The holidays have a funny way of giving us both the magic and the meltdown at the exact same time. One moment you’re admiring twinkle lights… the next you’re wondering why wrapping paper feels like an Olympic sport and why the dog is eating the bow you just tied perfectly.
But here’s the part most people don’t know: your nose is one of the fastest pathways to peace. Literally.
And during a season that pulls you in every direction, scent can be the anchor that brings you back to yourself.
Let’s dive into the story, the science, and simple ways to use scent so you feel more present, more joyful, and more like the version of you who actually enjoys the holidays—not just powers through them.
Why scent is so powerful (and why it matters even more in December)
A few years ago, right in the middle of holiday chaos, I lit a tree-scented candle after a long day of running around. The second that familiar, woodsy aroma filled the room, something shifted. My shoulders dropped. My breath slowed. I felt myself arrive back in my own body.
That moment wasn’t magic. It was biology.
Researchers at Harvard explain that scent has a “direct route” into the limbic system—the part of the brain that controls emotion, memory, and mood. It bypasses the logical part of the brain entirely and goes straight to the place that says:
“You’re safe. You can relax.”
That’s why just one whiff of pine can make you feel like you're walking through a quiet forest. Why cinnamon transports you to childhood kitchens. Why the smell of firewood feels like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket.
Scent hits the emotional control center instantly. No pep talk required.
The holidays stir up memories—scent helps shape them in your favor
The holidays come with a swirl of emotion: joy, nostalgia, overwhelm, expectation, connection, exhaustion… sometimes all before 10 AM.
What scent does is help your body attach a specific emotional signature to a moment.
When you repeatedly pair a scent with calm, comfort, gratitude, or joy, your brain stores that scent and feeling together. It becomes a shortcut to peace—an instant “reset button” you can use all season long.
This is why lighting a Pure Placid candle doesn’t just make your home smell beautiful. It changes the chemistry of the moment.
Over time, that scent becomes your body’s permission slip to soften.
What the research says (in plain, relatable language)
Holiday scents aren’t just “festive”—many mimic natural aromas proven to relax the nervous system.
1. Tree scents help reduce stress and support clarity
Studies on “forest bathing” show that the smell of pine and woods can lower stress hormones and help the nervous system shift into a calmer state. Even simulated forest scents have benefits—your brain recognizes the aroma, even if you’re in your living room and not actually wandering through the Adirondacks.
2. Citrus lifts mood and energizes
Research consistently finds that bright citrus scents—like mandarin and orange—help boost mood and make people feel more alert, joyful, and uplifted. (Which is why Mount Marcy is basically cheerfulness in a bottle.)
3. Warm, comforting aromas (vanilla, spices) soothe tension
Vanilla and cozy spice blends have been shown to help calm the body, quiet the mind, and create a sense of emotional warmth.
4. Aromatherapy in general reduces anxiety
Countless studies across healthcare settings show aromatherapy can reduce anxiety, help improve sleep, and ease stress in the moment. It’s not a replacement for therapy, but it is a powerful tool.
So how do we use scent to feel calmer and more joyful during the holidays?
Here’s what actually works—and what’s simple enough to fit into real life:
1. Choose a scent that becomes your “holiday calm cue.”
Pick one scent you only use during calming moments—never while rushing or multitasking.
Maybe it’s a woodsy tree scent, a cozy vanilla, a bright citrus, or a grounding spice.
Use it when you’re:
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Winding down in the evening
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Wrapping gifts
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Writing thank-you notes
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Taking a moment for gratitude
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Sipping tea before bed
Over time, your brain learns:
“When I smell this, I soften.”
That’s how you turn a candle into a ritual.
2. Use scent to mark transitions.
Holidays are full of emotional whiplash—work to home, errands to events, guests to quiet time.
Use scent to reset:
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When you walk in the door: one deep breath of a grounding room spray
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Before guests arrive: a comforting scent to set the tone
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After everyone leaves: a warm, soothing aroma to tell your nervous system, “We made it.”
This turns everyday moments into gentle, sensory cues your mind can follow.
3. Pair scent with gratitude and reflection.
This season moves fast. Too fast.
Try this small ritual:
Light a grounding candle. Take three slow breaths. Think of one person, place, or moment you’re grateful for today.
Your brain will start to store that scent alongside gratitude—which makes it easier to access calm the next time you need it.
You’re literally building a scented memory of joy.
4. Bring the outdoors in.
If you can’t walk through an actual pine forest, bring the feeling home.
Tree-scented candles, fresh greenery, woodsy notes—your nervous system responds to these cues similarly to how it responds to being in nature.
It’s a small way to create space for peace.
What this all means
The holidays don’t have to feel like you’re running a marathon in a sweater you can’t breathe in.
With scent, you can build tiny rituals that offer grounding during the chaos:
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A moment to breathe
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A moment to be present
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A moment to remember what the season is really about
Pure Placid was created for exactly this—to give you scents that don’t just smell beautiful, but actually support you. Scents that restore you. Scents that bring you back to yourself.
Because the holidays should feel meaningful—not manic.
And sometimes all it takes is one deep breath of something beautiful to remember that.
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