Flowers, bark, stems, leaves… The smells felt in nature promote relaxation, joy and positive general well-being.
- The absence of odors improved physical well-being, providing a purifying environment through the elimination of pollution and unwanted odors associated with urban areas, and thus allowing relaxation.
- Relaxation reduces stress and lowers cortisol levels, which are often associated with the onset of several diseases.
Walking in a park, a forest or even in meadows is good for our morale. According to researchers at the University of Kent in England, it is the smells felt in nature that help us to be relaxed, happy and healthy. To reach this conclusion, they carried out a study, the results of which were published in the journal Ambiance (A Journal of Environment and Society).
Several types of human well-being
“While there is research establishing a link between odors and well-being, it mainly focuses on odors as a source of nuisance or crime. It is clear that odors have a predominant influence, but knowledge on the link between nature, smells and well-being remain very incomplete”, the scientists said.
As part of this work, the team examined how odors experienced in nature contribute to human well-being during the four seasons. According to the results, odors affected several types of human well-being, with physical well-being being mentioned most often, particularly in relation to relaxation, comfort and rejuvenation.
Smells linked to childhood memories
According to the authors, scents felt in nature evoked childhood memories. Many people have made connections with particular smells, rather than the forest itself, and associated them with a memorable event.
“Nature is a multi-sensory experience and our research demonstrates the potential importance of scent to well-being. The study provides findings that can inform the work of practitioners, public health specialists, politicians and landscapers seeking to improve well-being outcomes through nature. Small interventions could have public health benefits,” said Jessica Fisher, lead author of the work, in a statement.
