The strongest of the five senses, our sense of smell exerts the biggest influence on brain activity. This is one of the reasons why a fragrance can conjure a specific memory or remind us of something or someone.

Anyone who has ever smelled sunscreen and been transported to a summer vacation knows this to be true.

In addition to inducing nostalgia, scented candles and other aromatherapy products can effectively leverage the power of fragrance to make us feel calmer, happier, and even more productive.

Wary about scented products? If you’re particularly sensitive to fragrances, non-scented candles may be your best bet to avoid discomfort. Otherwise, you can rest assured that you’ll be sniffing safely. All fragranced products are required to meet safety specifications set by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA.) These approved fragrances are not harmful to human health.

With benefits backed by scientific research, here a few aromas to work into your self-care routine:

Boost your mood with citrus.

Bright, citrusy scents are associated with the summer months and sunshine for a good reason. Known for its refreshing properties, research shows that citrus may revitalize your mindset too. A Japanese study found that the smell of citrus helped to eliminate emotional stress and boost participants’ moods for up to 30 minutes.

Try lighting a citrus-scented candle to enjoy the mood-enhancing and energizing power of bergamot, grapefruit, orange or lemon. These fruity scents was also overwhelmingly rated as being “happy” and “stimulating” during a mood mapping test.

Ease anxiety with lemongrass.

Feeling anxious or on-edge? A lemongrass scented candle may help calm your nerves. In a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, people exposed to a lemongrass scent experienced a higher reduction in anxiety and tension compared to those who didn’t inhale the scent. These participants also recovered more quickly from a stress-inducing situation.

Lemongrass has a light, refreshing fragrance that is reminiscent of fresh lemons and limes. This fragrance blends well with other vitalizing fragrances such as chamomile, lavender, rosemary, and eucalyptus.

Jumpstart your day with rosemary and eucalyptus.

If you’re fighting a case of the Monday blues or need to focus on a project, rosemary and eucalyptus may serve as the perfect productivity boost.

Research supports the use of rosemary as a cognitive stimulant, with data showing memory improvements, boosted alertness, and enhanced focus. Try lighting a rosemary eucalyptus candle for an invigorating start to your day.

To learn more about candle scents, check out our fragrances page. For more scientific findings on candles, explore our research studies.