The magic about sense of smell
We all know how a smell can be, and instantly transport us to another time or a place, or be a powerful reminder of someone we may not have seen for years. The emotional impact of the sense of smell is often overlooked as is its effect on mood and communication.
The sense of smell is an important but poorly understood factor in human communication. It is hard to define smells and to talk about them, but they can send important chemical messages to those around us. It is no surprise that fragrance is a multi-billion dollar industry.
Effects
- It is thought that smells can affect us at very basic levels, such as moods, emotions, immune system health, endocrine system responses and overall health. Some researchers believe that much of olfactory feedback is done at an instinctive level and bypasses conscious thought.
Memory
- Smell is thought to be the sense that triggers memories most effectively. Determining which smells have positive ramifications for most people can affect nonverbal communication. But do we realize at the time how the smell is seeping into our memory? Probably not. A particular smell can remind you of a training session years later, so remember this when venues are chosen and prepared.
- Fragrance experts have researched which basic smells consistently convey personality traits. Intelligence is signaled by cedar, orange, lime, cinnamon and peppermint. Kindness is indicated by vanilla, jasmine and lemongrass. Pepper, marjoram, basil and tangerine denote humor and playfulness. Safety is conveyed by orange, sandalwood and frankincense. Think about the fragrance you choose...….what does it say about you? Would you wear the same fragrance at work and with your nearest and dearest?
According to Michael Argyle in "Social Interaction," although humans emit signals through perspiration that indicate emotional state, Westerners minimize these odors and keep enough social distance from each other so that these clues are diminished. Think of the smell of the dentist, or a hospital - underneath the chemical smells is the smell of fear and distress which probably adds to the tension people feel.
Think of what you can smell right now. Had you noticed before? How does it make you feel?
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Source:ehow.
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