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HOW SCENT SIGNALS AFFECT YOUR MOOD
Smell is different from your other senses—it connects directly to the parts of your brain linked to emotion and memory.¹ That’s why certain scents can instantly remind you of a moment, a place, or how you were feeling when you last came across them.
A single scent can also shift your mood or boost your mental function, making you more focused or clear-headed.¹ Some scents can help you change pace like getting you into work mode in the morning or helping you wind down at night. Using a scent consistently across your cleansing products can help reinforce these sensory cues.
THE POWER OF STEAM
Ever notice how scents are stronger in the shower? That’s steam doing its thing. Here’s how it amplifies scents in the shower:
This combination of heat, water, and scent engages multiple senses at once, making subtle mood shifts feel immediate. It can help your brain either calm down or become more alert, depending on the fragrance you use.
WARM WATER FOR RELAXATION AND UNWINDING
Warm showers relax your muscles and nerves and lower stress hormone (cortisol) levels.² Having a warm shower before bed tells your brain it’s time to unwind, and it’s one of the easiest nighttime rituals to set you up for better sleep.
COLD WATER FOR ALERTNESS AND ENERGY
If mornings are a struggle, cold water might be your ally. Having a cold shower shocks your body, kickstarting the release of noradrenaline, a hormone that boosts energy and alertness.² It also reduces melatonin², the sleep hormone, waking you up and getting you ready for your day.
Cold showers are most effective:
- Before work or big meetings
- After a workout to speed up recovery
- Following a poor night’s sleep
- During hot weather to refresh quickly
Even finishing a warm shower with 30 seconds of cold water can give you an energizing jolt.
ENERGIZING VS. CALMING SCENTS
Fragrance choice can shape how you feel long after you turn off the water. Certain scent families have energizing effects, while others feel more calming.
Energizing scents
Bright, fresh fragrance notes are often associated with feeling more awake and mentally clear. Citrus scents like orange and grapefruit feel uplifting and energizing, while mint and eucalyptus create a cool, refreshing sensation that helps wake your senses up. Herbal notes like rosemary are also linked to sharper focus and improved alertness.
If you enjoy starting the day with a fresh, invigorating scent, try Dove Men+Care Eucalyptus + Cedar Oil Body Wash.
Calming scents
Lavender is commonly used for relaxation and stress reduction, while sandalwood has a warm, grounded scent that feels steady and balanced, making it a go-to for slowing things down. Chamomile is a gentle fragrance linked to tranquility.
For a relaxing evening shower, try Dove Men+Care Sandalwood + Cardamom Oil Body Wash. It provides a deep, warm scent profile that can help shift your mood toward rest and recovery.
HOW ROUTINE AND REPETITION WORK
Having a consistent shower routine can bring structure to your day and help you feel more grounded. Your brain will start to link that routine with positive outcomes, like feeling more switched on in the morning and winding down after a long day. Overall, you’ll feel more relaxed, balanced, and able to handle whatever comes your way.
Tips for your routine:
- Shower around the same time each day
- Choose signature scents for different moods (energizing AM vs. calming PM)
- Eliminate distractions and noise
- Finish with a mood-boosting deodorant in the same scent family as your body wash.
FAQs
Does a warm shower improve mood and sleep quality?
Yes, a warm shower can help relax muscles, lower stress, and prepare your body for sleep.
Can cold showers really increase energy and mental alertness?
Yes, cold showers trigger the body's natural wake-up response.
Why do certain scents feel more calming or energizing in the shower?
Smell connects directly to the parts of your brain linked to emotion and memory, which is why different scents can quickly influence how you feel. Some scents create a feeling of calm, like lavendar. Others stimulate you like citrus. In the shower, steam amplifies fragrance, making these effects feel even more immediate.
Are showers or baths better for mood and relaxation?
Both can support relaxation. Showers give you a faster mental reset, while baths provide deeper physical relaxation.
How often should I shower to support mental wellness?
Showering daily or every other day can support your self-care and mental wellbeing.
The benefits of showering go far beyond staying clean. Those few minutes under the water can influence how you feel, how clearly you think, and how well you switch off or reset.
Warm showers ease tension and prepare your body to relax. Cold showers wake you up and cut through morning brain fog. Fragrance works just as quickly, shifting your mood.
Repeating the same shower routine creates a simple cue that your body learns to recognize, either to start the day or prepare to wind it down. It’s a small daily habit that can set the tone for everything that follows.
References
1. Brain Health University. Can Smells Really Affect How Your Brain Works? 2025.
2. Valley Oaks Health. How Showers help with mental Health. 2022.
