Natural Ways to Boost Your Holiday Mood

I love the aroma of turkey roasting on Thanksgiving morning. The smell of pine cones on the fire and apple cider makes me nostalgic on Christmas day. That's because holiday smells have an emotional connection. They bring back childhood memories. The aromas lift our spirits and make us think of home. Our sense of smell is the quickest way to change our emotions and boost our mood.

And the quickest way to lift your mood and banish fatigue is to energize your home with fragrances you love. The use of essential oils is a natural way to give your home relaxing aromas all year long. Certain scents distract you from everyday stresses that zap your energy.

When you come home weary from the pressures of the day, you need something pleasant and fresh to welcome you. Place a potpourri of citrus oils like lemon, lime, orange and grapefruit in the entrance way. Grapefruit is both soothing and uplifting. Lemons and oranges freshen the air and lighten your mood.

In the kitchen put a couple of drops of essential oils in a pot of water and simmer. Use orange, lime, lemon or grapefruit for a sparkling morning, lavender for a lift in the afternoon, geranium for a soothing midday and rosemary to relieve stress. Add rose or jasmine in the dishwashing liquid at night just for pure indulgence.

Don't forget the hallway where odors and stale air tend to linger. This is the place we usually greet visitors to our home. We want to make the best first impression. Geranium oil is an excellent choice when guests are due because it makes them feel good even before they sit down. A few drops of lemon essential oil will make guests say your house has a relaxing atmosphere...even though they won't know why. But you will!