The surprising impact of scent on mood, productivity and wellbeing

Wellness is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity that your customers are demanding. The global wellness economy is booming, with an estimated value of $6.3 trillion US dollars in 2023. This increased focus on wellness is driving consumer behaviour, with a recent Global Wellness Institute report finding that it’s become a dominant consumer value worldwide and McKinsey’s research suggesting that Gen Z and millennials are spending more on health and wellness than older generations.

But wellness isn’t just a priority for individuals; businesses are increasingly seeking innovative ways to enhance their spaces, promote wellness and meet evolving customer expectations. For businesses like this looking to stay ahead, scenting is a must-have.

So, what exactly does wellness have to do with scent? Scents can influence how we respond to our environments physically and emotionally, impacting our moods, emotions and overall sense of wellbeing. Businesses can use this link to their advantage, scenting their spaces to promote wellness, enhance customer experiences, improve employee morale and even boost productivity.

In this blog post, we’re exploring how scents support wellness, introducing you to the fragrances proven to boost people’s moods and revealing how they can drive success and transform your business.

Scent science: your nose’s shortcut to emotions

To understand how fragrances affect our emotions, we need to look at the fascinating interplay between our sense of smell and our brains.

Unlike other senses, our sense of smell has a unique and direct pathway to the limbic system (our brain’s emotional centre). When we inhale a fragrance, the scent molecules stimulate specialised receptors in our noses. These receptors send signals to the olfactory bulb, a part of the brain responsible for processing smells. The olfactory bulb then relays this information to other brain regions, notably the amygdala (responsible for emotional processing) and the hippocampus (responsible for memory formation and retrieval).

Why scents are linked to memories and emotions

Understanding this close connection between our sense of smell and the limbic system explains why up to 75% of our emotions are affected by smell¹ and why we’re more likely to remember something we smell than something we see, hear, touch, or taste².

It means that certain scents can evoke memories due to their association with past experiences. For example, freshly cut grass might remind you of happy childhood summers, while an antiseptic smell might trigger anxieties about the dentist. It also explains why certain fragrance families and individual scents tend to be associated with specific emotional responses. For example, citrus scents like lemon and orange are often associated with energy and stimulation, while floral scents like rose are known for their relaxing effects.

In fact, several studies have investigated the effects of certain scents. For example, one study found that lavender oil was associated with signs of a more relaxed nervous system. Another study found that in workplaces, scents like lemon could improve cognitive performance and reduce errors — a scenting trial by Takasago reported that computer operator errors decreased by 54% when their workplace was scented with lemon oil.

These findings highlight scent's significant impact on our emotions, behaviour and overall wellbeing. By understanding the science behind scent and wellness, businesses can strategically develop environments that foster positive feelings, reduce stress and measurably enhance productivity.

Feel-good fragrances: scents with purpose

Alongside advances in research and understanding of the olfactory system, consumers and businesses are starting to look for fragrances that don’t just smell nice; they want scents with emotional and physical benefits. Fragrance creators are innovating in response to these changing demands, exploring how different fragrance ingredients can achieve different results.

The Wellness collection: a new chapter for commercial scenting

At Premium Scenting by Initial, we’re taking an exciting new approach to bring our customers scenting solutions that help promote wellness in their environments. Designed by blending scent science with an expert understanding of fragrance ingredients, the innovative Wellness collection features fragrances that use patented olfactive technology to influence the brain’s limbic system and boost specific emotions.

To explain how these fragrances work, we spoke with Daniela Stiehler, Initial’s air quality expert. With over 18 years of experience, Daniela’s accomplished professional history spans a range of industries and includes experience working as an Associate Principal Air Quality Engineer. She explains the technology using a musical analogy: “Imagine a single piano note. It’s just one sound. But when you combine several musical notes, you create a melody that resonates, evokes memories and enhances emotions.”

“That’s the underlying concept behind the technology. The Wellness fragrances’ properties come from carefully crafted accords — blends of fragrance notes — designed to activate specific areas of the brain associated with emotions like happiness, relaxation or energy.” Daniela says, “Just as musical notes harmonise to create a melody, these fragrance’s ingredients and notes work together to influence how people feel when they smell them.”

How do we know which emotions these scents evoke? The fragrances are meticulously tested against specific mood categories with a large panel of participants. With this testing, conducted by an external partner — a global leader in measuring non-conscious attitudes and brain science — the emotional benefits of each fragrance blend are validated:

• Wellness Energy [link to product page] is proven to elicit energy and mental clarity and promote an uplifting atmosphere. In testing, 77% of 600 participants reported enhanced feelings of energy.
• Wellness Relax [link to product page] is proven to alleviate stress, creating a soothing and relaxing atmosphere. In testing, 74% of 100 participants reported enhanced feelings of relaxation.
• Wellness Happy [link to product page] is proven to boost happy vibes and promote a joyful atmosphere. In testing, 78% of 1,100 participants reported enhanced feelings of happiness.

What does the powerful connection between scent and ‘wellness’ mean for businesses?

Scenting your business environment with the right fragrance can instantly transform your space. Using fragrances with ingredients known for their wellness benefits can go a step further, making customers feel relaxed, energised or uplifted.

In your business, choosing our wellness fragrances can help you:

• Enhance customer experiences: creating more positive and enjoyable experiences for your customers. When people feel good in your space, they stay longer, spend more and return
• Increase customer loyalty: helping people connect with your space to increase the likelihood that they’ll become repeat customers and recommend your business to others.
• Promote workplace wellness: creating atmospheres that support both physical and emotional wellbeing and foster a healthier, more engaged workforce.
• Differentiate your brand: highlighting a commitment to wellness to set your business apart. By offering a full sensory experience that customers associate with relaxation, happiness or energy, you can attract new customers and strengthen relationships with existing ones.

We can help you find the perfect Wellness fragrances for your business

As we’ve explored, the evidence is clear: scents can have a powerful impact on wellness and how we feel. If you’re ready to elevate your customer experience or employee wellbeing or would like to create more meaningful connections with your visitors, why not try our Wellness collection? Speak to one of our scent consultants to get started.