Over the past six months, we’ve been at home more than ever before. Professional and personal boundaries have been blurred, make-shift offices have appeared on kitchen tables and sofas, and we’ve all needed some rest and relaxation to help us deal with new routines and the ongoing uncertainty.
Some of you may have been working extra hard and really need a safe and relaxing space at home to decompress. Others may need to switch the purpose of a room multiple times during the day, to create environments with the right kind of energy for its varying purposes. We’ve seen first hand just how powerful essential oils can be when trying to set the right vibe in any space throughout lockdown. Here are our tips for harnessing them and getting the most out of every day, even when things get difficult!
How do essential oils impact our mood?
Essential oils have been used throughout history to positively influence the way that we feel. When inhaled the molecules in these natural powerhouses travel into the brain where they impact its emotional centre: The amygdala. The study of aromachology – which we’re huge fans of here at Halcyon Naturals – looks at why certain scents have these varying psychology impacts. It allows us to scientifically validate the anecdotal evidence behind aromatherapy. So, whilst most of us know the calming effects of lavender, aromachology has led to the study of lavender’s physiological impact and why it has a calming influence.
Having spent more days than we can count learning about this brilliant research, we know that essential oils truly can impact the mood of a room. Let us break it down for you.
Home Office
Whether you’re in a dedicated workspace, at the kitchen table or on the sofa, your home office (make-shift or otherwise!) should feel uplifting, motivating and invigorating. Our Energy Room Mist features a blend of lime, black pepper and orange, designed to do exactly that. Spritz around before settling down to work, for an instant sense of motivation.
Hallway / Landing
Whether you’re welcoming yourself or visitors into the home, there’s nothing better than the fresh scents of our Renew Signature Diffuser, a blend of bergamot, rosemary, ginger and lavender. Bergamot brings a deep citrus scent, and helps to activate that “feel-good” hormone serotonin. Rosemary is surprisingly fresh and invigorating and ginger enhances the blend with its uplifting qualities, all complemented by the calming aromas of lavender. Transition through rooms and stages of your day by inhaling these natural aromas in hallways or corridors.
Kitchen
Ideally, the kitchen is overflowing with beautiful cooking aromas, spilling out through the home; mouthwatering and inciting a few tummy rumbles. But once the meal is done, unwanted food smells can hang around. We recommend the Cleanse Candle to refresh the kitchen with cleansing aromas of lavender, peppermint, rosemary and fir. This combination of fresh scents are a nod to some typical kitchen smells, yet when combined they incite a crisp and refreshed environment.
Living Room
Spending time with family, friends and loved ones in the living room will bring a sense of connection, and in these dark, cold evenings, all we want to do is be cuddled up.
The Halcyon Naturals Family Candle is the perfect cosy and calming blend of lavender, palmarosa and ylang-ylang. This scent has been specifically designed to help you relate and connect with the special people in your life. Blankets, snacks, low lighting and the flickering of a wick is bound to make your night-in even better.
Bedroom
Lie back and end your day using our Calm Candle to achieve exactly that. Aromachology has found that lavender has a particularly soothing influence that will ease you into sleep. This is blended with therapeutic peppermint and ginger, which means you’ll be winding down in no time.
Which type of product should you use, and where?
Not only should you switch up the scents you use to create the right mood, but you should also switch up how you use them!
Room mists are great to refresh an area, whether that’s your office, bathroom or kitchen, as they’ll instantly switch up the energy of a space.
Diffusers are a fantastic and compact addition for any hallway or passage in your home. They pack a punch when you walk through the door and invite you inside.
Since the clocks have now gone back and the nights are darker and darker, it’s time to light your candles! Set a cosy and festive mood with our limited edition Holiday Candle, which blends smoky notes of cassia, nutmeg and orange.
Or, if you’re looking to indulge in candles all year round, sign up to our monthly subscription to receive a brand new luxury candle and a self-care gift each month. The best part? You can get £10 off your first box with the code 1STBOX.