I noticed a connection between my focus metrics (which show how focused and productive I am) and my ability to smell the pine tree outside my office window. On the days when I could smell the pine tree, my focus metrics were 15-20% higher than normal. I checked the rest of my habits, such as how much coffee I drink, how well I slept and how much sunlight I get; none of those things varied enough to explain the connection to my focus metrics. The connection was due to the fact that my office window was open, allowing the scent of the pine tree to enter the space.
This made me realize that the relationship between scent and cognitive performance was under-examined in terms of optimizing my productivity. For example, we spend hours trying to optimize our computer monitors and ergonomic chairs, but we rarely consider how the scents around us impact our mood and ability to focus.
The olfactory system links directly to the limbic system, which is the part of the brain responsible for managing emotions and memories. There isn’t any other sensory experience that links directly to the limbic system. Therefore, when you smell a scent, it reaches your emotional processing center before your conscious mind even realizes what you are experiencing. As far as productivity optimization goes, that is a very powerful lever that many people are simply ignoring.
Therefore, I began researching the use of different natural scents in my home office. As with anything else, I tracked the data. As a warning to others who may try this, my first experiments were failures. I purchased a cheap essential oil diffuser and applied far too much pine oil to the diffuser. When my girlfriend came into my office she said it smelled like a Christmas tree had blown up in the room. That was definitely not the subtle improvement in focus that I was looking for.
However, I continued to test scents, using the diffuser at much lower levels than I previously used. In addition to tracking my focus session length, task completion rate and subjective energy level with different scent variables, I was able to find some fairly clear correlations between the use of natural scents and improved performance. However, the key phrase here is “subtle.” If I could consciously smell the scent, I had probably used too much and created a distraction.
In terms of focus, I found that the most effective scents were those that were barely detectable. The three scents that worked best for focus were conifer-based scents – pine, cypress and cedar. I found two studies conducted by researchers at Tohoku University that provided evidence supporting the effectiveness of conifer-based scents for improving focus. One of the studies demonstrated that exposure to cypress scent for just 90 seconds reduced stress markers in participants. A second study demonstrated that exposure to forest-associated scents improved concentration task performance by up to 21%.
From an evolutionary perspective, the association between forest-associated scents and improved focus makes sense. Our ancestors likely associated these scents with safe, resource-rich areas where they could focus on complex tasks without worrying about survival.
As for my evening wind-down routine, I found that the use of subtle lavender or chamomile scents resulted in improved sleep quality metrics. I track my sleep using a wearable device, therefore I could see the correlation between the scenting and improved sleep quality.
While the scenting didn’t result in dramatic improvements in my focus or sleep, the improvements were consistent enough that I will continue to use the scents as part of my daily routine.
What I find particularly interesting is how the scenting interacts with other environmental factors. I believe that the scenting amplifies the benefits of good natural lighting, plants, and natural materials in my office. It’s almost as if the scents help all the other biophilic elements in my office work better together.
During video conference calls, people frequently comment that my office looks “calming,” however I believe they’re also responding to the scent environment around them, even though they can’t consciously detect the scents through the screen.
My current experiment involves determining if different scents affect my performance differently depending on the type of task I’m completing. Do pine scents provide greater benefits for analytical work, while citrus scents stimulate creativity? While the early data indicates that there may be task-specific benefits, I need additional data points to determine if there are specific patterns.
Additionally, I am interested in identifying optimal timing patterns for introducing a scent for maximum benefit. Should I introduce the scent immediately prior to beginning my workday, or should I continually diffuse the scent throughout my workday? Additionally, does it make a difference whether I continuously diffuse the scent during my focus sessions, or if I only diffuse the scent at the beginning of each focus session?
While there is not as much research available regarding the use of scent optimization for enhancing productivity as there is for lighting and ergonomics, the existing research suggests that there is potential to leverage scent optimization to enhance productivity.
Studies regarding the effects of phytoncides – substances emitted by trees that may enhance immune function – are of particular interest for understanding the potential long-term health impacts of incorporating scent optimization into workplace design.
If you’re considering testing the use of scent optimization, start using much more subtle scents than you think you’ll need. Rather than relying solely on your perceptions regarding how you feel after using a scent, track your performance objective measures as well. Be prepared for some trial-and-error; individual differences exist in how individuals respond to scents, and the line between beneficial and distracting scents is relatively narrow.
However, given the minimal time and money required to implement scent optimization, I believe it is worth exploring as an option for improving productivity. Scent optimization should not be viewed as a substitute for good lighting, ergonomic design, or solid productivity systems; instead, I believe scent optimization should be viewed as one additional variable in the overall workspace equation that can provide incremental productivity gains.
BEGIN_TEXT This is my attempt to create a systematic plan for studying the influence of scent on my productivity. I have identified a number of different variables related to scent and I am planning to systematically test and measure their impact on my productivity. Variables include:
1. Type of scent
2. Strength of scent
3. Duration of scent exposure
4. Timing of scent introduction
5. Delivery methods for scent
6. Matching scent to local ecology
7. Individual variability in response to scent
I will be tracking and measuring a variety of different performance variables including:
1. Focus session length
2. Task completion rate
3. Subjective energy levels
4. Sleep quality
I will be using both qualitative and quantitative methods to evaluate the success of my scent optimization strategy. Quantitative methods will include tracking and analyzing performance data and comparing it to historical trends. Qualitative methods will include regular self-assessment and feedback from friends and colleagues.
I will be publishing my findings in a public forum for review and discussion. I encourage others to follow my lead and begin their own research projects designed to identify ways to optimize scent for improved productivity.
James is a data analyst who applies the same spreadsheet logic he uses at work to optimizing his home office. He experiments with light, plants, sound, and setup to see what really improves focus and energy for remote workers — and he shares the data-backed results.
