Diet and exercise have long been staples of health and wellbeing. But both of these concepts are very much products of the twentieth century. They emerge from the idea that the body is a machine, similar to a car. And food and physical activity are like the engine oil that keeps the entire thing running.
Now, though, we’re learning stuff about the human body that suggests that health and wellbeing are more than purely mechanical – they’re both sensory and environmental.
Take pollution, for instance. Not only does it contain particles that harm the lungs. It also smells terrible – and that in itself could have adverse, knock-on effects on our long-term health.
The idea that smell could influence health outcomes seems a little strange. But when you review the science, it paints an exciting picture.
We know, for instance, that organic essential oils like lavender can help people to relax and unwind. Something about the fragrance appears to eliminate anxiety and helps them feel better about themselves.
Likewise, people in high-pressure industries have taken to keeping rosemary diffusers by their desks. The Mediterranean herb appears to aid in things like memory and concentration, improving cognitive performance.
The scent of orange and lemon can also be beneficial, reducing inflammation throughout the body and counteracting the consequences of metabolic syndrome.
So what’s going on here?
Researchers are interested in the idea that our olfactory experience – what we smell – could have serious knock-on effects for health and longevity – as well as the environment.
Pollution Is A Problem
Pollution, especially diesel fumes and agricultural waste, smells bad. And now, there’s evidence that this affects our stress response, just like seeing or feeling something unpleasant.
The fact that it has real effects is interesting. It could be an explanatory factor in why people who live in rural locations tend to live longer than city dwellers. It might not just be the effects of carcinogenic compounds on their lungs. It might also have something to do with how it makes them feel.
The idea that feelings can influence health is strange. But researchers have found that it plays a role in practically every population they study. People who live in close communities with plenty of social support seem to live longer than those who don’t. Our thoughts, it would seem, translate into physical processes that encourage survival.
There’s also a chemical story here.
Researchers believe, for instance, that rosemary is health-promoting because it contains compounds that tell our body’s defenses to activate cell maintenance from the inside out. Smelling those compounds could be doing the same thing as eating them, providing the necessary signal that our bodies need to repair themselves.
Whatever is going on, being surrounded by pleasant smells should be a top priority. It is eco-friendly, and a way to improve your wellbeing without damaging the environment. You can also experiment with the types of smells that work for you, depending on your needs. You could even make a cocktail of scents from different products.
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