How does aroma association influence you?

Have you ever wondered why you automatically feel relaxed once you step onto your balcony on holiday? I always thought it was because of the bright blue skies, brilliant sunshine and feeling of warmth blanketing your entire being.

Now, I am not sure this is entirely true. Our sense of smell has a strong influence on our feelings and emotions. Recently, I arrived at our apartment in the Valencia region of Spain at 1.30 in the morning. I had been driving for 6 hours and hadn’t slept very well for over a week. I was definitely feeling tired but wired and as a result more than a little bit anxious.

Walking onto the balcony in the pitch black meant I wasn’t struck by a bright blue sky or the sun and the breeze was decidedly cool. However, that feeling of instant calm and relaxation washed over me anyway. Why was this?

Simple, it’s a first hand example of aroma and association. On the balcony my olfactory system (sense of smell) was awakened by the beautiful warm, dry musky scent from the Mediterranean pines mingling with the delicately floral oriental jasmine flowers. This aroma blend immediately triggered my memories of happy, relaxing Mediterranean holidays and as a result I felt calm and at peace.

So, in this instance my olfactory system helped me instantly relax whilst on holiday but it also woke me at 2.00 one morning feeling fearful and in “fight or flight” mode. I realised I could smell smoke and on further investigation the valley was blanketed in smoke. Unfortunately, a lightning strike nearby had caused a fire when it caught tinder dry wasteland behind the nearby village. Luckily the fire was quickly controlled and nobody had to evacuate but it is another example of the importance and influence our sense of smell can have on our emotions. My sense of smell triggered my basic survival instinct whilst I was asleep!

How can we use aroma and association in our everyday lives?