The Power of Smell: Scents That’ll Calm Your Mood This Christmas

Have you ever felt so enraged that you thought you had tipped past the point of return? (don’t feel guilty, we all have). Particularly so at this time of the year when stress levels reach breaking-point. You can physically feel the pressure in your body rising, and you’re suddenly feeling hot; very hot. For some, counting backwards from ten or practising deep breathing can help. For others, the answer to tranquillity (and lowered blood pressure) lies in the power of smell. We now know that there is a link between aromatherapy and happy moods, and essential oils have been used for therapeutic purposes for nearly 6,000 years. But this isn’t a story about science – it’s a story about feelings. And when you find the right scents, they make us feel very, very good. What’s more, these handy bottles o’ spritz are perfectly sized for your bag or on your desk when those too- hot-to-handle moments happen.

Here are seven try-worthy scents for any hot-headed warriors:

L’Occitane Jasmin & Bergamote Eau de Toilette – €62

Although the jasmine flowers themselves are delicate and quite feminine, jasmine is often described as the King of essences and the King of Essential oils. This eau de toilette blends absolutes from Grasse and Egypt while the bergamot essential oil from Italy balances this floral fragrance with fruity notes.

Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Intense Eau de Parfum Spray – €37.26

Green tea provides L-theanine to the body which is an amino acid shown to promote a state of calm awareness and quickly relaxes. A spritz of this renewed take on a classic Elizabeth Arden scent will leave you feeling refreshed, calm, and energised. This is a feel-good scent.

Eclectic Lady?All Natural Tea Tree Perfume Oil – €12.73

Known for its antibacterial characteristics,?Tea Tree Oil is a volatile essential oil derived from a native Australian plant that helps to kill strains of bacteria, viruses, and fungi.?As well as it’s antibacterial properties, the oil disperses a refreshing and relaxing scent. Only small spritz’s at a time are needed as the scent can be quite strong.

Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille – from €212.24

Vanilla is most often associated with food (ten scoops of vanilla ice cream, please), but the scent gives off a sweet and enticing aroma that promotes our happy feeling receptors, and, ultimately, it’s super comforting and warming. Vanilla is also a natural aphrodisiac. This Tom Ford scent is one of our ultimate favourites

Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne – €122.63

Mandarin scent gives off a balancing, uplifting and calming effect.? It is considered a favourite for upset children, and for adults it has a soft, delicate quality. Initiate peace in 3..2..1..

Chlo? Roses de Chlo? Eau De Toilette – from €67.88

The wonderfully intense, sweet and floral scent of the rose is useful in calming nervous tensions.? It is considered as a cell rejuvenator as it rebalances the psyche and it makes us just feel lovely about ourselves.?Roses de Chlo? is the perfect balance of rose essence and magnolia and is incredibly soft and gentle.