Scent to combat SAD

When November rolls in, daylight disappears faster than your morning coffee and so can your mood. Shorter days and less sunlight affect not just our schedule, but our brain chemistry. This seasonal shift, often tied to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or the “winter blues,” happens because reduced sunlight decreases serotonin (your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitter) and messes with melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep.

But here’s the good news: scent can help bring balance back. Aromatherapy isn’t just “woo-woo wellness”, it’s backed by solid neuroscience. When you inhale certain fragrances, the scent molecules travel straight to your olfactory bulb, which is directly linked to the amygdala and hippocampus, the brain’s emotional and memory centers. That’s why a whiff of cinnamon or vanilla can instantly transport you to Grandma’s kitchen or a cozy winter morning.

Certain scents are especially powerful during this darker season:

Citrus oils (like orange and bergamot) stimulate serotonin production and boost alertness.

(Try Good Smells Inc Earl Grey, Sunshine State or Asian Citrus)

Lavender and chamomile reduce cortisol, calming the stress response.

(Try Good Smells Inc Lavender Earth)

Cedarwood and pine evoke grounded, cozy feelings through earthy sesquiterpenes.

(Try Good Smells Inc National Parks, Dark Academia, Havana or Book Store

Ylang-ylang and geranium balance mood and hormone regulation.

(Try Good Smells Inc Garden)

How to bring scent therapy into your daily routine:

1. Light a soy candle in the morning with citrus or eucalyptus notes. It signals “daylight” to your circadian rhythm.
2. Use a reed diffuser or room spray near your workspace to lift mid-day sluggishness.
3. Simmer a pot of water with our stovetop simmers, instant aromatherapy and humidity for dry winter air.
4. Unwind with an aromatherapy eye pillow at night; lavender and silk together cue deep relaxation and better sleep.

Science shows that olfactory stimulation can alter limbic activity, reduce anxiety, and even improve sleep quality. So when the days get shorter, surround yourself with the warm, bright, and comforting scents that make your brain believe the sun still shines.

This November, don’t just light a candle, light up your serotonin.