With seasonal depression kicking in and holiday chaos just around the corner, we could all use some more calm in our lives. Enter our sense of smell, a powerful medium that has the ability to affect our mood with a single sniff. (And IDK about you, but I could use many stress-relieving sniffs right about now.) I’m going to start off by saying this—fragrance is subjective, and any fragrance that you personally like is going to be stress-relieving for you. That being said, there are certain botanical extracts (made from plants, leaves, citrus peels, and flower petals, etc) that are scientifically shown to have aromatherapy benefits. From mists and sprays to oils and creams, these essential oils are compounded into beauty products that you can roll on your temples, spritz on your pillow, or rub into your body to de-stress instantly. The benefits of these fragrances are doubled come nighttime, which is why wearing some fragrances to bed may not be worst idea if you’re not overly sensitive to it. According to Brittany Hogan, aromatherapist and founder of Nefertem Holistic Skincare, “studies have shown that inhalation of specific essential oils before and during sleep can decrease the time it takes to fall asleep, reduce wake-up times during the night, and improve a sense of vitality the following day.” Here’s how it works: When we enjoy what we smell, a domino effect happens because of how the body is wired. “Enjoyment of the scent helps the pupils to dilate, and your body will produce chemicals that can encourage the smooth muscle of blood vessels to relax,” says Kelly Fowler, an aromatherapy expert and an instructor at The Soma Institute. “When your body goes through that vasodilation process, your blood pressure lowers, and heart rate slows a little, which is a signal of calmness and relaxation.” A few examples? Lavender, eucalyptus, and lemongrass, which studies have shown can do things like increase quality of sleep, elevate mood, and even decrease anxiety. And in true Ask a Beauty Editor fashion, I’ve of course made sure to include several standout products below. To buy: $95; thenueco.com To buy: $8, bathandbodyworks.com To buy: $144; sephora.com To buy: $10, jrwatkins.com To buy: $115, diptyqueparis.com
