The NEOM Guide To Mood Boosting Scents

Here at NEOM, we're all about the small steps that can help to make a BIG difference and when it comes to boosting your mood, scents can really help. Here's a round-up of some of our most uplifting (and 100% natural) scents...

Elisha Sketchley

May 08 2024

3 minute read

Happiness of course means different things to us all, but there's no denying we can all find joy in lighting a scented candle (or two).

How Can Scents Change Your Mood?

When inhaled, some scents can help to trigger the release of endorphins such as dopamine and serotonin which can help us to feel good.

Some studies (like this one - Influence of Fragrances on Human Psychophysiological Activity) even found that "a sense of smell plays an important role in the physiological effects of mood, stress, and working capacity.”

Mood-Boosting Scents

With an entire collection aptly named 'Scent To Make You Happy', we've got plenty of feel-good fragrances that all help spark a brighter mood. Here are four we think you'll love…

Lemon

A study on citrus found that after inhaling a citrus aroma, participants significantly decreased negative emotional stress and improved mood states in participants, lasting up to 30 minutes after inhalation.

The study went on to explain “aromatic effects may alleviate negative emotional stress, which, at least in part, would contribute to the suppression of sympathetic nervous system activity.”

Like we needed another reason to love a lemon-scented candle or essential oil more than we already do.

Find your feel good with our Happiness Essential Oil and Happiness 3 Wick Candle.

Sandalwood

Sandalwood trees are known for their aromatic wood, often used in natural remedies, incense, and fragrances. Sandalwood is very popular in aromatherapy for its calming and grounding properties.

The natural scent of sandalwood could help settle nerves or help you unwind. We recommend embracing sandalwood-scented essential oils to bring a level of calmness to your space. Be that the living space, bedroom, or bathroom, sandalwood essential oils might be just what you need to let the day go.

If you’re in need of de-stressing, explore our Sandalwood Essential Oils, a fantastic way of relaxing from our Scents to De-Stress Range.

Vanilla

Sweet and homely, vanilla is a comforting scent we can’t get enough of. Vanilla originates from the bean, but it has taken the aromatherapy and fragrance industry by storm. And for good reason. Vanilla-scented products can help release tension and help you to feel calmer.

If you love the smell of vanilla as much as we do, we also recommend reading our guide to The Many Benefits of Vanilla Essential Oil.

As we’re covering the benefits of vanilla, it is widely known that lighting a candle (specifically a vanilla scented candle) can help you de-stress after those long days. Check out our Vanilla Scented Candles from our scents to de-stress range.

Bergamot

Citrus fruits like bergamot are mostly grown on southern Italy's coast, especially in the Calabria region. The essential oil extracted from the peel of the bergamot fruit is very aromatic and is, of course, used in our joyous candles and essential oils.

But why is bergamot so relaxing? Bergamot is actually believed to help induce a sense of tranquillity and alleviate symptoms of low mood. But don’t just take our word for it, light a bergamot candle and let your worries melt away.

Shop Black Pepper & Bergamot Scented Candle.

Why not try lighting our Black Pepper & Bergamot Candle or diffusing our Jasmine, Bergamot and Geranium Essential Oil Blend through your Wellbeing Pod.

Ylang Ylang

According to recent research, ylang ylang has been shown to modulate cognitive performance and mood. We know this thanks to a study carried out on the modulation of cognitive performance and mood by aromas. The study goes on to explain that the use of ylang ylang increased calmness

Uses of ylang ylang vary but some of the biggest benefits of adding ylang ylang essential oils to your home could include a boosted mood.

Shop Ylang Ylang Essential Oils.

Candles To Boost Your Mood

Now we’ve covered some of the scents that are believed to help improve your mood, let’s delve into some of the best NEOM candles that can brighten your day.

Embracing the therapeutic potential of a scented candle, as we’ve mentioned, opens doors to holistic wellbeing and invites you to immerse yourself in the transformative power of fragrance.

According to an article published by WebMD, candles promote relaxation. It explains that “burning a candle can help lower stress and promote relaxation. These benefits come more from the scent than the candle itself.”

This makes complete sense to us; a flickering candle releasing your favourite scent is bound to improve your mood and promote a more relaxed environment.

Our most-loved mood-boosting fragrance, Happiness, is a joyful blend of essential oils like zingy lemon, woody and powdered mimosa, and white neroli, to really help elevate your mood.

And, according to Alice du Parcq, fragrance expert, “one of the star ingredients in Happiness is neroli blossom, chosen because it radiates the most succulent, joyful and generous scent of sweet white blossom. Blended with warm, pollen-fuzz mimosa extract and flashes of lemon zest, it’ll make your space feel like it’s flooded with optimistic golden beams of sunshine.”

Experience the joys of our Happiness Candle in a mini Travel Size, a 1 Wick or for a bigger boost, try our 3 Wick.

Shop Happiness Scented Candle.

Discover More With NEOM Wellbeing

Shop the full range of Home Fragrances & Scents and be sure to check out more of our mood-boosting reads in our NEOM Mood Hub. Overflowing with everything you need to know from how to find your feel good, to nutritional tips and more.

And why not explore our collections made to help with stress, sleep and energy too? Shop the NEOM Scents To Sleep Range, Scents To De-Stress, Scents To Boost Energy and of course, our Scents To Make You Happy.

Your Bag