A Guide to Stress-Relieving Scents for a Calmer Holiday Season

The holidays are beautiful, but they’re also a lot. This time of year brings fuller calendars, bigger emotions, and more to carry. And while all that’s happening, stress sneaks in and makes everything feel heavier. But I’ve found that small sensory shifts can make a big difference. Scent, especially, can calm the room and the nervous system with it.

Scent has this rare ability to reach the parts of us that don’t respond to logic or lists. Some notes are especially good at helping us unwind. Below is a look at the best scents for stress relief with the strongest research behind them, along with simple ways to use those scents to create small moments of calm during the holidays and beyond.

The Science Behind Scent and Stress Relief

There’s a reason scent can shift your whole mood in a breath: It goes straight to the limbic system, the part of the brain that handles emotion and memory. That direct line is why certain scents can soften tension almost instantly. 

But it’s not only emotional — scent triggers physical changes in the body, too. Heart rate slows, breathing evens out, and stress hormones drop. It’s more than a nice moment; it’s a physiological reset. Research has found that inhaling certain calming scents can lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety before medical procedures, and even improve sleep quality in ICU patients.

These effects are why I’m so intentional about the notes I work with. Some scents are especially powerful when the goal is stress relief.

Top Stress-Relieving Scents

Lavender: The Classic Calmer

Best for: quick stress relief, better sleep, easing anxious energy

Lavender is one of the most well-studied scents for stress relief, and the findings are remarkably consistent. Studies have linked inhaling lavender with lower heart rate and blood pressure, improved mood, and reduced anxiety. It doesn’t just help in high-stress moments — lavender also supports better sleep quality, which is often the first thing stress disrupts. Whether you’re up against a deadline or carrying more tension than you’d like, lavender is one of the most reliable scents for helping the body and mind settle.

MINOT scents with lavender: 

• Cove: Sage, lavender, cedarwood
• Aeris: Sandalwood, lavender, fresh citrus

Citrus: The Bright Mood-Lifter

Best for: quick mood boosts, daytime stress management, staying sharp

Citrus scents — especially bergamot, lemon, mandarin and orange — are sunshine in scent form. They’re also some of the most frequently used notes for easing anxiety, including in medical settings where stress tends to spike. Research shows they can stabilize mood, reduce tension, and have a calming effect within minutes. The brightness and clarity of citrus make these scents ideal for daytime stress relief, especially when you need to stay alert and grounded.

MINOT scents with citrus: 

• Sunbeam: Freesia, vanilla and citrus
• Aeris: Sandalwood, lavender and fresh citrus
• Eventide: Amber, bergamot and sage
• Cerulean Tide: Sea salt, lemon, jasmine and amber
• Luna: Mandarin, sandalwood and jasmine
• Dusk: Lemongrass, lime and patchouli

Chamomile: The Gentle Soother

Best for: evening relaxation, soft calm, sleep prep

Chamomile is best known as a soothing tea, but the scent on its own carries the same calming effect. Research and centuries of herbal tradition agree: inhaling chamomile is linked with reduced stress levels and better sleep quality. Its soft, slightly sweet aroma signals to the body that it’s safe to slow down — especially helpful in the evening when the nervous system needs support shifting out of the day.

MINOT scents with chamomile: 

• Dewpoint: Chamomile, spruce and amber

Sandalwood: The Grounding Anchor

Best for: meditation, mindfulness practices, grounding when feeling scattered

Sandalwood has been used for centuries in meditation for a reason. Research points to its ability to ease stress and support emotional balance in both everyday and clinical settings. Its warm, woody depth engages the brain areas involved in relaxation and helps reduce the feeling of being overstimulated or scattered. Sandalwood’s earthiness is especially helpful when you want to create a more centered, meditative atmosphere.

MINOT scents with sandalwood: 

• Cliffwalk: Sandalwood, patchouli and jasmine
• Luna: Mandarin, sandalwood and jasmine
• Aeris: Sandalwood, lavender and fresh citrus

Rose: The Emotional Comforter

Best for: emotional stress, self-care rituals, creating a sense of comfort

Rose is one of the most soothing scents for emotional overwhelm, and it’s often used to ease anxiety in medical settings where stress runs high. Its soft, classic floral profile has a nurturing quality that helps the nervous system settle when stress feels more emotional than physical. Rose is a scent people reach for when they need comfort — the kind of stress that sits close to the heart rather than in the shoulders or jaw.

MINOT scents with rose: 

• Daybreak: Rose, amber and oud

Jasmine: The Centering Lift

Best for: calm alertness, emotional balance, relaxation without drowsiness

Jasmine is popular for its calming and mood-boosting properties. Studies show that inhaling jasmine can ease negative emotions and support the body’s stress response by improving blood oxygen saturation, breathing rate, and blood pressure. What sets jasmine apart is its dual effect: it calms the nervous system while keeping you alert, so you feel grounded without getting drowsy. It’s a beautiful choice when you want to feel centered and present.

MINOT scents with jasmine:

• Haven: Black currant, jasmine and vanilla
• Luna: Mandarin, sandalwood and jasmine
• Cliffwalk: Sandalwood, patchouli and jasmine
• Cerulean Tide: Sea salt, lemon, jasmine and amber

How to Use Stress-Relieving Scents in Your Daily Routine

Scent works best when it’s part of the rhythm of your day. You don’t need elaborate rituals — just small, repeatable cues that help your nervous system understand what comes next.

• In the morning: Start the day with something bright and clarifying. A citrus-forward scent can clear out sleepiness and set a steady tone before the day gets away from you. Light Sunbeam in the bathroom or spritz Aeris while you’re getting ready.
• During the workday: Stress tends to creep in during long stretches of focus, so this is a good time for grounding or uplifting notes. Keep Cliffwalk room spray at your desk as your “reset button.” One or two spritzes can help soften tension and bring you back into your body before you dive into the next task.
• In the evening: This is where calming scents shine. Lavender, chamomile, and warm woods help signal that it’s time to slow down. Light Cove or Dewpoint while you’re making dinner, stretching, or getting ready for bed. These small cues help the body shift out of the pace of the day.
• On the go: Stress doesn’t wait for the “right time,” so having something portable can help. A bottle of Luna in your bag or car becomes a quick moment of grounding when errands, traffic, or crowded spaces start to feel overwhelming.

Final Thoughts

The holidays pull at our time, our attention, and our emotions. Scent won’t make every stressor disappear, but it can help your space feel calmer and more grounded. That’s the purpose of MINOT. Light a candle, spritz a room spray, change the air around you. Your senses will take it from there.

Shop the MINOT Stress-Relief Edit

If you’re craving a calmer season, I pulled together a small collection of our most grounding, mood-softening scents. Take a look, breathe a little easier.