To me, fall is cozy and stress free. Bundled up from the cold imbibing in hot, sweet drinks at night always leads to a sense of calm for me. But I know that the pre-holiday times for many people are very stressful. Coupled with the cold weather, the later part of the year is definitely not everyone’s favorite season. Understandable! And whatever kind of person you are, there are ways to make these months a little easier on you or just more enjoyable. One of my favorite ways to do that is through scent. Mm, scent. Incense, candles, essential oils, whatever method used to fill your space with those warming feelings is totally up to you; here are some scents to look for:
Cinnamon– warming, spicy and said to help in aiding memory as well.
Pumpkin scents– of course, with Starbucks raking it in on their pumpkin spice lattes this time of year, we’re bound to see pumpkin spiced everything just about everywhere. That’s fine with me! It’s soothing and just screams Halloween 😉
In a study on human’s reactions to scent it was shown that men are positively attracted, even aroused, by the mix of pumpkin spice/pie scent mixed with lavender. Simply add the two essential oils together in your burner and voila, instant mood creator. Another scent combination with the same effect is cinnamon and ylang ylang. Both rich and wintery scents.
Apple– Instead of an apple scented candle, you can naturally get your home to smell like an apple pie by baking a pie or by baking just the apple! A favorite of mine is coring the apple and putting 1-2 cinnamon hard candies inside then baking away.
Vanilla bean– You can use vanilla essential oil and add it to a pot of water or cider if you’d like and keep it on simmer. Or you can go the traditional candle route, too. Vanilla bean is the perfect scent for people who don’t want too much but want that warming scent. It’s relaxing yet fresh.
Bringing the outdoor in is my favorite way to naturally get fall scents. Grab some leaves, collect some pine, throw some apples into a bowl and onto the table after pressing cloves into the flesh.
However you decide to let your hair down and feel cozy in your home is open for personal interpretation, just remember to take that time for you and your surroundings. A cozy home isn’t perfect! The coziest homes to me are ones that feel equally used and loved!
I’m moving in just a few days so my home is an absolute mess! But that’s okay. I’m practicing contentment with my surroundings… and lived-in is totally cozy, right?Â
Don’t judge each day
by the harvest
you reap,
But
By the seeds
you plant
– Robert Louis Stevenson
Zen good feelings,
ZEN DEN 