Tricking Your Brain Into Focusing
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I made a TikTok a few days ago talking about how I trick my brain into focusing, so I thought I would share more about it!
Scent and Memory
Scent is the sense most strongly linked to our memory. That’s why smelling your ex’s perfume makes you suddenly remember that last time you saw them so much more vividly than usual. There’s an actual scientific explanation for this phenomenon too, which I’m no expert in, but here’s a quote that I think sums it up pretty well:
“Smells are handled by the olfactory bulb, the structure in the front of the brain that sends information to the other areas of the body’s central command for further processing. Odors take a direct route to the limbic system, including the amygdala and the hippocampus, the regions related to emotion and memory.”
In essence, your sense of scent has a direct line to the parts of your brain that control emotion and memory.
So how does that factor into focus?
Well, when you burn a candle (or light incense, or have an oil diffuser going, or use the same lotion) every time you do something productive, you’re helping cue to your brain that it’s time to focus. If you use scent memory correctly, you can start an association between productivity and the scent of your favorite candle (or other scented objects).
As someone with ADHD, I struggle to sit down and focus on tasks. I’ve found that creating a routine that I follow before I start to do work is really helpful because it shifts my mindset and lets me know that it’s time to be productive.
Some scents that are known for being good for focusing include lavender, lemon, rosemary, cinnamon, and peppermint. Personally, I just use whatever seasonal candles I have out and this trick still works for me!
Safety Precautions
I got a handful of comments from people that started house fires because they forgot a candle, so make sure that you’re being careful to avoid this! Personally, I’ve found that if I place the candle directly in my line of sight I don’t forget about it because I have to see it before I get up and do anything else.
If you’re worried about forgetting, you can always use an alternative like incense, an essential oil diffuser, or a wax melter. Since both these options illicit a strong scent, you can use them the same way as you use candles.
In a Library or Office?
If you’re working in a public place, you obviously can’t light a candle or burn incense. However, you still have options! A strongly scented lotion will work well (plus you can moisturize, so it’s a win-win). An essential oil rollerball is also a great alternative because you don’t have to worry about slippery hands if you’re using scent memory to study for a test or quiz.
In Conclusion
This ADHD trick really helps me focus while I’m working from home and it’s also how I finished the second draft of my novel. I hope that it can help you as well!
If you tried this out, leave a comment and let me know! I would love to hear about what scents you use.
