9 Scents That Can Transform Your Mood

With millions of people the world over in isolation to fight against the spread of Coronavirus COVID19, the need for positivity becomes even more critical. 

The key to happiness might be right under your nose.

These anxious and unusual times bring unforeseen difficulties. It's not always easy to rise to the challenge. 

Much as I treasure the group therapy sessions that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo leads every day in his press conferences, my lab has always been my true sanctuary. And like the rest of the world, my mood right now tends to fluctuate daily, maybe hourly if I am being honest.

To quiet the rampant coronavirus anxiety, I've turned to scent. And in part I’m living out some of my mom's wisdom—work with your hands to quiet the mind.

I’ve found solace in scents and they've helped me through countless godawful days. Creating new scents is one of the rare things I can do quite mindfully (planning out new scents a day or two ahead) or on autopilot (looking at my scent library and improvising a conception).

As the deadline for coronavirus lockdown approached, I had a giant list of raw materials I wanted during an extended quarantine. And while priorities had to be set, one basic theme emerged on my list: comfort.

AMBER
Earthy and calming with a soothing twist. Hygge is a fragrance for all genders. It maintains deep characteristics that last all day. It's like a warm, cozy hug: good to the core. It's comforting without being overbearing; and lingers in a good way.

There are times when a hug from someone you love is not possible, when well-meaning words of kindness simply will not suffice. It is then we reach for other sources of comfort – a cozy blanket, a much-loved book, a warm and cozy fragrance.

CINNAMON
Fragrances with cinnamon tend to lend themselves to the gourmand category; and not everyone want to smell like a bakery. If you do, these favorite cinnamon scents including Cinnamon Sugar and Cinnamon Caramel Swirl fit the bill.

Sage + Cinnamon is altogether different; it's fresh and comforting at the same time. The stimulating properties in cinnamon can help fight mental fatigue and improve concentration and focus.

ROSEMARY
Rosemary Mint is the perfect Monday morning pick-me-up. A powerful wake up call for your senses, this burst of refreshing herbs clears the brain fog. 

Studies have found that the smell of the herb enhanced participants ability to remember complex events and tasks, and scientists say the research could lead the way to treating memory loss. 

In addition to improving memory retention, rosemary has stimulating properties that fight physical exhaustion, headaches and mental fatigue. It's excellent to use in the mornings when one needs a bit of help getting going; or when your on your fourth Zoom meeting of the day! Power on, people.

PINE
Research has found that this festive aroma, often associated with the winter holidays, helps to reduce stress. A study conducted at Japan’s Kyoto University took a deeper look at a Japanese custom of taking a soothing forest stroll known as shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing,” and found that depression and anxiety were significantly reduced in participants on days when they walked through the country’s pine-filled woods.

CITRUS
If you’re in need of a pick-me-up, try sniffing some citrus. The smell of the vitamin C-packed fruits has been shown to boost energy and alertness, and studies have revealed that lemon scents in particular can reduce stress and leave a positive impression on others.

Thanks to over 50 years of advertising and marketing campaigns for household cleaners like Joy dish soap, we tend to associate citrus smells as clean and pleasant. Learn how to clean with lemon instead of chemicals to make your whole home smell happy.

GRAPEFRUIT LILY
Grapefruit is a famously known energizer, and a happy mood inducer, which we all need every now and then, especially right now. Grapefruit Lily smells like Spring. It's uplifting and cheerful, reminiscent of a rainbow after a stormy day. When you smell this scent, you can't help but smile.

BRIGHTSIDE
Speaking of sunshine on a cloudy day, Brightside is a powerful reprieve from dreary days. This scent promotes concentration and has calming and clarifying properties that are helpful when you're feeling angry, anxious, run down or in a funk... thank you Coronavirus. 

THE COMFORTER
If you want to experience citrus without a powerful, in-your-face burst, try The Comforter. Berry yourself under a fruity blanket. The Comforter opens with fresh citrus top notes of bergamot and orange oil blend with clove and mint on background notes of black currant, bergamot, patchouli, cypress and vanilla. It's low-key citrus and throughly enjoyable.

FRESH CUT GRASS
Put mowing the lawn at the top of your to-do list, if only because researchers in Australia have found that a chemical released by freshly cut grass can cause people to become more relaxed and even feel joy. We've bottled the scent into a spray-on fragrance. The smell is so powerful that is said to prevent mental decline as you age. 

FLOWERS
That saying about stopping to smell the roses? Maybe it should be changed to lavender or jasmine instead. Lavender is well-documented for its calming effects, even easing insomnia and depression (find out what really happens when you use lavender for stress relief), and jasmine also has been shown to boost moods. Check out these other 23 ways to lift your spirits instantly.

LAVENDER
Let us introduce you to Lavender Noir. You may have read noir and thought dark and broody. Amiright? Quite contrary, the noir leans in and puts a decadent spin on traditional, old-fashioned lavender. This scent is herbal and earthy, but with a sexy, comforting dry down that lingers in all the right ways. 

Lavender has calming properties that help control emotional stress. It has a soothing effect on nerves and can relieve nervous tension and depression. If you love lavender, you must try this scent. 

JASMINE
You know the jasmine flower only opens after dark, when the sun sets and the temperature drops. The small white flowers look like the stars the stars painted on the ceilings of the tombs of pharaohs.

The ancients knew the power of jasmine. The name is Persian. It means “a gift from God.” The Persians, the Greeks, the Egyptians all knew it had healing properties. Hands down, one of our best-selling scents; and rightfully so. Our Jasmine perfume uses pristine Jasmine Sambac for a scent that's pure, bright, clean and totally magical. 

Like lavender, jasmine it is also used to calm nerves, but this oil is also commonly used as an anti-depressant because of its uplifting capabilities that produce a feeling of confidence, optimism and revitalized energy. It is the ancient smell of calm. The cool beauty of the night. I would be amiss if I didn't mention: it's a powerful aphrodisiac that drives men wild. 

TIARE
We may not be able to escape on a tropical vacation—but White Tiare instantly transports us to paradise. Summery notes of gardenia and exotic white flowers instantly evoke the golden shores of Hawaii. This scent smells so damn good.

SUNSCREEN
Speaking of tropical beaches... If the smell of sunscreen reminds you of bright beach days and tropical getaways, you’re not alone. The scent’s positive effects are rooted in its association with stress-free vacation time, when you are typically more relaxed and happy than usual.

Beach babes, Wicked Good has you covered. Slather on your preference: Hawaiian Tropic or Coppertone. Can't decide? Try Spring Break. It's a fruity floral steeped in good vibes of sunshine and suntan lotion. 

PEPPERMINT
Cleanliness and happiness are a slice with this zingy blend of eucalyptus infusion, lemongrass oil and peppermint oil. Outback Mate will put a smile on your face with the refreshing tingle of peppermint and the uplifting aroma of lemongrass. Eucalyptus brightens your mood, making this one your best mate to spritz away the blues and leave you feeling fresh.

Try this scent when brainstorming. An energy booster, this scent invigorates the mind, promotes concentration and stimulates clear thinking.

Every dark cloud has a silver lining. You are not alone.