to have , i did have an experience recently withDill , i had eaten it before but when i did my yoga training its the first time i had to go to the garden for dinner, and yes we used to get fresh dill …
Yes bringing our awarns to scents..its like we have to detox our nose as well ,ya?
relearning to smell?
the Magic of aromatherapy blends is they have the ability to change our mood and overall health , our Energy Intention and Manner have a great effect on outcome and Experience i noticed one must have Patience and Precision amongst there skills
Beautiful, lovely, funky, fabulous scents , smells, aromas to all!
Thank you honey!
Mahalo Gracias Thank you ...so lovely that we can choose to experience .....scents as a Life Enhancing Art!