Hooked on mowing!! Gardeners everywhere are going to hear about this one and rejoice! Scientific research has determined that mowing your lawn is actually really good for you! As it turns out freshly mowed grass not only smells really wonderful but it also releases some 5 different hormones that all contribute to the aromatic fragrances - and they make you feel better too!
In Australia researchers are conducting intense studies that have shown the positive, calming effects of freshly mowed grass. In fact they are creating a product you can spray on yourself to reduce stress (they are calling it Serenascent as in "serene".)
The scent works… “directly on the brain, affecting the two regions responsible for emotion and memory,” according to Nick Lavidis, a neuroscientist at the University of Queensland. He also reports that, “these two areas are responsible for the flight or fight response and the endocrine system, which controls the releasing of stress hormones like corticosteroids.” He goes on to explain that the scent of freshly cut grass helps regulate those areas, calming the mind, the body and the soul!
“Our product can be used as a room spray or a personal spray on bed linen, a handkerchief or clothing,” explained Lavidis, “Down the track we will look at incorporating the feel good chemicals into other products such as cosmetics and perfume.”
So what all of this research boils down to is that we have a basic understanding that the smell of freshly mowed grass is good for you and helps you improve your memory. Well, I cannot speak to how well it improves my memory but I do know that I love the smell of freshly cut grass and I have always found it calming.
So do you need to de-stress? Go mow your lawn,! Right now it is the only way to get that smell and to breathe in those 5 frangrant hormones that deliver that calming ‘ahhh moment’. So stop putting it off, because now even science tells you that you will feel better after you mow the darn lawn!
Happy Gardening.
In Australia researchers are conducting intense studies that have shown the positive, calming effects of freshly mowed grass. In fact they are creating a product you can spray on yourself to reduce stress (they are calling it Serenascent as in "serene".)
The scent works… “directly on the brain, affecting the two regions responsible for emotion and memory,” according to Nick Lavidis, a neuroscientist at the University of Queensland. He also reports that, “these two areas are responsible for the flight or fight response and the endocrine system, which controls the releasing of stress hormones like corticosteroids.” He goes on to explain that the scent of freshly cut grass helps regulate those areas, calming the mind, the body and the soul!
“Our product can be used as a room spray or a personal spray on bed linen, a handkerchief or clothing,” explained Lavidis, “Down the track we will look at incorporating the feel good chemicals into other products such as cosmetics and perfume.”
So what all of this research boils down to is that we have a basic understanding that the smell of freshly mowed grass is good for you and helps you improve your memory. Well, I cannot speak to how well it improves my memory but I do know that I love the smell of freshly cut grass and I have always found it calming.
So do you need to de-stress? Go mow your lawn,! Right now it is the only way to get that smell and to breathe in those 5 frangrant hormones that deliver that calming ‘ahhh moment’. So stop putting it off, because now even science tells you that you will feel better after you mow the darn lawn!
Happy Gardening.
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