Chocolate Week 2024: Here’s Why You Should Smell Your Choc For A Mood Boost

With Chocolate Week taking place 16th-22nd October, did you know that the scent of chocolate alone can help release endorphins in the brain, and contribute to making you feel more energised and refreshed in the morning.

Almost seven in ten Brits (68%) report feeling tired when they wake up in the morning, with 40% admitting to hitting the snooze button before getting up. Reviva Coffee have revealed their top scents to supercharge your mornings. They also partnered with Dr. Hana Patel, to provide insight into the medical benefits of these scents.

Key Findings
The scent of coffee beans has been shown to boost attentiveness, energy, and promote brain health.
The scent of chocolate can release endorphins in the brain, helping to boost mood.
Studies show peppermint can contribute to protecting neurons, and help increase cognitive function.

Five scents that can help kick-start your mornings

1. Coffee beans

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Many people start the morning with a coffee in order to boost their energy levels and start the day right. However, it has been scientifically proven that the smell of coffee beans alone can boost attentiveness and energy. The scent of coffee has also been shown to lower the risk of stress and low mood, as well as promoting a healthy brain.

2. Lemongrass

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Known for its numerous mental and physical health benefits, lemongrass can help reduce stress and anxiety, as well as helping to treat high blood pressure and headaches. By reducing stress, lemongrass can contribute to an improved mood, giving you a much needed lift in the mornings. Its scent is known to be energising, and can help to banish mental fatigue.

3. Orange

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Citrus scents are known for their incredible ability to increase serotonin levels (the happy hormone), so it is no wonder that orange makes the list. Orange aromas can contribute to reduced norepinephrine levels (the stress hormone), helping to reduce your morning tensions and give you a natural energy boost to kick-start your day.

4. Chocolate

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Chocolate is a loved treat among many, but the scent of chocolate alone has been shown to have many psychological benefits. Chocolate contains compounds such as phenylethylamine, which triggers the release of endorphins in the brain, contributing to improved mood. In addition, scents of chocolate can help lower stress by making your brain produce serotonin, which works to help in calming you down.

5. Peppermint

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The well-known scent of peppermint is common, but many may not be aware of its medicinal benefits that can help boost your mornings. Not only can it alleviate congestion and improve breathing, but it can also encourage clear thinking, and reduce anxiety. Some studies have even shown peppermint to be able to protect neurons, and help increase cognitive function.

Dr. Hana Patel, provides commentary on the benefits of these scents:
“Medical studies have shown that inhalation of essential oils, resulted in lower perceived stress levels, as well as better sleep quality. Other studies also demonstrate the benefits of scents- psychological health benefits, like mood-lifting or elevating, easing stress, and inducing relaxation among others.

“For instance, lemongrass scents have been used in numerous anxiety studies, which have concluded that this aroma has some stress relieving effects.

“Peppermint has well-known uses as a therapeutic scent. Studies have shown that peppermint also delivers an increased 1,8-cineole that could have a positive impact at a neuro-chemical level.”

Image by Security from Pixabay

Some facts about chocolate
Chocolate was brought to Europe in 1550
The first World Chocolate Day was celebrated in 2009
About 1 billion people eat chocolate every day
Nine out of ten people love chocolate
Hot chocolate was the first chocolate treat
Chocolate can be good for you especially dark chocolate
Chocolate increases serotonin and dopamine levels which boost your mood
Dark chocolate is a source of antioxidants which improve blood flow, lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease

We might well be celebrating Chocolate Week but World Chocolate Day is 7 July every year.

Information supplied by Reviva Coffee