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What smell evokes memories for you?
Maybe it's the aroma of freshly baked bread that brings you back to your grandmother's kitchen. Or the scent of vanilla that reminds you of hot summers eating ice cream as a kid.
When a smell travels through your nose into the brain, it can trigger the release of feel-good endorphins and serotonin. Smell, almost more than any other sense, has the power to bring back fond memories, change your mood, ease your tension, and boost your mental clarity.
Here are three essential oils that can transform your mood and help you smell your way back to calm and happy. Take a whiff of them the next time you're tired, foggy, or stressed out, and feel yourself relax right away.
1. Citrus essential oils
Citrus oils can boost your mood and bring back the joy in your life. Orange, lemon, lime, bergamot, and tangerine are great scents for bringing peace and happiness to the mind and body; relieving nervousness, anger, and irritation; and evoking a sense of calm.
2. Rosemary and peppermint
I often turn to peppermint for a quick boost of energy during afternoon slumps or long drives. Rosemary is great for memory and learning new concepts. When diffused together, these two oils can enhance focus and memory. I actually donate them to my kids' classrooms every year!
3. Tree essential oils
Tree essential oils like frankincense, cypress, spruce, sandalwood, and cedarwood are known for their grounding effects. Frankincense and hinoki are used in religious services to facilitate meditation. Feeling off balance and need some emotional stability? These oils
will do the trick.
The best way to use essential oils is through inhalation. Just hold a bottle under your nose, breathe deeply, and enjoy the results! You can also diffuse essential oils in a cool mist diffuser and spread the happy to the entire room.
