Exploring The Relationship Between Scents And Productivity

All companies spare no effort in growing their business to smell the sweet scent of success. From relying on modern technologies to optimising processes, business leaders can improve on many factors to achieve business milestones. Another such area is revamping the workplace and designing it from the ground up to spark creativity and promote productivity among employees, the driving force behind any successful business. But apart from adopting tried and tested trends like incorporating natural lighting and introducing greenery into the office, what else can business owners do to improve employee performance? Surprisingly, the answer lies in scents. Let us explore the relationship between these two and learn more about them in detail.
 
How do fragrances influence productivity?
 
Fun fact: the human sense of smell has a significant impact on the brain, further cemented by the popularity of essential oils and aromatherapy that invoke a relaxing atmosphere that fights off stress and fatigue. This is undeniably helpful in high-pressure environments like the modern office. But what exactly is the science behind the influence of scents on productivity?
 
Before we get into the details, first think back to when a particular fragrance evoked strong emotions in you. Maybe it could have been when you got a whiff of a dish that smelled just like your mum’s cooking or the scent of a perfume that a loved one used to wear. If so, you now have an idea of just how closely tied scents are to our moods. 
 
The olfactory bulbs in our brain receive neural input about everything our nose detects. As part of the limbic system, these bulbs are directly connected to the sections of the brain that handle emotions and learning. Some studies have also discovered a direct correlation between fragrances and cognitive functions such as memory and focus. In short, this means scents are highly likely to boost one’s productivity and heighten concentration at work.
 
A few more benefits of introducing scents to the workplace
 
1. Minimise stress
 
As mentioned above, the modern workplace is fraught with all sorts of responsibilities and deliverables that are certain to cause plenty of stress, negatively affecting the performance of employees. Certain fragrances can help with this issue thanks to their healing properties like ‘stress busters’.
 
Researchers from the School of Dentistry from the Meikai University of Japan discovered that fragrances like rosemary and lavender significantly decreased cortisol, the body's stress hormone. Another study conducted by Japanese researchers found that a substance found in lemons called linalool could help tone down the body’s fight-or-flight stress response. 
 
2. Boost work performance
 
Fatigue and stress are detrimental to mental clarity, which is essential in focusing on one’s task. A study conducted by the Takasago Corporation revealed that the lemon fragrance helped reduce typing errors by 54 per cent, 33 per cent with jasmine, and 20 per cent with lavender. Another research showed how clerics exposed to peppermint scents performed much better in accuracy and speed when conducting typing tasks.
 
3. Inspire creativity
 
Scents neutralise odours that may negatively affect an employee’s mood. According to assistant professor Rachel S. Herz of Brown University, people become more creative in their problem solving when exposed to pleasant scents compared to foul ones.
 
Conclusion 
 
Given today’s demanding work culture, it only makes sense for business leaders to do what they can to promote the well-being of their staff and invest in the things that will enable them to work at the top of their game constantly. If you are interested in introducing some pleasant smalls into the office space, we suggest you make your fragrance with your team first and ask for their preferences. Contact Perfume Workshop today to get started on your office’s fragrant makeover!