Pleasing pong: Researchers at Radox found that smells associated with the home are those that females find most uplifting
When it comes to down days many of us turn to chocolate for the perfect pick-me-up, however it appears there is a lower calorie alternative.
According to a new survey, it could take as little as a whiff of our favourite scent to cheer ourselves up.
The nationwide poll, commissioned by Radox to find the nation's top mood boosters, revealed that when it comes to pleasing pongs women favour the scent of lemon while men prefer the smell of sizzling bacon.
The results of the survey showed that women fine smells associated with the home most pleasing, with freshly baked bread (15 per cent) second only to lemon, followed by clean sheets (12 per cent) and newly cut flowers (nine per cent).
Men tended to opt for smells associated with food, with sizzling bacon taking the top spot (19 per cent) followed by bread (16 per cent), coffee (11 per cent) and fish and chips (8 per cent).
However, most men agreed that when it comes to feeling uplifted they find a visual stimulus more effective.
The top sights guaranteed to put men in a good mood are an attractive woman (55 per cent), followed by a beautiful beach (40 per cent) and watching a game of football (37 per cent).
Researchers found that while the sexes differ over what gives them an instant uplift, they are most in need of a pick-me-up at the same time - 3.56pm - just before the 4pm slump.
Professor Tim Jacob, an expert in the science of smell at Cardiff University, says that women's preference for scent over the visual stimuli could be explained by their heightened sense of smell.
'Women have a better sense of smell than men, because their brains are wired to process scents more acutely.
Sizzling scent: Men prefer the smells of food when it comes to a quick pick-me-up
'This evidence explains the findings that women identify scent as giving them the ultimate uplift whereas men are shown to be more visual.'
Other than smells, the survey found that both men and women turned to other indulgences to make them feel uplifted.
More than a quarter of the people polled (28 per cent) said a kiss from a loved one perks them up, followed closely by a shower (16 per cent) and spending time with family and friends (14 per cent).
Following their research, toiletries company Radox is transforming one of Britain's busiest railway stations, Waterloo, into a mood-boosting scented station.
For one day, uplifting scents will waft through the concourse, in a bid to brighten the mood of commuters.
Libby Sherriff, assistant brand manager at Radox, says that she hopes that what thier research has found will help them produce an exhilarating experience.
'As the research shows, the transformative power of scent is key in boosting and brightening Brits moods.
'To treat commuters, we'll be pumping mood boosting fragrances throughout Waterloo station, to give commuters an instant lift and pick-me-up.'
OUR PERFECT PICK-ME-UPS: WHAT CHEERS UP THE NATION
Top Five Mood Boosting Scents:
MEN
- Sizzling bacon (19 per cent)
- Freshly baked bread (16 per cent)
- Coffee (11 per cent)
- Fish and chips (8 per cent)
- The seaside (8 per cent)
WOMEN
- Lemon (34 per cent)
- Freshly baked bread (15 per cent)
- Clean sheets (12 per cent)
- The seaside (10 per cent)
- Flowers (9 per cent)
Top Five Mood Boosting Sights:
MEN
- An attractive female (55 per cent)
- A beautiful beach (40 per cent)
- Watching sport (37 per cent)
- A juicy steak (37per cent)
- People laughing (36 per cent)
WOMEN
- A cute animal (54 per cent)
- A beautiful beach (53 per cent)
- A baby smiling (52 per cent)
- Flowers (48 per cent)
- People laughing (46 per cent)
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2728864/Need-pick-All-takes-lemon-Citrus-scent-mood-booster-women-men-smell-sizzling-bacon.html#ixzz3AqpKbseB
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
