Wake up and smell the roses — or lavender, or any of a vast bouquet of scents. Not only will it be a pleasure, it just might boost your mental health.  

A new study shows that a decline in or loss of your sense of smell can be linked to inflammation and any of 139 medical conditions, from Alzheimer's disease to depression, sexual dysfunction, restless leg syndrome, and Zika/Guillain-Barre syndrome.

But other studies show that providing yourself with an enriched exposure to various odors can help protect your memory and actually encourage you to be more physically active and adventurous.

It can also slow the progression of dementia.

Researchers from UC Irvine found that when people ages 60 to 85 were exposed to a different pleasing smell (rose, orange, eucalyptus, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, and lavender) for two hours a night for a week, their memory, language skills, and emotional well-being improved 226%.

Another study found that being exposed to four scents twice a day for five months boosted verbal skills and reduced depression. That's because when your brain registers an aroma, it affects your blood pressure, emotions, breathing, and memory.

In addition, using aromatherapy for a couple of hours a night may raise your spirits, sharpen your wits, and make the room smell great. But talk to your doctor first if you have allergies, asthma, are pregnant, or have high blood pressure.

For information on how to give it a try, check out aeroscena.com.