No matter how much you might enjoy the freedom of being behind the wheel, everything can feel repetitive and boring when you do it too often. And with many of us on busy schedules involving commutes, dropping the kids off at school and clubs, and nipping to the shops for milk and weekly groceries, it’s unsurprising if driving has started to feel like a chore.
While there’s no way to avoid driving altogether (not until teleportation is invented, anyway), you can at least make it more enjoyable by improving your in-car environment. And one of the best ways to do this is with smell.
Research has found that scent can affect mood, concentration, emotion, and memory recall. So, fill your car with the right car air freshener scents, and you’ll be well on the way to a happier, more enjoyable drive.
Here are six car air freshener scents that will make you want to get back in the driver’s seat once more.
Citrus Zest
Citrus is a fresh, energising scent that keeps you awake and alert, making it ideal for long drives. You have a few different scents to choose from here, including lemon, orange, and grapefruit, all of which smell delicious and should help you stay focused behind the wheel.
Lavender
If you’re after something to calm you down on a stressful drive, go for a lavender-scented air freshener. When you’re stuck in stop-start traffic or you’re still seething about something a colleague said at work, take a deep breath and enjoy the calm, soothing atmosphere created by your air freshener.
For bonus de-stressing effects, use a site like Make My Fresher to create a custom air freshener with a photo that’s bound to make you smile, like your pet or your kids.
New Car Smell
The “new car” scent is a favourite for a reason. Your car might be a good few years (or even decades) old, but you’ll get it smelling much younger with an air freshener that gives off a clean, almost leathery scent of a brand-new vehicle. If you want your car to feel freshly detailed, this is the scent for you.
Vanilla Bean
Back to another soothing car air freshener scent, vanilla is known for being warm and comforting, with the added bonus of being long-lasting. Vanilla is often touted as universally enjoyable and even the most popular scent in the world, thanks to its soft sweetness that isn’t too overpowering.
Ocean Breeze
If you want your drives to transport you to a favourite vacation, go for an ocean breeze-scented air freshener. This scent is crisp and airy with hints of salt and freshness, making it ideal if you prefer something light and cooling that feels like a summer road trip, even in the middle of a downpour.
Coffee or Mocha
Tired of sweet smells? If you’re often in the car on early morning commutes or school drop-offs, you’ll wake your brain up with a coffee or mocha-scented air freshener. Whether you’re a coffee addict or not, you’ll love this familiar, cosy odour that’s oddly effective at making the car feel inviting.
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