We all know how much a scent can shape our feelings about a place. It can instantly make us love or dislike a space, and it has the power to enhance or even spoil our memories. So, what’s behind this strong connection to scent?

Our sense of smell is uniquely tied to our memories, more so than any other sense. This is because it gets processed by the olfactory bulb, which sends information directly to areas in the brain linked to emotions and memory, like the amygdala and the hippocampus. In a nutshell, scents can influence our feelings, memories, and even how we learn in a way that other senses can’t quite match.

Now, let’s think about habits. Behavioral science tells us that every habit starts with a cue. This cue signals your brain about which habit to activate, followed by a reward that reinforces the idea that this habit is beneficial and worth keeping around. Over time, our brains start to anticipate and crave these cues, which helps build a habit. It’s all part of a straightforward three-step loop.

This understanding can really help us create new habits. Essentially, we just need to develop a cue that will eventually spark a craving for our new habit. And since scents have such a strong impact on us, we can cleverly use them as the first cue in our new routines or rituals.

So, if you’re aiming to slow down or focus better, consider how scent can assist you on this journey. Taking the time to choose your incense, setting it up, lighting it, and letting the fragrance fill your space can turn into a comforting routine that gradually evolves into a meaningful ritual.