Ah, the wonderful world of home fragrance - we love it, don't we?!
Candles, reed diffusers, wax melts, room sprays, essential oil burners; the possibilities - and fragrances - are endless...and for good reason.
Of all our senses, smell is the most powerful. This in-built superpower can transport you back to memories long forgotten in a way nothing else can. You agree, right? You've had those moments too? Yup, thought so ;)
Whether it’s your grandfather’s pipe tobacco or the aftershave your husband wore on your first date (Davidoff Cool Water btw - so nineties but still so...*sigh*), scents have the ability to momentarily transport you back to your younger years.
But it doesn’t stop there. Not only does smell give us the ability to become time travellers, scientific studies have shown that certain scents can genuinely influence your mood. A secret weapon in the comfort of your home no less.
The million-dollar question is – with so many options available, which scent do you choose for which mood?!
To make finding the fragrance – and the feeling – you’re looking for that little bit easier here’s a list of our top six mood boosters. Oh, and be sure to stick around til the end - there may or may not be (there is) a freebie for you :)
BERGAMOT
Grown on small trees in the Mediterranean, Bergamot is a fragrant citrus fruit the size of an orange known for being the main ingredient in Earl Grey tea. As well as finding it’s home in a hot brew, it’s often used in fragrances for it’s sweeter citrus notes. Bergamot is known to soothe the nerves and reduces stress and anxiety.
SUPERPOWER: Reduces tension
Find Bergamot in the Oak & Porter store: Coastal Road and Wood Sage & Sea Salt
JASMINE
With more than 200 species to choose from, Jasmine is a sweet, deeply rich and comforting aromatic which can often be found in perfumes. Known to promote feelings of positive wellbeing and calmness, Jasmine is the perfect choice for an end of day stress reliever.
SUPERPOWER: Calming
Find Jasmine in the Oak & Porter store: Orange Blossom & Neroli, Fresh Linen, Coastal Road and Lime, Basil & Mandarin.
SANDALWOOD
Used for centuries as the base for incense, Sandalwood is widely linked to meditation, peace and harmony. This rich and warm aromatic has an ancient history of use in aiding relaxation and emotional balance. The perfect choice if you’re feeling stressed, scientific research has found that Sandalwood can be effective in easing the symptoms of anxiety.
SUPERPOWER: Grounding
Find Sandalwood in the Oak & Porter store: Sandalwood & Cedar; Wild Honey & Amber and Wood Sage & Sea Salt.
VANILLA
The edible part of the orchid plant, Vanilla has long been a key ingredient for perfumers. It’s sweet, rich and comforting aroma promotes feelings of peace and calmness. Scientific studies have shown that smelling vanilla can act as an antidepressant and increase feelings of joy and relaxation.
SUPERPOWER: Elevates your mood
Find Vanilla in the Oak & Porter store: Madagascan Vanilla and Wild Honey & Amber.
YLANG YLANG
Ylang Ylang is one of the most extensively used natural materials in the perfume industry. Meaning “flower of flowers” in its native Philippines, Ylang Ylang oil is taken from the star shaped flowers of the Cananga tree. Studies have shown that this soft floral aromatic can assist in alleviating stress and anxiety by increasing feelings of calmness.
SUPERPOWER: Promotes relaxation
Find Ylang Ylang in the Oak & Porter store: Orange Blossom & Neroli
CITRUS
Featuring the likes of lemon, mandarin and grapefruit rather than the sweeter citrus notes of Bergamot, the vibrant and invigorating aromatics of the citrus family are the ideal choice for those times when you’re fatigued and need to feel more alert and energised. The uplifting properties of the citrus family are known to be beneficial when you’re feeling anxious or run down.
SUPERPOWER: Energising
Find the citrus family in the Oak & Porter store: Lime, Basil & Mandarin, Coastal Road and Wood Sage & Sea Salt.
So there you have it - our top six mood boosters. Naturally, the list doesn't stop there - lavender, eucalyptus, almond and cinnamon are just a few more that I'll cover at a later date. Be sure to sign up to our spam-free (!) emails to stay in the loop when that little nugget's released.
OK, on to that freebie I promised you. I'm a firm believer in making life as easy as possible so to save you hunting down this post when you're next in the market for home fragrance, here's a handy little downloadable cheat sheet version of The Ultimate Guide to Mood Boosting Scents. Just a little something to say a big ol' thank you for hanging out with me today :)
Until next time!