If you’re reading this blog, you’re almost definitely someone who reaches for a bottle of fragrance before leaving the house each morning. But have you ever thought about applying scents before you go to sleep?
According to a recent study by researchers from the University of Freiburg, Germany, exposure to certain scents during sleep can improve your performance on cognitive tasks the next day. In short: while fragrance isn’t an official superpower, it might just be the key to working more efficiently and feeling altogether better the next day.
How does this work? The researchers explained that smell is the only sense that directly reaches the brain regions involved in memory formation, like the hippocampus and the amygdala. By stimulating these areas with beautiful fragrances during sleep, they can enhance the consolidation of newly acquired information.
If you find that your memory starts to improve after spritzing your fragrance before bedtime, you may have this study to thank!
The study used rose as its main scent but this floral note isn’t the only scent that can have this effect. Other studies have shown that lavender, vanilla, jasmine, and sandalwood can also improve memory and learning during sleep.
These scents are known to have relaxing and calming properties, which can help you fall asleep faster and sleep deeper. They can also reduce stress and anxiety, which can interfere with memory formation.
So, now you know the potential of spritzing fragrance before bedtime, but how can you use perfume to boost your cognitive function?
Choose a perfume that contains one or more of the scents mentioned above, like Yardley Imperial Jasmine by Yardley London, Vanilla Musk by Coty, and Dr Teal’s Sleep Spray by Dr Teal’s. We’re big fans of Lavender by Woods Of Windsor to help us nod off, but you’re welcome to give all sorts of comforting perfumes a try. Not sure where to start? Here’s a full list of our favorite perfumes for bedtime.
You can also use essential oils or candles with these fragrances. Spray your perfume lightly on your wrists, neck, or pillow before you go to bed. Don’t overdo it, as too much fragrance can be overwhelming and irritating. Too much lavender, for example, can actually stimulate your nervous system and keep you awake for longer.
And remember that it doesn’t matter how much scent you spritz: you need your bedroom to be a welcoming, comforting place. Make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and comfortable. Avoid using your phone, computer, or TV before bed, as these can disrupt your sleep quality and prevent you from benefiting from the scent exposure.
And, lastly, try to get at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep every night. Between six and eight hours is the optimal amount of time for your brain to process and store new information.
Falling in love with the benefits of spritzing your bedroom before you sleep? Next up is to replicate the experience throughout your home using a technique called scent-scaping. Not sure what that is? We’ve got you covered with our full guide to scent-scaping here.Here at perfume.com you’ll find a huge range of incredible scents to keep you smelling delicious on all occasions. Shop our best sellers here.
Georgie Darling is a freelance lifestyle and travel writer from London, England. Her work has been published in ELLE, Yahoo, Red, Grazia, and Tripadvisor, amongst others. When she’s not writing, Georgie spends most of her time travelling to new countries and scuba diving. She’s been an avid fragrance lover since a young age and considers Alaïa by Alaïa Paris to be her signature scent.
