It's no secret that scent is one of the most evocative senses. From light, bright, florals that lift your space in spring, and cooling mint to refresh you on humid May nights, the right fragrance can do more than just set the mood.
In fact, say our home fragrance experts, some scents can actually make your space feel cleverly cooler.
Here, they explain which specific notes to use to make your bed feel cool in summer, and exactly why they work.
It's important to note that no scent is going to actually cool down a bedroom fast and physically reduce the temperature. But, as Jennifer Pressimone, internationally recognized Clinical Aromatherapy Expert, Author, Formulator, and CEO at JennScents and Aromaversity, explains, diffusing cooling scents in the bedroom can help you to sleep better.
'The top main culprits behind sleep issues that I see with clients are stress, anxiety, overwhelm, and burnout,' she explains. 'This causes mental chatter, ruminating thoughts, frustration, and irritability, all of which are heat-triggered emotions.'
So, she advises that, in particular, peppermint and spearmint are among her favorite 'heat reducers,' along with Roman chamomile, lemon, and ylang ylang. 'Their chemical make-up helps lower the physiological and psychological thermostat, providing a cooling sensation,' she says.
'The menthol content in peppermint, for example, binds directly to certain receptors in your skin and mucous membranes, which send a signal to the brain to cool down.
'You’ve heard the saying, “Don’t go to bed mad." The premise behind this is that heat-triggered emotions can keep your sympathetic nervous system on high alert.
To give you a visual, it would be like doing cardio exercises, then trying to go to sleep immediately after. You’ve stimulated circulation so much that you need a buffer to calm your nervous system down.
'When you don’t, it causes mental chatter, anxiety, and nervousness. This is the power scent has when you smell the right ones. It moves you into a calm, cool, and collected state.'
How to Use Cooling Bedroom Scents
To use these cooling scents, Jennifer advises against using your best candles or anything with open flames, which can work to make your space feel psychologically warmer and burn off some therapeutic benefits. Instead, she says, use your best essential oil diffuser (my favorite is the NEOM Wellbeing Pod Luxe) or a room spray to get the best scent therapy benefits.
'Scent inhalation, of course, is my first choice of use,' she adds. 'It has been scientifically shown to be the best route to create the quickest physiological and psychological effect.
'When you inhale a scent, it goes instantly to your emotional and memory center, bypassing your logic region, or what I call your overthinking region. This means your body can calm down faster than you can complete a blink.'
For topical application, Jennifer also recommends combining cooling essential oils, such as peppermint essential oil, available at Walmart, with a carrier oil such as sunflower or jojoba, to further help your body reduce heat.
'For example, a combination of Roman chamomile, peppermint, and ylang ylang emulsified in sunflower oil, and applied to your wrists, the crease of your arm, and the bottoms of your feet, can calm physical heat, as well as emotional heat,' she shares.
What to Shop
If you're interested in trying cooling scents in your own space, below I've rounded up a collection of products to shop, including essential oils to browse, and my favorite essential oil diffuser.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
This high-quality peppermint essential oil is 100 per cent pure and natural, and crafted without any additives, fillers, or synthetic ingredients. It's also ethically-sourced and cruelty-free.
This is my favorite essential oil diffuser. The ceramic cover looks chic and elegant, hiding the plastic beneath, and the bigger size quickly fills even the largest of spaces with scent.
This spearmint oil offers a minty and fresh, milder alternative to peppermint essential oil. It's lab-tested to ensure the purity and quality, and is specifically profiled to rejuvenate, focus, and uplift.
This affordable diffuser looks far more expensive than it costs. It has a sturdy and durable premium ceramic cover, two misting modes, and an independent LED light.
This non-aerosol mint room spray will instantly lift and refresh your space. It's made with essential oils and cruelty-free ingredients that are also Leaping Bunny Certified.
You can make your own homemade room spray using essential oils, distilled water, and unscented witch hazel. This brown glass will protect mixes from harmful UV rays.
Meet the Expert
Interested in more scenting inspiration? Jennifer also shared her thoughts on the best scents for boosting productivity.
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