During Mental Health Awareness Week, there’s often a lot of focus on what we should be doing to feel better. Better routines, more movement, more mindfulness. And while all of those things have their place, sometimes the most effective changes are the simplest ones.
Like your environment!
The way your home feels, looks and smells can have a real impact on how you move through your day. Scent in particular plays a much bigger role than people realise! It’s processed through the limbic system, the part of the brain linked to mood, emotion and memory, which is why certain smells can instantly make you feel calmer, clearer or more grounded...
At Soul, that’s something we build every range around. Not just how it smells and looks, but how it makes you feel and how it can impact your mental wellbeing!
Struggling with anxiety or sleep?
Some scents are well-known for helping to ease anxiety, Lavender, for example, is one of the most widely recognised for its relaxing properties! Similarly, ylang ylang is often used to help slow things down, supporting a more settled, balanced feeling when your mind won’t switch off. You can find notes designed to soothe anxiety and aid sleep in our flagship range - Relax.
Stressed and overwhelmed?
Jasmine is often associated with easing stress making it a great choice for busy or overwhelming days when you need to feel a bit more balanced. You can find Jasmine, alongside notes of lemon and orange in our Aurum range.
Need a mood boost?
Then there are scents designed to bring brighten the mood and lift your energy too! Citrus notes like lemon and orange are known for their ability to boost mood and increase alertness. They can help you feel more refreshed and ready to take on the day, especially when your energy is low or your space feels a little flat. Our Believe range, with raspberry and lime is brilliant for this.
Struggling to focus?
Nero is perfect for the home office or anywhere you need to try and focus. Grapefruit, bergamot and lime are all linked to alertness and mental clarity, they help cut through brain fog and give you that “switched on” feeling! Clove, patchouli, labdanum and amber add depth and grounding, so instead of feeling jittery or overstimulated, you feel more steady and in control.
Simply need a little emotional reset?
Not sure quite what you're feeling but you know you need something? We recommend Recover. Eucalyptus and rosemary help cut through that foggy, overwhelmed feeling, while the citrus and herbal notes make everything feel lighter and cleaner. It’s very much a “fresh air through the house” kind of scent - and the citronella make it perfect for the summer months too, as a natural fly repellant!
TL:DR
Supporting your mental wellbeing doesn’t always have to mean big, dramatic changes. Often, it’s about small, intentional shifts that make your day feel that little bit easier. Lighting a candle in the evening, flipping your diffuser reeds in the morning, or spritzing your pillow before bed can all help create a space that works with you, not against you!
If you’re not sure where to start, start with how you want to feel, and build your space from there.