There are certain situations which can leave you stressed out and anxious, and in these moments you need something that can have a relaxing effect on the mind and the body. Oftentimes, something as simple as inhaling a certain scent can make you happier and calmer, and below are some of the most popular scents for when you need a little pick me up, or to ease anxiety.

Perhaps the most well-known scent in relation to relaxation is lavender, and according to a study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience, this smell can help improve mood, increase relaxation, and even help with maths computation. And according to Huffington Post, this scent was used in a study of college women to help treat insomnia.

If you’re feeling particularly stressed, then you could benefit from sniffing pine trees and according to Huffington Post, a Japanese study by Kyoto University revealed that walking through forests of pine trees can lower levels of stress and depression.

Another smell that has been proven to have a positive effect on the mind is chamomile, which according to Cosmopolitan has a calming effect, and this is the reason why many people drink the herbal tea. And vanilla can make you feel at ease because according to the publication it is soothing and takes you back to your childhood because the teats of baby bottles are often scented with vanilla.

While there are many smells, like cinnamon and peppermint, which increases alertness, and others like citrus which can make you energized, there are some fragrances that are used in aromatherapy to enhance an individual's wellness, and according to Very Well Mind, lemon is among these smells. The publication notes that lemon can reduce feelings of stress, improve mood, and reduce fearful feelings, and Entrepreneur notes that it has calming and clarifying properties.

Jasmine also has mood enhancing properties and can be used to calm nerves, according to Reader’s Digest.

And then there are non-natural products that can have the same effect, and according to Cosmopolitan, sunscreen can help people to relax. The reason for this is because it reminds us of the sun, and stress-free holidays, bringing back good memories and causing you to become more relaxed. And baby powder can do the same thing because it takes you back to your childhood triggering a nostalgic response and reminding you of the safety of childhood.

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